Hey Bob- how do I value this since my grandfather simply cut the square off the envelope? I see a Scott value of $75.00 but I assume that is for the full envelope and stamp....
President - West Essex Philatelic Society www.wepsonline.org 18 Nov 2011 09:38:57pm
re: Cut square identification
I don't have the catalog handy. I think the price given is for cut squares up until a certain year. If it is a full envelope then it is assumed to be higher. Then after a certain year the price is for full enevelopes. Like I said I'm not sure. I'm also not sure if this design has multiple dies. If it does, are you looking at the correct one in catalogue? They can be tricky.
Looks like U85 (dark red) or U85a (vermillion), according to my 1993 Scott Specialized catalogue. Colours are always tricky. U85 is described as featuring "Neck very long at the back," unlike U183, which features "Neck short at back". In U85, Lincoln's hairline at the back is level with the bottom of his earlobe. In U183, the hairline is obviously below his earlobe. U183 is described as being red; U183a is a vermillion variety.
My old Scott gives a value of $25 for a cut square, $45 for an entire. But the pencil marks would, as Parkinlot says, lower the value.