U. S. Scott #C115 - Used - Graded VG/F

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

C115

Stamp Type

Air Mail

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1985

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #C115 (Used, Never Hinged – Single Stamp)
44¢ US Airmail – Transpacific Airmail 1935 (China Clipper), 1985
(U.S. Airmail Issue – Historic Airmail Flights Series)

?️ Design Overview
Scott #C115 commemorates the landmark Transpacific Airmail flight by the China Clipper in 1935. The stamp’s design features the nose and wing section of the aircraft, including three propellers and a visible American flag. Ground crew members or pilots are shown boarding or inspecting the aircraft. A clear sky background and bold black lettering mark the significance of this milestone in international aviation.

? Grading Breakdown
Centering Observation:
This stamp is reasonably well-centered, with the left margin slightly narrow and the right side noticeably wider. The top and bottom are balanced. The design is well clear of all perforation holes and retains its visual balance.
Margins:
Left Margin: Slightly narrow
Right Margin: Wide
Top/Bottom: Balanced and full
Overall Impression: Slight leftward shift
? Assigned Centering Grade: 79 (Fine/Very Fine)

? Soundness Evaluation
Gum: No gum (typical for used stamps)
Hinging: Never hinged
Creases/Thins: None visible
Visible Faults: Dirt spotting/smudging seen on back (mild)
Perforations: All teeth intact and undamaged
? Fault Classification: Very Minor Fault (Dirt smudging on reverse)
? Soundness Deduction: –7
? Adjusted Base Grade: 72

✂️ Perforations & Margins
Perforation Quality: Fully intact and evenly punched
Edge Condition: Clean with no tears, pulls, or creases
Margins: Slight imbalance left-to-right but comfortably clear of design

? Cancellation Evaluation
Cancellation Type: Black machine wavy-line cancel
Location: Spans horizontally across most of the design including key image elements
Impact: Heavy presence on the face of the stamp; blurs and obscures central aircraft features, especially the wording and wing area
? Cancellation Classification: Very Heavy
? Eye Appeal Impact (Cancellation): –12

?️ Eye Appeal Evaluation
Aspect Assessment Impact
Color Strong blues and whites, still vibrant despite usage +1
Impression Well printed, details visible under cancellation +1
Freshness Reverse dirt spotting lowers perception of freshness –1
Balance Minor off-centering, not visually distracting 0
Faults Visible Front looks clean; dirt on back not visible from face 0
Cancellation Very heavy, significantly detracts from design clarity –12
? Eye Appeal Adjustment: –11

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Component Score
Centering Grade 79
Soundness Deduction –7
Subtotal 72
Eye Appeal Bonus –11
Final Grade 61 ✅

? Final Summary
Attribute Details
Scott Number C115
Format Single Stamp
Condition Used, Never Hinged
Gum No gum (standard for used)
Centering Fine/Very Fine (79)
Soundness Very Minor Fault – dirt smudging on reverse
Eye Appeal –11 – very heavy cancel obscures central design features
Final Grade 61 (Very Good–Fine) ✅

? Final Verdict
This used example of Scott #C115 maintains a clean front view with decent centering and no structural faults, but the very heavy cancellation and minor dirt spotting on the reverse lower its overall grade. With a final score of 61 (Very Good–Fine), this stamp remains collectible for completion purposes, particularly in thematic airmail collections.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (579)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

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No

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