Sower Type Stamp Appraisal

French Sower Type Stamp (3 Centimes)

This item is a postage stamp, likely of French origin, featuring a depiction of the iconic 'Sower' design. The stamp is predominantly reddish-orange in color and appears to be made of standard stamp paper. Its physical characteristics include a rectangular shape with perforated edges, typical of postage stamps, suggesting it was once part of a larger sheet. The design shows a female figure, presumably Marianne representing the French Republic, with flowing drapery and possibly wings, indicative of classical or allegorical iconography. She is depicted alongside a cherubic figure, possibly an putto or Cupid, with a prominent numeral '3' positioned below them, indicating its value of 3 centimes. The word 'POSTES' is clearly visible at the bottom of the stamp, confirming its function as a postal artifact. The overall style suggests an early 20th-century or late 19th-century origin, as the Sower design was first introduced in France in the late 1800s. The stamp exhibits some signs of age and wear; the coloration appears somewhat faded or muted, and the edges of the perforations show minor irregularities. There are no obvious tears or significant damage, but the image quality makes it difficult to ascertain the exact condition of the paper or if there are any hinge marks on the reverse side. The printing quality appears to be standard for the period, with a good level of detail in the allegorical figures, showcasing decent craftsmanship for mass-produced postal stationery.