Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Issue, H and I Grills (Scott 135-144, 134A-139A)
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Bright shade, clearly-defined grill, Jumbo margins, bold cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $425.00 as 95, $1,450.00 as 98)
3c Green, H. Grill (136). Rich color, Jumbo margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, unlike some of the other 3c issues, the grilled National Issue is difficult to find with such enormous margins, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $110.00 as 95, $425.00 as 95)
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins all around, radiant color, discernible grill points, neat strike of crossroads cancel, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION, AND EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Ex Tahoe. With 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only six others share this grade.
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Brilliant color, clearly-defined grill, face-free strike of circle of wedges cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $10,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade (offered in our Kirke sale). This statistic has not changed since 2009.
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Rich color and detailed impression, several discernible rows of grill points, bold strikes of quartered cork cancel and trace of red transit cancel at bottom, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,350.00)
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Rich color, clear grill, bold strikes of circular datestamp and cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
For some reason, the 12c National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue is an exceedingly difficult stamp to obtain with wide margins. The 12c is one of the most difficult of all of the grilled issues to obtain in higher grades.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $4,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it.
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Vivid color, many easily discernible grill points, well-proportioned margins, neat strike of quartered cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE.
With 1998, 2006 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,225.00). Only two have graded higher (highest is 95J) and one other shares this grade.
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Bright shade, clearly-defined grill points (a rarity on this denomination), well-balanced margins, bold strike of crossroads cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
The 24c National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue is not known unused. Brookman estimates that only 2,000 were issued.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $14,200.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it.
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Intense shade and impression, unusually clear grill points, far better centering than normally seen with wide margins, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS TO OBTAIN IN SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION.
The 30c National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue is normally seen with small margins, or is off-center. If one sees a centered copy, it more often than not turns out to have a small flaw. The stamp offered here is truly the exception to the rule.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $7,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it.
90c Carmine, Grill (144). Rich color, unusually wide and even margins, clearly discernible grill points at top, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 90-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND IN SOUND CONDITION. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
For no apparent reason, most examples of this issue with wide margins tend to have small flaws. We have encountered perhaps a dozen copies which are sound and also have wide margins. The example offered here is easily one of the finest.
Ex Tahoe. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $12,100.00 as 95, unpriced as 98). This is the only example to achieve this lofty grade, which is the highest awarded. The next-highest is 90J (one) followed by 90 (one).
1c Ultramarine, I. Grill (134A). Clearly-defined grill, rich color on bright paper, light strike of Star in Circle fancy cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ does not differentiate between grill types in their pricing, SMQ $1,050.00 as 95, $3,500.00 as 98)
10c Brown, I. Grill (139A). Early state I Grill points, wide balanced margins, rich color, light strike of cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. THE 10-CENT I GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES STAMPS. TO DATE, ONLY TEN USED EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED -- NO UNUSED EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN. THE I GRILLS HAVE JUST BEEN ELEVATED TO MAJOR CATALOGUE NUMBERS.
Starting with the 2013 Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, the I Grills have been elevated to major catalogue number status. Collectors will now have to acquire these I Grills in their quest for completeness. We anticipate that collector demand will be difficult to satisfy based on populations we have seen.
Ronald Burns, the foremost authority on the Bank Note grills, records ten used examples of the 10c I Grill, plus an additional two used on the same cover. None is known unused.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; the I Grills are unpriced in SMQ)