U.S. #807
1938 3¢ Thomas Jefferson
Presidential Series

Issue Date: June 16, 1938
First City: Washington, DC
Quantity Issued: 87,101,233
Printing Method: Rotary press
Perforations: 11 x 10 ½
Color: Deep violet

Known affectionately as the Prexies, the 1938 Presidential series is a favorite among stamp collectors. The 3¢ Jefferson stamp was the fifth issue in the popular Presidential Series.

The series was issued in response to public clamoring for a new Regular Issue series. The series that was current at the time had been in use for more than a decade. President Franklin D. Roosevelt agreed, and a contest was staged. The public was asked to submit original designs for a new series picturing all deceased U.S. Presidents. Over 1,100 sketches were submitted, many from veteran stamp collectors. Elaine Rawlinson, who had little knowledge of stamps, won the contest and collected the $500 prize. Rawlinson was the first stamp designer since the Bureau of Engraving and Printing began producing U.S. stamps who was not a government employee.

Franklin Roosevelt, the stamp-collecting President, personally approved every stamp. Every US President deceased when the series was created was honored. Americas first 29 Presidents were featured on stamps with denominations corresponding to the numerical order of their term of office. In addition to the Presidents, Benjamin Franklin, Martha Washington, and the White House were commemorated.

On June 16, 1938, the Thomas Jefferson stamp was placed on sale. Paying the 3¢ first-class letter rate, the Jefferson stamp was the most commonly used and in-demand stamp of the series. In fact, it would remain in use even after a new series was issued in the 1950s until 1958. It would be produced in booklet, sheet, and coil format over the course of the series.