Benjamin Franklin - Green - Kansas Overprint

1922–23 issue overprinted with "Kans." in black ink across the lower half of the stamp. Sold in Kansas post offices (except Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita).

Portrait of Franklin, from Houdon's bust, within an oval and partly inclosed in a panel which is supported on either side by acanthus scrolls. Above the portrait in a curved line appear the words "United States postage" in white Roman letters. On a ribbon below the oval is the name "Franklin" and under this, at the bottom of the stamp, appears the word "Cent." In both lower corners within ovals with dark backgrounds is the white numeral "1." The entire stamp is inclosed within a cross-line border with small triangular ornaments in both upper corners. Printed in green ink. The 1-cent stamp was first placed on sale at Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pa., on Franklin's birthday, January 17, 1923.

This special issue of postage stamps was prepared by overprinting the abbreviations "Kans." and "Nebr." on stamps of the 1922–23 series in denominations of 1 to 10 cents, inclusive, for placing on sale in all post offices in the respective States with the exception of Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita, Kans., Lincoln and Omaha, Nebr. The overprint was in black ink across the lower half of the stamps. The State overprinted stamps were first placed on sale May 1, 1929, in the Philatelic Agency.

This special issue of overprinted stamps was authorized as a measure of preventing losses from post-office burglaries. Approximately a year's supply of the stamps was printed and issued to postmasters in the respective States. The Department found it desirable to discontinue the State overprinted stamps after the initial supply was used.