Sale 1277 — The Adventurer Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 7-8 March, 2023
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Issue (Scott 134-155)
1c Ultramarine, H. Grill (134). Unused (no gum), brilliant color, several clear grill points, Very Fine and choice, with 1975 A.P.S. certificate
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Mint N.H., radiant color, several clear rows of grill pointsEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH H GRILL.
This is the first Mint N.H. single we have offered since our 2007 Odeneal sale. We have offered four others as part of two blocks, but none approaches the centering of the example offered here.
With 1970 and 1979 P.F. certificates. Scott value as hinged
3c Green, H. Grill (136). Original gum, h.r., clearly-defined grill, rich color, fresh and Very Fine, with 1978 P.F. certificate
6c Carmine, I. Grill (137A). Unused (traces of original gum), deep rich color, clear grill pointsEXTREMELY FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH AN I GRILL. SCARCE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 1981 and 2019 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85). Unpriced in Scott as no gum. Scott value with gum $8,500.00.
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Unused (no gum), extra wide margins and perfect centering, vibrant color, Extremely Fine Gem, 1995 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies, with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Unused (no gum), rich color, outstanding margins and centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE.
Ex"Alan". With 1997 and 2016 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Unused (no gum), pretty shade on crisp paper, easily discernible grill pointsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1870 NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE. THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATION OF THE SET TO OBTAIN IN UNUSED CONDITION.
Aside from the 24c, which does not exist unused, the 12c is the most difficult to obtain unused, in any condition. Probably less than ten exist with original gum, and many of those have faults or are off-center. We have offered only four with original gum in the last 18 years (the last was in 2017). The stamp here, with clear grill points, rich color, choice centering and in sound condition, is a true condition rarity.
Ex "Laila". With 1991, 2009 and 2018 P.F. certificates (VF 80).
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Unused (no gum), vibrant color, several easily discernible grill points, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH H GRILL.
The 15c H. Grill is very difficult to obtain with choice centering. For original-gum copies, we have offered only two since the 2013 Curtis sale with original gum and decent centering. For graded copies with gum, P.S.E. has graded two each at 80, 80J and 95 but we have never offered any of them. For no gum copies, P.S.E. has graded this and one other at 90, plus one with the grade of 30.
Ex Braceland. With 1974 and 1998 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (NG, XF 90; SMQ $4,100.00). This is the highest grade awarded in this gum category and it is shared by one other.
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Unused (no gum), nicely centered, intense color on fresh white paper, clear grillVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A HANDSOME AND EXCEEDINGLY SCARCE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT H GRILL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
The 30c National Grilled issue is one of the couple most difficult denominations to obtain in sound and unused condition. The centering on the example offered here is far better than normally seen.
Ex "Alan". With 1955 and 2016 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates.
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Unused (no gum), deep rich color on bright paper, several rows of easily discernible grill points, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERBLY-CENTERED UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH H GRILL. RARE WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
The 90c National Bank Note Company grilled issue is one of the most difficult of the series to obtain with decent centering. Collectors who have been looking for this issue with good centering and original gum would be well-advised to consider this stamp. This is the only unused stamp graded by the P.F. (none graded with gum). For P.S.E., they have certified original-gum examples at 80, 85 and 90 (one each) and one without gum (at 70).
With 1976, 1998 and 2012 P.F. certificates (NG, VF-XF 85).
1c Ultramarine (145). Unused (no gum), Jumbo margins, brilliant color, Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, with 1976 A.P.S. certificate
3c Green (147). Original gum, small h.r., deep rich color, unusually choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, Scott 147 should not be confused with its later counterparts (Scott 158 and 184) which are more readily available in higher grades, with 1979 P.F. certificate
6c Carmine (148). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
7c Vermilion (149). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, Very Fine and choice, with 1986 and 1988 P.F. certificates
10c Brown (150). Unused (no gum), pretty shade, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,200.00), this is the highest grade awarded in any category and the only example to achieve it, the highest grade with gum is a single example at 90J
12c Dull Violet (151). Original gum, pretty pastel shade, unusually choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN THIS SUPERB CONDITION.
With 2005 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, VF-XF 85; SMQ $4,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by one other.
15c Bright Orange (152). Original gum, vivid color, unusually choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
The 15c 1870 National Grilled Issue (Scott 141) is widely recognized as an extremely rare stamp in choice original-gum condition. Less well known is the fact that its ungrilled counterpart -- Scott 152 -- is comparably challenging to find in such condition. This stamp has all of the National printing characteristics, but it defies the norm by having exceptional attributes of centering and freshness.
With 1989, 1998 and 2009 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
15c Bright Orange (152). Unused (no gum), bright color, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.S.E. and 2011 P.F. certificates (both XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,100.00)
30c Black (154). Unused (no gum), intense shade and impression, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
With 1984, 2005 and 2011 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (NG, VF-XF 85; SMQ $3,150.00)
90c Carmine (155). Original gum, brilliant color on fresh paper, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
In general, the Grilled National Bank Note Issues in superb original-gum condition overshadow their ungrilled counterparts. This is also true for the 90c. However, in the case of the 90c, collectors are frequently misled by the availability of Scott 166, the 1873 Continental printing. The difference in shades is distinct, yet collectors have a tendency to under-rate the 1870 National printing. Most original-gum examples are poorly centered. This example is remarkable for its centering and freshness of color.
With 2002 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF 90; SMQ $12,000.00). Only three grade higher (at 95) and two others share this grade.