Abstract: A philatelic stamp grading invention includes image digitizing hardware for creating a two-dimensional array of data bytes corresponding to the digitized image of the stamp. A computer executes a program which analyzes the stamp image data and determines the minimum border width of each side of the stamp between the edges of the stamp and the design or vignette of the stamp. A centering index is calculated from the minimum border values determined for each edge of the stamp. A printer is also shown providing means for printing the centering index, as well as printing out a hard copy of the computer analyzed stamp image.