United States, Scott #1581, used(o), 1977, Americana Definitive Issue; first value of the issue, stamp shows a Quill Pen and an Ink Well; the Americana Series was a series of definitive stamps issued between 1971 and 1985; the set contains no images of people or presidents; the stamps contain patriotic words on two adjacent sides inscribed within a curve; the center images on the stamp follow a theme; the stamps were issued on sheets which when detached and assembled in blocks of four, with different ascending values, such that the block of four with the wording would frame the block; the theme for this first block (values: 1¢-4¢), for which this stamp is in the first value stamp in the issue and the first position of the block, upper left, with printing up the left side and across the top, is the “Basic Tools of a Democracy” ( … to write, to speak out, to vote, to read), hence on the theme of writing, the stamp show an antique quill pen and inkwell with the words: the ‘The Ability to Write - a Tool of Democracy", 1 cent, dark blue on greenish paper, perforated: 11¼x10½, engraved, no watermark, Scott 2019 Catalog Value: 25¢, nicely centered, light, black-inked, duplex cancellation, from the left, single-rimmed, half circular, socked-on-the-nose, touch cancellation on the left border leading to a horizontal message box cancellation on the right quarter of the stamp, both cancels are somewhat clear of the main image, sound back, good perforations; centering and image free cancel warrants a selling price premium. This is not a 'bait-and-switch;' the stamp you see will be the one you receive.
Please review my terms of sale. If you are not ordering from the United States, there is a $US1.55 additional postage expense that needs to be added to the price of the stamp. If you are ordering from the United States, there is only a $US0.68 added postage expense. Also, if you make additional purchases from my offerings, they can all go in one mailing at no extra shipping expense for the added purchases. I will send the purchase by US first class mail, since the relatively low value of the stamp does not warrant signature or tracking mail. Hence the buyer assumes risk of loss or non-delivery. I will keep a scan of my mailing to verify that the correct mailing address was used. If not satisfied, return the stamp to me at your own expense, and I will refund the cost, but not my postage to you. If the stamp is not as described, I will refund the cost and reimburse you for postage both ways.
By way of reference, I am an American Philatelic Society member (195176) and an American Stamp Dealers Association (ASDA) member. Thank you for looking, and I hope this is the perfect stamp to fill that gap in your collection.p in your collection.
