Sale 1297 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 31 October-2 November, 2023
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Grilled & Ungrilled Issues (Scott 134-155)
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Unused (no gum), clear grill, deep rich color and well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 1982 and 2022 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
7c Vermilion, Double Grill (138 var). Choice centering, vivid color and impression, segmented cork cancel, in an old sale we mentioned a small corner crease at bottom left but it is not evident and not mentioned on either accompanying certificate, Very Fine and scarce variety, with 1986 and 2019 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Clear grill, choice centering, rich color complemented by red cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1995 and 2004 P.F. certificates
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Well-centered with nicely balanced margins, clear grill and rich color, well-struck segmented cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND WELL-CENTERED WITH RICH COLOR AND A CLEAR GRILL.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Clear grill, rich color, bold cork cancel, Fine, with 1993, 2019 P.S.E. and 2023 P.F. certificates
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Disturbed original gum, a few grill points visible, small stray ink mark below "S" of "Postage", otherwise Fine, a rare stamp with original gum, with 1971 and 2023 P.F. certificates
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Unusually wide margins for this difficult issue, virtually face-free cork cancel leaves design clearly visible
EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH H GRILL.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80 Jumbo). Only four grade higher (highest is 90) and no others share this grade. Scott value $3,750
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Clear grill, light cancel, faults including diagonal crease and small tear, otherwise Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate stating "small faults", Scott value $3,750
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Unused (no gum), some clear grill points, perfs in at top where there is a small tear, otherwise Fine, a rare stamp unused, with 2023 P.F. certificate, Scott value $10,000
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Clear grill, rich color, segmented cork cancel, Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
3c Green, Split I. Grill (136A var). Mint N.H., grill split horizontally, bright color, fresh and Very Fine, ex Wingate, with 1997 P.F. certificate not specifying the grill type, Scott value as hinged
7c Vermilion, I. Grill (138A). Identifiable grill, vivid color, cancelled by segmented cork and by corner strike of red circular datestamp, fresh and Fine, with 2019 P.S.A.G. certificate
7c Vermilion, I. Grill (138A). Clear grill points, intense shade and impression, neat strikes of New York Foreign Mail Star cancel as well as red circular datestamp, balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2012 and 2017 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
2c Red Brown (146). Mint N.H., deep rich color, three wide margins, light natural gum bends at bottom right, Very Fine and attractive, Scott value as hinged
7c Vermilion (149). Choice centering and margins, bright color, neat corner strike of small target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
10c Brown (150). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade, detailed impression, choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 10-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE.
Ex Whitman. With 1989 and 2000 P.F. certificates as Mint N.H. 2009 P.F. certificate no. 476268 as previously hinged does not accompany.
12c Dull Violet (151). 2005 and 2009 certificates describe this as original gum (we agree), 2023 certificate describes this as regummed, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue which most recent certificate also decided to call reperfed at right, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2005 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, VF-XF 85; SMQ $4,000.00), with 2023 P.S.E. certificate as regummed and reperfed, this was previously the highest grade awarded and it is shared by one other, Scott value as gum $2,850, Scott value as no gum
15c Bright Orange (152). Original gum described on most recent certificate as redistributed, vivid color, unusually choice centering with well-proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
The 15c 1870 National Grilled Issue (Scott 141) is widely recognized as an extremely rare stamp in choice original-gum condition. Less well known is the fact that its ungrilled counterpart — Scott 152 — is comparably challenging to find in such condition. This stamp has all of the National printing characteristics, but it defies the norm by having exceptional attributes of centering and freshness.
With 1989, 1998 and 2009 P.F. certificates as original gum (XF 90). With 2023 P.S.E. certificate as redistributed original gum (DOG, XF 90, SMQ $1,500.00). At least the experts agree on the grade.
24c Purple (153). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on crisp paper, gorgeous centering with wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND IN SUCH OUTSTANDING CONDITION.
With 1993 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95). Only one grades higher (at 95J) and only three others share this desirable grade.
24c Purple (153). Bright color, choice centering, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2019 P.F. certificate (XF 90)