Sale 978 — The Beverly Hills Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps

Sale Date — Friday, 4 December, 2009

Category — Pan-American Issue

Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
1098
og
Sale 978, Lot 1098, Pan-American Issue4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Lightly hinged for this issue which is normally found with either disturbed gum or heavy hinging, deep rich colors, three wide margins

FINE. A SCARCE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.

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. The two men depicted in the front seat are both chauffeurs. The man in the passenger compartment is Samuel P. Hege, so this stamp actually depicts 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.

1968 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. P.S.E. encapsulated (OGh, VG 50; SMQ $45,000.00)

70,000
40,000