United States Postage Stamps 100th Anniversary Commemorative Card Appraisal
Category: Philatelic Collectible
Description
This item is a commemorative card or presentation folder featuring two historic United States postage stamps. The card itself is made of off-white paper or cardstock and appears to be rectangular in shape, held in a hand. It likely measures approximately 3 inches wide by 5 inches tall based on the visible proportions in the image. The text printed on the card is in a dark ink, possibly black or dark blue. The top of the card reads "IN COMPLIMENT TO THE CENTENARY INTERNATIONAL PHILATELIC EXHIBITION". Below this and centered is the title "100TH ANNIVERSARY UNITED STATES POSTAGE STAMPS". To the left of the stamp images, printed vertically, it reads "UNDER AUTHORITY OF ROBERT E. HANNEGAN, POSTMASTER GENERAL". Below the stamps, also printed vertically, it reads "PRINTED BY THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT, BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING". To the right of the stamps, printed vertically, it reads "NEW YORK, N.Y., MAY 17-25, 1947". The two stamps featured are centered horizontally on the card. The top stamp is an orange-red color with a portrait of George Washington in an oval frame. The inscription around the portrait includes "U.S. POSTAGE" and possibly a denomination, although it is partially obscured. The bottom stamp is a blue color, also featuring a portrait of George Washington in an oval frame, with similar inscriptions. These stamps are likely reproductions or actual stamps from the 100th Anniversary United States Postage Stamps series issued in 1947. The card shows signs of age-appropriate wear, including potential minor creasing or discoloration given its evident age. The corners appear relatively sharp. The overall quality appears to be that of a promotional or commemorative item, with clear printing and well-placed elements indicating decent craftsmanship for its purpose. This item serves as a historical artifact commemorating a significant philatelic event.
Appraisal Report
I have examined the provided image of this United States Postage Stamps 100th Anniversary Commemorative Card. Based on visual inspection, the item appears to be an authentic commemorative piece from the 1947 Centenary International Philatelic Exhibition. The printing on the card is clear, and the placement of the text and stamps aligns with known examples of this item. The stamps depicted appear to be the 1-cent and 3-cent stamps from the 1947 100th Anniversary issue, which were reproductions of the original 1847 designs. The condition, as judged by the image, appears fair to good, showing some signs of age-appropriate wear such as potential minor discoloration or creasing, though the corners seem relatively intact. Market conditions for these specific centenary exhibition souvenirs are generally modest. They are considered a common philatelic accessory rather than a primary collectible stamp issue themselves. Demand is primarily from collectors of U.S. postal history ephemera and 1947 exhibition material. Rarity is limited; many such cards were produced and distributed. The main factors impacting value are the overall condition of the card and the condition of the mounted stamps (assuming they are actual stamps and not printed facsimiles, which is likely given the context). Without an in-person examination, I cannot definitively confirm if the stamps are original 1947 issues or high-quality printed facsimiles, nor can I fully assess the extent of any subtle damage, paper quality, or precisely date the printing based on paper characteristics. In-person examination would allow for tactile assessment of the cardstock and stamps, confirmation of stamp authenticity (including potential expertization if necessary), and a detailed condition report. Provenance would further enhance confidence in authenticity.
Appraisal Value
$10-30