The first-class letter rate increased from 2¢ to 3¢ on July 6, 1932, in the depths of the Great Depression, when raising postal rates required careful political timing. This stamp was issued three weeks earlier, on June 16, to be ready when the rate took effect.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Catalog Number: Scott #720

• Denomination: 3 cents (3¢)

• Date of Issue: June 16, 1932

• Printing Method: Rotary Press, Engraved (Intaglio)

• Perforation: 11 × 10½

• Color: Deep Violet

• Subject: Portrait of George Washington, after the Athenaeum portrait by Gilbert Stuart

CONDITION ANALYSIS (Seller-Assessed)

• Status: Used

• Grading: Fine

• Postmark: Heavy black wavy-line machine cancellation on the lower half, obscuring the denomination and neck area. Washington's face remains visible.

• Obverse: Design is shifted noticeably to the left and slightly upward. The right margin is wide while the left margin is narrow. The bottom margin is slightly larger than the top. Portrait and principal inscriptions remain identifiable.

• Reverse: No original gum present, as expected for a used stamp. Paper shows aging and toning consistent with the era. No obvious thins or tears visible.

• Centering / Margins: Fine. Off-center to the left. Perforations intact on all four sides, confirming sheet stamp format.

• Perforations: Intact throughout. No evidence of trimming, reperforation, or artificial alteration.

HISTORY

The U.S. first-class letter rate had been 2¢ since 1919. When the Post Office Department raised it to 3¢ on July 6, 1932, a new definitive was needed quickly. Scott #720 was issued three weeks before the rate change took effect, giving post offices time to stock the new denomination before the old 2¢ rate expired.

The timing placed this stamp's release squarely in the Depression summer of 1932 — unemployment above 20%, Franklin Roosevelt about to accept the Democratic nomination, and the Bonus Army marching on Washington demanding early payment of World War I veterans' bonuses. The 3¢ Washington became the first-class rate stamp for millions of Americans writing letters through one of the most difficult periods in the country's history.

The Athenaeum portrait source, the same Gilbert Stuart original used across the Washington Bicentennial series issued the same year, connects this regular definitive visually to the commemorative stamps issued alongside it. The deep violet color distinguished it clearly from the 2¢ carmine rose it replaced.

STEVEN SAYS

Three cents was a real increase during the Depression. The Post Office issued this three weeks early so post offices could get ready. That summer, Bonus Army, unemployment at 20%, FDR about to win the election. The 3¢ Washington carried the mail through all of it.