U. S. Scott #E3 - Used - Graded Good

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

E3

Stamp Type

Special Delivery

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1893

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #E3 (Used, Hinged, No Original Gum – Single Stamp)
10¢ Orange Messenger Running, 1893
(U.S. Special Delivery Issue – Orange Design with “Any Post Office” Inscription)

?️ Design Overview
Scott #E3 is the third Special Delivery stamp of the United States, released in 1893. Like its predecessors, it features a dynamic illustration of a messenger in motion, carrying a letter across a brick-lined background. The inscription in the laurel-framed box at right proclaims:
“Secures Immediate Delivery at Any Post Office”
— emphasizing the broadened availability of expedited postal service. The change to a bright orange color in this issue improved visual recognition while preserving its formal design layout.

? Grading Breakdown
Centering Grade: Fine/Very Fine (77)
Top Margin: Slightly full, clear of the design
Bottom Margin: Noticeably narrower but not touching the frameline
Left Margin: Moderate and balanced
Right Margin: Clear with visible white space
Frameline Clearance: Meets the 0.4mm requirement; all four sides show adequate clearance
✅ Assigned centering per PSE standards as Fine/Very Fine (77)

? Soundness Evaluation
Identified Faults:
Fault Description Classification
Moderate crease Fault
Hinge remnant Very Minor Fault
? The moderate crease is significant enough to downgrade soundness from Minor Fault to full Fault category per PSE. Paired with the hinge remnant, the combination confirms this.
? Soundness Category: Fault
? Soundness Deduction: –30 points
? Combined Base Grade (F/VF + Fault): 47 (Good/Very Good – G-VG)

✂️ Perforations & Margins
Perforation Quality:
Bottom left corner exhibits slightly irregular perf alignment
All other sides are clean and fully perforated

Margins:
Top and Right: good spacing
Bottom: narrow but not touching
Left: full and balanced

? Cancellation Classification
Cancellation Type: Black circular date stamp (CDS)
Placement: Sweeps across the top inscription, left vignette (messenger), and partially over the right panel
Effect on Design:
While not obscuring the design entirely, the cancel ink is bold and stretches over all key elements
Partial text remains legible but is visually diminished
? Classification: Heavy Cancel
? Eye Appeal Deduction: –10 points

?️ Eye Appeal Evaluation
Factor Description Adjustment
Color Strong and vibrant orange +1
Impression Good printing and sharp detail 0
Cancellation Impact Heavy; covers key design regions –10
Hinge Remnant Only visible from back 0
Crease Visibility Slight darkening shows through the paper –1
? Net Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Component Value
Centering Grade (Fine/Very Fine) 77
Soundness Deduction (Fault) –30
Base Grade 47
Eye Appeal Adjustment (Heavy Cancel) –10
Final Grade 37 (Good – G)

? Final Summary
Attribute Evaluation
Scott Number E3
Condition Used, Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering Fine/Very Fine (77)
Soundness Fault (moderate crease) + Very Minor Fault (hinge remnant)
Perforations Mostly intact; slightly ragged lower left
Cancellation Heavy CDS obscuring inscription and vignette
Eye Appeal –10 (due to cancel and slight crease visibility)
Final Grade 37 (Good – G)

? Final Verdict
This Scott #E3 stamp presents solid centering and strong color but suffers from a moderate crease and a heavy cancellation that spans across key parts of the design. The hinge remnant is only visible on the back, and the bottom perforations are slightly irregular. These issues lower the final numerical grade to 37 – Good (G) under the PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (574)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

• Bids
• Sales

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions