Is this stamp (Canada 3c Small Queen) overpriced?

My instinctive reaction when any seller describes an item as “jumbo” is to shudder and walk away!

US collectors encouraged by companies like PSE have been conned into centring measurements to the nearest 0.1 mm and get a grading number . A good eye is all you need to see what is well centred and pleasing and what is off centre and less desirable. The Number Grading system is a device which grossly inflates asking price 100 fold for a classic graded 96 over one graded around 80. A con which suckers collectors in , if their pockets are deep enough .

Jumbo originally in the grading system was sparingly used for wide and perfect centring , now it is getting debased and loosely used for any stamp with decent wide margins and ok centring without PSE grading numbers.

The margins on the small queens can be all over the place , from wide on one side to non existent on the other.

That said the margins on this stamp are unusually wide and even all round , generous and as close to perfect centring as you will ever find. The postmark clean centred and socked on the nose is very fine ..............pity about the paper flaw that causes a stain however.

That seller has a lot of decent high end stuff and I guess he reckons it is beautiful enough to command a premium..............maybe he knows something , or just chancing the market.

Looks like an ebay scam to me!

Also, those margins are freakishly odd. I'd steer clear of that one!

Oh sure, René. All the info needed to see about that stamp.

The batch of stamps renden illustrated does show the tremendous variation in the margins due to the irregularity of perforation. Many of them are unevenly centred, some quite dramatically off centre, which explains why well centred stamps are scarcer than the norm. Also none of his have a socked on the nose complete datestamp, another desirable plus feature.

I do not see anything in the original stamp that makes me suspicious of the wide margins. I agree It is evidently very unusual to have all 4 that wide, but I reckon it is well worth a premium over catalogue for such a fine example, but probably not $1000,


Also Pete if you check the stamp on eBay the seller in Ontario has a record of 4000+ 100% feedback so it is very unlikely to be a “scam”.

I agree and understand Chris Beryllium Guy !!
I wish to thank vikingeck (Alex) for his precious comment - My intervention was not to brag about my well centered # 41, 41a etc in my Album  but mainly to talk about the criteria for a # 41 based on my multiple references, including color. Morris in his studies and shown colors describes the difference (text) between various 3¢ from various printings in Canada - I love his color tables (which have been scanned in a folder but I respect his work so do not expect a copy !!)

Now about the price of a well centred 41, used, according to Unitrade Canada - see my text.....$1.00 - I know some people want a perfect cancel but the Cat does not give a better price for that

Thanks again

René

Hi René, your collection is nice, and thank you so much for the offer; I really appreciate it . I have my set 1868-76 all complete in Davo Lux album.

I have the large and the small queens as well. Nice beaver #1 and the cancellation is complete and clean.

These stamps with large margins can be found on the 3c SQ but they are rare in nice condition and it's hard to guess how much they will sell for ay auction but they can sell for alot. I found these a long time ago and have more. I always save these nice gems. $1000 is a little hopeful though. I'd be guessing more in the $1-300 estimate.