| 557 |
|
 1875, 25c Green, -1/4bbl., Beer, Inverted Center
(REA32a; Priester 33a). Position 2 in the pane, large margins all around, unobtrusive violet handstamp cancel leaves the invert error clearly visible, few creases, small thins, small sealed tear at lower rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS
STAMP IS THE UNIQUE 1875 QUARTER-BARREL BEER ISSUE WITH INVERTED CENTER. ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY RECOGNIZED BEER STAMP RARITIES AND THE FIRST BEER STAMP INVERT TO BE DISCOVERED. Considering the large number of bicolored stamps and the era in
which they were printed, we are surprised there are not more Beer stamp inverts. There were 24 different bicolored Beer stamps issued between 1871 and 1878, not counting different paper types or printing varieties. Only three inverts are known, each
of which is represented by a single example (REA32a, REA36a and REA39a). Two of the three are the same denomination -- the 25c quarter-barrel (the third is a $2.00) -- but they have different frames and vignettes. The example offered here depicts
Bacchus serving the first fermented brew to man; the other, offered in lot 560, shows Thomas "Old Bullion" Benton, who was the first member of the Senate to serve five terms (he was also John C. Fremont's father-in-law). The first recorded owner
of this one-of-a-kind invert was Edgar L. Green, a prominent Philadelphian whose advertisements seeking Medicine and Perfumery stamps appeared as early as 1906 in druggist's publications, such as Practical Druggist and Spatula,
alongside help-wanted ads. Green's collection was purchased by noted dealer Philip H. Ward around 1930 and was part of Ward's estate when he died in 1963. Ward's stock, including this stamp, was bought from the estate by the Weill Brothers of New
Orleans. The late Robert H. Cunliffe purchased this rarity from the Weills and owned it for several decades. Cunliffe's Invert collection was sold after his death by Spink Shreves in 2009. Therefore, this is only the second time this important rarity
has made an auction appearance since its discovery more than a century ago. Ex Edgar L. Green, Philip H. Ward, Weill Brothers and Robert H. Cunliffe. Weill backstamp. With 2009 P.F. certificate (Image) Search for comparables at
SiegelAuctions.com |
$ 55,000.00
SOLD for $47,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 558 |
|
 1875, 33-1/3c Violet, -1/3bbl., Beer (REA33; Priester
34). Clear margins to in, light strike of double-circle datestamp at top right, few faults including internal tear at left, otherwise Fine, scarce (Image)Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com |
$ 1,250.00
SOLD for $400.00
Will close during Public Auction |
