Brazilian Empire Stamp Appraisal

Brazilian Empire 'Dom Pedro II' Postage Stamp (100 Réis)

This item is an antique postage stamp from the Brazilian Empire, likely part of the 'Dom Pedro II' series, specifically depicting the monarch's profile. The stamp features an orange or ochre color scheme, with the monarch's portrait centrally located within a rectangular frame. The top border of the stamp clearly displays 'IMPERIO DO BRASIL' (Empire of Brazil). Below the portrait, the denomination '100 R$' is visible, indicating '100 Réis', a former Brazilian currency. The stamp is perforated, as evidenced by the jagged edges, suggesting it was separated from a sheet. Overlaid upon the stamp is a significant cancellation mark, in black ink, comprising wavy lines and possibly letters or numbers, which obscurs a considerable portion of the design, especially on the left side and diagonally across the upper right. The cancellation details are difficult to fully decipher due to their opacity and the image quality, but they indicate the stamp has been used. The paper appears to be slightly aged, showing a uniform light discoloration consistent with its age. There are no obvious tears or major creases visible, though the image resolution makes it challenging to assess minor imperfections. The surrounding area shows portions of adjacent stamps and their perforations, indicating it was possibly part of a larger collection or album page. The overall condition, aside from the heavy cancellation, appears fair for its age, suggesting it has been reasonably well-preserved.