Nationalist China Stamp Appraisal

Chinese Nationalist Airmail Stamp (15 Cents)

This is a vintage Chinese Nationalist airmail stamp, denominated at 15 cents. The stamp features a central vignette depicting a biplane flying over the Great Wall of China, set against a mountainous and lightly forested background. The color palette of the stamp is predominantly muted greens and blues for the landscape and sky, with the biplane appearing in a lighter, likely metallic, tone. The Great Wall is depicted with its characteristic watchtowers and winding structure. At the bottom left, the numerical denomination '15' is prominently displayed in a bold, sans-serif font. The lower right portion of the stamp contains Chinese characters, which, based on visual cues and common philatelic practices of the era, likely indicate "中華民國郵票" (Republic of China Postage Stamp) and "航空" (Airmail) along with the denomination in Chinese characters. The stamp has perforated edges, indicating it was part of a larger sheet and intended for separation. The overall condition appears to be used, with some visible wear and possibly a cancellation mark, though the clarity of the image makes definitive identification difficult. There are several dark, splotchy areas throughout the lower half of the stamp, which could be part of a cancellation, staining, or other form of damage. The paper itself seems to be slightly discolored or aged, consistent with a vintage item. This type of stamp would typically date from the Republic of China (1912-1949) period, specifically when airmail services were being established or expanded, likely in the 1930s or 1940s. The engraving or printing quality appears fine, typical of official government-issued postage.