United States, Scott #5177, used(o), 2017, definitive sheet stamp follow-on to the 2016 coil issue; stamp shows a cluster of Pinot Noir Grapes, a red-wine grape variety, whose name is derived from the French words for pine (pinot) and black (noir), the pine reference from observation that the grapes form a tight cluster similar to a pine cone; the grape, originally made famous as the variety used in the Burgundy region of France, is now grown around the world, mostly in cool climates where it thrives; it is a difficult variety to cultivate and transform into wine; the grape's tendency to produce tightly packed clusters makes it susceptible to forms of rot which makes canopy management difficult in keeping the vines dry; the thin skins and low levels of the phenolic compounds lead the pinot to producing mostly light colored, medium-bodied, low tannin wines that often go through phases of uneven and unpredictable aging which requires considerable attention and skill from the vintner; serpentine die cut simulated perforations: 11¼x11, issued on non-water soluble self adhesive panes, offset lithography printed by Ashton Potter USA (APU), ‘USPS’ in black-inked, security microprint in slant on the top rightmost twig, date 2017 in light gray vertical microprint at the lower left corner, 5 cents, multicolored, Scott 2025 Catalog Value: 25¢, nicely centered (superb), distinct and heavy, wavy line cancellation across the front of the stamp and over the main image, good perforations, stamp was lifted from the mailing envelope using the Bestine solvent and placed on a piece of black trimmed card stock for an attractive and uniform album appearance with other stamps from the period similarly mounted; mounting and centering 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 $US1.65 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 $US0.73 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.