1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Rich colors, tied by well-struck "Birmingham Ala. Aug. 6 3:30 PM 01" duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on piece, with 1c Postage Due pen-cancelled, invert with corner tears at top left and bottom right, diagonal tear at left, creases and toning, the piece with some age toning

FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT ON A LARGE PIECE. THIS IS ALSO A VERY EARLY AND PROBABLY "ORIGINAL" NON-PHILATELIC USE.

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."

There are three recorded 1c Pan-American covers and two pieces. The earliest documented use is the cover dated August 2, 1901, from Bessemer Ala. -- just four days earlier than this -- which realized $110,000 hammer in our 1999 Rarities sale. Bessemer is approximately 15 miles from Birmingham. The second cover is dated at Oakland Cal. on August 24, 1901, and addressed to France (it has a 4c Pan-American for the 5c UPU rate). The third cover is dated 1903, as is the other recorded example on piece.

Census No. 294a-CAN-PCE-48. With 2007 P.F. certificate.

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