Sale 1150 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 1 March, 2017
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue (Scott 134-144)
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Original gum, easily discernible grill points, pretty shade, fresh, Very Fine and choice, with 1994 and 2016 P.F. certificates
2c Red Brown, H. Grill, Split Grill (135 var). Block of four, three show distinct split grill, bottom right shows normal grill, original gum, small h.r. at center, rich color, fresh and Fine, Scott Retail as singles
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Block of six with selvage at right, bottom strip of three Mint N.H., top strip barely hinged, fresh color on bright paper, unusually clear and well-defined grill with every point measurableVERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 2-CENT NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE WITH ORIGINAL GUM, FEATURING THREE MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS.
The vast majority of multiples have been broken to satisfy collector demand for singles. This block, with three Mint N.H. stamps, is a rare survivor. The right pair is particularly choice and both stamps would grade very highly.
With 2016 P.F. certificate. Unpriced in Scott in Mint N.H. condition.
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, ex Curtis
3c Green, H. Grill, Imperforate (136b). Horizontal pair, original gum, h.r., large margins to full, horizontal creases at top and bottom, the former ending in small tear at right, appears Fine
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Original gum, lightly hinged, several rows of clear grill points, rich color, balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL.
Examples of the 6c National Bank Note Co. Grilled issue with original gum are rarely well-centered and sound. This example is one of the finest original-gum copies that we have ever offered
With 2006 P.F. certificate
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Split grill variety, original gum, vivid color, attractive margins and centeringVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH SPLIT GRILL.
This is only the second unused example with split grill we have offered since keeping computerized records. With 2017 P.S.E. certificate
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Unused (no gum), brilliant color, clear grill points, outstanding centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT GRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 1984 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $4,100.00). This is the highest graded Scott 141 without gum (two grade 95 with gum). Given the precise centering, we are surprised this did not grade 95
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Intense color, clear grill points, bold open grid cancel, few creases, appears Very Fine, with 1956 P.F. certificate
1c Ultramarine, I. Grill (134A). Clear grill points, Jumbo margins and choice centering, bright color, Star in Circle fancy cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, very unusual to find a Bank Note grilled issue with this size margins and a fancy cancel -- especially the scarcer I Grill -- with 2016 P.F. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo)
7c Vermilion, I. Grill (138A). Slightly disturbed original gum but complete except for small part at top, clear grill readily identifiable as the I Grill, brilliant colorVERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE WITH I GRILL.
Starting with the 2013 Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, the I Grills were elevated to major catalogue number status. The listings are now consistent with other grill types such as A, B, C, D, Z, E and F Grills. 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, especially in original-gum condition.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate as disturbed original gum