Louis Pasteur Stamp Appraisal

French Postage Stamp, Louis Pasteur, 30 Centimes

This item is a vintage French postage stamp, prominently featuring a profile portrait of Louis Pasteur, a renowned French microbiologist and chemist. The stamp is rectangular in shape, primarily dark green in color with lighter green or white highlights used to delineate the portrait and text, indicating an intaglio or similar printing method that allows for fine detail and tonal variations. The top border of the stamp reads "REPVBLIQVE FRANÇAISE" (Republic of France), and along the right vertical border, the word "POSTES" (Posts) is printed. In the bottom left corner, the denomination "30 C" (30 Centimes) is clearly visible, while 'PASTEUR' is printed along the bottom edge, below his bust. The portrait of Pasteur depicts him with a distinguished beard and hair, facing left. The stamp exhibits visible serrated edges, typical of perforated postage stamps, though some perforations appear to be slightly torn or less defined, particularly on the left and right sides. There is a dark, possibly black, cancellation mark visible across the upper portion of the stamp, partially obscuring the 'REPVBLIQVE FRANÇAISE' text and Pasteur's forehead, indicating it has been used. The overall condition shows signs of age and use, with some slight discoloration or paper toning evident around the edges and within the paper itself. The print quality appears generally good, with crisp lines for the portrait and text, despite the cancellation. The style suggests it likely dates from the late 19th to early 20th century, a period when such commemorative stamps of famous figures were common in France.