Advice On A US Scott #1 5 Cent Franklin

Greetings,

I found a #1 on cover that appeals to me. Although I like the cover, I'm very uneasy about the stamp. After staring at it too long I thought I'd ask the experts. This is a picture of the stamp I borrowed. Excuse the quality. It's the best I could get. The arrows are mine.






The margins aren't much to write home about. I've never seen a cut like the bottom. The cancellation on the cover seems just a tad out of alignment with the cancellation on the stamp. There also isn't any continuity between the ink on the stamp cancellation and the cover itself; there is always a small gap. Along with the tear on the lower right, I suspect the stamp was reattached.

Am I being too picky???

I'm probably going to pass on this one. Since I'm hunting, any comments would be appreciated so I know what to look for.

Thanks!

Dan

It seems to me that I have seen that exact same image somewhere before. Can't help you on authentication but I would be very cautious before dropping a load of money on that. These have been faked a lot.

I'm certainly no expert either, but as far as the cancel goes, the ink is going to react differently on what are probably two different kinds of paper. Also, you point to areas next to the stamp where the cancel fails to meet the envelope. The raised paper of the stamp would probably cause that, not allowing for contact of the cancel maker (don't know the technical term) to make contact with the paper. Just some observations.
Nice looking though.

My opinion is that the gap you refer to is quite common. The far left bar of the cancel is in perfect alignment on the envelope and the stamp.(I checked it with a straight edge) The tear and top and bottom margins are bad news. The cancel needs an expert to determine if genuine or not but personally it appears questionable with the very thin well defined outer circle in combination with the ink run, or smear, on the bottom left of the stamp. Off paper the stamp would not bring a very high price. On a cover in good condition however, always brings a premium even with a faulty satmp.

I think your initial reaction was right. I'd pass on it for now. It is an expensive purchase and the stamps still come up for sale on a steady basis. With all of your doubts and with other SCF member comments, it should be relatively easy to find a nicer example without so many questionable aspects on the specimen.

Of course, price is another factor. Is this example exceptionally below average market price? If it is, it may give you pause anyway, as someone may be trying to sell something they know is less than what is truly presented here. On other hand, bargains do come up every now and then.

Besides, if you ever plan to sell your collection (or at least this stamp) in the future, these very same questions will continue to haunt you and any prospective buyer which will likely result in diminished value to the stamp that would make it less than a wise purchase.

Before I say I would pass on it, I would like to know how much is being asked.

Dan,

Here is one that is going for about twice what the cover you're looking at is but it is offered "buy it now" or "make an offer" so you can name your price and hope the seller accepts or comes back with something agreeable to you. It has four margins and a blue Philadelphia town cancel, although there appears to be a small corner crease in the upper left margin. The cover also bears the expertizer mark "Rauh" in the upper left corner (although his expertizing areas are (or were) were Argentina and Uruguay). Something to think about.

Steve



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scott-1-Fra...em588e3f882b

Thanks everyone for the input!

Steve: That's one beautiful cover. I'm going to have to swallow real hard If I am going to make an offer in that ballpark though.

After looking at that cover and a few others, the cover I was looking at makes me more uneasy than ever. For a price North of $200 I think I can do better. The search continues.

Thanks!
Dan