British Penny Red Postage Stamp Appraisal

Used British Penny Red Postage Stamp

The item is a small, rectangular postage stamp, primarily pink or rose-red in color, depicting what appears to be a profile portrait of Queen Victoria. The stamp exhibits characteristic perforated edges, indicating it was separated from a sheet. The central image is surrounded by a circular border, within which text is faintly visible at the top, likely reading 'POSTAGE' and 'ONE PENNY' or similar denominations common for British Penny Reds. The overall impression of the stamp is somewhat blurry due to the low resolution of the image, making precise details difficult to discern. However, the facial features of the monarch, including the outline of her head and neck, are discernible. The color appears to be a uniform rose-red, common for stamps of this era. It appears to be postmarked with an indistinct circular cancellation mark in a dark, likely black, ink. This cancellation covers a significant portion of the stamp, including parts of the portrait and the surrounding text, affirming its 'used' status. No specific maker's marks or detailed manufacturing information can be seen due to the image quality. Given the depiction of Queen Victoria and the Penny Red characteristic, it likely dates from the mid to late 19th century, specifically between 1841 and 1879. The condition appears to be consistent with a circulated stamp of that age, showing some signs of use and possibly slight discoloration or toning, though the poor image quality makes a definitive assessment of condition issues challenging. The perforations appear largely intact, though some might be bent or slightly damaged. The craftsmanship is typical of the period, likely steel engraving, offering a detailed if somewhat faded portrait.