scott #C-3 JENNY ERROR

On May 14, 1918, stamp collector William Robey discovered the world’s most famous stamp – the Inverted Jenny.

America’s first airmail stamp (US #C3) was rushed.  Engraving started May 4 and the stamps were printed just three days before release.  Because they were bi-colored, the sheets were printed twice, starting with the red frame.  Then, the stamp sheets were set aside to dry and later printed with the blue plate showing the airplane.  A single sheet made its way to the New York Avenue post office branch in Washington, DC.

An original 1918 Inverted Jenny stamp

On May 14, 1918, 29-year-old Robey withdrew $30 from his bank account – a figure equal to more than $1,500 in today’s wages – to purchase a full sheet of the new stamps.  When the unknowing clerk placed the sheet of inverted stamps on the counter, Robey said his “heart stood still. He noticed the error immeaditly.