1893 Postage Stamp Appraisal

United States 2 Cent George Washington 'Carmine Type I' Postage Stamp (1890-1893)

This item is a United States 2 cent postage stamp, issued as part of the 1890-1893 Regular Issues series, prominently featuring a profile portrait of George Washington. The stamp's primary color is a rich carmine red, as indicated by the 'Carmine Type I' designation above the stamp in the album. The portrait of Washington is rendered in a lighter tone, likely a black or dark grey ink, providing contrast against the red background. The stamp has a classic rectangular shape with perforated edges, indicating it was separated from a sheet. Visible on the stamp itself are the denomination '2 CENTS' at the bottom and the numeral '2' in both bottom corners. A circular cancellation mark, appearing in black ink, is noticeable over Washington's face, suggesting it has been used. The cancellation obscures some of the facial details but indicates historical use. The stamp is mounted within a philatelic album, which surrounds it with a black rectangular outline and labels it 'George Washington'. The album page itself is white with decorative black border elements. The overall condition shows signs of use, primarily the cancellation mark and possibly some minor wear to the perforations. The colors appear somewhat faded or muted due to age, but the carmine hue is still distinctly present. The detail in Washington's portrait, though partially obscured, suggests fine engraving craftsmanship typical of stamps from this era. The stamp’s presentation in an album hints at its preservation by a collector.