Sale 1078 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 16-17 September, 2014
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi thru 1901 Pan-American Issues (Scott 287-297)
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., vibrant color, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 634 pair, fresh, glowing color, Very Fine and atrractive
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 609 block of four, deep rich colorVERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2004 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Original gum, h.r., choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
Scarce with such choice centering.
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Original gum, h.r., detailed impression, Very Fine and choice
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep shade, fresh and Very Fine, with 1990 P.F. certificate
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Bright shade and detailed impression, unobtrusive cancel, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., detailed impression, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
This issue has been called the most beautiful in United States philately.
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered with unusually wide margins, incredible proof-like impression on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB STAMP AND AN EXCEPTIONALLY CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI -- WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STAMP EVER ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES POST OFFICE.
With 1987 and 2001 P.F. certificates
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Top plate no. 6060 single, original gum, h.r. in selvage, stamp with small slight gum disturbance, otherwise Mint N.H., Fine, Scott Retail as hinged
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Crisp impression, choice centering, light cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep shade, Very Fine and choice
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, slight oxidation, Very Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Wide beautifully balanced margins, bright color, bold circular datestamp cancel, guide line at top, Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.S.E. certificate
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, well-balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A STUNNING 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, soon after release of the issue in May 1901.
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Single h.r., rich colors and detailed impressions, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL 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, soon after release of the issue in May 1901.
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, very slight gum disturbance from previous hinge, unusually choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL 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, soon after release of the issue in May 1901.
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Deep rich colors, bold "1" duplex cancel, small thin spots, light corner crease at top rightFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT. THIS IS A NEWLY-DISCOVERED USED EXAMPLE OF THIS RARITY.
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. According to the revised Johl-King book (p.7) "The first known copies of this error were discovered at Bessemer, Alabama, by the Carrell Jewelry Company on some circulars just prior to mailing them. When they realized the find they had made they lost no time in removing the stamps from the circulars and thus saved them to philately."
The 1c Pan-American Invert in used condition is considerably scarcer than unused. Our updated census, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/294a/294a.pdf , records 49 used examples plus three on cover, for a total of 52 copies.
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Large part disturbed original gum, bright colors, few tiny thin spots, sealed tear at upper left, few tiny perf flaws at topVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
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".
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). Blocks of four, 10c with part imprint selvage at bottom, few stamps Mint N.H. incl. two 10c and all 1c and 2c, bright colors, fresh and Very Fine, Scott Retail as hinged blocks
4c, 5c Pan-American (296-297). Mint N.H. blocks of four, fresh and crisp, 5c small separation, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, 5c especially nice