1938, 17¢ Andrew Johnson, Rose Carmine, United States (Scott #822)

This stamp is part of the Presidential Issue of 1938, colloquially known by philatelists as the "Prexies." This definitive series was designed to replace the Fourth Bureau Issue and features portraits of the first 29 U.S. Presidents. The 17-cent denomination honors the 17th President, Andrew Johnson.

This is a genuine specimen of the 1938 Presidential Series. Scott #822 is a standard issue of that era; while less common than the lower values (1¢–5¢), it remains widely available to collectors. Due to the heavy cancellation and the rightward centering, this specific copy holds standard collector value rather than premium philatelic value.

Technical Specifications

• Catalog Number: Scott #822.

• Denomination: 17 Cents (17¢).

• Release Date: October 27, 1938.

• Printing Method: Rotary Press.

• Perforation: 11×1021​.

• Color: Rose Carmine.

• Subject: Portrait of Andrew Johnson, based on a bust by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

Condition Analysis

• Status: Used. The stamp bears a clear black ink cancellation in the form of wavy lines (a machine cancel) that runs horizontally across the portrait and text.

• Centering: Fine (F). The design is noticeably shifted to the right. The left margin is significantly wider than the right. While the perforations do not cut into the design frame, the margins are unbalanced.

• Reverse Side: The gum is absent, as is expected for a used copy. There are minor signs of paper aging and slight yellowing (oxidation), but no obvious thins, creases, or tears are visible under current lighting.

• Perforations: Generally intact; however, there is some minor wear and slightly "shaggy" teeth on the bottom and left edges, typical of stamps separated from sheets in a post office environment.