U. S. Scott #887 - Used [LA01-0053-02-04]

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

887

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1940

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #887 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
5¢ Bright Blue – Daniel Chester French, 1940
(Famous Americans Series – Engraved, Perf 11x10½, Unwatermarked)

Design Overview:
Scott #887 is the 5¢ value of the 1940 Famous Americans series honoring sculptor Daniel Chester French, most noted for his statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial. The stamp depicts a finely engraved portrait of French framed within laurel leaves, with denomination devices at lower corners and tools of sculpture symbolizing his craft. Issued in bright blue, it was printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The present example is used, hinged, and without original gum.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 79 (Fine/Very Fine)
The margins are balanced enough to keep the design clear of the perforations. The top margin is the narrowest, the left margin the widest, and the bottom margin slightly more narrow than the right. According to PSE’s centering scale, this fits Fine/Very Fine centering.

Soundness Evaluation:
This stamp exhibits several structural faults:
Severe Fault: Multiple creases
Minor Fault: Several perf creases
Very Minor Fault: Corner perf crease
Under the 2009 PSE Guide, multiple creases automatically constitute a Severe Fault, which overrides the presence of lesser faults.
Soundness Deduction: –55 points

Perforations and Margins:
Perforated 11x10½ as issued, the stamp retains all perforations, though several are creased and one corner is affected. Margins reflect Fine/Very Fine centering with top being tightest.

Cancellation Evaluation:
The cancel is a black circular strike, medium to heavy, passing across the portrait. While the design remains visible, the cancel intrudes into the central vignette, qualifying as a Heavy cancel under the PSE scale.
Cancellation Classification: Heavy Cancel

Collector’s Note:
Famous Americans issues are common, but collectors prefer neat, lighter strikes. Heavy cancels, as here, diminish the desirability of the example.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
The color is still strong and the impression remains clear. However, the heavy cancel reduces clarity and detracts from balance. Per PSE guidelines, this merits a deduction of –10 points.
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 79 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –55 (Severe Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 24 (Fair/Good)
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 (Heavy Cancel)
Final Grade: 14 (Fair – FR)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 887
Condition: Used, Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering: 79 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Severe Fault (multiple creases plus additional perf faults)
Perforations: Perf 11x10½, intact but creased and weakened
Cancellation: Heavy black strike, obscuring central design
Eye Appeal: –10 points due to heavy cancellation
Final Grade: 14 (Fair – FR)

Final Verdict:
This example of Scott #887 shows Fine/Very Fine centering but is seriously compromised by multiple creases, several perf faults, and a heavy cancellation. These factors drop the grade to Fair, consistent with the 2009 PSE Grading Guide. It remains a low-grade but collectible representative of the Famous Americans issue.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (898)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions