A 1917-1919 2c deep rose will lead a stamp auction in New York on October 6.
It will star in the second installment of the sale of the Hanover Collection of Superb Quality US Stamps at Robert A Siegel New York on October 6.
 The 1917-1919 2c diplays unusually clean Schermack type III perforations |
The auction house describes it as: "an outstanding rarity and one of the rarest stamps of 20th century United States philately."
The stamp was delivered by the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing to the Schermack Company to be used in its stamp affixing machine.
It's one of 34 used specimens out of the 40 surviving examples of the issue.
It displays the telltale type III perforations of the Schermack machine which, unusually, have not cut into the design here.
This will dramatically enhance its appeal.
Valued at up to $65,000, it's sure to prove a huge draw to serious buyers.
The finest recorded specimen of the 2c Pan-American invert is expected to make in excess of $55,000.
It's the only one out of the 64 surviving singles to receive a grade of Superb 98.
The issue was unveiled at the 1901 Pan-American Expo in Buffalo New York and depicts six varieties of modern transport.
Another 2c invert, a grade below the present lot, sold for $75,000 in 2013.
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