8 Groschen Stamp Appraisal

Austrian 8 Groschen Stamp

The item is a postage stamp, primarily green in color, featuring a central vignette of a female figure depicted in a traditional or allegorical style. The woman is shown in profile or three-quarter profile, looking downwards, possibly engrossed in a book or scroll she holds in her hands. She wears an elaborate, pleated coif or headpiece that radiates from her head, suggesting a regional costume or classical influence. In the background, to the upper left, a building resembling a castle or church structure on a hilltop is faintly visible, set against a landscape of rolling hills or mountains. The top border of the stamp clearly reads 'OSTERREICH', indicating its country of origin as Austria. The denomination '8' is prominently displayed in the lower left corner, with 'GROSCHEN' written below it, indicating the value of the stamp. Beneath 'GROSCHEN', smaller text, likely a designer or engraver's signature, appears to read 'G. JUNG'. The stamp exhibits standard perforations along all four edges. A significant visual element is a heavily applied, dark black cancellation mark, possibly in the shape of a cross or an irregular 'X', which obscures parts of the woman's face and the upper right portion of the 'OSTERREICH' text. This heavy cancellation indicates the stamp has been used. The paper appears slightly discolored or aged, consistent with an older stamp, though no overt tears or creases are immediately apparent beyond the ink cancellation. The printing quality appears fine, with good detail in the engraving of the woman's face and headwear despite the age and cancellation.