Warren Harding - Brown - 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).

The 1½-cent stamp bears the portrait of the late President Warren G. Harding with the name "Harding" on a ribbon below the portrait. The surrounding design is the same as the current 2-cent stamp, except that the numeral "1½" appears in the ovals in both lower corners and the triangular ornaments in both upper corners were changed. The stamp is inclosed within a plain border and is printed in light brown.

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.