How Much Perf Damage Is OK On Large Queens?

I believe that centering is most important because that determines the condition according to most catalogs. A well centered stamp means a grading of VF condition. Less centering means lower condition to F-VF, Fine or VG.

The perfs would be next for me because healthy perfs means a healthy stamp. Although minor damage such as short or blunted perfs may not harm the stamp that much. Too many faulty perfs will get a negative comment on a certificate or Auction Lot description and decrease the bid on the stamp whether it's ebay or Feldman.

The cancel is last. Of course, if it is a very heavy cancel, then that's a negative. But for most postmarks, it may be light or average. There is no negative here but it is a positive if it is good postmark.

Something that most collectors don't look for is the possibility there's a variety on the stamp. This is something I always look for even before the centering. But that's only because that's most important to me and the fit into my collection. Because few collectors look for this, it gives me the opportunity to find more of them.

My favorite of the Large Queens is the 12½. What an outstanding color.

Top scan:
blue, milky blue, deep blue (don't like the top perfs), bothwell paper, bothwell paper w/watermark

Bottom scan:
balloon flaw, missing left frame at tablet, missing right frame at tablet

To add to the 12 1/2 cents pictures, here is one obtained in the earlier Bringham sale that shows yet another variety: dot in bottom right 1.

Since for both the Large Queens and also the Small Queens perforation measurements range from 11.5 all the way to 12.5 and many measurements somewhere in between both of these numbers, having as many intact perforations as possible on these issues is very important.

This one is well centered with large margins for a Large Queen and is on a Very Thick Paper.