This 1893 one centesimo definitive stamp overprinted for use in Eritrea represents the earliest postal issue of the newly established Italian colony and is catalogued as Michel ITER1. Printed by Officina Carte Valori in Torino using high quality typographic production, the base design was created by Jean F Joubert and Leonard C Wyon and features the large ornamental numeral 1 framed by intricate classical scrollwork enclosed within a bold geometric border. The stamp is executed in a refined gray olive shade on paper bearing the crowned watermark type 11, an official security feature applied to Italian definitives of the period. When Eritrea became an Italian possession in the late nineteenth century, existing Italian stamps were overprinted Colonia Eritrea in black to provide an immediately functional postal medium, ensuring continuity of communication during the rapid administrative transition. The overprint on this example is sharply impressed and well proportioned on the original Italian design, reflecting the early overprint style used before later standardized settings were introduced. The issue is historically significant because it marks the beginning of organized postal operations in Italian East Africa and illustrates Italy’s broader colonial ambitions during a period of intense European expansion on the African continent. As one of the first colonial overprints, it is sought after for its direct association with early Italian colonial history and for its aesthetically balanced combination of classical Italian design and newly applied colonial identity. The stamp retains clear perforations to the comb 14 standard and remains a representative example of nineteenth century colonial philately with strong thematic appeal relating to imperial administration and the development of regional postal networks. Estimate "$35 – 60".

Mint with hinge remnant clean color lightly toned gum and intact perforations