Sale 920 — United States Rarities
Sale Date — Tuesday, 17 October, 2006
Category — Pan-American Issue
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). Complete set, each has deep rich color, tied by strikes of "Philadelphia Pa. RD" oval registry cancel on First Day Cover to Landau, Germany, purple "Philadelphia, Pa. Registered May 1, 1901" double-circle datestamp and "Registered/May 1, 1901/Bourse,/Philadelphia, Pa." four-line registry datestamp on back, New York and German transit backstampsEXTREMELY FINE. ONLY FOURTEEN FIRST DAY COVERS ARE KNOWN BEARING A COMPLETE SET OF THE PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION SERIES.
In an article in the June 1999 issue of First Days, Alan Berkun records eleven covers bearing complete sets of the Pan-American Issue, including four from the District of Columbia (all to Germany), four from Mass., two from New York and one from Seattle (sold in our 2001 Rarities sale). An additional three covers have been added to the census, including this cover from Philadelphia to Germany.
4c Pan-American (296). Bottom imprint, plate no. and arrow block of ten, Mint N.H., absolute perfection in centering (each stamp is superb), rich color, bright and fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PRISTINE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF TEN WITH THE TWO PLATE NUMBERS AND FULL ARROW AND MARKERS.
With 2001 P.S.E. certificate
4c Pan-American (296). Bottom imprint and plate no. 1145 block of six, Mint N.H., beautifully centered, rich color and unusually freshEXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT PLATE BLOCK OF THE CLASSIC 20TH CENTURY COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate
5c Pan-American (297). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 1140 block of six, very nicely centered, rich colors and proof-like impressionsEXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE.
With 1991 and 2006 P.F. certificates.
8c Pan American (298). Pane of 100 with plate nos. 1150 and 1143 at bottom, natural s.e. at top, most stamps on top row with traces of hinges, bottom right corner stamp thinned, other 89 stamps incl. both plate blocks Mint N.H., exceptional centering throughout with many perfectly centered, printer's ink mark on reverse at bottom as often found on these issues, few perf separations at top, few usual and trivial selvage faultsEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE WELL-CENTERED COMPLETE PANE OF THE 8-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE.
Most well-centered panes have been broken for singles and plate blocks. This most likely ranks among the finest remaining panes extant. Scott Retail as one Mint N.H. plate block, one hinged plate block, 70 Mint N.H. singles and 11 hinged singles.
8c Pan-American (298). Bottom left corner margin imprint and plate no. 1150 block of ten with additional plate no. and half arrow at right, Mint N.H., dark shades and very freshVERY FINE. AN IMPRESSIVE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 8-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE.
Scott Retail for the plate block of six and four Mint N.H. singles
10c Pan-American (299). Bottom right corner margin imprint and plate no. 1150 block of ten with "10c" plate imprints and half arrow, Mint N.H., rich color and unusually freshVERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE.
Scott Retail for the plate block of six and four Mint N.H. singles