U. S. Scott #744 - Used - Graded FR/G (LA01-0039-01-02)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

744

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1934

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #744 (Used – Single Stamp)
5¢ Blue – Yellowstone National Park, 1934
(National Parks Series – Rotary Press Printing, Perf 11, Unwatermarked)

Design Overview:
Scott #744 was issued in 1934 as part of the National Parks commemorative series. The vignette features the famous Old Faithful geyser erupting in Yellowstone National Park, with steam and water jetting high into the sky above a textured landscape. The inscription “YELLOWSTONE” appears in a banner at the bottom above the denomination “5¢,” and “U.S. POSTAGE” runs along the bottom edge. Printed in blue, this issue emphasized the grandeur of America’s wilderness. The submitted example is postally used, never hinged, and has no original gum.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 75 (Fine/Very Fine)
The design is fully clear of the perforations, but margins are uneven. The top margin is the narrowest, the right margin is narrower than the left, and the bottom margin is the widest. This balance places the stamp within the Fine/Very Fine centering range under PSE standards.

Soundness Evaluation:
The following faults are present:
Fault: Moderate crease
Fault: Natural straight edge
Very Minor Fault: Guideline prominent on one or two sides
Very Minor Fault: Light cancellation bleed-through
Very Minor Fault: Two perf tip creases

Taken together, these constitute a Major Fault classification (multiple faults, including a natural straight edge and a crease).
Soundness Deduction: –45 points

Perforations and Margins:
Perforated 11 on three sides, with one natural straight edge. Perforations are intact where present, though some tips show minor creasing. Margins are uneven, consistent with the Fine/Very Fine centering assessment.

Cancellation Evaluation:
The stamp bears a bold circular date cancel in black ink, placed toward the top of the design. The cancel obscures part of the eruption plume but leaves the overall scene recognizable. There is light bleed-through to the reverse. This qualifies as a heavy cancel under PSE guidelines.
Cancel Classification: Heavy Cancel
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points

Collector’s Note:
While National Parks stamps are popular, examples with natural straight edges and heavy cancels are less desirable. More appealing copies are those with balanced margins and light, unobtrusive cancels.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
The blue color is still reasonably strong, but the heavy cancel reduces visual clarity, particularly over the geyser plume. Combined with multiple structural faults, overall appeal is significantly reduced.
Adjustment Applied: –10 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 75 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –45 (Major Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 30
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 (Heavy Cancel)
Final Grade: 20 (Fair/Good – FR/G)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 744
Condition: Used, Never Hinged, No Gum
Centering: 75 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Major Fault (moderate crease, natural straight edge, guideline, perf tip creases, cancel bleed-through)
Perforations: Perf 11 on three sides, natural straight edge on one side
Cancellation: Heavy black circular cancel, partially obscures design, bleed-through visible
Eye Appeal: –10 deduction for heavy cancel
Final Grade: 20 (Fair/Good – FR/G)

Final Verdict:
This used example of Scott #744 shows Fine/Very Fine centering but is significantly compromised by a combination of a natural straight edge, a crease, perf tip creases, and cancel bleed-through. A heavy cancel further diminishes eye appeal, reducing the final grade to 20 (Fair/Good) under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (781)

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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