This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/24/2025
(1610c) 1979 $1.00 Rush Lamp & Candle Holder, intaglio brown color inverted, n.h., v.f. The so-called CIA invert is one of the best known inverted color errors in United States philately. These stamps were discovered by an on-duty CIA employee who teamed up with some colleagues to purchase the pane from a post office. Saving a copy each, the group later sold the bulk of the sheet to a prominent stamp dealer. News of the error reached CIA officials who sought to claim ownership and US Postal authorities who tried to recover the stamps. Official queries, threats, and even job losses followed the group until the sale of the pane was ruled legal. This exceptional copy is accompanied by a 2014 PFC graded "XF 90", SMQ unpriced) cat. $17,000