24c Green & Violet, Center Inverted (120b). Horizontal pair, among the best centered of all recorded examples, each stamp cancelled by neat rosette fancy cancel, rich colors and sharp, clear impressions

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED PAIR AND ONE OF TWO KNOWN MULTIPLES OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT.

Our census of 24c 1869 Inverts, recently updated at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/120b/120b.pdf , contains 94 copies of the perforated 24c Invert, including four unused, 83 used singles, one on cover, this pair and a block of four. This pair and the famous block of the 24c Invert, are the only recorded multiples of any of the 1869 Inverts.

The pair offered here is lightly stamped on back "Pemberton, Wilson & Co.", the mark of the well-known 19th century stamp firm in England. The remarkable survival of multiple inverts is attributed to stamp hunters in 1869 and 1870, who removed 24c stamps from letters and parcels received by London and Liverpool merchants. The discovery of the 24c Invert block was made in Liverpool and, in certain accounts, this pair is said to have been separated from the block. The difference between the rosette cancel on this pair and the segmented cork cancel on the block proves this aspect of the story inaccurate. However, the similar centering and vignette orientation on the two multiples offer a strong possibility that the two pieces emanated from the same sheet and source.

Ex Zoellner. With 1970 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates

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