Horse Racing Stamps Appraisal

Australia 1960 Melbourne Cup Centenary 5d Postage Stamps Strip

This item is a strip of four identical Australian postage stamps, each commemorating the Melbourne Cup Centenary in 1960. The stamps are light brown or sepia-toned, featuring a detailed illustration of a jockey mounted on a racehorse, likely depicting a moment from a race or a winner's portrait. To the left of the horse and rider, a trophy cup is visible, signifying the Melbourne Cup. Each stamp bears the inscription 'MELBOURNE CUP 1960' at the top, a '100th' emblem within a circular design above the trophy, and '5d' (five pence) indicating the denomination at the bottom right. The word 'AUSTRALIA' is printed horizontally at the very bottom of each stamp. The stamps exhibit standard perforation around their edges, forming a clear border for each unit. They appear to be in an uncancelled state, suggesting they are unused. There is visible wear on some of the perforations and slight discoloration which could be natural aging of the paper or minor handling marks. The strip has been torn or separated from a larger sheet, with minimal damage to the perforations, suggesting careful handling. The overall condition appears to be excellent for its age, indicating good preservation. The craftsmanship is consistent with mid-20th century postage stamp production, featuring fine line engraving or lithography for the detailed image.