Sv-New Stamps -Opinions Welcome

Here are some new (to me) stamps I just got in.
I would like people opinions.

The first is a 97-F grill
the second is a 70a
I am showing front and back.

The 97 has a filled in thin (viewable on the back) and an expert mark.
the 70a has a corner crease (which for the age of this stamp, doesn't
bother me)

Both of these originated overseas, they were originally on overseas covers.

In my very humble opinion, the 97 is beautiful. It would find a very welcome place in my album anytime. You have the complete design and a light cancellation. As for the "thin", I'm in a quandary over thins. By the way, the repair job on yours appears very expertly done. But in the final analysis, once I put a stamp in my album when am I ever going to look at its backside? I'm looking at a $3 Columbian right now advertised with a thin that is not visible from the front. The price looks very good relative to one of the "perfect" ones. Since I'm not an "investment" collector and just do this 'cause it's great fun, I'd rather have a good looking stamp with a thin than a blank space perhaps forever. Any other thoughts out there?

I couldn't agree more! Beautiful stamps and I was partial to the #70's design with the stars. Congrats on your new stuff!

Very nice, Daryl. I especially like the 97. The B on the back intrigues me. For some reason these expertizing/dealer/owner marks interest me. Sort of tell a tale of the stamps journey.

By the way, the $3 Columbian I was interested in went for $393 even with a thin. Got a feeling, it's going to be a long time before I fill that space in my album. The highest I planned to go was $220. My wife says I'm still living in the '60s when it comes to prices. And why shouldn't gasoline be 20 cents a gallon, I ask!

Love the "Wing Margin" on the bottom of the 97, now that's a piece with Character !

Here is another one I just won..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAP...IBSA:US:1123

SV, lovely #289, and it looks like you got it for an absolutely superb price. Very well centered, too. Don't think I even attempt to work towards a mint set of the Trans-Mississippi series. That's a real chunk of change. I'll just be content with my nicely cancelled ones.