U. S. Scott #285 - Used - Graded Poor (LA01-0013-01-01)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

285

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1898

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #285 (Used, Never Hinged, Partial Original Gum – Single Stamp)
1¢ Green – Marquette on the Mississippi, 1898
(Trans-Mississippi Exposition Issue – Flat Plate Printing, Perf 12)

Design Overview
Scott #285 is the 1¢ green stamp from the Trans-Mississippi Exposition commemorative series of 1898. It features an engraved scene titled Marquette on the Mississippi, showing Jesuit missionary Father Jacques Marquette with Native American guides on the river. This detailed image is framed by heavy scrollwork with inscriptions at top and bottom. The stamp was printed using the flat plate method and is perforated gauge 12.

This example is postally used, reportedly never hinged, and retains partial original gum.

Grading Breakdown
Centering Grade: Fine/Very Fine (77)
The margins are all clear of the design, with the bottom margin being the most narrow, the top moderately wide, and the right slightly tighter than the top. The left margin is the widest and features a natural straight edge. The balance is slightly off, but this centering falls within the acceptable range for a Fine/Very Fine (77) grade.

Soundness Evaluation
This stamp exhibits multiple faults that significantly impact its condition. There are several faulty perforations, including clipped, short, and pulled tips, most evident at the upper left and lower right—qualifying as a major fault. A cut corner at the upper left affects the margin paper but not the design, and also qualifies as a major fault. The left margin is a natural straight edge, which is considered a fault post-1890. On the reverse, ink from the black machine cancel has bled through the paper, which qualifies as a minor fault. Additionally, a guideline is prominently visible on one or two edges, which constitutes a very minor fault under the PSE Guide.

With two major faults (perfs and corner), one fault (straight edge), one minor fault (cancel bleed), and one very minor fault (guideline), the stamp falls squarely into the Severe Fault category.
Soundness Deduction: –55 points

Perforations and Margins
Perforated 12 on three sides with a natural straight edge at left. Several perforation tips are short, clipped, or pulled, particularly on the upper and lower corners. A visible guideline is present along the bottom edge. Margins are clear of the design on all sides but visually imbalanced.

Cancellation Evaluation
The stamp bears a black wavy-line machine cancel that runs horizontally across the central vignette. The cancel obscures the figure of Marquette and part of the background. On the reverse, the ink has heavily bled through the paper in curved lines, matching the position of the front cancel. The strength and placement of this marking meet the criteria for a Very Heavy cancel.
Cancellation Classification: Very Heavy Cancel
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –15 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Centering Grade: 77
Soundness Deduction: –55
Adjusted Base Grade: 22
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –15
Final Grade: 7 (Poor – PO)

Final Summary
Scott Number: 285
Condition: Used, Never Hinged, Partial Original Gum
Centering: Fine/Very Fine (77)
Soundness: Severe Fault (clipped perfs, cut corner, cancel bleed-through, straight edge, prominent guideline)
Perforations: Perf 12, natural straight edge at left, extensive damage to perf tips, visible guideline on bottom edge
Cancellation: Wavy-line machine cancel, Very Heavy, with ink bleed-through visible on reverse
Eye Appeal: –15 point deduction due to heavy visual obstruction
Final Grade: 7 (Poor – PO)

Final Verdict
While the centering of this Scott #285 is within the Fine/Very Fine range, the stamp suffers from multiple serious issues including damaged perforations, a cut corner, natural straight edge, bleed-through, and a visible guideline. These result in a Severe Fault classification, and the Very Heavy cancel further reduces the visual appeal. Under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, the final numerical grade is 7 (Poor – PO).

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (722)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

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Store

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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