1940, 2¢ John Greenleaf Whittier, Rose Carmine, United States (Scott #865)

This stamp is part of the Famous Americans Issue of 1940, a comprehensive series of 35 stamps released in seven groups of five, honoring prominent figures in American culture. This specific issue belongs to the "Poets" group and features John Greenleaf Whittier, a renowned Quaker poet and influential abolitionist. The design includes the symbol of Pegasus at the bottom, which was the designated icon for the poets' subset of this series.

This is a genuine specimen of the 1940 Famous Americans Series. Scott #865 is a well-documented issue with a total printing of approximately 52 million copies. While a common stamp in the philatelic market, it remains a staple of mid-20th-century U.S. postal history.

Technical Specifications:

• Catalog Number: Scott #865.

• Denomination: 2 Cents (2¢).

• Release Date: February 16, 1940.

• Printing Method: Rotary Press.

• Perforation: 10½ × 11.

• Color: Rose Carmine.

• Subject: Portrait of John Greenleaf Whittier based on contemporary photographs.

Condition Analysis:

• Status: Used. The stamp bears a visible black ink cancellation, likely a machine or wavy line cancel, which partially obscures the lower center of the portrait and the denomination area.

• Centering: Fine-Very Fine (F-VF). The design is quite well-centered for this issue. The margins are relatively balanced, though the top margin is slightly larger than the bottom. The perforations do not break the design frame.

• Reverse Side: The gum is absent as it is a used copy. There is natural paper toning consistent with the 1940s era, but no evidence of "thins," creases, or significant damage.

• Perforations: Generally sound. There is some minor "shagginess" or fibrous texture on the top and left edges, which is typical for stamps of this period separated manually from sheets.