FREE: U.S. Postage Stamp 1938 ( William Harrison )

The listing, U.S. Postage Stamp 1938 ( William Harrison ) has ended.

Used

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.

William Harrison
Born into Virginia aristocracy and educated in the finest universities, William Henry Harrison left his comfortable life to become a nationally recognized war hero. His victories at the Battle of Tippecanoe and the Battle of the Thames brought him fame and led to his appointment as first Governor of the Indiana Territory. Harrison later served in the Ohio Senate, the United States Congress, and as diplomat to Colombia with full powers, authorized to represent the United States.

As President, Harrison’s administration is more known for its brevity than his accomplishments. His death from pneumonia just one month after his inauguration raised an important constitutional question that had previously never been examined – the transition of power in the case of the President’s death or removal from office. Although no legislation was passed regarding this until 1965, Harrison’s death brought attention to this important and previously undecided area of the Constitution.