Ferenc Jozsef Stamp Appraisal

Hungary 8 Filler Ferenc József Stamp

This item is an antique or vintage Hungarian postage stamp, featuring a portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph I (Ferenc József) in a royal crown, likely dating from the Austro-Hungarian period. The stamp is predominantly red with white detailing, rectangular in shape, and exhibits perforated edges, a standard characteristic for postage stamps designed for removal from a sheet. The top border of the stamp clearly displays 'MAGYARORSZAG' (Hungary), while the bottom border reads '8 FILLER 8', indicating its denomination. A prominent circular postmark in black ink heavily obscures the central portrait, suggesting the stamp has been used. The postmark appears to be a numerical or coded cancellation mark, partially legible as 'ES' or 'LS' on the upper part, and a faint numeral like '15' or '1s' on the lower part. The overall condition shows signs of age and use, including the heavy cancellation and possibly some minor creasing, though the color remains relatively vibrant. The perforations appear intact, which is important for collectible stamps. The artwork within the stamp depicts a detailed rendition of the Hungarian Holy Crown, a significant national symbol, surrounded by ornate decorative elements. The quality of the printing appears fine, typical of philatelic items of its era, with intricate lines and patterns visible despite the cancellation. The presence of 'FILLER' indicates it belongs to a period when the Hungarian monetary unit was the filler, before the introduction of the forint.