1901 Stamp Appraisal

Hungarian Postage Stamp with Postmark (Possibly 1901)

The item is a philatelic specimen, specifically a postage stamp, characterized by its rectangular shape and perforated edges. The primary color of the stamp appears to be a muted reddish-brown or sepia, indicating an older print or potentially fading due to age and exposure. A prominent, partial circular postmark in black ink covers a significant portion of the stamp's lower half and extends into the upper design elements. The postmark's design is intricate, suggesting a detailed cancellation device. Crucially, the legible part of the postmark clearly displays '901 - AUG 31.', strongly suggesting a date of August 31, 1901. Above this date, within the circular postmark, there appear to be indecipherable letters or numbers, likely indicating the issuing post office or a specific code. The design printed on the stamp itself, underneath the postmark, is difficult to ascertain fully due to the obscuring cancellation and the overall soft focus of the image, but it appears to be an allegorical figure or a national emblem, typical of postage stamps from the late 19th or early 20th century. The stamp exhibits visible signs of age including slight fading of the stamp's base color and the general wear associated with a used postal item. The perforations around the edges seem relatively intact, although their exact condition (e.g., whether any are short or torn) cannot be definitively determined from the image provided. There are no obvious tears, significant creases, or repairs visible, though a more detailed examination would be needed to confirm its precise condition. The presence of the clear postmark with a date is a key characteristic, indicating it is a used stamp.