The Mahendra Sagar Collection of Inverted Centers
October 5-6, 2011
| Images | Description | Current Bid |
 | Lot #196 BRITISH COMMONWEALTH INDIA 1854 4a red and blue, Head Inverted, first printing, Head Die I, a handsome used example of this important classic rarity, being neatly cut to shape as nearly all known examples are found, with frame lines just touched at a few points, with diamond of dots cancel, thin at upper left, small tear at foot, with 1980 Royal and 2002 BPA certificates. This is example XXV (illustrated in Williams' "Rare and Famous Stamps"). The 4 Anna "Inverted Head" of India is one of the legendary rarities in 19th century philately. Ever since the first one was publicly exhibited in 1874 at the Royal Philatelic Society of London this major error has fascinated generations of collectors and has been sought after by most of the world's most prominent philatelists. To date, there are just 27 confirmed examples of this stamp, only three of which are cut square. Why the vast majority of these rarities are cut to shape is a matter of some speculation. The most popular scenario is that these errors were discovered very early on and som O Catalog #6c Catalog Value £ 50,000 | Price Realized $100,000.00 |
