"Near Very Fine" Wording?

H. R. Harmer (https://hrharmer.com/en/home#) has an upcoming auction #3013 with some interesting lot descriptions, at least in the revenue section.

This stamp is described as "near very fine."





Maybe it's just me, but it seems like saying a stamp is almost very well centered, when it fact it clearly isn't, is a weird way of describing something.

It's like saying something is almost new: it either is new, or it isn't.

Perhaps this goes with the "couple blunted perfs" comment, when clearly one fourth of all the perforations are "blunted." So, 25% is a "couple"?

Jim

"near very fine" clearly means fine. Almost as bad as "would be very fine but for missing corner".

Not to mention a pretty sloppy reperforating job on the left side.

How about "nearly very fine, except for clipped right side, short perf on top, reperforated left side, and centering."

One last thing: the cancel is printed, not handstamped.

So... pretty much everything in the item description is incorrect.

Jim

It's probably not reperforated, just some very dull pins. It's a well known printed cancel, but they are not particularly knowledgeable about revenues. The opening bid is probably too close to the retail value for it to get any bids.

Actually the next lot appears to be worse; I doubt that it is genuine. Nor is 1673 likely to be genuine. And I have my doubts about 1683.

https://stampauctionnetwork.com/ha/ha301334.cfm#97

I think you meant lot 1684?

Almost a classic fake imperf.: three reasonable margins and then the fourth is no margin at all.

Jim

The $1.60 would have to be looked at, but it actually has much to recommend itself. The impression and shade appear to be correct. And these values were printed quite close together, it would be very unusual to have both the top and bottom margins so wide on a perforated stamp. I am inclined to think it genuine, albeit a not very attractive example.

Some perforated pairs from the Curtis census. Notice how small the margins are.

http://www.thecurtiscollection.com/...stampType=66

And no mention of the pinholes in Lot 1698.

Looks like staple holes and a small tear. Must be part of the premium.

I agree with Bart. As much as one can tell from Interwebz pictures, if I had to bet on one side or the other, I would lean genuine.

Hi all, I think I know what "Interwebz" means, but not totally for sure.

Would someone explain what the meaning is?

Stampmaster

interwebz = internet

Why not just use the word "internet" rather than "interwebz" which hardly anyone know or needs to know. Is this an example of an "elite" speaking to the "masses"?

I don't think so. It's just slang; a "different" way of saying something that is a twist in a way.

I would guess that the intent of using this particular word was to be humorous.

Jim