Sale 1140 — Outstanding United States Stamps, featuring The Irwin Weinberg Inventory
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 9-11 November, 2016
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)
2c Z. Grill, 3c A., C., D. Grills (79, 83, 85, 85B). No. 79 with neat target and tied to piece, others with cork cancels incl. crossroads, each with a small flaw, Fine appearing group of better grills, with older P.F. certificates for Nos. 83 and 85
3c Rose, A. Grill (79). Original gum, attractive centering, much better perfs than usually seen on this issue with just a couple at left pulled or short, rich color, horizontal crease, Fine appearance, scarce and seldom seen with mostly intact perfs, with 1967 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Well-proportioned margins, bright color, bold strike of circle of wedges cancel, Very Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Vibrant color, clearly-defined grill, face-free cancel, expertly reperfed, Very Fine appearance
2c D. Grill, 12c Z. Grill (84, 85E). Unused (no gum), 2c couple short perfs, centered to bottom right, 12c intense shade of the Z Grill printing, centered to bottom right, accompanying certificate mentions "margin stains" which are confined to a couple perf tips, otherwise Fine, 12c with 1974 P.F. certificate
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Original gum, h.r., clear grill, intense shade, centered to topVERY GOOD. A RARE SOUND, ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL.
The 2c D Grill in original-gum condition is very difficult to find in sound condition. It is essentially non-existent in centered and sound condition, so collectors who demand stamps without faults must compromise on centering.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Bright color, neat circle of wedges cancel, Fine, with 2007 A.P.S. certificate
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Original gum, tiny h.r., centered to right, intense shade and perfect grillVERY GOOD. A RARE SOUND, ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL.
With 1996 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Unused (no gum), characteristic intense shade, clear grill, centered to top right, Very Good, a scarce sound unused example of the 12c Z Grill, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Large part original gum, bright shade, Fine, with 2012 P.S.A.G. certificate
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Unused (no gum), exceptional Jumbo margins and precise centering, intense shade, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 1985, 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95), by way of comparison, the P.S.E. Population Report lists no unused stamps above the grade of 85
3c Rose, E., F. Grills (88, 94). Blocks of four, first large part original gum, some short perfs on one side, Very Good, second original gum, h.r., one stamp thin spot, appears Fine, scarce original-gum blocks
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Jumbo margins and outstanding centering on bright paper, bold cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo), we wonder if the heavy cancel knocked this stamp down a grade because it certainly looks like a 95 Jumbo to us
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Original gum, three wide margins, perfs clear of design at top, sharp impression, Fine, with 1997 P.S.E. certificate
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Slightly disturbed original gum, clearly-defined grill, intense shade, nearly Fine and scarce, with 1995 P.F. certificate as "previously hinged"
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Irregular block of 26 with part imprint and "Plate." at bottom, natural s.e. at right, original gum, few h.r., scattered toned spots and some expected perf separations, few other small flaws, Very Good-Fine appearing block ranking among the largest known multiples, also very rare with the part imprint and "Plate.", Scott Retail as five blocks of four and three pairs without premium for the position
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Original gum, clear grill, centered to left, crease and tiny pinhole, otherwise Very Good
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill, Thin Paper (96 var). Unused (no gum), deep rich color, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL ON THIN PAPER, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED IN ANY CATEGORY.
With 1979 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $3,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded in any category and the only example to achieve this grade. The next highest no-gum grade is 85J. Collectors holding out for a superb grade original-gum example may be in for a very long wait -- the highest original-gum grade awarded by P.S.E. is Fine 70. Scott Retail as normal Scott 96 without gum
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Original gum, attractive margins and centering, intense shade, Very Fine, with 1983 and 2006 P.F. certificates
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Mint N.H., bright shade and proof-like impression, perfectly-defined grill, well-centered with nicely balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT F GRILL. THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED, EITHER AS A SINGLE OR AS PART OF A MULTIPLE. A FANTASTIC RARITY.
Most blocks of the grilled issues with sound and centered stamps have been broken to feed collector demand for singles. Despite this fact, we have encountered only one other Mint N.H. single of the 15c F Grill since keeping computerized records more than 23 years ago (ex Odeneal, Sale 941, lot 1054). In addition to the stamp offered here, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only one other Mint N.H. example, graded Fine 70. This sound example with Very Fine centering is a great United States classic rarity.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; unpriced in SMQ as Mint N.H.).
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Original gum, small h.r., centered to right with wide top and left margins, fresh and Fine, scarce in sound condition with original gum, with 2001 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Unused (no gum), fresh color, centered to bottom left, Very Good, a scarce stamp in sound unused condition, with 2000 A.P.S. certificate