1940, 3¢ Luther Burbank, Bright Red Violet, United States (Scott #876)

This stamp is part of the Famous Americans Series of 1940, one of the most popular and comprehensive definitive sets in U.S. philatelic history. The series honored 35 prominent figures categorized into seven groups: Authors, Poets, Educators, Scientists, Composers, Artists, and Inventors. Luther Burbank, the world-renowned botanist and pioneer in agricultural science, was featured as part of the "Scientists" group. The 3-cent denomination was the standard rate for a first-class domestic letter at the time of issue.

This is a genuine specimen of the 1940 Famous Americans Series. Scott #876 is a widely collected issue, with a total printing quantity of approximately 56 million. Because of the heavy cancellation—which obscures the subject's face—and the significant centering shift, this copy is considered a filler or reference specimen with standard, nominal collector value.

Technical Specifications:

• Catalog Number: Scott #876.

• Denomination: 3 Cents (3¢).

• Release Date: April 17, 1940.

• Printing Method: Rotary Press.

• Perforation: 11×1021​.

• Color: Bright Red Violet.

• Subject: Portrait of Luther Burbank, based on a photograph provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Condition Analysis:

• Status: Used. The stamp bears a heavy black ink cancellation (likely a circular date stamp or machine cancel). The ink is quite saturated, significantly obscuring the portrait's features and the central field of the design.

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

• Reverse Side: The gum is absent, which is expected for a used copy. There are visible remnants of paper fibers or perhaps an old hinge on the reverse. There are no obvious "thins" (paper thinning), though the paper shows natural toning consistent with its 80-year age.

• Perforations: Generally intact across all four sides. There is some minor "shagginess" and unevenness in the teeth on the right edge, which occurred during the manual separation of the stamp from the sheet at the post office.