Value of US Stamp Scott Cat. #296: 1901 4c Pan American Exposition: Electric Automobile in Washington. Page 8

4c Pan-American (Scott 296). Mint N.H., deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, mathematically perfect centering with wide margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADE GEM 100 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. The Pan-American Issue is notoriously difficult to find with anything even approaching the term “wide margins”. Most high-grade copies have margins which measure equally, but are not what one would consider wide when compared to other contemporary issues. The stamp offered here is the exception to that rule. With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ value $5,500.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. It is also one of only three Mint N.H. stamps in the entire issue certified in Gem 100 grade (the others are a 1c and a 5c). We hope that one day someone will be able to assemble a set of perfect 100’s, and this stamp will undoubtedly be one of the keys to that achievement.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 206

4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (Scott 296a). Lightly hinged for this issue which is normally found with either disturbed gum or heavy hinging, deep rich colors, three wide margins FINE. A SCARCE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM 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 2012 P.S.E. certificate (G-VG 40, SMQ value $22,500.00 as 30, $47,500.00 as 50).

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 211

U.S.; General Issues, 1901, 4¢ Pan-American, #296. N.h., Grade 95 Extremely Fine to Superb, PSE (2006) cert, and PF (2001) cert. Scott Stamp Values $1,100. Estimate price $750.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, May 2012, Sale 93, Lot 337

1901, 4¢ Pan-American (Scott 296), o.g., never hinged, pristine condition, wide margins, Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Scott $180 Estimate value $150 – 200.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2012, Sale 629, Lot 277

1901, 4¢ Pan-American (Scott 296), top plate block of 6, o.g., never hinged, lovely example of this tough plate block, full wide top with extraordinary rich color, fantastic state of preservation with full unblemished o.g. without a single gum skip or gum bend, as fresh as the day it was issued, Fine. Scott $3,500 Estimate value $2,000 – 3,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2012, Sale 629, Lot 278

4c Pan-American, Center Inverted (Scott 296a). Slightly disturbed original gum, small h.r., rich colors, tiny perf disc inclusion at bottom right corner of the vignette FRESH AND VERY FINE 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. With 2011 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1021, Lot 476

4c Pan-American (Scott 296). Mint N.H., balanced margins with outstanding centering, fresh colors, small pencil notation on gum not mentioned on accompanying certificates, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2001 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $1,100.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1019, Lot 663

S 1901, 4¢ Pan-American, center inverted, overprinted “Specimen” (296aSE), rich color, centered to the left, slightly disturbed original gum, reperforated at top with minor perf faults, about Fine appearance. Scott price $11,500 Expertization: 2006 PSE Certificate graded FR-G 20.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 382

1901, 4¢ Pan-American, center inverted (296a), fresh, bright and nicely centered, original gum, reperforated at right and tiny scuff below the “I” of “America” (neither mentioned in the earlier certificate); Fine appearance. Scott $75,000 A MOST ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RAREST OF THE PAN-AMERICAN INVERTS. Expertization: 1962 (clear) & 2011 PF Certificates. The 4¢ Pan-American invert was not regularly issued but was instead created intentionally in a special printing of two sheets of 200. Of the 400 inverts printed, one sheet of 200 was handstamped with a small “Specimen” overprint, while another half-sheet (pane) of 100 was stuck onto a Post Office ledger sheet and retained in the postal archives. Of the 300 not retained by the post office, both with and without the “Specimen” overprint, a little over 100 were distributed by postal authorities to friends and dignitaries and the rest were destroyed. Sometime in the mid-1910s the Post Office exchanged 97 of the 100 copies in the archives for stamps that were needed for the government collection. These 97, since they had been stuck onto a ledger sheet, were nearly all thinned and/or had badly disturbed gum.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 381

S 1901, 4¢ Pan-American, center inverted, overprinted “Specimen” (296aSE), “Specimen” overprint lightened, original gum, small sealed tear, perf added at bottom and reperforated at top; quite fresh and Fine appearing. Scott price $11,500 Expertization: 2011 PF Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 383

1901, 4¢ Pan-American (Scott 296), top plate block of 6, o.g., barest trace of hinge (appears never hinged), extremely fresh and handsome; tiny gum soak along horizontal perforations between middle 2 stamps, Fine. Scott $2,100 Estimate $600 – 800.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2012, Sale 628, Lot 421

1901, 4¢ Pan-American (Scott 296), o.g., never hinged, handsome well centered example with gorgeous rich color, premium quality stamp, Extremely Fine, 2011 P.S.E. certificate graded XF-90. SMQ $400. Scott $180 Estimate $250 – 350.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2012, Sale 628, Lot 420

1901, 4¢ Pan-American, center inverted (Scott 296a), handsome example of this rare stamp, beautiful rich color, a most presentable example as most examples have faults from one degree to another, regummed over faults; small thin and a small corner crease, F.-V.F., 1976 P.F. certificate. Scott $70,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2011, Sale 626, Lot 285

1901, 4¢ Pan-American, center inverted, Specimen overprint (Scott 296SEa), unbelievably fresh example of this rarity, with the “Specimen” overprint clearly visible in left margin, one of the freshest and choicest examples we have ever encountered, as the sheet was stuck down on cardboard, most of the surviving examples have thin spots and disturbed gum, finding an example that is fresh and fault free is a very rare occurance, a beautiful sound stamp, o.g., hinged, Fine, 1988 A.P.S. certificate. Scott price $10,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2011, Sale 626, Lot 286

4c Pan-American (Scott 296). Top imprint and plate no. 1145 block of six, lightly hinged, fresh and Fine-Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2011, Sale 1014, Lot 1693