2013 Rarities of the World continued...

EXTREMELY 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. (Image)

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FINE-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. (Image)

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VERY 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. (Image)

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EXTREMELY 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." (Image)

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FINE. 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. (Image)

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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) (Image)

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EXTREMELY 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. (Image)

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