Sale 956 — The Jay Hoffman Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 8-9 May, 2008
Category — 1870 National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue (Scott 134-144)
1c Ultramarine, Grill (134). H. Grill, original gum, lightly hinged, clear grill points, bright color on fresh white paper, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. AN UNUSUALLY WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM ONE-CENT 1870 NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE WITH REMARKABLY FRESH GUM, PAPER AND COLOR.
With 1992 and 2005 P.F. certificates
2c Red Brown, Grill (135). H. Grill, original gum, lightly hinged, clear grill points, remarkably bright shade and detailed impression on crisp white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BREATHTAKING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP.
Ex Silver Lake. With 1980 and 1999 P.F. certificates
3c Green, Grill (136). H. Grill, original gum, clearly-defined grill, bright shade, fresh and Very Fine, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
6c Carmine, Grill (137). H. Grill, original gum, brilliant color and proof-like impression, several noticeable rows of grill points, choice centering with well-proportioned marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BRIGHT AND FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE.
With 2003 P.F. certificate
7c Vermilion, Grill (138). H. Grill, unusually strong grill points clearly visible from front of the stamp, original gum, brilliant colorVERY FINE. A REMARKABLY PRISTINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE.
Ex Vineyard. With 1992 and 2003 P.F. certificates
10c Brown, Double Grill (139 var). H. Grill, original gum, lightly hinged, two distinct grill impressions, deep rich color and detailed impression, exceptionally well-centered with extra wide margins at top and bottomEXTREMELY FINE GEM. PROBABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1870 NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE IN SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION WITH DOUBLE GRILL.
The double grill is listed but not priced in unused condition. We are unaware of another example trading hands -- this stamp realized $21,000 hammer in our Sale 895, which should be the basis for Scott Catalogue value.
With 2002 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as normal
15c Orange, Grill (141). H. Grill, original gum, brilliant color and impression, grill shows clearly at bottom rightVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE -- ONE OF THE MOST ELUSIVE OF THE BANK NOTE ISSUES IN SOUND AND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The stamp offered here, combining the elements of color, paper, noticeable grill points and full gum, is a true condition rarity.
Ex "J & J". With 1975, 1989 and 2006 P.F. certificates
24c Purple, Grill (142). H. Grill, bright shade, well-balanced margins, bold strikes of New York Foreign Mail "Clothespins" cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE WITH A NEW YORK FOREIGN MAIL CANCELLATION.
With 1993 A.P.S. and 1994 P.F. certificates
30c Black, Grill (143). H. Grill, unused (traces of original gum), intense shade, several clear vertical rows of grill pointsFINE AND RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE. ESPECIALLY SCARCE IN SOUND CONDITION.
The 30c National Grilled issue is perhaps the most difficult denomination to obtain in sound and unused condition. The centering on the example here typifies how this issue is normally found, but a review of our computerized records found that only a small potion of those we have offered were sound.
With 1988 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as no gum
90c Carmine, Grill (144). H. Grill, original gum, clearly-defined grill points easily visible on face of stamp, deep rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT GRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. THE 90-CENT IS THE THIRD MOST DIFFICULT STAMP OF THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Considering original-gum examples only, after the extremely rare 12c and non-existent 24c, the 90c is the rarest of the 1870 National Grilled Issue. We have offered only four or five that were sound and centered Very Fine in all of our Rarities sales and in the past 14 years of auctions.
Ex Drucker. With 1981 and 2008 P.F. certificates