Sale 946 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday, 12 November, 2007
Category — 1901 Pan-American Issue (Scott 294-299)
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Unusually choice centering, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, neat strike of Easthampton (Mass.) oval cancel, small vertical crease at bottom center, tiny corner crease at bottom rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING USED 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. 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." Three covers are known with one each used from Bessemer Ala., Oakland Cal. and St. Louis Mo.
The 1c Pan-American Invert in used condition is considerably scarcer than unused. With the increased collector demand for 20th century stamps, especially in used condition, the price of a used 1c Pan-American Invert has surged ahead from $7,000 in 2001 to $13,000 in 2006.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted, Specimen Ovpt. (296aS). Remarkably well-centered, h.r., bright colors, neat blue "Specimen" at top right, thin spot at right, two tiny tears at bottom, reperfed at topVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT.
If the reported numbers are correct, a total of 203 4c Inverts was released, both with and without the overprint. An unknown quantity of the 4c Pan-American invert was overprinted with a small "Specimen" overprint.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted, "Specimen" Ovpt. (296aS-E). Part original gum, the overprint appears diagonally above the left "4", bottom perfs touch, about typical for this error "Specimen", repaired bottom left corner, couple light creases and reperfed at top, affordable example of this popular early 20th Century error
1c Pan-American (294). Mint N.H., choice margins and centering, lovely bright colors, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $435.00)
1c Pan-American (294). Mint N.H., wonderfully well-centered, guide line at right, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $140.00)
2c Pan-American (295). Mint N.H., rich colors and proof-like impressions, mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,500.00). Only four have graded higher to date
2c Pan-American (295). Mint N.H., fresh and bright, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $400.00)
2c Pan-American (295). Mint N.H. vertical strip of four, beautifully centered, fresh and bright, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate
4c Pan-American (296). Jumbo margins, lightly hinged, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $225.00 as 95, $430.00 as 98)
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H. with bottom half-arrow selvage, incredibly well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H., perfectly balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $470.00)
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H., incredibly fresh, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $290.00)
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H., choice margins and nicely centered, Very Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate
5c Pan-American (297). Mint N.H. with bottom half-arrow selvage, choice margins and outstanding accurate centering, excellent colors, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,550.00)
5c Pan-American (297). Mint N.H., crisp impression, essentially perfectly centered, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $530.00)
5c Pan-American (297). Mint N.H., strong colors and faultless centering, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $530.00)
5c Pan-American (297). Mint N.H., exceptionally well-centered, fine impression, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $530.00)
5c Pan-American (297). Mint N.H., well-centered, fresh and Very Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate
8c Pan-American (298). Mint N.H., incredibly beautiful large Jumbo margins and essentially perfectly centered as well, strong colors on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN 8-CENT PAN-AMERICAN STAMPS.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,100.00 for 95, $6,100.00 for 98). This example and three others are the only ones to achieve this grade out of 150 Mint N.H. stamps submitted (with only two higher).
8c Pan-American (298). Mint N.H., beautifully centered and intense colors, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $670.00)
8c Pan-American (298). Lightly hinged, choice margins and incredibly well-centered, strong colors, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $200.00)
8c Pan-American (298). Mint N.H., uncommonly wide margins, nice vignette shift to the southeast, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $670.00)
8c Pan-American (298). Mint N.H., beautiful balanced margins, intense color and crisp impression, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $670.00)
8c Pan-American (298). Mint N.H., wide margins, outstanding vignette shift, Very Fine and choice, a striking stamp, with 1979 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H., unusually wide margins and excellent centering, rich colors, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $870.00)
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H., beautiful wide margins and especially nice centering, rich colors, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $870.00)
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H., deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, beautifully centered, Extremely Fine
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H., rich colors and exceptional downward shift of vignette, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $530.00)
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H., well-centered, fresh and Very Fine, with 2006 and 2007 P.F. certificates