2 Cent 1890 93 George Washington Postage Stamp Series Issue Appraisal

2 Cent 1890-93 George Washington Postage Stamp (Series Issue)

The item is a United States postage stamp featuring a portrait of George Washington, specifically from the 'Issue of 1890-93'. The stamp is characterized by its red-pink hue, which the album label identifies as 'Lake' (a color variation of the carmine red often used for this denomination). This particular stamp issue was 'Perforated 12', indicating 12 perforations per 2 centimeters, a standard measure for postage stamps that refers to the number of holes per 2cm linear measurement on the edge of the stamp. It was 'PRINTED BY THE AMERICAN BANK NOTE CO.', a prominent engraver and printer of banknotes, securities, and postage stamps during that era. The central vignette depicts a profile bust of George Washington, facing left, enclosed within an oval frame. Below the portrait, the denomination '2 CENTS' is visible. The stamp's edges show clear, though not perfectly even, perforations. The visible condition within the image suggests some aging; although individual creases or tears are not clearly discernable from this resolution, the color appears somewhat muted or possibly foxed, especially around the edges, indicative of age and potential environmental exposure. The stamp is presented within a collector's album, seated in a designated square placeholder labeled 'George Washington', next to a similar placeholder for a 'Benjamin Franklin' stamp (likely the 1-cent issue from the same series). The quality of the engraving appears fine, typical of postage stamps produced by the American Bank Note Co. during this period. The style of the stamp is classic 19th-century American postal design.