Would This Perfin Be Considered Unused?

There are no markings on the back and the envelope has never been sealed.
The stamp has a cool, K inside a U, perfin.

Nice University of Kansas perfin. Hard to tell if it has been postally used or not. I suggest that possibly the envelope was handed to the addresee, who was at one point on the faculty of the University of Kansas.

Interesting to note that H. Louis Jackson was a Professor of Chemistry at Rhode Island State College and had several published papers on chemistry in foods that are readily available on the internet:



Of course, his tenure at the University of Kansas was as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in Charge of Foods, beginning in 1907:

I wonder if he ever became Dr. Jackson? Also I wonder if he was a stamp collector? The penciled notes at the top I believe are U.S. stamps that may have been in the envelope at one time. It would have been many years after the initial use which was probably 1909ish

If it is (has been) licked and put on an envelope, it can't be considered "Not" used. If it has glue on the back and has not been put on anything, it can be considered "mint" or unused. Many perfins go through the mail and do not get cancelled. Value wise, it is still considered used when you try to sell it.

Ok. Thanks PoStat.
My understanding for classic stamps (not perfin) is you can have an 'unused' description with or no gum.

In the case of Perfins, it generally doesn't matter. A common perfin pattern will usually sell for low prices, uncancelled may bring a few extra pennies, but the highest value can be obtain by leaving the item ON Cover.

I the case of a very high rated perfin, the value will probably be more spaced if it is clean of cancel (once it has been removed from cover), over one that is slathered with ink. Again, a high rated perfin on cover will be worth a good deal more.

In addition, the completeness of the pattern is important. A low rated item with a partial pattern is usually valued at giveaway pricing.

Hope this helps some.