Maltese Stamp Appraisal

Malta 1/4d Postage & Revenue Stamp

This item is a vintage postage and revenue stamp from Malta, featuring a central allegorical figure, likely representing Malta or Britannia, standing amidst a maritime scene with a ship in the background and a distant building, possibly a lighthouse or fortress. The stamp is monochromatic, appearing in shades of sepia or brown, suggesting an older printing method. It is rectangular with perforated edges, typical of postage stamps, though the exact number of perforations per centimeter (gauge) is not discernible from the image. In the upper left and right corners, there are shield-shaped insets, each displaying the fraction "1/4" above the letter "d", indicating a denomination of one-quarter pence. The left vertical border of the central image bears the word "POSTAGE", and the right vertical border displays "REVENUE". At the bottom of the central design, there are two shields flanking the word "MALTA". The left shield shows the Union Jack, symbolizing Malta's association with the United Kingdom, while the right shield appears to depict the Maltese Cross. Both shields are surmounted by what looks like a royal crown. The overall design features intricate detailing in the figure's drapery and the surrounding elements, indicative of quality engraving. The stamp appears to be in relatively good condition, though the image quality makes it difficult to assess any minor creases, thins, or gum issues. The edges show slight irregularities in the perforations, which is common for stamps of this era. The style of the allegorical figure and the denominations suggest the stamp dates from the late 19th to early 20th century, a period when Malta was a British colony.