Cut cancellations are common on US revenue stamps. It does detract from the value of a hand (not pen) cancellation. We would need a picture of the back of the stamp to see if it is a cut cancellation or just a tear. The Scott US Specialized Catalogue usually provides values for revenue stamps that are hand canceled, pen canceled, cut canceled, or canceled with perforated initials.
It's not a cut cancellation, I have several of those. This one has a beautifully written pen cancellation. This is definitely damage, either a small cut perpendicular to the right side or a very straight short tear. A photo wouldn't show it since it is basically invisible unless you spread it which I don't want to do. Just call it a 1 mm tear because that's what I'm sure it is. The cut cancellations I have for the US consist of small pieces, usually triangular, removed from the stamps and I think it always(?) reduced the value of the stamp.
If you have stamps with pieces missing, like with triangles, that's a punched cancel. Cut cancels will be four or five (usually) close parallel cut lines about an inch or so long.
Here is a typical cut cancel - they are often difficult to see
Thanks for the picture. I've never seen a cut cancel before and that's a bit strange since I don't think they are rare. Actually they are much less expensive than other cancellations. I was also confusing punch cancellations with cut ones, I should do more careful research. Since mine only has one short cut, I'm going to assume it's damage. Also there is a beautiful pen cancellation, date and name, and I doubt if they would have done both cancellations. Also, from what I see on line, the cut cancels are central to the stamp. It's a small cut so I'm going to consider the value as half, but that might be totally out to lunch.
Actually, a great many revenue stamps - US that is - have cut cancels along with regular cancels on them.
The cut 'cancels' were mainly to prevent removal and re-use.
I have numerous copies of cut cancel US revenues that also have either manuscript cancels or handstamp/CDS cancels.
I know most of you don't care much about values. I put values (neatly) in my albums for special stamps, makes it a bit easier for the executor when that magic day comes and the collection has to be disposed of. I got a beautiful copy of US R149 today from my dealer. It has a CV of $400 and he always gives me a good deal, especially with this one because it had a very small ( about 1 mm ) unnoticeable cut on the right side - no other damage. I'm not telling you what I paid, that doesn't matter at all. I just want to put a fair value above the stamp with the description of the damage. Would half be about right, what do you experts say? The damage only shows with careful observation, but you can find it if you know it's there.
re: what about a small cut?
Cut cancellations are common on US revenue stamps. It does detract from the value of a hand (not pen) cancellation. We would need a picture of the back of the stamp to see if it is a cut cancellation or just a tear. The Scott US Specialized Catalogue usually provides values for revenue stamps that are hand canceled, pen canceled, cut canceled, or canceled with perforated initials.
re: what about a small cut?
It's not a cut cancellation, I have several of those. This one has a beautifully written pen cancellation. This is definitely damage, either a small cut perpendicular to the right side or a very straight short tear. A photo wouldn't show it since it is basically invisible unless you spread it which I don't want to do. Just call it a 1 mm tear because that's what I'm sure it is. The cut cancellations I have for the US consist of small pieces, usually triangular, removed from the stamps and I think it always(?) reduced the value of the stamp.
re: what about a small cut?
If you have stamps with pieces missing, like with triangles, that's a punched cancel. Cut cancels will be four or five (usually) close parallel cut lines about an inch or so long.
re: what about a small cut?
Here is a typical cut cancel - they are often difficult to see
re: what about a small cut?
Thanks for the picture. I've never seen a cut cancel before and that's a bit strange since I don't think they are rare. Actually they are much less expensive than other cancellations. I was also confusing punch cancellations with cut ones, I should do more careful research. Since mine only has one short cut, I'm going to assume it's damage. Also there is a beautiful pen cancellation, date and name, and I doubt if they would have done both cancellations. Also, from what I see on line, the cut cancels are central to the stamp. It's a small cut so I'm going to consider the value as half, but that might be totally out to lunch.
re: what about a small cut?
Actually, a great many revenue stamps - US that is - have cut cancels along with regular cancels on them.
The cut 'cancels' were mainly to prevent removal and re-use.
I have numerous copies of cut cancel US revenues that also have either manuscript cancels or handstamp/CDS cancels.