US Scott # 1: Legit?

Does this stamp look legit? I am new to collecting, but like the clean look of this stamp. Perhaps it is too clean looking?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/US-Scott-1-U...232188970384

Also, I was thinking to find out more about the backside. Any other questions I should be posing?

Thanks,

-Charles

Looks OK from the front, but this isn't a good picture. You'd need better resolution to get an idea of what kind of cancel is on it (e.g., manuscript/pen or handstamp). Wouldn't hurt to ask for a picture of the rear, where faults are often visible to the naked eye that you can't see from the front.

Welcome to the hobby.

Thanks Dudley. This is helpful!

-Charles

my opinion

the good: early delivery (perhaps 1st) with typical brown color from these earlier stamps. (versus the red brown shades more commonly seen with stamps produced later on) The stamp has a very sharp, fine impression typical of the earlier deliveries. I very much prefer copies that you can see fine detailed impression around franklin. 4 margins

the bad: I cannot tell if stamp is sound or not. Need a back scan and better resolution (as per dudley). centering is fine. Only a guess, but perhaps has a lightened manuscript/pen cancel (less desirable). If sound, prices at major auction houses for a used fine-vf centered scott #1 without pen cancel are around 100-200$. Thus this stamp is overpriced. If this stamp has a crease/thin/ or tiny tear or lightened pen cancel, its may only be worth 50-100$. I guess I'm saying it may be overpriced at 299$.

rg

Asked another way...

Would I consider dropping a few hundred dollars on a stamp with that single, low resolution image?

No.

The stamp might be worthy, but if I was interested in it I would ask seller to supply a few high resolution images, including the back.
Don

Welcome cshahar,

Believe in the folks that want higher resolution scans.

This stamp just came on the market. When looking at the history
of this seller, he/she has bought far more stamps than they have sold.
That does not mean that they are a bad seller.

They say that the SCV value is $400. To get 70% of SCV without showing a high res image, you could consider walking into a brick and mortar shop or a stamp show, where you may be treated like a king spending less than 70% of SCV.

As an inexperienced buyer, I have made a number of buys that I have regretted.

Best wishes and good luck!

Thank you. This is extremely helpful! He did send me a scan of the back and it looks good. I decided to buy it on the recommendation of another forum. I should have checked with you guys first regarding the high res scans!

-Charles

I wouldn't spend $20 on a stamp without a good scan of both front and rear.

The seller has a 14-day return policy. I'd suggest reviewing it closely and posting a high-res scan back on this forum for further input. Good luck!