Sale 1120 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 17-18 March, 2016
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. H Grilled Issue (Scott 134-144)
3c Green, H. Grill (136). Original gum, bright color and sharp impression on crisp white paper, beautifully centered with extra wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS 1870 3-CENT GRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE IN SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 3c is more challenging to find in this superior grade than many of the other grilled issues, even though it has a lower catalogue value.
With 2003 P.F. certificate for block of four, this is the top left stamp
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Unusually wide margins and choice centering, bright color, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Remarkably well-centered with wide margins, dark color on bright white paper with long full perfs all around, many clear grill points, neat part strike of "N. York Steamship" circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED 1870 10-CENT NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE THAT SURELY RANKS AMONG THE FINEST KNOWN.
Ex Dauer. With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $2,500.00). Only four have graded higher and one other shares this grade.
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Original gum, rich color and proof-like impression, visible grill pointsVERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE, ORIGINAL-GUM, SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE. THE 12-CENT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATION TO OBTAIN IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
A review using Power Search demonstrates exactly how scarce this stamp is in sound original-gum condition. The sound Mint N.H. stamp from our 2009 Whitman sale (realized $220,000 hammer) stands in a class by itself. Apart from the Whitman stamp, each example we have sold since 1998 was described as having disturbed or part original gum and/or faults. When offering the Whitman copy, we undertook a review of major name sales. Walter Klein, for whom one of his five-part catalogue series was devoted to Bank Note issues, did not have a 12c with original gum. Caspary, Ewing, Lilly, Morris, "Angel" and Floyd never had one. Weisman had one, centered to top left. Zoellner had the unique block of four (the only recorded multiple).
With 1985 and 2015 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Perfectly centered with extraordinarily wide and balanced margins, fresh color not typically seen on this stamp that is often encountered pale and faded, sharp impression, clearly defined grill points, neat target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH OUTSTANDING CONDITION -- GREAT COLOR, WELL-CENTERED AND HUGE MARGINS -- A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES ATTAINABLE, AND GRADED XF 90 BY THE P.S.E.
Ex Sheriff and Dr. Hinrichs. With 1971 P.F. certificate as a pair, 1986 and 2001 P.F. certificates and 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $8,000.00). This is the highest grade recorded and the only example awarded given this high grade--the next highest is VF-XF 85.
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Pleasing centering and stronger color than typically seen for this issue, light two-stroke violet manuscript cancel and red numeral accountancy handstamp, Very Fine, with 1969, 1998 and 2008 P.F. certificates, the last stating it is genuine but declining opinion as to whether it is an H Grill or the far rarer I Grill, no 12c I Grills have been certified so this may be an opportunity for additional research
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Attractive margins and centering, cancelled by quartered cork and by rim of red circular datestamp, Very Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Choice centering, fresh color, easily discernible grill points, bold 3-bar grid cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE FEW SOUND EXAMPLES OF THE 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE.
Ex Twigg-Smith and Curtis. With 1992 and 2014 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Three wide margins, intense shade beautifully complemented by bold strike of red New York Foreign Mail Geometric fancy cancelFINE. A STRIKING EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE WITH A VIVID RED NEW YORK FOREIGN MAIL CANCEL.
With 1995 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Brilliant color, light strike of quartered cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF 80)