The Argentum Collection of United States Stamps and Covers continued...

EXTREMELY FINE CENTERING AND BRILLIANT COLORS. ONE OF THE BEST-CENTERED EXAMPLES OF THIS WORLD-FAMOUS RARITY IN EXISTENCE.

According to Jenny! by George Amick (Amos Press, 1986), the original sheet of 100 "Jenny" Invert stamps was purchased by William T. Robey on May 14, 1918, one day after the stamp was placed on sale. Robey bought the sheet at the New York Avenue Post Office window in Washington, D.C. Soon after, the sheet was sold to Col. Edward H. R. Green through Eugene Klein, a Philadelphia stamp dealer. Green paid $20,000 for the sheet, then instructed Klein to divide it into singles and blocks, and to sell all but a few key position blocks. This stamp, Position 86, was joined with the bottom plate number and arrow block at the time of the Green sale in 1944.

It is well-known among stamp specialists and professionals that examples of this stamp come in different grades of freshness and condition. Many of the original 100 stamps were mistreated by collectors during the years, despite the stamps' rarity and value. Colonel Green himself allowed moisture to affect some of the stamps he retained. Other examples have become slightly toned from improper storage and climatic conditions. Hinging has caused thins and creases in numerous stamps, and at least seven have been "lost" to philately--or nearly so as in the case of the copy swept up in a vacuum cleaner. This example is among the best-centered in the original sheet and is unusually fresh and bright.

Ex Col. Green and Eno. With 1989 P.F. certificate ("mount glazed o.g.") (Image)