Sale 929 — The Alan Geisler Collection of U.S. and Possessions Stamps
Sale Date — Monday, 26 February, 2007
Category — 1870-88 Bank Note Issues (National Grills, Scott 134 thru 144)
1c Ultramarine, I. Grill (134). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, brilliant color on bright paper, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 ONE-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE I GRILL.
Several years ago we started to distinguish between the H and I Grills in our catalogue descriptions and research, in an effort to establish relative scarcity. It is our opinion that Scott Catalogue should list the H and I Grills separately, as they do for the A, B, C, D, Z, E and F Grills of the 1867-68 Issue. According to Scott Catalogue, the H Grill is found on all values, and the I Grill is found only on the 1c, 2c, 3c, 7c, 10c and 15c. Certified copies of the 6c are also known, and the 24c and 90c are reported to exist as well. We have only offered one other unused 1c I Grill since we started keeping our detailed records.
With 1990 P.S.E. certificate
1c Ultramarine, Grill (134). H. Grill, unused (no gum), rich color on bright paper, accompanying certificate notes small stain spot at right but all we see is a natural inclusion, Very Fine, with 1986 P.F. certificate
2c Red Brown, Grill (135). H. Grill, original gum, lightly hinged, clearly visible grill points, bright color, Very Fine and choice, with 1984 P.F. certificate
3c Green, Grill (136). H. Grill, slightly disturbed original gum, bright color, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate for block of four
6c Carmine, Grill (137). H. Grill, accompanying certificate states "traces of original gum" but which is really part original gum, clearly-defined grill, bright color, small natural inclusion at top not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine, with 1981 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as with gum $5,500.00, Scott Retail as no gum
7c Vermilion, Grill (138). H. Grill, slightly disturbed original gum described on accompanying certificate as "original gum", easily discernible grill, tiny thin spotVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 1984 P.F. certificate
10c Brown, Grill (139). H. Grill, unused (no gum), easily discernible grill points, bright color, small thin spot at top left not mentioned on accompanying certificate, appears Very Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate
12c Dull Violet, Grill (140). H. Grill, unused (no gum), easily discernible grill points, pretty shade, small thin spot at topEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
15c Orange, Grill (141). H. Grill, unused (no gum), radiant color, one vertical row of grill points clearly visible, skillfully reperfed (not mentioned on accompanying certificate), Extremely Fine appearance, with 1973 P.F. certificate
24c Purple, Grill (142). Well-centered, clear grill points at left, characteristic pastel shade but unusually fresh color for this issue, neat strike of grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE. THE 24-CENT NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE IS ELUSIVE IN THIS WELL-CENTERED PRISTINE CONDITION.
Most examples of Scott 142 are found with faded color and with the grill weakly impressed. This stamp, with its excellent color, centering and clearly-visible grill points, is remarkable.
With 1997 P.F. certificate
30c Black, Grill (143). H. Grill, unused (regummed), intense shade and impression, clear grill, reperfed at right, small repair at top, otherwise Very Fine, still a scarce stamp in unused condition, with 1985 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine, Grill (144). H. Grill, unused (no gum), few grill points visible at bottom, some trivial soiling, reperfed, Very Fine appearance, a scarce stamp in unused condition, with 1980 P.F. certificate