Sale 1068 — United States Stamps and Possessions
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 30 April-1 May, 2014
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi thru 1901 Pan-American Issues
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Bottom imprint and plate no. 599 block of four, original gum, lightly hinged between top stamps, fresh and Fine
5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Block of four, original gum, top pair small h.r., bottom pair lightly hinged, beautiful margins and centering, rich color, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Block of four, original gum, h.r. at top, fresh color, Fine, with 1998 A.P.S. certificate
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, outstanding margins and centering, deep shade and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 1971 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, small old paper h.r., magnificent wide margins and centering, rich color, tiny margin thin at top, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1971 P.F. certificate
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). Mint N.H. blocks of four, 4c, 8c and 10c with centerline, vivid colors, Fine-Very Fine, a lovely and fresh set of blocks, also incl. 4c-10c top imprint singles, three hinged in selvage but stamps Mint N.H., 4c lightly hinged, Fine
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). Blocks of four, 1c and 4c Mint N.H., two stamps in 8c and 10c blocks Mint N.H., others h.r., fresh colors, Fine-Very Fine
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). Blocks of four, fresh, Fine-Very Fine, most in the higher grade
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). Top imprint and plate no. strips of three with long strings of pressmen's initials, fresh, 10c stamps entirely Mint N.H. as are some others from 1c-8c, Fine-Very Fine, attractive set
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). Bottom imprint and double plate nos. strips of four, 1c, 4c, 5c and 10c Mint N.H., rich colors, Fine-Very Fine
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). Unusual pairing of unused corner selvage singles with denomination markers (1c, 2c, 4c and 8c Mint N.H.) and a complete set on individual pieces tied by matching Aug. 26, 1901 "Pan-American Station" Buffalo N.Y. machine cancels, Fine-Very Fine, nice additions to a specialized Pan-American Issue collection
1c Pan-American (294). Group of 10 singles and two covers, one single original gum, others used, selected to display a variety of vignette positions incl. "rising ships", one on a 1c Columbian entire, a dramatic "sinking ship" (original gum), couple slightly "fast ships", Fine group
2c Pan-American (295). Group of 25 used and three unused singles, selected to display a variety of vignette positions incl. "fast and slow trains", "high and low trains", the three unused and one used single show distinct frame shade variations, a few small flaws, Fine and interesting group
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Single hinge mark, deep rich colors, choice centering with well-balanced margins, small faint translucent spot in marginVERY FINE. A DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
The 1c Pan-American Inverts were found in at least four different post offices around the country, soon after release of the issue in May 1901.
2c Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Neat hinge remnant, stitch watermark at top, bright colors, wide and balanced margins showing guideline at right, tiny natural inclusion speck at left of vignette frameEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
The 2c is the rarest of the three Pan-American Inverts. It is surmised that approximately 200 were issued through the post office, with two distinct shades known. Our Levi records contain the intact block (4), reconstructed block (4), 64 unused singles and 6 used singles, for a total of 72 unused and 6 used. Many of the unused singles have disturbed gum or no gum, and/or are off center to top or top left.
Ex "Ambassador" and Seymour. P.F. certificate no. 204408 no longer accompanies.
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Unused (no gum), wide margins, radiant colors, two horizontal creases, tiny margin tear between two perfsEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT. THE IDEAL STAMP FOR THE COLLECTOR WHO VALUES VISUAL BEAUTY OVER TECHNICAL SOUNDNESS.
The 4c stamp portrays an electric automobile, known at the time as the "Electric Vehicle Service," as depicted on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad brochure from which the engraving was made. In the background one can see the dome of the Capitol. The two men depicted in the front seat are both chauffeurs. The man in the passenger compartment is Samuel P. Hege, so this stamp actually depicts a living person in violation of the law.
The 4c Pan-American Invert was a special printing and not regularly issued. Examples were distributed through two official channels, and the gum on the majority of stamps without "Specimen" overprint was disturbed. In fact, because the stamps were removed from mounting paper, they are generally thinned or have seriously disturbed gum.
Scott Catalogue notes that "Values are for examples with full original gum that is slightly disturbed". There is no value given for a stamp with no gum