Austrian Levant, Lombardy-Venetia 3 soldi, Preveza postmark

Austrian Post Offices in the Levant · 1864 · 3 soldi

The stamp features a profile portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria facing right, within an oval frame. It is denominated '3 soldi' and marked 'L. V.' for Lombardy-Venetia, printed in green.

These stamps were issued by the Austrian Empire for use in its post offices established within the Ottoman Empire, reflecting Austria's economic and political influence in the Levant during the 19th century. The use of Lombardy-Venetia stamps indicates the complex administrative structure of the Austrian Empire at the time.