'Jenny' Stamp Sells for $825K

Prized misprint may be most famous collectible stamp

By Colleen Barry, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 28, 2007 7:24 AM CST

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'Jenny' Stamp Sells for $825K — In this undated photo provided by Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, a rare 24-cent stamp depicting an upside-down airplane is shown. The 1918 stamp depicts a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny," a World War I training aircraft that became an airmail plane. A collector from New York has purchased the rare 24-cent... (Associated Press)

An inverted "Jenny stamp," one of philately's most sought-after collectibles, just sold to a private collector for $825,000, slightly less than a record price. The stamp is a 1918 misprint, which shows a Curtis JN-4 (Jenny) biplane flying upside-down. Only 100 were printed. The buyer is a Wall Street executive who wished to remain anonymous.

The buyer tried to purchase another Jenny stamp at auction last month, but lost to a winning bid of $977,500. There are very few people with the money and drive to go after the stamp, said one expert. "This is the Rolls-Royce," he said. "It's the most expensive airmail stamp in the world." (More stamps stories.)

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