Sale 1092 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 19-20 February, 2015
Category — 1901 Pan-American Issue (Scott 294-299)
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). Mint N.H. set plus extra 1c, vivid colors, choice centering throughout, Extremely Fine, a high-quality set
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). 2c Mint N.H., rich colors, Very Fine and choice set
2c Pan-American (295). Mint N.H. bottom left corner imprint and double plate no. 1098 and 1223 block of 12, rich colors, well-centered, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
2c Pan-American (295). Mint N.H. pane of 100 with two top imprint and plate no. 1078 blocks six and arrow block of four, full selvage at sides, half-arrows at bottom corners and natural s.e. at bottom, rich colors, choice centering throughout, exceptionally freshVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE FULLY MINT NEVER-HINGED PANE OF 100 OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE.
The Pan-American Issue was printed from plates of 200 subjects and separated into top and bottom panes of 100 before delivery to post offices.
Scott Retail as two Mint N.H. plate blocks and 88 singles
2c Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Original gum, bright frame color and sharp vignette impression, choice centering, most recent certificate notes "trace of a prior tiny natural inclusion above the left '2'" -- it has been this way in photos going back half a century and was never mentioned in three prior clear certificatesEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
A survey of the Levi records produced 64 single unused stamps (excluding the block of four and rejoined block of four). Many of these were described in auction catalogues more than 40 years ago; therefore, the determination of soundness is uncertain. However, assuming the old descriptions were reaffirmed today, approximately 45% of singles across all centering categories have faults.
Of the single stamps with Extremely Fine centering (a minimum grade of 85), we counted 13 sound and 9 with faults. This stamp has the distinction of being the only 2c Pan-American Invert offered in our very first Rarities of the World sale, in February 1964, where it realized $8,000 versus the then-current Scott value of $4,500.
With 1964, 1989, 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates.
Click here for an introduction to the 1901 Pan-American Issue: http://siegelauctions.com/2013/1052/1901_Intro.pdf
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Original gum, lightly hinged for this issue, fresh and completely soundFINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT WITH INTACT ORIGINAL GUM.
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. One of the two men seated as the front was Samuel B. Hege, B&O's passenger agent, 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. This is a rare exception.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Fine 70; SMQ $85,000.00). The Scott Catalogue value is for a stamp with slightly disturbed gum.
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H., pretty colors, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H. block of 15 in 5 x 3 format, choice centering throughout, rich color, Very Fine-Extremely Fine , Scott Retail as singles
5c Pan-American (297). Mint N.H. block of 15 in 5 x 3 format, selvage at left, well-centered with some particularly choice stamps in the top and middle rows, bright and fresh, Fine-Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as singles
5c Pan-American (297). Bottom right corner half pane of 50 with imprint and plate no. 1140 block of six, half-arrows at top right and bottom left, one stamp h.r. and four stamps around it lightly hinged by tiny h.r. slivers, exceptional centering throughout, rich colorEXTREMELY FINE HALF PANE OF 50 THE 5-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE WITH A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK.
Scott Retail as Mint N.H. plate block, Mint N.H. and hinged singles
8c Pan-American (298). Mint N.H. block of 15 in 5 x 3 format, post-office fresh color and paper, nice centering particularly in center and bottom rowsVERY FINE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED LARGE MULTIPLE OF THE 8-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE.
This is the largest multiple we have offered since a half pane of 50 in our 2006 Rarities sale. Scott Retail as singles
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H., bright colors and crisp impressions, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2013 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H. block of four, rich colors, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate, Scott Retail as singles
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 1151 block of nine, every stamp in the block is perfectly centered -- an unheard of attribute in Pan-American multiples -- rich color and deep vignette shade, pristine paper and gumEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCKS OF THE 10-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
With 2014 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as plate block of six and three additional Mint N.H. singles