#399; 397; 462; 517

While resolution is low... are these in good enough shape to be of interest to a collector?


399:


397:


462:


517:

I didn't check your IDs, I'm assuming the numbers are correct.

#399, looks OK, cancel is very weak/smudgy, almost looks like a dirty stamp

#397, major tear at top, straight edge at right; this is a space filler

#462, very strange looking straight edge at bottom, top appears reperfed; if so, this would also be a space filler

#517, looks very nice, hopefully those are shadow spots and not tone spots I see at the right side; this would be the best of the 4 stamps, especially if it is unused and has original gum

Because of the problems with the 2nd and 3rd stamp, I went back and re-examined the 1st and 4th stamp a little more carefully.

I now suspect the top stamp (#399) might have a tear at the bottom that extends to the "C" in "CENTS". Either that or there is some paper crease/flaw there. You might want to check that out, since there is only so much I can confirm/guess from just a scan.

Also, the bottom stamp (#517), take a look at the right edge, at the 2nd complete perf hole. Is there a scuff there that takes out a bit of the right frame line?

kjh

On the 399, there is no tear at the C in cents, despite picture.

on the 517, with a magnifying glass, there is a tiny knick, less that what picture represents. Good eye!

Which imperfections count most?

Hmmm, now I'm wondering if you might have a plate flaw or paper flaw? That would be out of my league. Paper flaw, bad. Plate flaw, good.

Of the faults I mentioned, typical retail (not wholesale) price compared to catalog for that era stamps:

1-10%, major tear (into design)
1-5%, altered/repaired stamp (such as reperforation)
10-25%, natural straight edge
20-33%, very minor scuff

A lot of collectors don't like thins. You usually cannot tell those from the front side, so I really don't know why stamp prices take such a huge hit for thins. But thins will run 5%-20% of catalog, depending on how significant of a thin.

My opinion.

Does it reach the frame line? Minor knick is about the same as missing tooth/corner = 50%. If it reaches the frame line, then 25-40% because it appears very minor.

The #462 is actually a #542 - perf 10x11 rotary printing.