Sale 1245 — United States Stamps, featuring the Sacramento Collection
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 16-18 November, 2021
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue (Scott 134-144)
1c Ultramarine, H. Grill (134). Unused (no gum), exceedingly wide and well-balanced margins all around, gorgeous color in a deep shade, well-defined grill, Extremely Fine Gem, a striking stamp, with 1999 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,150.00), this is the highest grade awarded to any unused Scott 134 (with or without gum), and this is the sole copy to achieve a 95J grade
1c Ultramarine, H. Grill (134). Bright color and paper, clearly defined grill, cork cancel, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00), only four grade higher (two at 95J and two at 98)
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful color, wide margins, easily discernible grill pointsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 2-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 2002 and 2012 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only one at this grade with one higher (at 95)
3c Green, H. Grill (136). Redistributed original gum which covers the entire back of the stamp, pretty pastel shade, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (DOG, Superb 98; SMQ $6,000.00 as original gum), the National Bank Note Co. grilled issue is surprisingly difficult to find with such superb centering, this is the highest grade awarded to any unused example and it is shared by only one other (an original-gum example offered in our 2009 sale of the Whitman collection), this is the perfect stamp for someone who values centering above all else
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Deep rich color and detailed impression, remarkably clear grill, neat cork cancel which appears to be a large capital "E", choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL.
Ex Bowman. With 1984, 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,250.00). Only one grades higher (at 98) and eight others share this grade.
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Remarkably wide margins all around, bright color, face-free cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $900.00)
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Fresh color, New York Foreign Mail "Clothes Pins" cancel, Very Fine, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate
View PDF of Highlights of this lot
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Choice centering, vibrant color and detailed impression, target cancel, Extremely Fine, a handsome stamp, with 2006 P.F. (XF 90) and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $950.00)
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Light strike of target cancel, vibrant color, clear grill points, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1986 A.P.S. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $950.00)
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Remarkably well-centered with wide margins, dark color on bright white paper, many clear grill points, red cork cancel, Extremely Fine, a stamp with outstanding eye appeal, with 2001 P.F. certificate
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Intense shade and impression, bold circle of wedges cancel, several noticeable grill points, Very Fine and choice, with 1989 and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $850.00)
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Bright shade nicely complemented by red cork cancel, unusually well-defined grill for this issue, Very Fine, with 1992 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (F 70; SMQ $1,850.00)
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Well-centered, wide margins which are most uncharacteristic of this issue, strong color and impression, blue quartered cork cancel, minor corner crease, Very Fine appearance despite the trivial corner crease, a highly desirable example of this difficult issue, with 2001 P.F. certificate
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Sharp impression, easily discernible grill points, bold quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1986 and 2016 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Well-centered, wide margins, rich color, black cork and red datestamp cancels, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp, with 1997 P.S.E. and 1998 P.F. certificates
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Unusually deep rich color, several easily noticeable rows of grill points, bold strike of crossroads cancel, almost perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. ONE OF THE KEYS TO A SUPERB SET OF THIS ISSUE.
Scott 142 is not known in unused condition. Therefore, anyone wishing to complete this set must obtain this stamp in used condition. The example offered here, with rich color, clear grill, superb centering and bold cancel, is a truly stunning example of this rarity in the finest condition attainable.
With 1999, 2013 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $14,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and one of three to achieve it; nonetheless, we feel this stamp deserves a grade of XF-Superb 95. The last time we offered an example in XF 90 grade was in our 2012 Merlin sale.
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Intense shade and impression, few noticeable grill points, neat crossroads cancel, faint corner crease at top left not mentioned on certificatesVERY FINE APPEARING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 2013 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $4,000.00)
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Wide margins, proof-like shade and impression, several clear grill points, unusually light and unobtrusive cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A HANDSOME USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL.
This is a difficult issue to obtain in sound condition with decent centering.
With 2000 P.F. certificate.
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Deep shade and strong impression, segmented cork cancel, tiny thin spot, Very Fine appearance, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Rich color on bright paper, few noticeable grill points, cork cancel, wide margins, natural paper inclusion at bottom right, Very Fine and choice -- we would have given this an Extremely Fine grade if not for the VF 80 certificate -- with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $2,500.00)
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Well-centered, bright color, many identifiable grill points, very light cancel which is unusual on this high value, Very Fine, with 1983 and 1991 P.F. certificates
90c Carmine, H. Grill, Split Grill (144 var). Showing part of grill in all four corners, bright color, circle of wedges cancel, reperfed at left, Very Fine appearance, a scarce variety unpriced in Scott, Scott value as normal
1c Ultramarine, I. Grill (134A). Clear grill points, radiant color, choice centering, face-free datestamp and cork cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Curtis, with 1985 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF 90), with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $400.00)
2c Red Brown, I. Grill (135A). Crisp impression, clear grill points, small cork cancel, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00), scarce in such a high grade
2c Red Brown, I. Grill (135A). Enormously wide margins, rich color, lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $575.00 for 90 and $1,100.00 for 95), the certificate specifically states "I. Grill", but was issued before Scott separated the H and I grills
3c Green, I. Grill (136A). Clearly defined grill, rich color, face-free cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate
6c Carmine, I. Grill (137A). Original gum, clearly defined grill with full dimensions easily visible from front, vivid color, perfect centering, light facial rub at upper rightEXTREMELY FINE GEM APPEARANCE. A RARE CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT I GRILL.
The Scott U.S. 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 two others since 1999 and neither was as well-centered as the example offered here.
Ex Curtis. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $16,500.00). Only two examples of the 6c I Grill have been graded by P.S.E. and this is the higher of the two (the other is VF 80). The example offered here is centered far better than a 90 grade -- no doubt points were taken off for the slight facial rub.
7c Vermilion, I. Grill (138A). Vibrant color, few discernible grill points, neat cancels, Extremely Fine example of the scarce 7c I Grill, with 2014 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,950.00) -- the 85 grade seems 5-10 points too low in our opinion