Semeuse Overstamped Algerie

Hi,
I have 3 couples of Semeuse overstamped Algerie,
Can you help me to classify them?
Is the catalogue value for the couple different?
And as a newbie I would want to know the differences between the 3
about centering,quality etc
What's the "best" between the 3 and why?

Thank you

A

B

C

Excellent questions gaspard and well put.

I do not think every answer will be the same. Each collector has his/her own standards and agendas.

Catalogue value, to start with, would just be the price of two stamps. If and only if the stamps were in excellent condition maybe the price would be raised a bit. Again, depends upon the collector and what he wants for his collection.

The first pair strikes me as nice because of the strong colour showing above the cancel. Lightly canceled, the design shows clearly (mostly) and the paper and colour are good. No issues. The centering of both stamps is excellent and generally speaking this pair would attract (or you could ask for with confidence) the highest price for them.

Both of the other pairs have centering problems as the design cuts into the perfs or the perfs cut into the design. This will drop the value in half anyway. The cancels are heavier compared to the first pair and obscure the design somewhat. price lowering factors again.

However, to a person interested in postal history and/or cancels themselves, the story might be different.

The cancel collector hopes for a perfectly centered stamp of course (looks being everything) but is willing to lower those standards to satisfy the acquisition of a needed or desired cancel.

I personally do not know what is common or rare among cancels from Algeria so cannot comment on that but I am drawn to the involved CONSTANTINE ESCOLE cancel.

On both pairs the dates and place names are readable and clear so I suppose it comes down to what is needed and considered by that collector to be rare. For example, in his area, he might never have seen a certain cancel appear very often and so will snap up one he needs when it shows itself (usually).

Personally, being a cancel nut, I would be happy with both bottom pairs and leave the first pair to most of the other collectors out there.

Puzzler perhaps my question was good,
but your answer is excellent
this is exactly what I needed:
an expert sight that is at the same time clear and simple,
the centering and colour argument has become much more clear to me
Thanks!

Do you know their updated catalogue value?

The stamp is Scott Algeria #13, 20 cents used.

Thanks Doug!