US Postage 3 Cents Stamped Envelope (Washington Profile)

This item is a fragment of a postal cover, featuring a pre-printed U.S. postage indicium. The indicium is circular, rendered in a dark blue or purple ink on a cream-colored paper. The central motif is a left-facing profile of George Washington, delineated in white against the dark background. Encircling the portrait at the top are the words "UNITED STATES POSTAGE" in white capital letters. At the bottom, '3 CENTS' is inscribed, flanked by two circular '3's on either side of the portrait's base, all in white. The indicium is not a stamp affixed to an envelope, but rather an impressed design, characteristic of stamped envelopes or postcards. Surrounding the indicium, partially visible, is a faint, dark circular cancellation mark that suggests the item has passed through the postal system. Below and to the left of the indicium, remnants of a hand-stamped postmark are visible, showing 'IOWA' and possibly a date or time, indicating its origin. The paper itself appears to be of standard letter or envelope quality, with slight discoloration or patina consistent with age. There are no obvious tears or major creases on the visible portion, but the edges are cut, suggesting it's a portion of a larger original item. The printing quality of the indicium appears clear and unsmudged, though the surrounding postmark is somewhat faint. This type of indicium with Washington's profile was commonly used on U.S. postal stationery around the late 19th to early 20th century. The specific design and denomination suggest a common issue from that period.