Elias Howe Stamp Appraisal

Elias Howe 5-cent US Postage Stamp

This item is a United States postage stamp featuring a portrait of Elias Howe. The stamp is predominantly blue and white/light grey in color, with a traditional perforated edge. The top border of the stamp clearly reads 'UNITED STATES POSTAGE'. Below this, the central image depicts a bust portrait of Elias Howe, identifiable by his flowing, somewhat curly hair and period attire, including a collared shirt and cravat or tie visible beneath a coat. To the lower left of the portrait, there is a rectangular box containing the inscription 'ELIAS HOWE' in smaller text at the top, followed by a large '5¢' indicating its five-cent denomination. Below the '5¢' is a circular emblem or design. The overall condition appears used or circulated, as evidenced by a slight dullness in color and potential minor edge wear visible on the perforations. The stamp itself is mounted, possibly in an album or on a display card, as indicated by the surrounding white border and what appears to be a handwritten '1.75' below the stamp, which could denote a catalog number, price, or inventory marking. The aesthetic suggests a mid-20th-century design, likely commemorating a notable historical figure. The quality of printing seems consistent with standard postal releases of that era.