Sale 1084 — The Curtis Collection: 1847-1901 Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 5-6 November, 2014
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue (Scott 134-144)
1c Ultramarine, H. Grill (134, 145). Block of four, right stamps with traces of H. Grill at right, left stamps with no trace of grill points, original gum, bright color, few trivial perf separations not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE AND RARE. A DESIRABLE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE, COMBINING TWO STAMPS WITH AN OBVIOUS GRILL AND TWO STAMPS COMPLETELY LACKING A GRILL.
It has been surmised that sometimes more than one sheet was fed into the grilling machine at a time, resulting in weak or missing grill points. The grill on the right stamps is centered to the far right and this would have been a split grill, but it may also come from the far left row of the sheet, and the left stamps missed the grill due to misalignment.
With 2004 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as pair of No. 134 and pair of No. 145 with no premium for the variety of a multiple containing one with and one without grill.
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Bright shade, clearly-defined grill, Jumbo margins, bold cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Merlin, with 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $425.00 as 95, $1,500.00 as 98)
3c Green, H. Grill (136). Clear grill points, perfectly centered with wide margins all around, neat strike of circular datestamp and cork cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins all around, deep rich color, clear grill points, bold cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00). Only six others share this grade and only one has graded higher (at 98)
6c Carmine, H. Grill, Split Grill (137 var). Bright color, split vertically with row at top and majority of grill at bottom, cork cancel, three wide margins, Very Fine
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Horizontal strip of four and single, one in strip without grill, bright color, strip natural s.e. at right with part arrow at bottom, tied by target, "Batesville Ark. Sep. 4" circular datestamp with day in manuscript on yellow legal-size cover to Chester Ill., 1874 docketing at left, reduced at sides, stamps lifted to confirm grill and hinged in place, few shortish perfs, otherwise Very Fine, very unusual, with note on back from Brookman, listed but unpriced in Scott
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Brilliant color, clearly-defined grill, face-free strike of circle of wedges cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Senchuk and Merlin. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $10,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade (offered in our Kirke sale). This statistic has not changed since 2009.
7c Vermilion, H. Grill, Split Grill (138 var). Split vertically with one row at top and majority of grill at bottom, radiant color, three Jumbo margins, neat target and circular datestamp cancels, Very Fine, ex Collier, with 1991 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (F 70 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ as a split grill), despite the low grade we consider this desirable by virtue of the strong grill and Jumbo margins
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Block of four with right sheet margin, full original gum, grill points on all four stamps (split grill), centered to top, perf separations including left vertical pair almost severedA FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1870 10-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH H GRILL.
With 1995 P.F. certificate as a block of six. Scott Retail $35,000.00
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Some grill points clearly visible at top of Jefferson's head, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, bold strike of quartered cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 10-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
This issue is normally found with small margins and very few visible grill points. The margins on the example offered here are exceptionally wide, the perfs are long and full all around, it has wonderful color, and a clear cancel. It is without question one of the finest in existence.
Ex Natalee Grace. With 1996 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $4,600.00 as 95, $11,500.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and this is the only example to achieve this grade.
10c Brown, H. Grill, Split Grill (139 var). Split horizontally with some grill points at left and some at right, intense shade and impression, bold cork and circular datestamp cancels, Very Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Several discernible grill points in head, rich color, tied by target cancel, "London O. Jul. 27" circular datestamp on cover to Bremen, Germany, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Jul. 29" circular datestamp, receiving backstamp, minor edgewear, Very Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Intense shade, easily discernible grill points, quartered cork cancel, unusually wide top margin (possibly from top row of sheet), sealed tear at right near top, Very Fine appearance, with 1999 P.S.E. certificate
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Horizontal strip of four, each stamp shows some discernible grill points, pretty shade, unobtrusive cancel, left stamp small corner creasesFINE AND RARE. THIS IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL.
Linn's Stamp Facts reports one unused block of four (ex Zoellner), and notes that pairs are the largest reported used multiple (they must have been unaware of this strip).
With 2000 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $17,000.00
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Distinct vertical row of grill points behind ear of portrait and horizontal row across top of head, fresh color in distinctive 12c grilled-issue shade, tied by target cancel on salmon-colored cover addressed in violet to Gotland, Sweden, indistinct strike of town datestamp, red "New York 4 May 4" (1872) credit datestamp, red "Wfr. 1-1/2" German credit handstamp (re-stated credit in silbergroschen), Swedish receiving backstamps (May 20 and 21, 1872)VERY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE ON COVER. ONLY FOUR COVERS ARE REPORTED -- THIS IS THE ONLY COVER TO SWEDEN.
Our Levi records contain three other covers previously described as bearing the 12c 1870 Grilled Issue: 1) single used alone on cover to Liverpool, ex Braus (Siegel Sale 449, lot 54); 2) used with 10c 1870 to India, Bissell corr. (ex Braus, Siegel Sale 449, lot 55); and 3) used with Nos. 145, 146, 147 and 148 on large domestic cover from the Austro-Hungarian Consulate in New York (Siegel Sale Apr. 18, 1979, lot 175). This fourth cover was identified by us after it was consigned to our auction in 2001 as a No. 151. The grill on this stamp is much stronger than the grills on the stamps on the other covers. The stamp overpays the 11c NGU Closed Mail rate to Sweden. The cover was carried on the North German Lloyd's Weser II, departing New York on May 4 and arriving in Southampton on May 15, 1872.
Ex Andromeda. With 2001 P.F. certificate. Scott value for 12c Grill is $3,750.00 off cover and $7,000.00 on cover
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Block of four, vibrant color and clear grills, full original gum, minor hinge marks, bottom right stamp small scuff and translucency not present at time of certificationFINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. THIS IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE FOR THE ISSUE.
Perhaps three or four unused blocks of four are known. One has creases affecting all stamps and one is reperfed at right.
Ex McKinney. With 1994 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $45,000.00
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Several clear grill points, intense shade, neat cancel, Very Fine, a pretty stamp, with 1985 P.F. certificate
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Perfectly centered with wide even margins, vibrant color, neat target cancel, natural s.e. at left, Extremely Fine, ex Hillmer, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Strong grill, s.e. at left, tied by "Brenham Tex. May 15" (1870 or 1871) duplex datestamp and quartered cork cancel on "E. Busse, Texas Bakery and Dealer in Groceries, Provisions, &c." registered corner card cover to Dresden, Germany, sender's routing "By the Prussian enclosed mail" [sic], Brenham duplex struck over backflap, red "New York Registered May 22" rimless datestamp, red sawtooth framed "Recomandirt" German registry handstamp, manuscript registry markings and remnants of a registry form attached to back at top edge, Jun. 6 receiving backstamp, stamp slightly gum stainedFINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE ON COVER. THE USE OF THIS ISSUE FROM A SMALL TEXAS TOWN ON REGISTERED MAIL TO GERMANY IS UNDOUBTEDLY UNIQUE.
The 15c stamp pays the 7c Closed Mail rate to Germany via England and the 8c registry fee. This rate was reduced to 6c in October 1871, and the earliest documented use of the 15c Grill is in June 1870 (although the stamp became available in April 1870). The New York May 22 and German Jun. 6 postmark dates point to three possible sailings in May 1870 or 1871. Very few covers are known with the 15c 1870 Grilled Issue, this being one of the most colorful and unusual.
Ex Andromeda. With 1987 P.F. certificate
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Perfectly centered, fresh color, easily discernible grill points, bold 3-bar grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE FEW SOUND EXAMPLES OF THE 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUES.
Ex Twigg-Smith. With 1992 P.F. certificate.
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Intense shade and impression, several rows of easily discernible grill points, Jumbo marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE WIDE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 1983 and 1999 P.F. certificates.
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Block of four, cork cancel, bright color, grills show clearly on two stamps, faint on a third, appears well-centered due to reperfing at top and one side, short sealed tear at lower rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE USED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH H GRILL.
There are probably no more than four used blocks of the 90c 1870 Grill (including one block of seven). This is the first we have offered since our 2001 Twigg-Smith sale.
Ex Krug. With 1954 P.F. certificate stating "it is a genuine block of #144 only if kept in this form" implying that one stamp does not show a grill and not mentioning any faults. Scott Retail $13,500.00
1c Ultramarine, I. Grill (134A). Clear grill points, radiant color, choice centering, face-free cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1985 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
2c Red Brown, I. Grill (135A). Perfectly centered, pretty shade, clear grill points, Leaf cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90, SMQ $525.00 as 90), this is the highest grade awarded and the only to achieve it
6c Carmine, I. Grill (137A). Clear grill points easily visible on face, bold strike of New York Foreign Mail cancel and part of red New York circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, a striking stamp, with 1990 and 2013 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
6c Carmine, I. Grill (137A). Clearly-defined grill, radiant color, several cancels including cork, circular datestamp and red transit, fresh and Fine, with 2013 PSAG certificate
7c Vermilion, I. Grill (138A). Radiant color, clearly-defined grill, neat strike of quartered cork cancel, Very Fine and choice example of the 7c National Bank Note Company issue with the scarcer I Grill, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80 Jumbo; SMQ $1,400.00 as 80, $1,950.00 as 85)
15c Orange, I. Grill (141A). Late state of the I Grill, radiant color, centered to upper left, tiny corner perf crease at bottom leftVERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH THE RARE I GRILL.
Ronald A. Burns records 14 used off-cover, three unused and two covers, for a total of 19 items. Very few are late state I Grills.
With 2013 P.F. certificate
15c Orange, I. Grill (141A). Vibrant color, clear grill impression from the early state of the grilling device, tied by "N. York Steamship Jun. 6" circular datestamp on cover with printed address to Miss Mollie Sparks in Pottsville Penn., blue "U.S. Flag Ship Lancaster Apr. 28, 1871" oval datestamp, cover with some paper loss at top left and at right, stamp with some gum soaks (not mentioned on accompanying certificate)FINE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY 15-CENT WITH THE RARE I GRILL.
Ronald A. Burns records 14 used off-cover, three unused and two covers with the 15c I Grill, for a total of 19 items.
Accompanied by 17 pages of research notes by Ronald Burns detailing the grill characteristics, the correspondence, the ship marking and history of the ship, and stamp procurement from the U.S. Consul in Panama.
With 2013 P.F. certificate. Listed but unpriced in Scott.