Sale 1057 — The Curtis Collection: 1847-1901 Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 November, 2013
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. I Grill (Scott 135A-139A)
2c Red Brown, I. Grill (135A). Large part original gum, clearly-defined grill, wide margins and fresh colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY I GRILL.
The I Grills have been elevated to major catalogue numbers starting with the 2013 Scott Specialized Catalogue, taking their place with the other grill types such as the A, B, C, D, Z, E and F Grills.
With 2005 P.F. 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, WHICH HAS BEEN ELEVATED TO MAJOR CATALOGUE NUMBER STATUS.
The Scott 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.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; unpriced in SMQ as I Grill. SMQ $11,300.00 as H Grill). 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).
10c Brown, I. Grill (139A). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color, the I Grill is well-defined with several rows clearly visible and the full dimensions measurableVERY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO REPORTED EXAMPLES OF AN ORIGINAL-GUM 10-CENT I GRILL. A PHENOMENAL RARITY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER. THE I GRILLS HAVE BEEN ELEVATED TO MAJOR CATALOGUE NUMBERS.
Starting with the 2013 Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, the I Grills have been elevated to major catalogue number status. Collectors will now have to acquire these I Grills in their quest for completeness. We anticipate that collector demand will be difficult to satisfy based on populations we have seen.
Ronald Burns, the foremost authority on the Bank Note grills, records ten used examples of the 10c I Grill, plus an additional two used on the same cover. This newly-certified copy is one of only two reported unused examples.
With 2004 and 2013 P.F. certificates, the former not identifying the grill type. Unpriced in Scott as unused. Scott Retail $7,000.00 as used. The 12c, with one unused example known, catalogues $35,000.00