Washington Bicentennial Stamp Appraisal

United States 2-Cent Washington Bicentennial Postage Stamp (1932)

This item is a 2-cent United States postage stamp from the 1932 Washington Bicentennial Issue. The stamp features a central vignette of George Washington's portrait, rendered in a classical style, against a deep red background. The portrait depicts Washington facing forward, with his characteristic powdered wig. Above the portrait, encircling the top edge of the design, the words 'UNITED STATES POSTAGE' are clearly visible in an arched banner. Below the portrait, within a rectangular cartouche, the word 'WASHINGTON' is printed. To the left and right of the 'WASHINGTON' cartouche, the denomination '2' is displayed within ornate oval frames. Additionally, the dates '1732' and '1932' are visible in small text above the 'WASHINGTON' banner, signifying the bicentennial of his birth. The stamp is perforated along all four edges, indicating it was intended to be separated from a sheet. The overall color scheme is a monochrome red, sometimes referred to as carmine or rose red, typical of stamps of this era. The stamp exhibits a postmark, characterized by several dark, horizontal lines traversing the upper portion of the portrait and extending across the stamp, signifying it has been used. There are no obvious tears or significant damage visible, although slight wear or fading commensurate with age and usage might be present. The design elements are well-defined, suggesting good printing quality for its time. The perforations appear relatively clean, without significant tearing or missing teeth, which contributes to the aesthetic integrity of the stamp. The stamp is a standard size for traditional US postage stamps, likely a rectangular form factor.