Possible Bisect On Cover - Scott US #114c

Hi, I picked up this cover recently. The stamp in question is a US 3 cent Scott #114. There is a C variation, which is a bisect. This stamp has clearly been cut. However, it looks to still contain roughly 80% of the stamp instead of the 66% one would expect if it was bisected to be used as 2 cents.

I believe that bisects were simply cut with scissors by a postmaster. Is it possible the postmaster missed the 1/3 and 2/3 cut this badly? So my basic question is could this be a #114C?

Full Cover:


Stamp and cancel closeup:


8X magnified cut edge and tie with cancel:


Thank you in advance for any insights and obsevations.

The short answer is no.

The longer answer is that your stamp is a natural straight-edge stamp from the side of a pane. This stamp was printed in press sheets of 200, then cut into a left and right pane of 100 for retail sale. The cutting was often imperfect (and independent from the perforating step), yet within production tolerance. Your stamp was cut too far to the left, just as the stamp below was cut too far to the right (image from a lot currently on ebay).

Stamps such as this are often called "straddle" or "straddle pane" copies as they show portions across the normal cutting line. Consider what the stamp to the right of this would have looked like.

Beyond that, the letter rate was 3 cents and no clerk would have knowingly done this.

My vote is "no".

I will add to what John said to point out that the standard letter rate was 3c at the time. Had it been mailed from Newburgh NY to Newburgh NY then one could argue it would qualify for the 2c drop letter rate. As it stands, it appears to be a normal 3c #114 cover. Besides, if it were a bisect, it looks like not enough of a sliver is left to qualify the remaining piece as a 1/3rd of a bisect.



Edit: Before I had replied, John already edited his response to mention the 3c rate. Sorry for the redundancy. :-)

A bisect you do not have! Even if full genuine bisect means: to divide into two usually equal parts. You can see many examples here: https://siegelauctions.com/power-se...SortOrder=-1

Siegel's Power Search is always a good reference to see things such as what you hoped you had.

this is not bisect