Lot 98 Neapolitan Provinces - Italian States SC#20 1/2g Bistre 1861 Victor Emmanuel II Issue, A VGOG Single, Click on Listing to See ALL Pictures, Estimated Value $50 USD

A VGOG example of the 1/2g bistre from the 1861 Victor Emmanuel II Issue. Extensive gum creasing but full margins on all sides. 2022 Scott cat. $200. Our estimate of the value based on the condition is $50.

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.