Sale 1007 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 8-10 March, 2011
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 97-101)
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, Jumbo margins all around, unobtrusive strike of quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $800.00 as 90, $2,450.00 as 95)
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Intense shade, clear grill, neat red cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $475.00)
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Detailed impression, wide and balanced margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $800.00)
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Original gum, bright shade, Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Almost perfectly centered, intense shade, Lincoln portrait flanked by attractive blue cork cancels, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $950.00)
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Radiant color, clearly-defined grill, well-struck Anchor in Diamond of Dots French Maritime cancel, Fine, scarce, with 1988 P.F. certificate
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Bright color, neat strike of "Hiogo, Japan" double-circle handstamp, Fine, scarce cancel on this issue, with 1991 P.F. certificate
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Block of four, vibrant color, neat cork cancels, centered to left, top right stamp small thin spot, top left stamp tiny natural paper wrinkleVERY GOOD APPEARANCE. A RARE USED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL. ONLY FOUR OR FIVE USED BLOCKS ARE KNOWN.
As an indication of rarity, the last used block we offered was in our 2001 auction of the Twigg-Smith collection.
Ex Klein.
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Deep rich color and sharp proof like impression, clearly-defined grill, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, light strike of cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
With 2010 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Block of four, each stamp with clearly-defined grill, unobtrusive cork cancels leave the design clearly visible, centered to top right, small corner crease at top left, bottom left stamp sealed tear at left centerVERY GOOD APPEARANCE. ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED INTACT USED BLOCKS OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL. A GREAT RARITY.
Multiples of higher-denomination stamps such as the 90c F Grill were usually used on heavy parcels or large covers to foreign countries. The parcels or wrappers were rarely kept, and so few multiples have survived. Of the 90c F Grill, we record two other off-center blocks, as well as two rejoined and faulty blocks (one ex Klein and the other ex Ishikawa).
With 1992 P.F. certificate