Sale 1197 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 14-15 March, 2019
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Issue (Scott 134-155)
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135, 146). Right sheet selvage block of 24, unused (no gum), right vertical row shows grill points ranging from a few points to part of three rows, rich color, choice centering throughout, few minor perf separations, light horizontal bend in bottom row not mentioned on accompanying certificate, certificate notes most stamps with small surface scrapesVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE MULTIPLE COMBINING TWO DIFFERENT MAJOR SCOTT NUMBERS -- 135 AND 146. WE ARE UNAWARE OF ANY OTHER MULTIPLES OF THE 1870 2-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE SHOWING BOTH GRILLED AND UNGRILLED STAMPS.
With 2001 P.F. certificate. Scott does not list a combination multiple of Scott 135 and 146.
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Block of four, original gum, h.r., with part of captured imprint at top, showing faint but discernible grill pointsFINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1870 10-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 2015 Weiss and 2016 P.S.E. certificates
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Clear grill points, extra wide margins, circle of wedges cancel with trace of red transit, Very Fine and choice, an extremely tall stamp, with 1991 P.F. certificate
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Unused (no gum), several clear grill points, attractive color, slight soiling, corner crease at bottom left, short perf at upper left, Fine appearance, a rare unused stamp, with 1962 P.F. certificate
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Vibrant color, several easily discernible grill points, neat target cancel, Extremely Fine, blue Stanley Gibbons backstamp shows thru slightly at bottom right, with 1978 P.F. certificate
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Clear grill points, vivid color, light strike of circular datestamp cancel, tiny perf tip crease at lower right not mentioned on accompanying certificate, appears Very Fine, with 1994 P.F. certificate
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Intense shade and impression, wide margins, several discernible grill points, corner perf crease at top left, flaw at bottom left, Very Fine appearance, with clear 1984 P.F. certificate
30c Black (154). Horizontal pair, deep shade, light strikes of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel, Fine, with 1981 P.F. as No. 143 (H. Grill) and 2018 P.F. certificate as No. 154 -- maybe it actually is grilled (it was in 1981!)
90c Carmine (155). Original gum, near perfect centering with balanced margins, bright color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
In general, the Grilled National Bank Note Issues in superb original-gum condition overshadow their ungrilled counterparts. This is also true for the 90c. However, in the case of the 90c, collectors are frequently misled by the availability of Scott 166, the 1873 Continental printing. The difference in shades is distinct, yet collectors have a tendency to under-rate the 1870 National printing. Most original-gum examples are poorly centered. This example is remarkable for its centering and freshness of color.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (OG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $18,500.00). Only two other stamps share this grade, with none higher
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90c Carmine (155). Wide margins and choice centering, vivid color, circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
New York Foreign Mail Cancels on Bank Note Stamps. Twelve, all are 6c and higher including Nos. 153 (4), 159 (2), 160 and 163, four struck in red including one pinwheel, most are elaborate geometrics, each selected by the owner for the high quality of the cancel, all are Very Fine strikes, eight with P.F. certificates
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