Sale 953 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 25-28 March, 2008
Category — 1901 Pan-American Issue (Scott 294-299)
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich colors, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE.
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.
Ex Weisman. With 1984 P.S.E. and 1990 P.F. certificates
2c Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Unused (no gum), unusually choice centering for this difficult issue with wide and balanced margins, color slightly fadedEXTREMELY FINE CENTERING. A REMARKABLY WELL-CENTERED 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, but the example offered here is far better-centered than most.
With 1997 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Unused, regummed over repaired faults, rich colorVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT WITHOUT "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT.
he 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.
With 2002 P.S.E. certificate
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted, Specimen Ovpt. (296a-S). Full original gum (far better gum condition than most), rich colors and fine impressions, centered to lower left but perfs are clear of design and wide right margin shows clear strike of purple "Specimen" overprintVERY FINE FOR THIS RARE 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. 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 1974 and 1995 P.F. certificates
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). Mint N.H., 10c with top part imprint selvage, fresh colors, 8c slight natural gum irregularities, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, 1c 2001 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90), 5c 2001 P.S.E. certificate, 8c 1986 P.F. certificate and 10c 1994 P.S.E. certificate for strip of three
1c Pan-American (294). Mint N.H. vertical pair with bottom right corner selvage and plate letters, rich colors, Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as singles
1c Pan-American (294). Mint N.H. block of twelve, the so-called "sinking ship" variety with vignette shifted strongly downwards, Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as singles
2c Pan-American (295). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impressions, vignette is perfectly centered in frame, Jumbo margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2002 and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $380.00 as 95, $1,300.00 as 98)
2c Pan-American (295). Mint N.H., brilliant colors, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $380.00)
2c Pan-American (295). Mint N.H., brilliant colors, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $380.00)
2c Pan-American (295). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 1114 block of six, deep rich colors, wonderful centering throughout, Extremely Fine Gem, a magnificent Mint N.H. plate block, with 1982 P.F. certificate
2c Pan-American (295). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 1078 block of six, choice margins and almost precisely centered, Extremely Fine, outstanding quality
2c Pan-American (295). Mint N.H. pane of 100, two imprint and plate no. 1098 at top, natural s.e. at bottom and selvage on sides, deep rich colors, proof-like impressionsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A REMARKABLY PRISTINE MINT NEVER-HINGED PANE OF 100 OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE.
Scott Retail as two Mint N.H. plate blocks and Mint N.H. singles
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H., bright colors, detailed impressions, perfectly centered with unusually wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1999 P.F. certificate for block of four and 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,550.00 as 95, $5,250.00 as 98). Only two have graded higher to date and only one other shares this desirable grade.
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H., beautiful warm color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $470.00)
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H., exceptionally well-centered, strong colors, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $290.00)
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H. top margin imprint and plate no. 1145 strip of three, fresh color, Very Fine and choice, Scott Retail as singles
5c Pan-American (297). Mint N.H., almost perfectly centered, fresh and crisp, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $320.00)
8c Pan-American (298). Mint N.H., wide margins and strong colors, natural printing ink line at left, Very Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H., brilliant colors, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $800.00)
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H., unusually wide margins, lovely impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H., bright and fresh, Very Fine and choice, with photocopy of 1999 P.F. certificate for vertical block of twelve from which this stamp was removed
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H., strong downward shift of vignette blocking out "Fast Ocean Navigation" inscription, essentially perfectly centered, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate which states "not a sinking ship variety" (if it's not sinking, it's certainly taking on water)
10c Pan-American (299). Bottom right selvage corner single with brown and black "10c" plate markings, Very Fine, very pretty position piece
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H. block of four, exceptionally well-centered, tiny gum toning specks, otherwise Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as four Mint N.H. singles