Sale 962 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 24-26 September, 2008
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issues (Scott 79-101)
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Original gum, reasonably light hinging, centered to left, perfs clear, Fine, very scarce, with 1999 P.S.E. and 2004 P.F. certificates
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Exceptional margins and well-centered for a 3c D Grill, fresh color, bold four-bar grid and neat corner circular datestamp, Very Fine
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Bright shade, clearly-defined grill, bold strike of target cancel, Fine
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Magnificent margins and centering for this difficult grill issue, face-free corner cancel at bottom left, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $2,550.00)
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Intense shade and impression nicely complemented by red segmented cork cancel, small toned spot at center not mentioned on accompanying certificate, appears Fine, with 1986 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Unused (no gum), tiny edge thin and reperfed, Fine appearing example of this rare unused stamp
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Choice centering, strong grill impression, circle of wedges cancel, Very Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Perfectly centered with wide and well-balanced margins, brilliant color on bright paper, light strike of "Paid" cancel leaves design clearly visible, strong grill impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMPS OF THE SERIES TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING AND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE -- THE P.S.E. AGREES AND HAS AWARDED THIS STAMP THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
We pulled this stamp out of an old album and felt so strongly about its condition, we sent it to P.S.E. for a graded certificate. They agreed with our assessment, awarding it the grade of Superb 98. The only other stamp to achieve this grade was offered in our sale of the Tahoe Collection, where it realized $22,000 hammer.
With 1986 and 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $13,800.00)
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Unused (no gum), attractively centered and margined, Very Fine and choice, ex Lutwak, with 1978 P.F. (as "part original gum") and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $880.00)
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, bright shade and crisp impression, bold strike of circle of wedges cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT E GRILL.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,850.00). Only three have graded higher to date
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Unusually choice centering, intense shade and impression, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Bright shade, bold strike of circle of V's cancel, clear grill, Very Fine
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Unused (no gum), magnificent margins and centering, bright color, sharp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS THE ONLY UNUSED 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL TO RECEIVE THIS LOFTY GRADE FROM P.S.E. (WITH NONE HIGHER). A FABULOUS STAMP FOR THE CONNOISSEUR.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,350.00 as 95, not priced in this grade)
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Unused (no gum), bright shade, choice centering with wide margins, trivial corner perf crease at top right not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1987 P.F. certificate
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Original gum, crisp impression, small gum stain at bottom, otherwise Fine
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Gorgeous centering with wide margins, detailed impression, well-struck segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $930.00)
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Large part original gum, bright shade, clearly-defined grill, trivial corner perf crease at bottom left, appears Fine
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Original gum, unusually well-centered, intense color, typical burnishing marks in side margins, makes the left side appear as if the design is touched but in reality it is well clear, horizontal and vertical creases, Very Fine appearance, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Jumbo margins, crisp impression, bold cork cancel with trace of red transit at bottom left, Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, light horizontal crease at bottom, small toned spot on back not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL.
With 1986 P.F. certificate
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Bright shade and clearly-defined grill, neat strike of Baltimore red dot in circle fancy cancel, tiny thins, lightly stained, otherwise Very Fine, scarce with a fancy cancel, with 1987 P.F. certificate
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Well-centered, thick bars cancel as often seen on this value, Very Fine
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Rich color, clear grill, bold cork cancel, fresh and Fine