A stunning example of the 1901 1c Pan-American invert is to provide one of the highlights of the OrcoExpo 2013 auctions, which will be held January 11-13 in Anaheim, California.
 The stamps proved so popular the postal service issued reproductions to mark the centenary of the issue |
Among the highest graded examples in existence, the famed error has been given a $25,000 valuation by the auction house. It will be sold along with a 2012 PSE certificate, which grades it XF 90.
The stamp originates from the 1901 Pan-American exposition in Buffalo, New York. The United States Postal Department issued six commemorative stamps to mark the occasion.
The exposition is noted as the event that saw President William McKinley assassinated by anarchist Leon Czolgosz.
The two-colour design of the stamps meant there was a high chance of errors, and it was discovered that three of the denominations - the 1c, 2c and 3c stamps - had been printed with their central vignettes upside down.
The stamps are now some of the most popular in US philately, with the postal service producing a souvenir sheet featuring reproductions of the inverts to mark the 100th anniversary of the issue.
Although the 1c stamp is far more common at auction that the other denominations, it holds an identical catalogue value. The example at auction is one of only five to have received the XF90 grading from PSE and has been only lightly hinged, making it of the utmost desirability.
Also selling on January 11-13 is a unique combination cover featuring stamps from the Jamestown Exposition of 1907, which holds a $20,000-25,000 estimate.
Outside of the US stamps is a rare mint example of the 1857 Victoria 7½d green from Canada, which has been graded 85 ogH by PSAG. An incredibly scarce stamp and one of the nicest known copies, it will sell for $10,000.
Paul Fraser Collectibles is currently offering a unique example of the Canadian 1851 12d black, which is without parallel in the philatelic world, prompting the nickname: The Black Empress.
