Lot 198 Angola SC#5a 40r Blue 1870-1877 Crown Issue, Perf 13.5, A Very Fine Used Single, 2017 Scott Cat. $150

A very fine used example of the 40r blue from the 1870-1877 Crown Issue, perf 13.5. This example as been verified genuine and not either a Fournier forgery or a spiro forgery: 1) complete inner and outer shadow lines on the 'o' of Angola, 2) crown has 9, 10, 5, 10 & 9 peaks on arches, and 3) cross on crown is a true Maltese shape, leans very slightly right and has a dot in center. 2017 Gibbons cat. £150.

A note about grading and estimated values is in order. We use estimated values rather than catalogue values where the grade of the stamp is other than that contemplated by the catalogue, or there is an unlisted variety. In deriving the estimates we divide catalogue values by 2 for examples without gum, unless Scott gives a separate no gum value, and also by 2 for each grade that is below the catalogue standard of VF for Scott or fine for Unitrade. So, for example a stamp cataloguing $300 in Scott that is in VG condition will be estimated at $75, if it has OG, or at $37 if it is unused. If it is a split grade, then I take the midpoint between the two grades, so that for example a VG-F stamp is about 1/3rd of the value of a VF example.