1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Choice centering for this difficult issue, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, neat machine cancel

VERY 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 48 used examples plus three on cover, for a total of 51 copies. Of these, only six off-cover copies 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. 39 off-cover stamps plus one on cover have faults ranging from corner creases to repairs. Only four of the six sound copies have perfs clear of the design on all four sides.

Census No. 294a-CAN-02. With 1997 P.F. certificate.

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