Ausra Appraisal

Lithuanian 4 Aušra Stamp featuring a Man Sowing

This item is a vintage postage stamp from Lithuania, specifically a '4 Aušra' denomination stamp. The central design features a stylized depiction of a man in traditional attire, actively engaged in the act of sowing seeds. The man is shown facing towards the right side of the stamp, with his left arm extended forward as if casting seeds, and his right arm bent. He appears to be wearing a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt and darker, perhaps patterned, lower garments. The background of the central illustration is a muted yellow or ochre color, contrasting with the darker tones used for the man's figure. In the upper right corner of the central image, the denomination '4 AUKS' (likely an abbreviation for 'Auksinai' or 'Aušra', a historical Lithuanian currency unit) is inscribed. Below the main imagery, a prominent band in a darker color, possibly dark blue or black, contains the country name 'LIETUVA' in white or light-colored capital letters. The stamp itself is perforated along all four edges, indicating it was part of a larger sheet. The perforations appear relatively clean and intact, suggesting good condition. The overall color palette is somewhat subdued, with primary colors being yellow, black/dark blue, and white. The printing quality appears consistent with early 20th-century philatelic production, possibly a lithographic or letterpress printing method due to the visible texture and slight irregularities. While no specific condition issues like tears or creases are definitively visible from the provided image, the edges suggest a slight yellowing or aging of the paper, consistent with its age. The style suggests an early 20th-century origins, likely around the period of Lithuanian independence following WWI, when nationalistic themes and traditional imagery were common in postal issues. The craftsmanship appears competent for its time, with clear lines and discernible details despite the small size.