Sale 1357 — 2025 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 June, 2025
Category — Pan-American and 1902-08 Issues
1c Green & Black, Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Attractive centering and margins, unobtrusive Easthampton (Mass.) oval cancel with "May" month leaves the vignette unobscured, small toned spot at bottom left
VERY FINE APPEARING AND SCARCE 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 census 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-56.
1c Green & Black, Pan-American, Center Inverted (294a). Rich colors, neat strike of Ohio registry oval cancel, small corner crease at top right and short perf at top
FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE 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 census 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-23. 1957 and 1973 P.F. certificates no longer accompany. With 1997 P.F. certificate.
2c Carmine & Black, Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Original gum, single hinge mark, deep rich colors and detailed impressions, unusually choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP IS GRADED XF 90 BY BOTH P.S.E. AND P.F.
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. A survey of the Levi records produced 64 single unused stamps (excluding the block of four and rejoined block of four). Many of these were described in auction catalogues more than 40 years ago; therefore, the determination of soundness is uncertain. However, assuming the old descriptions were reaffirmed today, approximately 45% of singles across all centering categories have faults. Of the single stamps with Extremely Fine centering (a minimum grade of 85), we counted 13 sound and 9 with faults. This Extremely Fine sound stamp with original gum is the second-highest graded example in the P.S.E. Population Report.
Ex Hetherington. With 1962, 1983 and 2019 P.F. certificates (XF 90). With 2025 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90). Only one grades higher (at 98, realized $170,000 hammer in our 2016 "Hanover" sale). Only five others share this desirable grade. They rarely appear in this quality in the marketplace—we have offered only two others since 2010.
2c Carmine & Black, Pan-American, Center Inverted (295a). Unused (no gum), unusually choice centering for this difficult issue with wide and balanced margins, Carmine color faded
EXTREMELY FINE CENTERING. A REMARKABLY WELL-CENTERED EXAMPLE 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. A survey of the Levi records produced 64 single unused stamps (excluding the block of four and rejoined block of four). Many of these were described in auction catalogues more than 40 years ago; therefore, the determination of soundness is uncertain. However, assuming the old descriptions were reaffirmed today, approximately 45% of singles across all centering categories have faults. Of the single stamps with Extremely Fine centering (a minimum grade of 85), we counted 13 sound and 9 with faults. The stamp offered here shows the effects of light exposure on the Carmine ink, but the centering is Extremely Fine.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate. Scott value as original gum.
4c Deep Red Brown & Black, Pan-American, Center Inverted (296a). Unused, regummed over repair, beautiful colors and unusually precise centering
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN INVERT.
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.
With 1978 P.F. certificate. SCV $75,000 with original gum.
5c Ultramarine & Black, Pan-American (297). Tied by "Worcester, Mass. Sta. A May 1 2:30 PM" First Day duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on European-size cover to Munich, Germany, clear New York N.Y. May 2, 1901 machine cancel and German receiving datestamps on back, couple short perfs and faint toning around a few perf tips
VERY FINE. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE FIRST DAY COVERS, WITH ONLY TWO SINGLE FRANKINGS OF THE 5-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE RECORDED.
The McCusker firm sold the other 5c Pan-American single-franking First Day Cover in its Sale 203 in February 2005 for $30,000 hammer. A single 5c Pan-American stamp paying the UPU rate to a foreign country, postmarked on the First Day, ranks among the greatest of 20th Century rarities.
Ex Dr. Martin and Price. With 1982 AFDCS and 2016 P.F. certificates.
50c Orange (310). Full top "Bureau, Engraving & Printing" imprint and plate number 1602 block of six, lightly hinged, choice centering throughout, radiant color on bright paper
EXTREMELY FINE. THIS MARVELOUS PLATE BLOCK OF THE 50-CENT 1902 ISSUE IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST KNOWN TOP POSITION PLATE BLOCK.
The 50c is the first denomination of the 1902 Issue printed from a single plate—number 1602. Top plate positions, which are the most desirable, tend to have narrow selvage. The example offered here is the exception. Power Search found only two from the top position, both with narrow selvage. Todd had two others with wide selvage, but one has disturbed gum and another has a piece out of the selvage. The example offered here is the finest full top plate block of this issue in existence.
Ex W. Parsons Todd, James H. Gray, Jr. and William H. Gross. With 1978 P.F. certificate.
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Top "Bureau, Engraving & Printing" imprint and plate number 1620 block of six, bottom stamps original gum, top stamps small part original gum, small hinge slivers sensibly reinforce some perf separations, deep rich color and proof-like impression
FINE-VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY TWO PLATE BLOCKS OF THE $5.00 1902 ISSUE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING PLATE BLOCKS OF UNITED STATES 20TH CENTURY PHILATELY.
Only four plate blocks of the $5.00 1902 Issue are recorded, including one in the National Postal Museum (top position) and another in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library (extra wide bottom position). The only other plate block available to collectors, with similar size selvage and also from the top position, was offered in our sale of the W. Parsons Todd collection in 1977.
Ex Col. Edward H. R. Green, Amos Eno, 1977 Rarities of the World, Dr. J. Paul Wampler and William H. Gross. With 1977 P.F. certificate. SCV $170,000.
1c Blue Green, Coil (318). Original gum, rich color, even top and bottom margins, just into perfs at left
FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT 1908 HORIZONTAL COIL.
With 1953 (as a pair) and 2011 P.F. certificates. With 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate.
10c Red Brown, Louisiana Purchase (327). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 2108 block of six, choice centering, gorgeous color and crisp impression on fresh paper
EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED WIDE TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE.
Top position plate blocks of the 10c Louisiana Purchase Issue are very difficult to obtain, especially in Mint N.H. condition and with wide selvage.
With 2023 P.F. certificate.