United States 1 Cent Commemorative Stamp (Washington - Greene, Mount Vernon)

This item is a 1-cent commemorative postage stamp from the United States, likely issued in honor of notable figures and historical landmarks. The stamp primarily features a dark green color on a lighter green background, with white areas within the portraits and building. The overall shape is rectangular with perforated edges, indicating it was intended to be torn from a sheet. The design includes two oval portraits: one depicting George Washington, labeled 'WASHINGTON' beneath, and the other depicting Nathanael Greene, labeled 'GREENE' beneath. Between these two portraits, and occupying the central lower portion of the stamp, is an illustration of 'MOUNT VERNON,' George Washington’s historic estate. Above this illustration, the text 'UNITED STATES POSTAGE' is visible. The denomination '1' appears in both the bottom left and bottom right corners, with 'ONE CENT' written horizontally across the bottom border. The stamp has been used, as evidenced by a prominent black ink postal cancellation mark that obscures parts of the central image and the portraits. The cancellation includes what appears to be a date 'MAY' and '1941' (the '19' is partially visible on the bottom part of the 'M' in 'MAY') and possibly a 'Z' or 'N' and 'V' in a circular or wavy pattern, though it's heavily marked. The perforations around the edges appear largely intact, though some are slightly less defined due to handling or age. There are some minor specks of black ink on the stamp's surface beyond the main cancellation mark, suggesting some wear or imperfect handling. The quality of the engraving for the portraits and the building is fine, characteristic of early 20th-century U.S. postal issues, giving it a classic and somewhat formal aesthetic.