1938, 9¢ William Henry Harrison, Pink, United States (Scott #814)

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 9-cent denomination honors the 9th President, William Henry Harrison.

This is a genuine specimen of the 1938 Presidential Series. Scott #814 is a common issue, with a total printing quantity exceeding 370 million. 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 #814.

• Denomination: 9 Cents (9¢).

• Release Date: June 15, 1938.

• Printing Method: Rotary Press.

• Perforation: 11×1021​.

• Color: Pink.

• Subject: Portrait of William Henry Harrison, based on a bust by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

Condition Analysis:

• Status: Used. The stamp bears a heavy black ink cancellation (likely a machine or wavy line cancel) that significantly obscures the right side of the portrait and the central field.

• 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 it is a used copy. There are minor signs of paper aging, but no obvious thins or tears are visible under current lighting.

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