4c Deep Red Brown & Black, Pan-American, Center Inverted, Specimen Ovpt. (296aS). "Specimen" at left reading up, inverted diagonal orientation, original gum, lightly hinged, centered to bottom with other three margins nicely balanced

FRESH AND FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT WITH SPECIMEN OVERPRINT.

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 at 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. One sheet was overprinted with "Specimen." A total of 106 copies, both with and without "Specimen," were distributed to friends and dignitaries. 197 were destroyed. One pane of 100 was retained by the Post Office Department and was stuck down on a ledger page in the Post Office archives. The sheet was broken up in about 1916 or 1917, and 97 copies were traded in exchange for material needed for the government collection. Since most of the stamps were removed from the mounting paper, they are generally thinned or have seriously disturbed gum.

The Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue has a footnote about condition for the 4c Invert without "Specimen" overprint (Scott 296), but neglects to include a similar note for the Specimen (296aS). If we were to write one, it would read "Almost all examples are faulty and many to a serious degree. Value is for a Fine centered stamp with minor faults. Sound examples sell for much more." In the case of this sound stamp with lightly hinged gum, we do expect more

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