U. S. Scott #585 - Used - Graded Fair

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

585

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

VG & Below

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1925

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation - Scott #585 (Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum - Single Stamp)

Design Overview
Scott #585 is a 4-cent Martha Washington stamp from the 1923 Fourth Bureau Issue, issued with perforations. The stamp features an engraved portrait of Martha Washington, framed in an oval design. The denomination "4 CENTS" appears at the bottom, and "UNITED STATES POSTAGE" is inscribed at the top.

This example is used, has no original gum, and has never been hinged (NH).

Grading Breakdown
Centering Grade: Very Good (51)
✔ The perforations touch or very slightly cut into the design's frameline.
✔ Measured margins range from about 0.1mm to -0.1mm, meeting the definition for Very Good centering.
✔ The design remains mostly intact, though margins are quite tight.

? Assigned Centering Grade: 51 (Very Good - VG).

Soundness Evaluation
✔ The stamp has no tears or thins visible from the front, but it does have:

Minor Fault: Heavy cancellation ink bleed-through visible on the back.
✔ There are no structural faults like deep creases or paper breaks.
? Soundness Classification: Minor Fault
? Deduction Applied: –20 points
? Grade Before Eye Appeal Adjustment: 31 (Good - G)

Perforations & Margins
✔ Perforations are intact, though alignment is tight on the right and top.
✔ Slight variance in margin width is consistent with Very Good centering.
✔ No missing or clipped perfs are observed.

Cancellation Classification
Cancellation Characteristics:
Large, heavy black circular date cancel
Obscures portrait and parts of the denomination
Visible ink bleed-through on the back
Likely a bullseye cancel, centered over the design
? Cancellation Category: Very Heavy Cancel
? Deduction Applied: –20 points (per your guidelines)

Eye Appeal Evaluation
Aspect Assessment
Color Rich brown; strong contrast
Impression Clear lines and typeface despite cancel
Cancellation Very Heavy (–20 points; design obscured)
Overall Adjustment –20 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Grading Component Points
Base Centering Grade (Very Good) 51
Soundness Deduction (Minor Fault – Bleed-through) –20
Eye Appeal Deduction (Very Heavy Cancel) –20
Final Grade 11 (Fair - FR)

Final Summary
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 585
Condition Used, Never Hinged, No Gum
Centering 51 (Very Good - VG)
Soundness Minor Fault: Heavy cancel bleed-through (–20)
Perforations & Margins Full perfs, very tight top and right margins
Cancellation Very Heavy, obscures design (–20)
Final Grade 11 (Fair - FR)

? Final Verdict
This used, NH Scott #585 receives a final grade of 11 (Fair - FR) due to a very heavy cancellation, minor soundness fault from ink bleed-through, and tight margins that lower the centering grade to Very Good. While the stamp is intact and identifiable, the visual impact of the cancel significantly reduces its desirability. It is best suited as a space filler in a used Washington-Franklin collection.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (670)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

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Store

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions