Los 2738 China

China, 1941, $2.00 Black & Blue, Center Inverted (461a; Chan 508a). Mint N.H. (a couple trivial natural gum skips), centered just a bit to the bottom as always, brilliant color on fresh white paper VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1941 2-DOLLAR SUN YAT-SEN WITH INVERTED CENTER. ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC AND RECOGNIZABLE ERRORS OF CHINA. JUST ONE SHEET OF FIFTY ERROR STAMPS WAS PRINTED. Among China's most coveted stamps are two inverted centers - the 1915 $2.00 Hall of Classics, and the 1941 $2.00 Sun Yat-sen. For years it was thought one sheet of fifty stamps of each was printed, and they carried similar catalogue values. However, it is now known that two sheets of the Hall of Classics inverted was produced. We are unaware of any census of either stamp, but we can say for certain that the Sun Yat-sen invert comes up with far less frequency than its Hall of Classics counterpart. We have offered two of the Hall of Classics stamps in the last six years, but none of the Sun Yat-sen stamp since keeping computerized records. In addition, ten of the fifty are currently tied up in a block of ten, leaving even fewer singles available. Since all of the Sun Yat-sen inverts have similar centering, the variations in condition come down to freshness and gum. This stamp, with its striking color, bright paper, and never-hinged gum, is about as nice as could be excepted and would certainly ranks among the finest of the tiny number available. Scott $180,000 (as hinged).