Sale 1187 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 July, 2018
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue (Scott 134-144)
1c Ultramarine, H. Grill (134). Original gum, lightly hinged, lovely fresh color on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2004, 2010 and 2013 P.F. certificates
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Horizontal pair, disturbed original gum, rich color, few perf separations, Fine, a rare original gum pair of the 6c Grilled Issue, with 1992 and 2012 P.F. certificates
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Original gum, clear grill points, vibrant color, Fine, with 1972 P.F. certificate for block of four
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Clear grill, light strike of crossroads cancel, single repaired perf at right, otherwise Fine
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Original gum disturbed from mount glazing, strong color though oxidized at top right, several clear grill points, trivial perf thin, Fine appearance, with photocopy of clear 1998 P.F. certificate for a pair
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Unused (no gum), vibrant color, Very Fine example of this scarce unused stamp, with 1982 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Clear grill, characteristic pastel shade, light cork cancel, small corner crease at bottom right, appears Very Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Clear grill, pastel shade, nice centering and margins, cork cancel, small sealed internal teat at upper right, appears Very Fine, with 1998 P.S.E. certificate
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). S.e. at left, clear grill points, neat strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel, Fine, ex Beals, with 1947 P.F. certificate
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Unused (no gum), evident grill points at bottom, intense shadeVERY FINE AND SCARCE SOUND, UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 1984 and 1989 P.F. certificates, the latter issued to Raymond Weill
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Disturbed original gum, clearly-defined grill points easily visible in Commodore Perry's neck, intense shade and impressionVERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT GRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. THE 90-CENT IS THE THIRD MOST DIFFICULT OF THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Considering original-gum examples only, after the extremely rare 12c and 30c and non-existent 24c, the 90c is the rarest of the 1870 National Grilled Issue.
With 1974 and 2006 P.F. certificates
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Well-centered with attractive margins, clear grill visible without the aid of magnification or fluid, light grid cancel, light diagonal crease, Very Fine appearance, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Red Brown, I. Grill (135A). Unused (no gum), radiant color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, scarce in such choice condition, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $1,200.00 as 85, $1,900.00 as 90)
2c Red Brown, I. Grill (135A). Clearly-defined grill points, rich color, wide and balanced margins on bright paper, cork cancel at top, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, ex Dauer, with 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95, SMQ $1,100.00 as 95), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others
6c Carmine, I. Grill (137A). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly defined grill easily visible from front, vivid color, well-centeredVERY FINE. A RARE SOUND, CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT I GRILL, WHICH IS NOW A MAJOR CATALOGUE NUMBER.
The Scott Specialized Catalogue elevated the I Grills to major catalogue numbers beginning with the 2013 edition. For years we have differentiated between the two grill types in our auctions and pointed out the rarity of many of the I grills -- especially in original gum condition. Now, with major catalogue listings, the I Grills have taken their rightful place alongside the 1867-68 Grilled Issues, which have long been differentiated in the Scott Catalogue. The 6c I Grill is rare in original-gum condition. We have offered only three others since 1999.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF 80; SMQ $7,250.00). Only two original gum examples of the 6c I Grill have been graded by P.S.E. (the other graded XF 90 with a small fault)
7c Vermilion, I. Grill (138A). Clearly defined grill, bright color, choice centering and margins, light cork cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful example of the 7c National Bank Note I Grill, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,950.00)
15c Orange, I. Grill (141A). Bright color, neat segmented grid cancel, faint diagonal crease at bottom right and reperfed at right, otherwise Fine example of this rare stamp, Ronald A. Burns records 14 used off-cover, three unused and two covers, for a total of 19 items, with 2009 P.F. certificate