Empress Elisabeth Stamp Appraisal

Austrian 3 Heller Stamp with Empress Elisabeth

This item is an Austrian postage stamp, likely from the early 20th century, specifically the 'Kaiserin Elizabeth' (Empress Elisabeth) series. The stamp is predominantly salmon or reddish-orange in color, featuring a portrait of what appears to be Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) on the right side, depicted with a distinctive coiffure. Behind her, a architectural structure, possibly a castle or prominent building, is faintly visible. The denomination '3' is clearly printed in the lower left corner. The word 'OSTERREICH' (Austria) is visible along the top edge of the stamp. The stamp exhibits perforated edges, which are typical for postage stamps, suggesting it was intended for postal use. The overall condition shows signs of use, as there are at least two prominent black, diagonal lines crossing the face of the stamp, indicating cancellation marks. These marks suggest the stamp has been used postally and is no longer valid for postage. The paper appears to be slightly toned, consistent with age. Despite the cancellation marks, the central image and text remain largely discernible. The artwork style is typical of early 20th-century European postage stamps, focusing on national symbols or prominent figures. The quality of the printing appears fine, though the resolution of the provided image makes it difficult to discern very fine details or specific printing methods. The item has historical value as a piece of Austrian postal history.