1878, 25c Green on Green, -1/4bbl., Beer, Inverted Center (REA39a; Priester 40bB). Position 8 in the pane, large margins, rich colors on deep green paper, neat 1878 manuscript cancel leaves the design clearly visible, vertical crease, thins, two small holes, small surface scuff at bottom center

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS STAMP IS THE UNIQUE 1878 QUARTER-BARREL BEER ISSUE WITH INVERTED CENTER. ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY RECOGNIZED BEER STAMP RARITIES AND A HIGHLIGHT OF THE INMAN COLLECTION.

Considering the large number of bicolored stamps and the era in which they were printed, we are surprised there are not more Beer stamp inverts. There were 24 different bicolored Beer stamps issued between 1871 and 1878, not counting different paper types or printing varieties. Only three inverts are known, each of which is represented by a single example (REA32a, REA36a and REA39a). Two of the three are the same denomination -- the 25c quarter-barrel (the third is a $2.00) -- but they have different frames and vignettes. One depicts Bacchus serving the first fermented brew to man (offered in lot 557); the example offered here shows Thomas "Old Bullion" Benton, who was the first member of the Senate to serve five terms (he was also John C. Fremont's father-in-law).

The first recorded owner of this one-of-a-kind invert was noted Revenue collector and prolific philatelic author Henry Holcombe (1897-1973), who was most active in the 1930's through the 1950's. It is uncertain if this stamp was acquired by Philip H. Ward and then by the Weill Brothers., but the late Robert H. Cunliffe purchased it from the Weills and owned it for several decades. Cunliffe's Invert collection was sold after his death by Spink Shreves in 2009. We believe this is the stamp's second appearance at auction.

Ex Henry Holcombe, Weill and Robert H. Cunliffe (possibly Ward). Weill backstamp. With 2009 P.F. certificate

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