Washington Franklin Issue Appraisal

1-Cent Green George Washington Postage Stamp (Washington-Franklin Issue)

This is a United States 1-cent postage stamp from the prolific Washington-Franklin series, printed in a distinct green ink on white paper. The design features a profile portrait of George Washington facing left, enclosed within an oval frame flanked by olive branches. The words 'U.S. POSTAGE' are inscribed across the top, while '1 CENT 1' is set at the bottom. This specific design was manufactured by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and saw various iterations between 1908 and 1922, including variations in perforations, watermarks, and printing methods (flat plate vs. rotary press). Physically, the stamp exhibits standard vertical rectangular dimensions with visible perforated edges on all four sides. The centering appears slightly shifted toward the bottom and left, which is a common characteristic of stamps from this era. Regarding condition, the stamp remains in an unused state with no visible cancellation marks. The perforations appear relatively intact, though slight irregularities suggest a natural separation from a larger sheet. There are no immediate signs of creasing, tearing, or foxing visible in the photograph, preserving the vibrancy of the green pigment. This particular design is a staple of philatelic history, representing the standard letter rate for post cards during much of its circulation period. A precise identification of the specific Scott Catalogue number would require microscopic examination of the perforation gauge and a physical check for watermarks.