Lot 286 Italy SC#265, 290, 293-295, 297, 301, 310-313 50c-1.25L Purple-Deep Blue Amerigo Vespucci - Cross With Doves, 1931-1933 Royal Naval Academy - Holy Year Issues, 12 VF Used Singles All With Dated, Contemporary Postal Cancels

12 VF used singles of the 50c-1.25l purple-deep blue Amerigo Vespucci - Cross With Doves from the 1931-1933 Royal Naval Academy - Holy Year Issues all with dated, contemporary postal cancels. I'm not an expert when it comes to Italian cancels of this period. BUT, I do look for signs of the cancels being CTO, such as (1) cancellation too crisp in appearance; (2) gum on used stamps; (3) whether the cancel is similar in appearance to known genuine cancels found on definitives; (4), whether the cancels are dated and whether the dates are within 1-2 years of the issue date. Generally, these tests shoyuld eliminate the majorityh of CTO's or forged cancels.

2022 Scott Classic values this at $16.25. The stamps offered here grade 75-84 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 35/60, 40/60, 44/60

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10

Cancellation: 8/10, 10/10