Lot 60601 – 1901, Pan-American Exposition Empire State Express,

THE FAMOUS 2c PAN-AMERICAN INVERTED CENTRE

1901, Pan-American Exposition Empire State Express, 2c carmine and black, inverted centre error of printing, mint original gum, vibrant outer frame colour with crisp vignette impression, neatly centred, the most recent certificate notes « trace of a prior tiny natural inclusion above the left ‘2’ », however in photos going back half a century this stamp has remained in the exact same condition as today but this was never mentioned in three prior clear certificates), an exceptionally fine example of this iconic USA rarity, one of the finest recorded from the most popular of the Pan-American inverted centres with original gum; cert. P.F. (1964, 1989, 2000 and 2006); a show piece item for the discerning collector (Scott $50’000).

Note: The 2c is the rarest of the three Pan-American Exposition Inverts. It is calculated that approximately 200 were issued and approximately 72 unused examples exist of differing appearance and quality, with very few in such fine condition. The Scott catalogue footnote on this issue notes: « Almost all unused copies of No. 295a have partial or disturbed gum. Values are for examples with full original gum that is slightly disturbed. »