The Nine-cent Prexie
William Henry Harrison was president for a short time in 1841. He caught a cold on his inauguration day, and it turned into pneumonia, killing him thirty days later. His likeness on the nine-cent Prexie was taken from a bust in the rotunda of the Virginia State Capitol.
The nine-cent Prexie was first issued on August 18, 1938. A total of 1,692,201,400 were issued through 1958.
There were very few single nine-cent rates during the period this stamp was issued. One was for a combination of air, surface and air routing of a postcard sent abroad before early 1944, so long as the postal clerk did not charge the combination as if it were a first class letter since postcards did not have airmail rates.
Second class, transient rates could result in a nine-cent charge.
Other possibilities were fourth class parcel post for one pound to Zone 3 early in the period, and to Zones 1 and 2 with the minimum surcharge in effect from early 1944 through 1948. Others include the special fourth class rate for books effective in 1958 and fourth class bound printed matter at various times for various weight and zone combinations.
Other solo uses involved the special fourth class rate for books combined with minimum insurance, and a combined surface with airmail letter rate including a late fee.
Multiples of first class domestic mail and non-U.S. three-cent rates are opportunites for solo nine-cent Prexies, as well as the special rate for mailing library books, films and slides. Also, multiples of third class and international samples rates can add to nine cents.