Existing comment:
The most famous US stamp printing error is the "inverted Jenny." One sheet of 100 stamps with an upside-down image of blue airplane escaped detection. The biplane pictured in the design is the famous JN-4-H "Jenny" modified by replacing the front cockpit with a mail compartment.
A Washington DC post office sold the one undetected sheet of the error on May 14, 1918. The National Postal Museum has two of the 100 stamps in its permanent collection, but neither of them is on display here. Because the red and blue dyes are hyper-sensitive to light, the stamps can only be exhibited periodically.
On May 13, enough sheets had been printed for the Post Office to place an initial delivery on sale at the Washington DC main post office. Only nine days had passed between the start of design engraving and stamp delivery -- exceptionally fast work by the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, particularly in view of extra wartime demands placed upon the agency.
On May 14, 1918, William T Robey, a stamp collector, stopped in at the New York Avenue branch post office and asked the clerk if he had any of the new airmail stamps. The clerk reached down and pulled out a full sheet which he placed on the counter in front of Robey. Robey, stunned, realized at once that he was looking at a full sheet with the center vignette of the airplane upside down! Not saying a word, Robey handed the clerk $24 for the sheet of 100 stamps. Holding the sheet up so the clerk might see it, Robey asked if he had any more like it.
Suddenly aware of what he had just sold, the clerk slammed down the window and ran to report the sale to his supervisor. Robey, fearing that he might be forced somehow to relinquish his new-found treasure, hurried out with the sheet tucked safely under his arm. |