Sale 1118 — The Don David Price Iconic Collection of U.S. Bicolored Issues
Sale Date — Tuesday, 15 March, 2016
Category — 1901 Pan-American Issue Inverts
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Block of four, slightly disturbed original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, all four stamps have extraordinarily choice centering, small thin spot in bottom right stampEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT. THIS MAGNIFICENT BLOCK WAS SOLD IN THE SIEGEL 500TH AND 1000TH SALES. IT IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PRICE COLLECTION.
The Pan-American inverts were the first bicolored postage stamps produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the first invert postage errors issued by the Post Office since the 1869's. The 1c Pan-American Inverts were found in several post offices around the country. Thirteen blocks of four, a block of six and a block of 20 are recorded in our Levi records, some of which may have been broken into singles.
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). H.r., deep rich colors and proof-like impressionsFINE 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). Choice centering for this difficult issue, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, neat machine cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY SIX SOUND USED EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT, AND OF THE SIX THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST-CENTERED COPIES. A WORLD-CLASS 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 51 used examples plus three on cover, for a total of 54 copies. Of these, only six off-cover singles plus one in the only known pair can be confirmed as sound. An additional three need to be examined for condition as they have not been seen since 1953, 1960 and 1979, and have never been certified. 40 off-cover stamps plus one on cover have faults ranging from corner creases to repairs. Only four of the six sound singles have perfs clear of the design on all four sides.
Census No. 294a-CAN-02. Ex "Natalee Grace". With 1997 and 2012 P.F. certificates
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Showing clear stitch watermark at bottom, rich colors and detailed impressions, neat strike of oval handstampVERY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY SIX SOUND USED EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT. A WONDERFUL CONDITION RARITY, AND THE ONLY ONE WE ARE AWARE OF WITH A STITCH WATERMARK.
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 51 used examples plus three on cover, for a total of 54 copies. Of these, only six off-cover singles plus one in the only known pair can be confirmed as sound. An additional three need to be examined for condition as they have not been seen since 1953, 1960 and 1979, and have never been certified. 40 off-cover stamps plus one on cover have faults ranging from corner creases to repairs. Only four of the six sound singles have perfs clear of the design on all four sides.
Census No. 294a-CAN-04. With 1958 and 1994 P.F. certificates
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Rich colors, tied by well-struck "Birmingham Ala. Aug. 6 3:30 PM 01" duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on piece, with 1c Postage Due pen-cancelled, invert with corner tears at top left and bottom right, diagonal tear at left, creases and toning, the piece with some age toningFINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT ON A LARGE PIECE. THIS IS ALSO A VERY EARLY AND PROBABLY "ORIGINAL" NON-PHILATELIC USE.
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."
There are three recorded 1c Pan-American covers and two pieces. The earliest documented use is the cover dated August 2, 1901, from Bessemer Ala. -- just four days earlier than this -- which realized $110,000 hammer in our 1999 Rarities sale. Bessemer is approximately 15 miles from Birmingham. The second cover is dated at Oakland Cal. on August 24, 1901, and addressed to France (it has a 4c Pan-American for the 5c UPU rate). The third cover is dated 1903, as is the other recorded example on piece.
Census No. 294a-CAN-PCE-48. With 2007 P.F. certificate.
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Vertical pair, choice centering, neat strike of wavy-line machine cancel, bottom stamp horizontal crease at lower leftTOP STAMP VERY FINE AND BOTTOM HAS SIMILAR APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED USED MULTIPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN WITH INVERTED CENTER. AN OUTSTANDING 20TH CENTURY 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 51 used examples plus three on cover, for a total of 54 copies. Of these, only six off-cover singles plus one in this pair can be confirmed as sound. An additional three need to be examined for condition as they have not been seen since 1953, 1960 and 1979, and have never been certified. 40 off-cover stamps plus one on cover have faults ranging from corner creases to repairs. Only four of the six sound singles have perfs clear of the design on all four sides. The top stamp in this pair adds one to this number.
Census No. 294a-CAN-PR-01. Our Levi records indicate this was offered in a Sep. 11, 1952 Mozian sale. With 1994 A.P.S. and 2016 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as singles
2c Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Large part original gum, h.r. described on accompanying certificate as "o.g.", rich color, choice centering, light crease at top left not touching designVERY FINE APPEARING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
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.
With 1951 P.F. certificate
2c Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Rich colors, bold strike of "Brooklyn N.Y P.O." double-oval cancel, corner crease ending in small tear at upper right, filled thin at center, additional small faultsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY SEVEN USED EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT ARE KNOWN. A GREAT INVERT RARITY.
Our census of the used 2c Pan-American Invert, which is available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/295a/295a.pdf , records only seven copies. None is sound -- two are reperfed, one has a tear and another is thinned. Only three stamps have minor flaws.
Census No. 295a-CAN-01. Ex Cunliffe. With 2009 P.F. certificate.
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Rich colors and detailed impressions, small h.r., tiny margin thin at lower rightFINE APPEARING ORIGINAL-GUM 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. One of the two men seated at 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 97 of the stamps were removed from an album page, they are generally thinned or have seriously disturbed gum.
With 2016 P.F. certificate.
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted, Specimen Overprint (296a-S). Choice centering, gum appears Mint Never Hinged except for a faint fingerprint and couple small spots, two slightly nibbed perfs at topFRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE CHOICEST EXAMPLES OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT, WITH OR WITHOUT SPECIMEN OVERPRINT.
A total of 173 4c Pan-American Invert stamps were distributed by the Third Assistant Postmaster General's office, and an additional 97 were traded by the National Museum. The majority of stamps distributed by the Post Office Department had the "Specimen" overprint, but some did not (at least 23). The stamp offered here is one of the few we have encountered in choice condition; most are in shockingly poor condition, the result of rough handling over many years.
With 1999 P.F. certificate