LONDON.- Spink announced the sale of one of the most famous and prized rarities in all philately – the 1918 Twenty Four Cent Inverted Jenny. Due to go under the hammer on 21 May 2014 in a single vendor auction of one lot at Spink New York, the legendary printing error is expected to reach up to $500,000.

The Inverted Jenny’s renowned status was established from the moment the sheet of 100, printed in error with the image of the Curtiss JN-4 airplane upside down, was issued in May 1918. Intuitively snapped up by William T. Roby for $24.00, within seven days the sheet had been sold on to famed Stamp Dealer Eugene Klein for an impressive $15,000. The 100 stamps were consequently broken up and sold individu- ally, inspiring one of the most exciting collecting phenomena in the history of philately.

This remarkable stamp from the J.E. Safra holding is one of the best-preserved and exceptionally fresh mint examples of this storied error known in existence. Head of Spink Philatelic Department, George Eveleth commented, “Its incredible overall freshness, pristine original gum and premium centering make it one of the most, if not the most, desirable examples of this infamous rarity. Another opportunity to acquire such a premium quality example may require decades of waiting.”

The eye-catching bright colours, well centered on crisp, clean paper and with even perforations justify its auction estimate and why the stamp is so dazzlingly attractive to serious collectors and stamp enthusiasts alike.