Winged Mercury Stamp Appraisal

Brazil 100 Reis Correo 'Winged Mercury' Postage Stamp

This item is a vintage Brazilian postage stamp, specifically a 100 Reis denomination featuring a depiction commonly known as 'Winged Mercury' or an allegorical figure representing airmail. The stamp is rectangular in shape and printed on what appears to be off-white or cream-colored paper. The primary color of the etched design is a deep brown or sepia tone, suggesting an older printing method. The design features a central figure of a male torso with prominent wings extending from its back, symbolizing speed and communication. Above this figure, the word 'BRASIL' is prominently displayed to the left and 'CORREIO' to the right, indicating the country of origin and the postal service. Below the winged figure, within a rectangular border, a decorative garland or wreath motif is present. To the bottom left, the denomination '100' is enclosed in a square, and to the bottom right, 'R$,' likely an abbreviation for Reis, is also in a square. The stamp exhibits clear signs of age and use. It has perforations along its edges, though the left edge shows incomplete perforations, suggesting it was part of a larger sheet and possibly trimmed or poorly separated. There is a heavy, dark postmark visible, significantly obscuring parts of the central winged figure and the 'CORREIO' text, which indicates it was used for postage. The paper shows slight discoloration consistent with age, and there might be some minor creasing or handling wear, though this is not definitively clear from the image. The print quality appears consistent with early to mid-20th-century philatelic production. The overall condition, especially the heavy postmark, would typically affect its value for collectors seeking uncirculated or lightly canceled specimens.