Sale 920 — United States Rarities
Sale Date — Tuesday, 17 October, 2006
Category — Pan-American Inverts
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Lightly hinged, deep rich colorsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM 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. Of the 600 to 700 known, most have disturbed gum and are off-center. The example offered here is remarkably fresh.
With 1971 P.F. certificate. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (f-VF 75; SMQ $7,000.00 as 70, $10,500.00 as 80)
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Small h.r. and slightly disturbed gum (described as previously hinged on certificate), exceptionally choice centering, bright and fresh, small thin spotVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A HANDSOME EXAMPLE OF THIS MAJOR 20TH CENTURY INVERT ERROR.
With 1988 P.F. certificate
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Slightly disturbed original gum, h.r., deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, choice centering with well-balanced margins, trivial short perf at upper leftVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
2c Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Fresh, h.r., natural fiber inclusion in bottom margin, small thin and reperfed at bottomFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE 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. Estimates of surviving examples range from an early count (1945) of 55 unused and 2-3 used to the 1998 Datz estimate of 150 unused, 3-5 used and a block of four intact. 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.
Signed "CJP" (Charles J. Phillips). Wth 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott footnote states "Almost all unused copies of No. 295a have partial or disturbed gum. Values are for examples with full original gum that is slightly disturbed."
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Unused (regummed), remarkably choice centreing, sharp impressions, filled thin spots and creasedEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
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 due to its removal from mounting paper. In fact, many of these stamps are thinned or have seriously disturbed gum. Although the accompanying certificate states "regummed", the gum may in fact be disturbed but original.
With 1974 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for unused with disturbed gum.
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted, "Specimen" Ovpt. (296aS). Disturbed original gum as typically seen, "Specimen" ovpt. removed (hard to detect), bottom right corner perf added, Fine appearance, rare