Penny Red Appraisal

Used Great Britain Penny Red Postage Stamp with Cancelation

This item is a single, used postage stamp, originating from Great Britain, specifically a Penny Red stamp. The stamp is predominantly red in color, a common characteristic of stamps from this era. It features a portrait of Queen Victoria in profile, facing left, encircled by an ornate frame. Above the portrait, the word 'POSTAGE' and 'REVENUE' are faintly visible, indicating its dual purpose. Below the portrait, the denomination 'ONE PENNY' is printed. The stamp is perforated along its edges, though the details of the perforations are partially obscured by the adjacent stamp on the left. A prominent feature of this particular stamp is the heavy black circular date and postmark cancelation. The cancelation covers a significant portion of the stamp's central design, effectively indicating it has been used. Visible within the cancelation are letters and numbers, including 'NTS', 'SP', 'WC', '30' or '3d', and 'AUG'. The legibility of the full date and location is impaired due to the dark ink and placement. The paper appears slightly aged, with minor discoloration consistent with its age. The overall condition, while used, appears to be relatively good with no immediately obvious tears or significant creases, though the heavy cancelation is a key aspect of its current state. The design style is typical of Victorian-era British stamps, suggesting an estimated age from the mid to late 19th century.