Brazil 1890 Southern Cross Constellation

Brazil · 1890 · 100 Réis

This definitive stamp from Brazil features a stylized depiction of the Southern Cross (Crux) constellation, a prominent feature in the Southern Hemisphere's night sky. The design is simple yet elegant, with the five main stars of the constellation clearly visible against a solid background, framed by ornate scrollwork. It represents a common theme in Brazilian philately, reflecting the nation's geographical and cultural identity.

Issued in 1890, this stamp is from the first definitive series of the First Brazilian Republic, established just a year earlier in 1889 after the overthrow of the monarchy. The choice of the Southern Cross as a motif symbolized a new national identity, distinct from the imperial era.