Postage Stamp Collection Appraisal

Collection of Used Austrian Postage Stamps

This collection features six used postage stamps from Austria, showcasing various designs, denominations, and periods. The stamps exhibit typical characteristics of circulated philatelic items, including cancellations and some wear. One notable stamp is a red 5 Groschen 'REPUBLIK OSTERREICH' stamp, depicting a mountainous or textured landscape, possibly an alpine scene or a stylized emblem. It is perforated and bears a circular cancellation mark. Another prominent stamp is a red 10 Groschen 'REPUBLIK OSTERREICH' stamp, featuring an ornate, almost Art Nouveau-inspired design with the denomination '10' centrally placed. This stamp shows significant wear, with a portion of its lower right corner missing, and a heavy circular cancellation. There are two stamps with 'KRONEN' denominations: a blue 20 Kronen stamp and a gray 100 Kronen stamp, both featuring a wheat or cornucopia design, indicative of agrarian prosperity. The 100 Kronen stamp has a '11e' overprint or surcharge and is also heavily cancelled. The blue 20 Kronen stamp also bears a circular cancellation. Another grey, monochromatic stamp features a similar wheat design, but its denomination is obscured, though it appears to be a 'KRONEN' issue. The final stamp is a red and white 'OSTERREICH WIEN' stamp, depicting a woman in traditional attire against a cityscape background, likely Vienna. This stamp is also perforated and bears a clear circular cancellation. All stamps are perforated, suggesting machine production. The visible condition issues across the collection include heavy postal cancellations, some creasing, minor tearing, and discolored paper indicative of age and use. The materials are standard paper with printed designs. The various denominations in Groschen and Kronen indicate different monetary periods, suggesting the stamps span across various historical eras of Austrian postal history, likely from the early 20th century. The craftsmanship appears consistent with government-issued postage stamps of their respective periods.