Lot 1225
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1901, 4¢ Pan-American, center inverted (296a), unused, nicely centered and exceptionally fresh with deep rich color. Very Fine.
Scott $30,000
4¢ INVERTS THAT ARE NICELY CENTERED AND FAULT-FREE ARE EXCEPTIONALLY RARE.
The 4¢ Pan-American with center inverted was a special printing created for distribution through official channels. Of the 400 originally printed, 106 were given away to various government officials (these 106 included stamps both with and without the small "Specimen" handstamp), 100 were turned over to the National Museum, and 194 were destroyed. The half-sheet of 100 that was given to the Museum was eventually broken up, with 97 stamps being exchanged for items needed for the national collection.
Most examples were mounted on paper backing for presentation. As a result, only a handful exist with full original gum. Even those with disturbed gum were frequently damaged by careless removal from their backing. Sound examples with no gum are considered by many to be preferable to those with original gum but damaged.
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| Realized $9,500 |
