Sale 1362 — The El Dorado Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 7-9 October, 2025
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-100)
3c Rose, A. Grill (79). Bright color, clear grill causing few usual small perf flaws (much more minor than most we have encountered), Fine, with 2011 P.S.A.G. (F-VF 75) and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (F 70)
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2c Black, D. Grill (84). Clear grill, intense shade and impression, unobtrusive cork cancel
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL. A RARE STAMP IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
This is an extremely difficult issue to obtain in sound condition with the perfs clear of design on all sides. With 1957, 1992 and 2006 P.F. certificates.
(Image Magnifier)3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Brilliant color on bright paper, clear grill points, wide and balanced margins, clearly struck New York circular datestamp and rosette cancel, slightly choppy perfs typical of this early grilled issue, Extremely Fine, a beautiful used example of this scarce D Grill, ex "Tahoe", with 2008 P.F., 2011 P.S.E. and 2014 P.S.A.G. certificates (last VF-XF 85)
(Image Magnifier)3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Bright color, bold strike of Elaborate Star in Geometric Circles Foreign Mail fancy cancel of New York City (Skinner Eno ST-E 41), red cancels at top and bottom, Fine and stunning appearance, 3c D Grill stamps with fancy cancels are rare, this is one of the more elaborate we have seen and is made even more desirable by the combination with the red cancel, with 2014 P.F. certificate, Scott value $1,050 with ordinary cancel
(Image Magnifier)2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Clear grill, intense shade, clear strike of rosette cancel
EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL, SCOTT 85B, GRADED XF 90 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 2016 P.F. certificate (XF 90).
(Image Magnifier)2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Intense shade and detailed impression, clear grill, face-free strike of cork cancel, Extremely Fine, an attractive stamp, with 2008 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
(Image Magnifier)12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Intense shade, bold rosette and trace of red cancel at lower left, Very Fine and attractive, with 1993 and 2008 P.F. certificates
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Brilliant color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering, light cancel leaves the entire design clearly visible
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95).
(Image Magnifier)2c Black, E. Grill (87). Clearly defined grill, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, bold rosette cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95), only three grade higher (two at 95J, one at 98J)
(Image Magnifier)2c Black, E. Grill (87). Intense shade nicely complemented by blue rosette cancel, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2010 and 2016 P.F. certificates (both XF 90), Scott value $210
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3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, clearly defined grill, brilliant color, long and full perforations all around, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1867 3-CENT E GRILL. THIS STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The 3c E Grill should not be confused with the F Grill in terms of condition. It is far rarer in this original-gum condition and Extremely Fine Gem grade. The reason could be that multiples, from which such choice stamps can be harvested, have always been scarce, and single stamps saved by collectors in albums typically have disturbed gum from multiple hinges.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate. (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other. This is the first we have offered in this grade.
(Image Magnifier)10c Green, E. Grill, "TAG" Double Transfer (89 var). Rich color, clear grill, bold strike of circle of wedges cancel, choice centering, Extremely Fine, ex Kirke, with 2001 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
(Image Magnifier)12c Black, E. Grill (90). Extra wide margins, crisp impression, cork cancel and part of red datestamp at left leaves design clearly visible
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT E GRILL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH CONDITION.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1992 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only two grade higher (at 95J and 98).
(Image Magnifier)15c Black, E. Grill (91). Intense shade and impression, clearly defined grill, bold circle of wedge cancel, unusually choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL, SCOTT 91, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has certified only three at this grade, which is the highest grade awarded. Scott value $575.
(Image Magnifier)1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Bright color, clear grill points which are visible on the front of the stamp, lightly struck blue datestamp and cork cancel, gorgeous centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. A SCARCE STAMP IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
With 2003 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (latter XF-Superb 95). Only four grade higher (three at 98, one at 98J) and only four others share this desirable grade.
(Image Magnifier)5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly defined grill, bright color and crisp impression
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL, GRADED XF 90 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
The 5c 1861-68 Issues are extremely difficult to find in sound, well-centered, original-gum condition. The narrow spacing between stamps on the plate and large 12-gauge perforations resulted in stamps that are frequently off center. This applies to Scott 67, 75, 76 and 95 alike. None of these is easy to locate in centered original-gum condition (to understate the matter), but the limited production of 5c F Grills leaves collectors with an even smaller supply.
With 1989 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has only graded four with original gum (two at 85, two at 90). Scott value $3,500.
(Image Magnifier)10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly defined grill, rich color on bright paper, far better centering than normally seen on this issue
EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL.
The 10c F Grill is extremely rare with original gum and any sort of decent centering. The P.S.E. Population Report bears this out, as it lists only two original-gum stamps — at grades of 70 and 75.
With 1986 and 2010 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85). Scott value $2,750.
(Image Magnifier)10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Superb centering and bright color, cancelled by part of New York circular datestamp and segmented cork, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful used example of the 10c F Grill, ex Kirke and "Clipper City", with 2010 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (latter XF-Superb 95), only two grade higher (at 95J and 98, we've never offered the latter) and three others shares this desirable grade
(Image Magnifier)10c Yellow Green, F. Grill, Very Thin Paper (96 var). Rich color nicely complemented by red segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine, a stamp with great eye appeal, with 1995 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates
(Image Magnifier)12c Black, F. Grill (97). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and proof-like impression, clearly defined grill, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL. AN EXTRAORDINARY STAMP AND CERTAINLY AMONG THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 1984, 2000 and 2005 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, this is also the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. Scott value $3,000.
(Image Magnifier)12c Black, F. Grill (97). Crisp impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, red quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), which we think should have been graded 95J or even 98, only five grade higher, this is the first in this grade we have offered with a red cancel
(Image Magnifier)24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade and detailed impression on white paper, sharp and clearly defined grill
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL IN AN EXTRAORDINARY STATE OF FRESHNESS.
The higher-denomination F Grills were produced in limited quantities and seem to have caused National Bank Note Co. difficulty in applying perforations. They are typically off center with very choppy perfs. This stamp is uncharacteristically well-centered and has well-formed perforations.
With 1988 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (Mint OG, VF 80). Only four grade higher and none share this grade.
(Image Magnifier)30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Vibrant color, bold strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine, the 30c F Grill is very rare in centered and sound condition, with 1985 and 2001 P.F. certificates
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