U. S. Scott #RB28 - Used - Graded Fair (SL01-0002-03-03)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

RB28

Stamp Type

Revenues - Proprietary

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1898

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #RB28 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
2½¢ Red – Battleship Proprietary, 1898
(Spanish-American War Proprietary Issue – Engraved Printing, Rouletted Separations)

Design Overview:
Scott #RB28 is a 2½¢ red proprietary revenue stamp issued during the Spanish-American War in 1898. The design features a battleship at sea framed by ornate scrollwork, with "UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE" along the top and "PROPRIETARY" along the bottom. The denomination "2½" is in each upper corner, and the stamp was printed by engraving with roulette separations.

The submitted example is used, hinged, and no longer retains original gum. While the design is still legible and well-struck, there are multiple structural faults that significantly lower its grade.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
The design is well clear of the roulette cuts on all four sides, though the bottom margin is the narrowest, and the right margin is the widest. The left margin is slightly narrower than the top, but the margins meet the criteria for Fine/Very Fine centering according to the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Soundness Evaluation:
The stamp suffers from multiple serious defects, including a large tear and a large thin, with evidence of additional small thins. A hinge remnant and light ink transfer are also present on the reverse. Under PSE grading standards, these faults place the stamp in the Severe Fault category.
Soundness Classification: Severe Fault
Soundness Deduction: –55 points

Perforations and Margins:
The roulette separations are typical for the issue. All sides are complete, though the edges exhibit the usual irregularities associated with this separation method. There is no evidence of trimming or post-issue alteration.

Cancellation Classification:
Upon closer inspection, the cancellation is a bold violet handstamp cancel that covers a significant portion of the vignette and text. While strong and fully legible, it is heavy and obscures much of the central design, particularly the battleship. Under the 2009 PSE guidelines, this qualifies as a Heavy Cancel rather than a neat or light cancel. Heavy cancels can result in up to a –10 point deduction when they materially detract from the stamp’s overall appearance.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
Because the cancellation obscures key elements of the design, an additional –10 point deduction is applied for heavy cancellation.
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –55 (Severe Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 22 (Fair/Good)
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 (Heavy Cancel)
Final Grade: 12 (Fair – FR)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: RB28
Condition: Used, Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering: 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Severe Fault (large tear, large thin, additional thins, hinge remnant, ink transfer)
Perforations: Roulette, complete but irregular
Cancellation: Heavy violet handstamp cancel obscuring the central design
Eye Appeal: –10 point deduction applied
Final Grade: 12 (Fair – FR)

Final Verdict:
This used Scott #RB28 exhibits Fine/Very Fine centering but is heavily compromised by multiple major faults and a heavy violet cancellation that obscures much of the design. These issues result in a final grade of 12 (Fair) per the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (723)

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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