Sale 1159 — 2017 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 27 June, 2017
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill which is easily visible from the front of the stamp, radiant color on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL, WHICH IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- A STAMP OF GREAT BEAUTY.
The 3c is the only denomination that comes with the distinctive C Grill, with the grill points facing up instead of down. The few high-grade original-gum examples owe their existence to the division of blocks of four over the years.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $28,500.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and only two others share this desirable grade.
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, brilliant color on bright paper, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A FRESH AND BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL.
The 3c is the only denomination that comes with the distinctive C Grill, with the grill points facing up instead of down. The few high-grade original-gum examples owe their existence to the division of blocks of four.
With 1986, 2003 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $13,500.00)
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Unusually well-centered for this typically off-center grilled issue, light segmented cork cancelFRESH AND FINE EXAMPLE OF THE ELUSIVE 2-CENT D GRILL.
With 1969, 1994 and 2007 P.F. certificates
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill points, intense shade and detailed impressionVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL.
To form our assessment of this 2c Z Grill, we conducted a survey of approximately 100 auction catalogues for major United States collections sold over the past 65 years. The majority of these collections contained only used or very poor unused examples of 85B. In general, many accomplished collectors, such as Sheriff, Klein and Seymour, evidently were unable to acquire a well-centered, original-gum 2c Z Grill. Power Search produced only a very few, along with some near-misses -- the most common flaw being faint creases. Finally, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only five original-gum stamps, with the highest grade a 50.
With 1998 and 2007 P.F. certificates
3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, bright shade and crisp impression, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE FOR THIS IMPOSSIBLE ORIGINAL-GUM STAMP. THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE REGULARLY-PRODUCED GRILLED ISSUES. THE RARITY OF THIS STAMP IN SUCH PRISTINE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION CANNOT POSSIBLY BE OVERSTATED.
The 3c Z Grill was in production for only a short period of time before the device was replaced with the F Grill. Only a small number of 3c sheets were fed thru the Z Grill, which accounts for the rarity of surviving examples, especially in sound, original-gum condition. Our review of past auctions, including Power Search, found precious few sound copies with Very Fine centering.
With 2006 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF 80; SMQ $30,000.00). This is one of only two original-gum 3c Z Grill stamps to be graded VF 80, with none higher
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Unused (no gum), attractively centered, intense shade characteristic of this Z Grill denominationVERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY CHOICE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $10,000.00). Only one stamp has been graded higher in the P.S.E. Population Report (at 90) and no others share this grade
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Large part original gum, nicely centered with characteristic intense shade, small corner crease at top rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL.
We have offered only approximately ten examples with original gum in the past fifteen years.
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color and proof-like impression on fresh paper, wide and beautifully balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL IS FAR SCARCER THAN ITS F GRILL COUNTERPART, PARTICULARLY IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Some time ago we observed that the 1c E Grill appeared at auction very infrequently, in any form. After analyzing the early 1868 regular-production grills (Z, D, E and F), we concluded that grilling of the 1c 1861 issue with the E (and Z) Grill must have been short-lived, occurring sometime around February 28, 1868. Later grilling of 1c stamps was probably done with the F Grill. Relatively little of the 1c E Grill supply appears to have reached the philatelic market, as evidenced by the stamp's scarcity.
With 1990 P.F. and 1991 P.S.E. certificates
10c Green, E. Grill, "TAG" Variety (89 var). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, deep rich color and proof-like impression, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT E GRILL WITH THE "TAG" TRANSFER VARIETY. A RARE STAMP IN THE HIGHER GRADES.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF-XF 85; SMQ $9,500.00). Only one original-gum stamp has been graded higher (at 90) and this is the only example graded 85
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Original gum, intense shade, strong grill, nice margins and centeringVERY FINE. A CHOICE AND SCARCE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Original gum, lightly hinged, strong grill impression, intense shade on fresh paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Original gum, clear grill, three wide margins, soft charcoal shade on fresh paperVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL.
With 1983 P.F. certificate
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, bright shade, unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT F GRILL, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,900.00). Only one other has achieved this grade, which is the highest awarded
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Original gum, pristine except for a tiny bit of offset, beautiful rich color in a bright reddish shade, unusually sharp impression, remarkably fresh, wide margins clear of design all around and perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT BROWN F GRILL WITH ORIGINAL GUM. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION.
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 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.
Ex Beverly Hills. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $12,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a 5c F Grill and it is shared by only one other
10c Green, F. Grill (96 var). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression on crisp paper, beautifully centered, strong grillEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL.
Ex "Silver Lake" and Hansen. With 1995 and 2004 P.F. certificates (the former as Yellow Green)
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Horizontal block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, extraordinarily choice centering throughout, intense shade and proof-like impression, clear grill on each stampEXTREMELY FINE. THIS REMARKABLY FRESH AND COMPLETELY SOUND BLOCK IS, WITHOUT QUESTION, THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM MULTIPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL IN EXISTENCE. A WONDERFUL GEM CLASSIC BLOCK THAT HAS MIRACULOUSLY SURVIVED INTACT SINCE THE LEGENDARY 1956 CASPARY SALE.
The few well-centered 1868 10c F Grill blocks from past auctions have, for the most part, been broken to feed market demand for singles. The block offered here is the second largest surviving multiple, but it is in far superior condition to the block of fifteen illustrated in Brookman. In the November 19-21, 1956, H. R. Harmer sale of the Alfred H. Caspary collection (lot 282), it was described as "extremely fine... a magnificent block of the greatest rarity and a marvelous showpiece." In that sale it realized $2,100 versus its then-current Scott Catalogue value of $800.00. We have been unable to trace its provenance prior to Caspary.
With 2015 P.F. certificate as "genuine, previously hinged." Scott Catalogue value for two blocks of four
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Block of four, original gum, deep shade on crisp paper, clearly-defined grills, choice centering throughoutEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND ALMOST PERFECTLY-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL. VERY FEW BLOCKS EXIST IN ANY CONDITION, AND THIS IS PERHAPS THE FINEST.
Our records contain only six original-gum blocks of the 12c F Grill. Some of these have probably been broken to feed collector demand for singles, and therefore the number of surviving multiples may be smaller. Blocks of four are the largest surviving multiples, since the Caspary block of eight has been broken.
Ex Caspary, where in 1956 it realized $650 against its then-current Scott Catalogue value of $250. With 2015 P.F. certificate
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill points, beautifully centered with wide and balanced margins, intense shade and impressionEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL.
Ex Caspary and Drucker. With 1987 and 2002 P.F. certificates. With 2002 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $8,500.00)
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Original gum, deep shade, choice centering, clear grill impressionVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT F GRILL.
With 1994 P.F., 1993 and 2007 P.S.E. certificates
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, crisp impression, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL IN EXISTENCE. THIS AND THE 30-CENT ARE THE MOST DIFFICULT F GRILLS TO OBTAIN IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
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 has uncharacteristically precise centering and well-formed perforations.
Ex Weisman and Whitman. With 1990 P.F., 1990 and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $19,500.00). Only one example has been graded higher (at 95) and two share this grade