Sale 1260 — 2022 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 28 June, 2022
Category — 1901 Pan-American Inverts
1c Green & Black, Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Disturbed original gum, deep rich colorsVERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
According to Johl, 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, including Bessemer Ala., Richmond Va., Utica N.Y. and Connecticut.
With 2022 P.F. certificate.
1c Green & Black, Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Deep rich colors, tied by machine cancel on small pieceFINE. A RARE SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT USED ON PIECE.
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 census, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/294a, records 56 used examples, including 48 singles, 2 in a pair, 3 stamps on pieces and 3 stamps on separate covers.
Census no. 294a-CAN-PCE-19. Stamp has small backstamp of French dealer/expert Roger Calves. With 2022 P.F. certificate
2c Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Perfectly centered within remarkably wide margins, rich color and clear impressions of vignette and frameEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
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) and 64 unused singles for a total of 72 unused. There are also seven used singles. 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 among the finest known examples.
With 1999 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates. 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 Deep Red Brown & Black, Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Redistributed original gum over tiny thins at top left, pretty colors, better centering than normally seen, minor soilingVERY 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. One of the two men seated at the front was Samuel B. Hege, B&O's passenger agent, 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 97 of the stamps were removed from an album page, they are generally thinned or have seriously disturbed or no gum.
With 2022 P.F. certificate