United States 25 Cent William McKinley Postage Stamp (Series 1922-1938)

This item is a United States postage stamp, specifically the 25-cent denomination featuring William McKinley. The stamp exhibits a rich, deep purple or plum color, characteristic of many stamps from the early 20th century. It is rectangular in shape with perforated edges, indicating it was designed to be separated from a sheet. The central vignette features a profile bust of William McKinley, facing right. He appears as an older gentleman with a distinguished, somewhat stern expression, rendered in a lighter shade against the darker background. Surrounding the portrait is a narrow border, and within the stamp's design, the words 'UNITED STATES POSTAGE' are prominently displayed vertically along the right side, above the portrait. The denomination '25 CENTS' is written horizontally at the bottom, flanked by the numeral '25' on both sides. Below McKinley's bust, the text 'WM. WILLIAM McKINLEY 1897-1901' is visible, though somewhat obscured by wear and a dark cancellation mark. The stamp shows clear signs of postal use, with a heavy, dark cancellation mark diagonally crossing the upper right and central portions of the stamp, covering part of McKinley's head and face, and extending into the 'UNITED STATES POSTAGE' text. The perforations are mostly intact, though some appear slightly separated or worn, particularly along the bottom edge. There are visible signs of aging and wear consistent with a used vintage stamp, including slight discoloration and handling marks. This particular stamp belongs to the U.S. definitive series issued between 1922 and 1938, also known as the 'Third Bureau Issue' or 'Washington-Franklin Issue' extended series, which featured portraits of various historical figures. The craftsmanship is typical of government-issued postage stamps of the era, focusing on clear engraving and consistent color application.