The Mahendra Sagar Collection of Inverted Centers
October 5-6, 2011
| Images | Description | Current Bid |
 | Lot #2 United States 1869 Pictorials 1869 15c brown and blue, type II, center inverted, rich colors and proof-like impressions, rosette cancel struck towards top leaves, with vignette clearly visible, centered slightly to left but perfs are well clear all around, v.f. and attractive copy, with 2004 PFC. Only 91 examples of the 15 cent 1869 Pictorial invert are recorded in the Trepel census. Of these, very few are sound and with perforations clear all around. This example is considered to be one of the top four or five in existence. The Trepel census of 1869 Inverts contains 91 examples of the 15c Invert, including three unused and 88 used (one in the British Library's Tapling collection and three No. 119c varieties). Only twelve to fifteen used copies are estimated to be sound, including copies with tiny corner creases. More than half are noted to be seriously faulty or repaired. This stamp, with its rich colors, cancel that does not obscure the design, and sound condition, ranks among the top four or five (Scott's Catalogue note: "most ex O Catalog #119b Catalog Value $ 20,000 | Price Realized $25,000.00 |
