Ceylon Postal History Appraisal

Ceylon 6 Cents Stamp, Colombo Harbour and King George VI

This item is a vintage postage stamp from Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka), featuring a portrait of King George VI and a scenic depiction of Colombo Harbour. The stamp is predominantly blue and white, executed in a monochromatic style. It has typical perforated edges, indicating it was part of a larger sheet. In the upper left corner, there is a circular portrait of King George VI, facing right, with details of his uniform visible. Above the main scene, a banner proudly displays the word "CEYLON" in a stylized font. The central and dominant feature of the stamp is an aerial or elevated view of Colombo Harbour, showing a bustling port with buildings, ships, and the surrounding landscape, including what appears to be a major city or town. Below this scene, in small text, the location is identified as "COLOMBO HARBOUR." The denomination, "6 Cents" (indicated as "6c"), is prominently displayed in the bottom right corner within a small rectangular frame. The stamp exhibits signs of use, as evidenced by a clear cancellation mark which appears to be a partial 'R' or 'P' with other indistinct letters, suggesting it has fulfilled its postal purpose. The paper shows minor discoloration consistent with age, but no apparent tears or major creases are visible, apart from the cancellation. The printing quality appears good, with fine details discernible in both the portrait and the landscape. Its style suggests it belongs to the mid-20th century, specifically the period of King George VI's reign (1936-1952), making it a collectible item from British colonial-era Ceylon.