French "Niale" Overprint Postage Stamp

This item is a vintage French postage stamp, characterized by its rectangular form and orange-red hue. The stamp features an overprint in dark, possibly black or dark brown, ink. The overprint primarily displays the word "NIALE" in large, bold, sans-serif capital letters across the center-left. Below "NIALE," the inscription "15 CE JUIN" is visible, likely indicating a date or value. Above the central figure, the words "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE" are printed in a smaller font, identifying the country of origin. A faint, elegant female figure in flowing drapery is depicted in the background, typical of allegorical representations common on stamps from this era. The stamp exhibits visible perforation along its left and bottom edges, suggesting it has been separated from a sheet, while the top and right edges appear to be imperforate or cut. This particular stamp shows signs of use, including a heavy cancellation mark over the "NIALE" and the figure, indicating it has passed through the postal system. The paper exhibits some discoloration consistent with age, and the corners, particularly the top right, show slight curling or creasing. The background color has a somewhat mottled texture, which could be due to the printing process, paper aging, or environmental factors. This stamp appears to be part of a larger collection, as indicated by the presence of a neighboring stamp at the top and the white backing with perforations visible around it. The overall condition suggests it is a circulated stamp, with the overprint being a significant and distinctive feature.