1c Pan-American, Center
Inverted (294a). Almost perfectly centered, deep rich colors and
proof-like impressions, cancels at bottom leave design clearly
visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
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." Three covers are known with one each used from Bessemer Ala., Oakland Cal. and St. Louis Mo.
The 1c Pan-American Invert in used condition is considerably scarcer than unused. However, the Scott Catalogue still values an unused stamp at $10,000 versus $7,000 for used. With increasing collector demand for 20th century stamps, especially in used condition, we expect to see the price of a used 1c Pan-American Invert leap ahead. (Image)
2c Pan-American, Center
Inverted (295a). Choice centering with wide margins at sides, fresh and
bright colors, neat strike of "Rochester Feb. 26" circular datestamp, small
faint spot at lower right of vignette is barely visible and absolutely
inconsequential (not mentioned on 1964 certificate, but noted on 1984
certificate)EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST OF THE SEVEN RECORDED USED EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT. IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE SHOWING A DATE OF ANY KIND. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF USED UNITED STATES STAMPS AND 20TH CENTURY PHILATELY.
Considerably less is known about the discovery of the 2c Pan-American Invert than is known of the 1c and 4c Inverts. No 2c is known on cover and only one is recorded on an undated piece. Of the used examples, we record the following: 1) Census No. 295a-CAN-01, registry cancel, thin spot, slight creases, corner crease ending in small tear at top right, 1999 Rarities sale, lot 173, realized $11,500 hammer, 2) Census No. 295a-CAN-02, machine cancel, stitch watermark, vertical crease, 1980 Rarities sale, lot 227, 3) Census No. 295a-CAN-03, Rochester N.Y. Feb. 26 (1902) datestamp, the stamp offered here, 4) Census No. 295a-CAN-04, wavy-line machine flag cancel, reperfed, thinned, 1992 Rarities sale, lot 716, 5) Census No. 295a-CAN-05, machine cancel, pressed-out vertical crease ending in small tear and expertly reperfed at top, 1978 Rarities sale, lot 181, 6) Census No. 295a-CAN-06, tied on small piece by Brooklyn N.Y. registry oval, corner crease at top left, private collection, and 7) Census No. 295a-CAN-07, machine cancel, corner creases at bottom left and thin spot. Of the seven recorded used examples, only this stamp is dated (February 26, ca. 1902).
Ex Col. Green and illustrated on the front cover of the March 5-6, 1945 sale. With 1964 and 1984 P.F. certificates (Image)