Lot 84 Roman States - Italian States SC#9 8b Black 1852 Papal Arms Issue, A Very Fine Used Single, Click on Listing to See ALL Pictures, 2022 Scott Classic Cat. $40 USD

A Very Fine Used example of the 8b black from the 1852 Papal Arms Issue. 2022 Scott cat. $40.

With all issues known to be forged, we have verified the authenticity of the stamps be checking them against Reverend Earee's descriptions in his book "Album Weeds". Although published in 1897, this tome describes in very great detail the characteristics of the genuine stamps, and then all the forgeries that were known up until then. We have checked the stamps against all of his descriptions. Based on our examination, we can confidently state that the stamp(s) offered here are genuine.

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.