Sale 937 — 2007 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 16 June, 2007
Category — Pan-American Issue
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). H.r., choice centering, deep rich colors, corner crease and reperfed at rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
The 1c Pan-American Inverts were found in at least four different post offices around the country, soon after release of the issue in May 1901. Between 600 and 700 are likely to have been issued.
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Unused (no gum), rich colors, choice centering, thin spot at topVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
Scott Retail as with gum
2c Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Bright and fresh, well-preserved original gum with a small h.r. at top, tiny natural inclusion at top left of vignetteFINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT IN SOUND CONDITION.
The 2c is the rarest of the three Pan-American Inverts. It is surmised that approximately 200 were issued through the post office, with two distinct shades known. Estimates of surviving examples range from an early count (1945) of 55 unused and 2-3 used to the 1998 Datz estimate of 150 unused, 3-5 used and a block of four intact. Our Levi records contain the intact block (4), reconstructed block (4), 64 unused singles and 6 used singles, for a total of 72 unused and 6 used. Many of the unused singles have disturbed gum or no gum, and/or are off center to top or top left.
With 2007 P.F. certificate. Scott footnote states "Almost all unused copies of No. 295a have partial or disturbed gum. Values are for examples with full original gum that is slightly disturbed."
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Disturbed original gum (as are almost all), h.r., bright colors, thin spot at top left, reperfed at left leaving a few perfs scuffedFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
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.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted, Specimen Ovpt. (296a-S). Remarkably well-centered, h.r., bright colors, neat blue "Specimen" at top right, thin spot at right, two tiny tears at bottom, reperfed at topVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT.
If the reported numbers are correct, a total of 203 4c Inverts was released, both with and without the overprint. An unknown quantity of the 4c Pan-American invert was overprinted with a small "Specimen" overprint.
With 2007 P.F. certificate