United States 1870-1871 National Bank Note Company 1-Cent Franklin Postage Stamp (Scott #134 or #145)

This is a United States postage stamp featuring the profile of Benjamin Franklin, printed in a distinct blue ink on white woven paper. The central vignette displays an embossed-style bust of Franklin facing left within an oval frame, a design characteristic of the late 19th-century 'Large Bank Note' issues. The borders feature ornate scrollwork with text including 'U.S. POSTAGE' on the left and 'ONE CENT' on the right. Physically, the stamp appears to have standard perforations on all four sides, though the centering is significantly shifted toward the bottom and right edges, which is a common occurrence for this era. A heavy vertical line cancellation (likely a pen or grid cancel) is visible across the center, indicating the stamp has been used. The paper shows signs of aging with minor toning and a yellowish spot on the face. Depending on the presence of a 'grill' on the back, this would be identified as Scott #134 (with grill) or #145 (without grill), typically produced by the National Bank Note Company between 1870 and 1871. The engraving detail remains relatively crisp despite the heavy cancel and image blur, reflecting the high-quality craftsmanship of the period.