Sale 1078 — United States Stamps

Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 16-17 September, 2014

Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi thru 1901 Pan-American Issues (Scott 287-297)

Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
434
og
Sale 1078, Lot 434, 1898 Trans-Mississippi thru 1901 Pan-American Issues (Scott 287-297)4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Large part disturbed original gum, bright colors, few tiny thin spots, sealed tear at upper left, few tiny perf flaws at top

VERY FINE 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. The two men depicted in the front seat are both chauffeurs. The man in the passenger compartment is Samuel P. Hege, 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 the stamps were removed from mounting paper, they are generally thinned or have seriously disturbed gum.

Scott Catalogue notes that "Values are for examples with full original gum that is slightly disturbed".

75,000
8,000