U.S. #814
1938 9¢ William Harrison
Presidential Series

Issue Date: August 18, 1938
First City: Washington, DC
Quantity Issued: 1,692,201,400
Printing Method: Rotary press
Perforations: 11 x 10 ½
Color: Rose pink

Known affectionately as the Prexies,the 1938 Presidential series is a favorite among stamp collectors.<...  more

U.S. #814
1938 9¢ William Harrison
Presidential Series

Issue Date: August 18, 1938
First City: Washington, DC
Quantity Issued: 1,692,201,400
Printing Method: Rotary press
Perforations: 11 x 10 ½
Color: Rose pink

Known affectionately as the Prexies,the 1938 Presidential series is a favorite among stamp collectors.

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.