1899 Cuba Overprint Dilemma

I have this nice looking Cuba overprint I'm trying to decide what to with it. The stamp has almost perfect borders and is extremely well centered. PSE doesn't have a SMQ for this one. There are three options. Leave it as is and find a place to keep it, Sell it as is and look for another extra fine copy, or remove the stamp and submit it for grading. The stamp is a low cost item but so is it's counterpart the 281. The 281 in Scott used is $2.25. However the SMQ graded 95 is $155.00 and 98 is $725.00. The problem I see with the piece is the stamp isn't tied to it. If I remove it I lose the cancel. Let me know what you think.
Bill

I would think it could be graded on piece. I certainly wouldn't remove it, let an expert do that if needed.

Since it is a cheap stamp I would leave it on the piece. The cancel is probably unusual!

Peter

An interesting study on the Cuba postmarks may be found here. Specifically pages 46-57 refer to US Military Postal Station No. 10, Havana, Cuba. Page 49 suggests that the Duplex Canceller with horizontal lines (as in the example in the initial scan) was put into use in February 1899 and was used until mid-1899:

http://www.philat.com/FIL/Collectio...02-Part1.pdf

I, too, would not remove it form the piece. In my opinion, it is tied at the bottom by the killer in the postmark.

I would not remove it either.

Wt1, you always have some great info! Thanks for all your comments. I must say the collector inside of each one of you has spoken. I have been trying to curtail the areas I collect. Yet when I see a nice piece and the price is right , well I just have to get it. The stamp has it's reprieve for now.

1847bill,What is your sense of a grade on this stamp?
I would leave it on the piece.

I thought it would grade a 95. What I don't know is how much demand there is for graded US Possessions stamps.

It's off a bit to the right and to the top, plus it has a guideline. It's an 85.

Perhaps your right. The guide lines bothered me the most. Also I don't have the SMQ for it. It is always important to check that and the pop report.

Actually I hate grading, but I have become much better at it over the last few years.

1847bill, what is the pop report you are referring to?

Perhaps my eyes are playing tricks on me, please confirm one way or the other that below "PESO", between the "ES" in PESO, is there a pulled perf? It might just be my old eyes playing tricks on me?

I find if I want to get an idea about grading a stamp, turn it upside down and then view it, works great for me.

Dave

Turning it upside down is always a good idea.

pop refers to population report

definitely not a 95, and I would keep it on its piece with that cancel

the perf in question isn't completely mising, so short rather than pulled