1938, 10¢ John Tyler, Brown Red, United States (Scott #815)

This stamp is a constituent of the 1938 Presidential Issue, widely known among philatelists as the "Prexies." This definitive series was commissioned to replace the Fourth Bureau Issue and features portraits of the first 29 U.S. Presidents. The 10-cent denomination honors the 10th President of the United States, John Tyler.

This is a genuine specimen of Scott #815. It was a high-volume definitive issue, with a total printing quantity exceeding 3.8 billion. Given the presence of a postal cancellation and the specific centering, this copy holds standard collector value for a circulated item rather than a premium investment grade.

Technical Specifications:

• Catalog Number: Scott #815.

• Denomination: 10 Cents (10¢).

• Release Date: September 2, 1938.

• Printing Method: Rotary Press.

• Perforation: 11×10½.

• Color: Brown Red.

• Subject: Portrait of John Tyler, modeled after a bust by John Keck.

Condition Analysis:

• Status: Used. The stamp bears a black ink cancellation (likely a machine or wavy-line cancel) that partially obscures the left side of the portrait and the "10" denomination in the lower-left corner.

• Centering: Fine (F). The design is noticeably shifted toward the top-left corner. The right and bottom margins are significantly wider than the left and top margins. While the design remains clear of the perforations, the margins are asymmetrical.

• Reverse Side: The gum is absent, which is expected for a used copy. The paper appears healthy with no obvious thins, creases, or tears visible under the provided lighting.

• Perforations: Generally intact; however, there is minor "shagginess" and unevenness in the tips, particularly on the left and bottom edges, which is typical for stamps separated manually from rotary press sheets.