Sale 978 — The Beverly Hills Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Friday, 4 December, 2009
Category — Pan-American Issue
4c 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 marginsFINE. 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)
