15 Centesimi Stamp Appraisal

Italian 15 Centesimi Postage Stamp featuring Victor Emmanuel III

This is a vintage Italian postage stamp, featuring a portrait of Victor Emmanuel III, King of Italy, depicted in profile facing right. The stamp has a monetary value of '15' centesimi, indicated in the upper right corner, with the word 'Cent' visible in the upper left. The words 'POSTE ITALIANE' are prominently displayed across the top border above the portrait. The design is rendered in a monochrome, likely gray or sepia tone, suggesting an older printing process typical of early 20th-century philately. The stamp exhibits a perforated edge, which is standard for postage stamps, indicating it was designed to be easily separated from a sheet. Visible condition issues include a prominent, dark, curved cancellation mark that diagonally traverses the face of the stamp, obscuring part of the king's face and the value. Additionally, there are other lighter, diagonal markings (possibly part of the cancellation or another mark) in the upper right quadrant. The overall texture and slight discoloration suggest the paper has aged, possibly with some light staining or foxing not clearly discernible in detail. The portrait shows the king in what appears to be military attire, complete with epaulets and a star-shaped medal or insignia on his chest. The background behind the portrait is plain or subtly textured, drawing focus to the monarch. Given Victor Emmanuel III's reign and typical stamp issuance, this stamp likely dates from the early to mid-20th century. The quality of printing appears adequate for its time, with clear lines for the portrait and text, despite the age and cancellation. The presence of the cancellation mark indicates that the stamp has been used for postal purposes.