Sale 1227 — Outstanding United States Stamps and Gold Coins
Sale Date — Monday-Friday, 19-23 October, 2020
Category — 1901 Pan-American Issue Including Inverts (Scott 294-299)
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Unused, regummed over crease, rich colors, reperfed at topVERY FINE APPEARING AND AFFORDABLE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
With 1971 P.F. certificate. Scott value as original gum
2c Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Original gum, small h.r., brilliant colors, small thin spot, small internal flaw not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE APPEARING 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.
Ex Wingate. With 1984 P.F. certificate
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Unused (no gum), rich colors, centered to bottom but other three sides nicely balanced framing the design, tiny corner thin spot at bottom rightFINE 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. 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 or no gum.
Ex Dr. Heimburger. With 2017 P.F. certificate. Scott value for original gum
1c Pan-American (294). Mint N.H., essentially perfect centering, rich color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,500.00), only four grade higher
1c Pan-American (294). Top left corner margin block of four, dramatic foldover resulted in a significant misperf including the corner of the top left stamp without perfs, the foldover portion was cut and mended during production with craft paper, also h.r. reinforcement in selvage, couple short perfs at right irrelevant in this piece, Very Fine appearing and interesting production variety
1c, 2c Pan-American (294-295). Mint N.H. bottom corner imprint, arrow and double plate no. blocks of twelve, 1c bottom right with "1C", 2c bottom left, rich colors, fresh and Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Scott value as plate blocks and two singles
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). Blocks of four, a few of the 1c and 2c stamps Mint N.H., others a mix of hinged, h.r. and one 4c disturbed gum, bright colors, a few perf separations, overall Fine-Very Fine
2c-5c Pan-American (295-297). Mint N.H., deep rich colors, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2008 or 2016 P.S.E. certificates, last two graded VF-XF 85
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2c Pan-American, "Low Train" (295). With dramatic vignette shift to the bottom, the shading around the train extending to outside the carmine frame, obscuring all of the frame text at bottom, fresh and Fine, an exceptional "subterranean train" shift equaling the strongest we have encountered
2c Pan-American, "Slow Train" (295). Mint N.H., vignette shifted significantly into the Carmine frame at bottom and left -- a "low and slow train", Very Fine and a nice variety
2c Pan-American, "High Train" (295). Dramatic vignette shift with smokestack well into the carmine frame at top, the stamp is also centered to top which increases the visual effect of the shift, light machine cancel, Fine and highly collectible variety that we hereby dub the "Casey Jones" variety ("ridin' that train, high on...")
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H. block of four, deep rich colors, Very Fine and choice, Scott value as singles
4c Pan-American (296). Block of four, bottom stamps Mint N.H., top stamps single hinge mark at top, bright shade, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, Scott value as singles
4c Pan-American (296). Bottom imprint and plate no. 1145 block of six, lightly hinged, lovely warm color, few perf separations expertly reinforced, Very Fine appearance and attractive
4c Pan-American (296). Bottom imprint, plate nos. 1145/1142 and arrow block of twelve, ten stamps Mint N.H., two stamps at bottom of plate block lightly hinged (one of which with small adherence on gum), rich color, Fine-Very Fine, Scott value for hinged plate block of ten and two singles
5c Pan-American (297). Block of four with bottom arrow and blue plate no. 1141, rich colors, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, the top stamps are especially nice, with 1981 P.F. certificate
5c Pan-American (297). Top imprint and plate no. 1140 block of six, with pressman's initials, top center stamp lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., rich colors, fresh and Fine
8c Pan-American (298). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 1150 block of six, deep rich colors, well-proportioned marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP POSITION PLATE BLOCK OF THE 8-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE.
A Power Search review shows we have offered only four others in Mint N.H. condition from the top position since 2003
8c Pan-American (298). Intense colors and impressions, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, most recent certificate notes small corner crease at top left, still Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95) and 2020 P.S.E. certificate
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H., selvage at top, choice margins and centering for this tightly-spaced issue, rich colors, natural inclusion does not show thru on an album page, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1992 P.F. certificate
10c Pan-American (299). Bottom imprint and plate no. 1151 block of six, lightly hinged where few perf separations expertly reinforced, bright colors, Very Fine, scarce with such choice centering
10c Pan-American (299). Top imprint and plate no. 1151 block of six, string of plate printers' initials, lightly hinged on center stamps, bright colors, fresh and Fine, a desirable top position plate block, with 1993 P.F. certificate