Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue (Scott 134-144)
1c Ultramarine, H. Grill (134). Wide margins and almost perfect centering, gorgeous rich color on fresh paper, clearly defined grill, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example of the 1870 1c Grilled Issue, ex Merlin and "Clipper City", with 2017 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00), one of only six examples to achieve this grade with only four higher (highest is 98)
1c Ultramarine, H. Grill (134). Bright color, wide margins, bold strike of Solid 5-Point Star fancy cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1997 P.F. certificate
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Wide margins, almost perfect centering, quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Merlin, with 1989 and 2001 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $425.00)
3c Green, H. Grill (136). Rich color, gorgeous centering, bold strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $425.00), only two grade higher (at 95J and 98) and only four others share this grade
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Outstanding centering with wide margins, fresh color, clear grill points, bold cork cancel clear of Lincoln's faceEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Kirke. With 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,250.00). Only one grades higher (at 98, realized $7,000.00 in 2017) and eight others share this desirable grade.
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Jumbo margins and wonderfully well-centered, brilliant color, clear grill points, New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING AND HUGE EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
Ex Kirke. With 1994 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $6,500.00). Only two grade higher (both at 98, we sold one in 2014 for $15,000 hammer). This is the only example to achieve this grade
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Clearly-defined grill with almost all points visible, face-free strike of New York Foreign Mail cancel, radiant color, unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 10-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED AND ONE OF TWO TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
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 grill, and a face-free cancel. This may well be the finest in existence.
Ex Bowman. With 1972 A.P.S., 1999 P.F. and 2008 and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $13,000.00). This issue is very difficult to obtain in higher grades, as only five others grade higher than 90. The example offered here, at Superb 98, is the highest grade awarded and one of only two to achieve it
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Perfectly centered with extraordinarily wide and balanced margins, fresh color not typically seen on this stamp which is often encountered pale and faded, sharp impression, clearly defined grill points, neat 3-ring 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, 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 at this grade--the next highest is VF-XF 85.
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Vibrant color, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, long and full perforations, bold cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 1958 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $9,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other. A Power Search review shows how difficult this issue is to find in such choice used condition. The highest grade we have offered in one of our auctions is 90, back in 2012
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Clearly identifiable grill points, bright shade, choice centering for this difficult issue with well-balanced margins, neat strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE, WHICH IS ONLY KNOWN IN USED CONDITION.
Ex Merlin. With 1996 and 2003 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $9,500.00). Only three grade higher (all at XF 90)
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Intense shade and impression, gorgeous centering with well-proportioned margins, neat strike of quartered cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
The 30c National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue is normally seen with small margins, or is off-center. If one finds a centered copy, it more often than not turns out to have a small flaw. The stamp offered here is truly the exception to the rule.
With 1997 and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded two at 90 and one at 85.
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Rich color, unusually wide and balanced margins, clearly discernible grill points at top, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 90-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND IN SOUND CONDITION. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
For some reason, most examples of this issue with wide margins tend to have small flaws. We have encountered perhaps a dozen copies which are sound and also have wide margins. The example offered here is easily one of the finest.
Ex "Tahoe" and Merlin. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $18,500.00). This is the only example to achieve this lofty grade, which is the highest awarded. The next highest is 90J (one).
1c Ultramarine, I. Grill (134A). Clearly-defined grill, rich color on bright paper, light strike of Star in Circle fancy cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 ONE-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY I GRILL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Ex Merlin. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90). SMQ prices the 1c H Grill (Scott 134) at $2,750.00 in the grade of 95J, so this would no doubt be priced higher.
2c Red Brown, I. Grill (135A). Clearly-defined grill, wonderfully well-centered with balanced margins, deep rich color, neat grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY I GRILL, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex Kirke. With 2010 P.F. not identifying grill type and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00). Only one grades higher (at 98J) and one other shares this desirable grade.
2c Red Brown, I. Grill, Split Grill (135 var). Well-centered with wide margins, well-struck negative 5-point Star fancy cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Kirke, with 2006 P.F. (XF 90) and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $575.00 as normal grill), neither certificate specifies the type of grill, the split grill is listed but unpriced in Scott, Scott Retail as normal grill with no premium for the fancy cancel
3c Green, I. Grill (136A). Clearly-defined grill, rich color, neat strike of target cancel, essentially perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example of the 3c I Grill, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,000.00 as 95), the next highest are one at 95 and three at 90
6c Carmine, I. Grill (137A). Brilliant color, clear grill easily visible on the face of the stamp, unobtrusive circular datestamp, gorgeous centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH I GRILL.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90, SMQ $2,750.00 as 90). Early graded certificates did not always separate the grill types but this may be the highest grade awarded to a 6c I Grill.
7c Vermilion, I. Grill (138A). Vibrant color, clearly-defined grill easily visible on the front of the stamp, light strike of cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY I GRILL.
With 2005 and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $3,250.00). As far as we can ascertain this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by perhaps four others.
10c Brown, I. Grill (139A). Early state I Grill points, wide balanced margins, rich color, light strike of cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. THE 10-CENT I GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES STAMPS. ONLY TWELVE USED AND THREE UNUSED EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.
Starting with the 2013 Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, the I Grills were elevated to major catalogue number status. 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.
Ronald A. Burns, the foremost authority on the Bank Note grills, records ten used and three unused examples of the 10c I Grill, plus an additional two used on the same cover.
Ex Merlin. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $15,000.00)
15c Orange, I. Grill (141A). Early state I Grill with clear points, radiant color, slightly dry print impression, quartered cork cancel and part of red cancel at left, Jumbo marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE WIDE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT I GRILL. ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Starting with the 2013 Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, the I Grills were elevated to major catalogue number status. For the 15c, Ronald A. Burns records 14 used off-cover, three unused and two covers, for a total of 19. A Power Search review found only one other sound and centered used example, offered in our 2012 Kirke auction.
With 2016 P.F. certificate