Sale 1390 — The Daniel J. Ryterband Collection: Vending and Affixing Machine Perforations, and Modern Errors
Sale Date — Thursday, 1 October, 2026
Category — Modern Errors: Scott 1556b thru 1704a including Candleholder Invert
$1.00 Candle Holder, Brown (Engraved) Color Inverted (1610c). Mint N.H., fresh colors and well-centered
EXTREMELY FINE. A PRISTINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THIS POPULAR MODERN ERROR — THE C.I.A. INVERT.
This error has been popularly called the "C.I.A. Invert" since a pane of 100 stamps was purchased at the McLean Va. Post Office by employees of the C.I.A., for use on mail from the agency. They noticed the error, pooled together funds to buy a replacement sheet and kept the stamps that remained for themselves. When it was discovered who had purchased the stamps, a scandal ensued over who actually owned the stamps. Of that pane of 100, only 93 reached collectors and did not include a plate block. In more recent years, a block of 20 from a second pane emerged, which yielded the unique plate block we offered in 2023 (Sale 1305, lot 2526).
With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ). This is the the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to this iconic error.
