4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Rich color, intense vignette impression and shifted with wheels into brown frame, large part original gum with hinge remnants, two tiny picked-out inclusions at top (noted on certificate), tiny thin spot in area of hinge removal (not noted on certificate)

FINE CENTERING. A VERY ATTRACTIVE 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. 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 the stamps were removed from mounting paper, they are generally thinned or have seriously disturbed gum. Based on the centering of this stamp, absence of "Specimen" overprint, and the shifted vignette, we believe this stamp comes from "Sheet 1 Left" as diagrammed in our catalogue for the "Beverly Hills" collection (Siegel Sale 1052, pages 52-53).

With 1987 P.F. certificate stating "genuine with part o.g. and with two removed inclusions at top"

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