Republic Series Stamp Appraisal

Austria 3 Schilling Stamp (Republic Series)

This item is a used postage stamp from Austria, specifically a 3 Schilling denomination from the Republic series. The stamp features a central design with the numeral '3' prominently displayed, with 'SCHILLING' written below it, all enclosed within an ornate, possibly Art Nouveau or early Art Deco inspired, decorative border. The color of the printed design is a rich purple or violet, set against an off-white paper background. The top edge of the stamp clearly shows 'REPUBLIK' and the bottom edge reads 'OSTERREICH', indicating the country of origin. The stamp exhibits visible signs of use, primarily a circular postmark in black ink that partially obscures the top right and bottom right portions of the design, extending onto the blank margins. The postmark appears to be a cancellation mark, indicating it has been used for postage. The edges of the stamp are not entirely smooth; the bottom and right edges show typical perforations, while the top and left edges appear to be either imperforate or roughly separated, possibly from a sheet that was previously imperforate on those sides or cut without precision. The paper itself shows some discoloration consistent with age and handling, and there's a slight brownish tone visible, especially on the edges. There are no obvious tears or significant creases, but the overall presentation suggests typical wear for a circulated stamp of this age. The printing quality appears to be consistent with governmental philatelic production of the early to mid-20th century. The visible details suggest an estimated age likely from the 1920s or 1930s, considering the 'Schilling' currency and the Republic period of Austria.