Penny Lilac Stamp Appraisal

Used British Penny Lilac Stamp, C.S.E. Obliterated

This item is a used British Penny Lilac stamp, characterized by its distinctive pale brownish-purple or lilac color. The stamp features a central circular design with text that appears to read "ONE PENNY" along its lower edge. The outer border presents a rectangular frame with a perforated edge, indicating it was intended for postal use and separated from a sheet. A prominent black obliteration mark, which appears to be applied diagonally across the stamp, is visible. This cancellation consists of several thick, unevenly spaced horizontal bars, over which the letters "C.S.E." are clearly superimposed in a more defined, vertical alignment. The obliteration extends beyond the boundaries of the central circular design. The stamp exhibits signs of typical wear associated with a used postal item, including potential light creasing or handling marks, though the overall condition of the paper appears to be relatively stable. The perforations are present along all four sides, with some slight imperfections or missing 'teeth' visible on the top and right edges in the provided close-up images. The printing quality of the stamp itself seems good, with clear details, despite the heavy cancellation. The style and design suggest it belongs to the Victorian era, specifically associated with the 'Penny Lilac' issues which were widely used in Great Britain, dating the stamp to the late 19th century, likely between 1881 and 1901. The obliteration mark suggests it was processed through a postal system, adding to its historical context as a used artifact. The quality of the paper is standard for an antique stamp, and the discoloration inherent to its age is visible.