Sale 1048 — 2013 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 25 June, 2013
Category — 1901 Pan-American Issue
1c-10c Pan-American (294-299). Complete set, each has deep rich color, tied by strikes of "Philadelphia Pa. RD" oval registry cancel on First Day Cover to Landau, Germany, purple "Philadelphia, Pa. Registered May 1, 1901" double-circle datestamp and "Registered/May 1, 1901/Bourse,/Philadelphia, Pa." four-line registry datestamp on back, New York and German transit backstampsEXTREMELY FINE. ONLY FOURTEEN FIRST DAY COVERS ARE KNOWN BEARING A COMPLETE SET OF THE PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION SERIES.
In an article in the June 1999 issue of First Days, Alan Berkun records eleven covers bearing complete sets of the Pan-American Issue, including four from the District of Columbia (all to Germany), four from Massachusetts, two from New York and one from Seattle (sold in our 2001 Rarities sale). An additional three covers have been added to the census, including this cover from Philadelphia to Germany.
With 2005 P.F. certificate.
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Block of four, bottom stamps Mint N.H., deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, bottom left stamp single slightly toned perf tip of little consequenceFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE FAMOUS ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT, CONTAINING TWO MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS.
The Pan-American inverts were the first bicolored postage stamps produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the first invert postage errors issued by the Post Office since the 1869's. The 1c Pan-American Inverts were found in several post offices around the country. Thirteen blocks of four, a block of six and a block of 20 are recorded in our Levi records, some of which may have been broken into singles.
From our 1967 and 1976 Rarities of the World sales. With 1967 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as a block of four with no premium for the two Mint N.H. stamps.
1c Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Three wide margins, deep rich colors, bold cork cancel, new certificate states reperforated at top, but it is not (a few trimmed perfs at right and a pulled perf at left), small horizontal crease at right and tiny surface scuffsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE USED 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. According to the revised Johl-King book (p.7) "The first known copies of this error were discovered at Bessemer, Alabama, by the Carrell Jewelry Company on some circulars just prior to mailing them. When they realized the find they had made they lost no time in removing the stamps from the circulars and thus saved them to philately."
The 1c Pan-American Invert in used condition is considerably scarcer than unused. Our updated census, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/294a/294a.pdf , records 48 used examples plus three on cover, for a total of 51 copies.
Census No. 294a-CAN-06. Ex Knapp and Church. With 2013 P.F. certificate.
2c Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, bright colors and detailed impressions, fresh in every respectEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF 90 BY P.S.E.
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. 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. This Extremely Fine sound stamp with original gum is the second-highest graded example in the P.S.E. Population Report.
Ex Odeneal. With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $130,000.00). Only one has graded higher, at Superb 98, and two other examples share this grade. 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). Original gum, lightly hinged for this issue, fresh and completely soundFINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT WITH INTACT ORIGINAL GUM.
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 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, 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. This is a rare exception.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Fine 70; SMQ $90,000.00). The Scott Catalogue value is for a stamp with slightly disturbed gum.
4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Unused (regummed), bright colors, tiny tear in top margin, reperfed at right (not mentioned on certificate)VERY FINE APPEARING 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 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, 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. Scott Catalogue notes that "Values are for examples with full original gum that is slightly disturbed".
With 1976 P.F. certificate (not mentioning reperf)
8c Pan-American (298). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 1150 block of six, surrounded by adjoining stamps, rich colors and proof-like impressions, choice centering throughoutEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 8-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE.
With 2008 P.F. certificate.