Sale 1092 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 19-20 February, 2015
Category — 1901 Pan-American Issue (Scott 294-299)
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Original gum, lightly hinged for this issue, fresh and completely soundFINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT WITH INTACT ORIGINAL GUM.
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 as 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 the stamps were removed from mounting paper, they are generally thinned or have seriously disturbed gum. This is a rare exception.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Fine 70; SMQ $85,000.00). The Scott Catalogue value is for a stamp with slightly disturbed gum.
