Friedrich Schiller Appraisal

German Postage Stamp, 5 Reichspfennig, Featuring Friedrich Schiller

This item is a historical postage stamp from the German Reich, with a nominal value of 5 (likely Reichspfennig, given the era and common denominations). The stamp features a portrait of an individual, identified by the vertical text on the right as 'V. SCHILLER' (likely Friedrich Schiller). The portrait depicts a man in profile, facing right, with neatly combed hair, and appears to be in an older, classical style. The background is a solid deep green, and the portrait itself is rendered in a lighter shade of green, creating a monochromatic effect with subtle tonal variations for depth. The alphanumeric value '5' is prominently displayed in both the top left and top right corners of the stamp. At the bottom, in a gothic-style script, the text "Deutsches Reich" is visible, indicating the country of origin. The stamp has perforated edges, typical of postage stamps for easy separation. The overall condition shows signs of use and age, with a clear cancellation mark running diagonally across the face of the stamp, obscuring parts of the portrait and text. This cancellation mark appears to be in black ink and is quite thick, suggesting it was used in postal circulation. The paper itself shows some discoloration consistent with age, particularly around the edges and potentially due to mounting or handling. The quality of printing is decent, though the monochromatic nature might make fine details less distinct than a multi-colored stamp. The style is indicative of early to mid-20th-century German philately, likely from the Weimar Republic or early Nazi Germany period, given the 'Deutsches Reich' inscription and the visual style.