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Title:
USA 1861 30c Franklin Orange Bold X Pen Cancel Used Possible Scott 71
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Welcome to Legacy Collectibles!
We offer a carefully selected collection of classic stamps and historical philatelic material for collectors worldwide.
All items are sold AS-IS, exactly as shown in the photographs, without guarantees of authenticity, catalog attribution, or specific varieties unless independently certified.
Stamp Information:
Country/Area: United States of America
Estimated Period/Year: 1861–1868
Issue/Theme: Benjamin Franklin – 30 Cents Orange – Classic U.S. Postage
Catalog Attribution: Possible Scott #71, 1861 issue without grill. Not independently confirmed.
Condition: Used, with bold pen cancellation, age-related discoloration, and some irregular or shortened perforations.
Cancellation/Postal Markings: PROMINENT BLACK X-SHAPED PEN CANCELLATION, formed by two broad intersecting ink strokes across Franklin\'s portrait.
Lot Notes:
DISTINCTIVE BOLD PEN CANCEL – CLASSIC 30-CENT FRANKLIN ISSUE!
An interesting example of the classic United States 30-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp, featuring a particularly prominent manuscript-style cancellation.
The cancellation forms a large black X or cross-shaped marking, extending across most of the central portrait.
The bold handwritten appearance makes this stamp visually distinctive and an interesting study piece for collectors of nineteenth-century postal cancellations.
The reverse also shows dark marks approximately corresponding to the cancellation on the front, possibly resulting from ink penetration through the paper.
Both front and reverse photographs are provided for careful examination.
Historical Context:
The 30-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp of 1861 belongs to the classic United States postage series produced by the National Bank Note Company during the Civil War era.
The denomination was particularly relevant to international mail, including certain double-weight letter rates to European destinations.
During the nineteenth century, postal stamps could be canceled using handstamps or manuscript markings applied with pen and ink.
This example displays a particularly bold, cross-shaped pen marking, representing an interesting visual characteristic of historical stamp cancellation practices.
The exact origin, date, and postal purpose of this individual cancellation have not been established.
Condition:
USED CLASSIC STAMP – BOLD PEN CANCEL – SOLD AS-IS.
The stamp presents an identifiable Benjamin Franklin portrait and ornate engraved frame, with a large black ink cancellation across the center.
Visible characteristics and possible faults include:
Heavy, bold X-shaped pen cancellation.
Some shortened, irregular, or worn perforations.
General paper toning and age-related discoloration.
Dark markings on the reverse, possibly associated with ink penetration.
A faint horizontal line on the reverse that may represent a crease or pressure mark.
Minor staining and surface wear.
The large manuscript-style cancellation is the principal visual feature of this example, but no claim is made that it represents a rare, unusual, or certified postal marking.
The extent of any thinning, repairs, reperforation, or other possible alterations has not been independently determined.
The presence or absence of a grill has not been conclusively established.
Please carefully examine both photographs before purchasing.
Catalog & Identification Notice:
This stamp appears consistent with the 1861 United States 30-cent Benjamin Franklin orange issue, Scott #71.
However, certain later printings, including the 1868 F Grill issue (Scott #100), share a similar engraved design.
A definitive attribution requires physical examination of the paper and grill characteristics.
All identifications are provided on a best-effort basis using the available images and published philatelic references.
Catalog number not guaranteed. Buyer should verify.
No expert certificate is included. Authenticity, printing variety, and cancellation characteristics are not independently guaranteed.
Offered strictly as shown.
Shipping & Handling:
Your collectible will be carefully packaged to help protect it during transit.
Tracking will be provided whenever available through the selected shipping service.
Combined shipping is available whenever possible. Please wait for a combined invoice before paying when purchasing multiple items.
Any import duties, customs fees, VAT, or other destination-country charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
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