Sale 1221 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 27-28 May, 2020
Category — 1901 Pan-American Issue (Scott 294-299)
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Slightly disturbed original gum, rich colors, accompanying old certificate states "small defects" but we note only small corner creasesFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
According to Johl, 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, including Bessemer Ala., Richmond Va., Utica N.Y. and Connecticut.
From our 1968 Rarities sale and with 1968 P.F. certificate
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted, "Specimen" Overprint Ty. E (296a-S). "Specimen" at left, unused (no gum), well-centered, defective with repairsA PRESENTABLE EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT WITH SPECIMEN OVERPRINT.
If the reported numbers are correct, a total of 203 4c Inverts were released, both with and without the overprint. An unknown quantity of the 4c Pan-American invert was overprinted with a small "Specimen" overprint. Some examples, both with and without the overprint, were given away by Third Asst. Postmaster General Edwin C. Madden. When postal authorities learned of the practice, they destroyed 194 copies and put one pane of 100 into the official archives. At a later date, 97 of these were traded for rarities missing from the archives.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Unused (no gum), pretty colors, reperfed at left and light diagonal creaseFINE 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, and in some cases removed entirely.
Scott Retail as original gum $85,000.00
2c Pan-American (295). Group of 25 used and three unused singles, selected to display a variety of vignette positions including "fast and slow trains", "high and low trains", the three unused and one used single show distinct frame shade variations, a few small flaws, Fine and interesting group
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H., bright colors, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2019 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
8c Pan-American (298). Intense colors and impressions, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), by way of comparison only two grade higher in the P.S.E. Population Report