U. S. Scott #E7 - Used - Graded Fair

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

E7

Stamp Type

Special Delivery

Condition

Used

Centering

VG & Below

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1908

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #E7 (Used, Hinged, No Original Gum – Single Stamp)
10¢ Green Helmet of Mercury and Olive Branch, 1908
(U.S. Special Delivery Issue – Symbolic Delivery Allegory)

?️ Design Overview
Scott #E7, issued in 1908, introduced a shift from action-based to symbolic imagery for U.S. Special Delivery stamps. The design features Mercury’s winged helmet resting beside an olive branch, representing speed and peace. Printed in deep green by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the design is anchored by the inscription:
“U.S. POSTAGE · SPECIAL DELIVERY”, framed in a classical panel beneath the vignette.

? Grading Breakdown
Centering Grade: Very Good (54)
Top Margin: Extremely narrow; perforations appear to touch or slightly cut into the design
Bottom Margin: Full and well-balanced
Left Margin: Narrow
Right Margin: Adequate
Frameline Clearance: At the upper margin, the perforations clearly touch the design
✅ This matches the Very Good (54) definition from the 2009 PSE Grading Guide:
“The perforations actually touch, appear to touch, or very slightly cut into the frameline of the design. Margin ranges from about 0.1mm to –0.1mm.”
? Assigned Centering Grade: 54

? Soundness Evaluation
Identified Faults:
Fault Description Classification
Hinge remnant Very Minor Fault
Dirt smudging/spotting on back Very Minor Fault
? Two Very Minor Faults = Minor Fault Soundness under the PSE Grading Guide.
? Soundness Category: Minor Fault
? Soundness Deduction: –20 points
? Combined Base Grade (VG centering + Minor Fault): 34 (Good – G)

✂️ Perforations & Margins
Perforation Quality:
Intact and well-formed on all four sides
Slight compression at top where perforations cut into the design
Margins:
Tightest at top; good width at bottom; adequate at sides

? Cancellation Classification
Cancellation Type: Overlapping black circular and machine cancel strikes
Placement:
Multiple cancels cross over the “10¢” value circle, Mercury’s helmet, olive branch, and lower inscription panel
One portion of the cancel is a dark bar with a visible “605” number at top right
Ink Weight: Dense black ink; overlaps key design features
Effect on Design:
Obscures central vignette and parts of both textual elements
Design remains recognizable, but visually dominated by the cancel
? Classification: Very Heavy Cancel
? Eye Appeal Adjustment: –15 points

?️ Eye Appeal Evaluation
Factor Observation Adjustment
Color Deep green, consistent and fully saturated +1
Design Visibility Central elements obscured by heavy cancel –15
Back Visibility Faults not visible from the front 0
? Net Eye Appeal Adjustment: –15

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Grading Component Value
Centering Grade (Very Good) 54
Soundness Deduction (Minor Fault) –20
Base Grade 34
Eye Appeal Adjustment (Very Heavy Cancel) –15
Final Grade 19 (Fair – F)

? Final Summary
Attribute Evaluation
Scott Number E7
Condition Used, Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering Very Good (54) – perfs touch the top of the design
Soundness Minor Fault – hinge remnant and dirt spotting on back
Perforations Fully intact; compressed slightly at top
Cancellation Very Heavy cancel, dark, layered, and covering major elements
Eye Appeal –15 points for heavy cancel interference
Final Grade 19 (Fair – F)

? Final Verdict
This example of Scott #E7 presents tight margins with perforations that touch the top of the design, qualifying it as Very Good (54) for centering. While its faults (hinge remnant and back smudging) are minor, the very heavy cancellation obscures much of the central design. With a –15 eye appeal deduction, the final grade is 19 – Fair (F) under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (574)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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