U. S. Scott #294 - Used - Graded G/VG

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

294

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

Fine

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1901

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #294 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
1¢ Green & Black – Fast Lake Navigation, 1901
(Pan-American Exposition Issue – Steamship on the Great Lakes)

?️ Design Overview:
Scott #294, issued as the first value in the 1901 Pan-American Exposition commemorative set, depicts a steam-powered vessel in motion titled Fast Lake Navigation. This black vignette within a green frame captures the technological optimism of the turn-of-the-century United States, highlighting the speed and utility of Great Lakes steamships. This example is used, has been hinged, and retains no original gum. The design remains largely unobstructed, with minor flaws primarily located on the reverse.

? Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 70 (Fine – F)
The design comes close to the perforations along the left and bottom edges, but all margins remain intact with visible white space.
The top and right margins are wider and well-balanced.
Under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, this qualifies as Fine centering.

? Soundness Evaluation:
Fault Type Description Category
Very Minor Fault Hinge remnant on reverse (visible brown patch) Very Minor Fault
Very Minor Fault Light cancellation bleed-through visible from front to back Very Minor Fault
Very Minor Fault Ink spot on reverse (small pink smudge, upper-left) Very Minor Fault
Three Very Minor Faults together are graded as a Minor Fault under the 2009 PSE soundness guidelines.

✂️ Perforations & Margins:
All perforations are full and even, with no clipped or blunted tips.
Perfs align well with the design boundaries.
Margins are slightly narrow left and bottom but remain within Fine centering tolerance.

?️ Cancellation Classification:
Type: Neat / Clean Black Cancel
A circular black cancel is present, mainly across the top portion of the stamp.
The steamship and central vignette are not obscured.
This qualifies as a Neat / Clean cancel under PSE standards, with no impact on the eye appeal score.

?️ Eye Appeal Evaluation:
Factor Evaluation Adjustment
Cancellation Neat / Clean – no bonus or deduction 0
Color & Freshness Strong contrast between green frame and black center 0
Paper Condition Minor faults already addressed in soundness 0
Total Adjustment 0

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Value
Base Grade (Fine Centering) 70
Soundness Deduction (Minor Fault) –25
Eye Appeal Adjustment (Neat / Clean Cancel) 0
Final Numerical Grade 45
Final Adjectival Grade: Good–Very Good (G–VG)
Per the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, a score of 40–49 corresponds to Good–Very Good.

? Final Summary:
Category Description
Scott Number 294
Condition Used, Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering 70 (Fine – F)
Soundness Minor Fault (3 Very Minor: hinge remnant, bleed-through, ink spot)
Perforations Full, even, no trimming or damage
Cancellation Neat / Clean CDS – does not obscure design
Eye Appeal 0 point adjustment (neutral impact from cancel)
Final Grade 45 (Good–Very Good – G–VG)

? Final Verdict:
This Scott #294 stamp presents strong visual clarity and Fine centering. Three very minor flaws on the back — including a hinge remnant, slight cancel bleed-through, and a small pink ink spot — collectively reduce its soundness score. A clean cancellation leaves the design fully visible, resulting in a final grade of 45 (Good–Very Good) under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (579)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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