Anthony's Scott 71 "Imperf"

https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Stamps-....m1431.l2649

Has anyone ever seen a Scott 71 large enough to trim the perfs to create this? I have seen some that were wide enough as straddle pane positions, but not so sufficiently tall.

The ad incorrectly states it has a sheet margin at bottom where it is actually the top of another Scott 71.

Maybe a proof with a cancellation added. Scott lists #71 as orange, and this looks more yellow. Further, the proofs are listed as yellow.

Biggest I could find on short notice is this one:

https://siegelauctions.com/lots.php...116-lot-3153

The above appears to be a top row centerline copy.

Anthony's stamp is probably one of two things:
1) A proof with a fraudulent cancel.
2) It wasn't valid to use proofs for postage, but some are known used on covers anyway. It did happen on rare occasions. These are certainly novelty items for collectors, especially so on cover.

It's hard to tell for certain without having the stamp in hand, but it may be a trial color proof on India paper, based upon the color which would be yellow or yellow-orange.

Not my area, so take these opinions with several grans of salt:

1. If this were trimmed, that person should be shot, as the jumbo from whence it came would have been spectacular, IMO worth more than the imperf.

2. I don't like the color; it looks too saturated, so I lean towards the proof with cancel added theory. Then again, the highlights are a bit blown out, so the image could be way off from reality in hand.

An incorrect description from this seller... will wonders never cease?

Almost certainly a proof, look at the background lines behind the vignette. On a stamp they would never be so sharp and clear.

I just remembered this example, though not a 71 but rather a 71sb.



Taking another look at Anthony's "71", the color to my eye looks more yellow towards the top middle.

If it is truly a trimmed 71, yes the perpetrator committed a a sacrilege. As of yet though, I have never seen a straddle margin example that was so sufficiently tall.

The stamp/proof just sold for $63.00