United States Fourth Bureau Definitives (the "1922s")

Beautifully designed, beautifully engraved, a wealth of varieties, and inexpensive - what more could a US stamp collector ask?

A newcomer to US philately might be overwhelmed by the number of stamps, their topics and the available specialties, but if a stamp collector wants to dive into the heart of the American stamp scene, one particular set of regular definitive postage stamps, all printed by the BEP, stands out for its significance, classic designs, collecting possibilities and inexpensive cost. The USA's Fourth Bureau Series of definitives, issued from 1922 through 1938 (and sometimes called the "1922 series") presents many rich opportunities for stamp collectors.

The Fourth Bureau runs from the flat plate, from 1/2-cent face value to five dollar face value stamps, and the rotary press ranges from 1/2-cent to ten cent issues. There are a host of overprints, some of which are the "poor man's commemoratives" (the Hawaii overprints and the Molly Pitcher overprint), and some security overprints: the "Kans." and "Nebr." overprints. These were designed to help stop post office thefts in the States of Kansas and Nebraska. Some 1922s were overprinted Canal Zone for use in that US territory. A number of forged and faked Kansas and Nebraska overprints exist, along with varieties of the legitimate overprints. There are also errors and specialties, such as the US-administered Canal Zone with its own series of Fourth Bureau overprints, die varieties and a wide range of different town precancels.

Throughout the Fourth Bureau issues there are perforation and color varieties, double transfers and plate errors, and coil stamps with government as well as private perforations. Star Plates, experiments in cliche spacing, and various gum breakers also add variety to the series. A few of the stamps are quite expensive, such as the two-cent rotary President Harding issue, perf 11, but most issues are very affordable yet challenging.

With all these varieties, errors, overprints and other peculiarities, it's easy to picture a specialty stamp collection that would be challenging but easy on the wallet.