1940, 2¢ Army and Navy, Rose Carmine, United States (Scott #900)

This stamp is part of the National Defense Issue of 1940, a three-stamp series released by the U.S. Post Office Department to bolster public support for military preparedness as World War II intensified in Europe. The 2-cent denomination specifically honors the Army and Navy, featuring a 90mm anti-aircraft gun, which symbolized the nation's defensive capabilities at the time.

This is a genuine specimen of the 1940 National Defense Series. While Scott #900 is a very common issue with a total printing quantity exceeding five billion, this particular copy is distinguished by its "SAVINGS FOR DEFENSE" slogan precancel. These types of cancellations were used to promote the sale of defense bonds and stamps during the early 1940s. Due to the average centering and the common nature of the base stamp, its primary interest to collectors lies in the clear historical slogan cancel.

Technical Specifications:

• Catalog Number: Scott #900.

• Denomination: 2 Cents (2¢).

• Release Date: October 16, 1940.

• Printing Method: Rotary Press.

• Perforation: 11×10½.

• Color: Rose Carmine.

• Subject: 90mm Anti-aircraft gun.

Condition Analysis:

• Status: Used. The stamp bears a crisp, black ink slogan cancel: "SAVINGS / FOR DEFENSE." The strike is well-positioned, allowing for clear legibility of the text across the center and lower half of the design.

• Centering: Fine (F). The design is noticeably shifted toward the bottom and slightly to the right. While the margins are intact and the perforations do not touch the design frame, the imbalance is characteristic of standard rotary press production of this era.

• Reverse Side: The gum is absent as this is a used specimen. The paper shows natural signs of aging but remains sound, with no obvious thins, creases, or tears visible.

• Perforations: Generally intact and well-defined. There is minor blunting on some of the teeth at the bottom edge, likely caused by the manual separation of the stamp from a sheet.