About This Stamp
The likeness of Benjamin Harrison (1833–1903), the 23rd president of the United States (1889–1893), appears on the 24-cent value of the 1938 Presidential series. Harrison's image was inspired by a bust on view at the John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Harrison was born into a family of politicians. He was the son of John Scott Harrison (a two-term U.S. Congressman) and the grandson of William Henry Harrison (the ninth president of the United States, who appeared on the 9-cent value of the Presidential series).
This gray black stamp was issued only in sheet form and was issued on December 2, 1938, the same day as the 25-cent Presidential series stamp portraying William McKinley.
The 24-cent stamp can be found alone or in combination with other stamps paying a variety of postal fees. When the stamp was issued, this solo 24-cent stamp would pay 1) for two times the three-cents-per-ounce domestic letter rate and 15 cents for minimum registration plus three cents for return receipt service (in effect July 6, 1932, through March 25, 1944); and 2) for three times the two-cent local letter rate plus 15 cents for minimum registration and three cents for a return receipt (in effect January 1, 1933, through March 25, 1944); and 3) six cents for a one ounce domestic airmail letter plus 15 cents for minimum registration and three cents for a return receipt (in effect July 1, 1934, through March 25, 1944).