Sale 1224 — 2020 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 30 June-1 July, 2020
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue
3c Rose, A. Grill (79). Original gum, clear grill, typical perforations for this all-over grill stampFINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT ALL-OVER A GRILL.
Ex Golin. With 1989 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates stating "o.g., previously hinged, with usual perforation faults" (OGph, G 30), the grade does not adequately reflect its rarity with original gum -- no unused examples have graded higher
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)
3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C). Wide margins and choice centering, clearly-defined grill which is easily visible from the front, rich color, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A FRESH AND CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL.
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. Our review of past auctions, including Power Search, found precious few sound copies with Extremely Fine centering.
Ex Kirke. With 2002 P.F., 2005 and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $9,500.00). Only two others share this grade and only two grade higher (at 95 and 98)
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Choice centering and margins, intense shade and prominent grill, used with two 3c Red, F. Grill (94), tied by multiple strikes of target cancel, "Fernando de Taos N.M. Oct. 11" (1869) New Mexico Territory circular datestamp on yellow cover to Breslau, Germany, Friedmann correspondence, sender's directive "Via New York and Liverpool", red "New York Paid All Br. Transit" circular datestamp at lower right (date unclear), red "Verviers/Coeln/Franco" four-line transit datestamp (Nov. 4), backstamped with receiving datestamps, red crayon notations and blue manuscript "Retour" indicate this had trouble reaching the addresseeVERY FINE. EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 1868 GRILLED ISSUE ON MAIL FROM NEW MEXICO TERRITORY TO AN OVERSEAS DESTINATION.
The stamps overpay by 1c the 15c rate to Germany via North German Union Closed Mail.
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Rich color on bright paper, clearly-defined grill, quartered cork cancel struck in such a way that Franklin's face is clearly visible, beautiful centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL. WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $8,500.00). With 2012 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). We are surprised the P.F. did not also give this a Jumbo designation, which it obviously deserves
1c Pale Blue, F. Grill (92a). Essentially perfect centering, pretty pastel color, light strike of blue target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL IN THE PALE BLUE SHADE, CANCELLED IN COMPLEMENTARY BLUE.
With 2014 and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a Scott 92a and it is shared by no others. The next highest is F-VF 75. The main listing for Scott 92, in Blue, has only four stamps at the 98 grade (one of which is 98J)
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Enormous margins all around, detailed impression, blue cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. SOUND EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 2-CENT F GRILL ARE RARELY SEEN WITH THIS COMBINATION OF COLORED CANCEL AND BALANCED JUMBO MARGINS.
With 2004 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,350.00). Only three grade higher (at 98) and one other shares this desirable grade, also with a blue cancel. Two of the three higher have black cancels (we are unaware of what the third looks like)
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Clearly-defined grill, used with 1c Blue, F. Grill (92), tied by target cancels, "Moline Ill. Jan. 18" (1869) double-circle datestamp on "We'll Fight it out on this line if it takes all summer" Grant Campaign cover to Solvesborg, Sweden, sender's routing "North German Union" at top, red "6" credit handstamp, black "Bremen Franco" and "Weiterfr. 2-1/2Sgr" handstamps, receiving backstamp, stamps slightly affected from placement at edge of cover, missing part of bottom flap, some slight edgewearVERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND PROBABLY UNIQUE USE OF AN 1868 GRANT CAMPAIGN COVER TO SWEDEN. THE 15-CENT LINCOLN AND ONE-CENT FRANKLIN GRILLED ISSUES PAY THE 16-CENT RATE BY NORTH GERMAN UNION DIRECT MAIL.
This cover was mailed after Ulysses S. Grant won the 1868 election and before he was inaugurated on March 4, 1869. The use of a 15c Lincoln stamp on a Grant campaign cover or on a cover to Sweden would be extraordinary in either case; however, the combination of the two circumstances is singularly represented by this cover.
Ex Vogel. With 2010 P.F. certificate
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Horizontal pair, used with 24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99), tied by circle of wedges cancel and red "Boston Paid May 18" (1869) circular datestamp on cover with printed address to Rev. Bissell in Ahmednuggur, India, red crayon "54/3" credit for triple rate, red London transit datestamp and matching "1d" British Colonial credit handstamp crossed out and re-rated "3d" for triple rate, Sea Post Office oval and receiving backstamps, slightly reduced at top, pair slightly affected by creasing in cover, cleaned to remove toning around perfsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE 1868 GRILLED ISSUE FRANKING FOR THE TRIPLE 28-CENT RATE TO INDIA VIA SOUTHAMPTON.
This cover was carried on the Cunarder Cuba from New York on May 19, 1869, arriving in Queenstown on May 29. Ex "Lake Shore"
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Perfectly centered with wide margins, beautiful shade and impression, red cork cancel, much better formed perfs than typically encounteredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL, COMBINING FLAWLESS CENTERING, PERFORATIONS, COLOR AND A PREMIUM CANCEL.
The 90c stamps used to make grilled issues were printed on a thick stock of paper. It is likely that sheets remaining from the pre-grill period were used and that the thinner paper introduced in 1868 had not been used for the 90c value. Two characteristics of 90c F Grill stamps are poorly punched perforations and generally bad centering. This stamp is a remarkable exception. The perfs are much better formed than usual (although they show the genuine characteristics) and the centering is precise. In this stamp there is also the added feature of a striking red cancel.
Ex Merlin. With 1969 P.F., 2012 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $4,850.00 as normal cancel). Only two grade higher and four others share this grade, but the red cancel on this stamp adds considerably to its appeal and value, which has been reflected in its price the last two times we offered it -- $13,500 hammer in our Sale 997 in 2010 and $7,500 hammer in the 2012 Merlin sale
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Clearly-defined grill, intense shade and impression, well-balanced margins, neat strike of segmented cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL.
With 2011 and 2015 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ), the "XQ" stands for Extraordinary Quality