Sale 1255 — The David W. Gorham Collection of Outstanding Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 17-20 May, 2022
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue, A, C, D, Z Grills (Scott 79-85E)
3c Rose, A. Grill (79). Clearly defined grill, perfs in better condition than most examples of this issue, radiant color, blue cork cancel and matching Savannah Ga. circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.F. certificate, Scott Catalogue states that "Values for No. 79 are for Fine-Very Fine examples with minor perf faults"
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Rich color, clearly defined grill, bold central strike of segmented cork cancel, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL, SCOTT 83.
With 1998 and 2014 P.S.E. certificates
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Radiant color, clear grill points, neat strike of circle of V's cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL, SCOTT 83.
With 1996 P.S.E. and 1995 and 2005 P.F. certificates
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Deep shade and detailed impression, clearly defined grill, light strike of cork cancel, unusually choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. APART FROM THE A AND Z GRILL RARITIES, THE 2-CENT 1868 D GRILL IS THE RAREST OF ALL GRILLED ISSUES. PROBABLY FEWER THAN TEN COPIES EXIST IN THIS SUPERB CONDITION.
The device equipped with the D Grill was refitted with the E Grill on or about February 9, 1868. Based on the earliest known usages of the 2c D Grill (2/15/68) and 3c E Grill (2/19/68), it is our theory that the conversion from the D to E Grill took place only a day or so after sheets of 2c stamps were first run through the D-equipped machine. The great rarity of 2c D Grills, relative to all other regular-production grills, bears out this theory.
With 2004 P.F. and 2005 and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $20,000.00). Only two grade higher (at 98) and four others share this desirable grade. We have not offered either of the 98s, and the last time we offered one in this grade was in 2008.
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Clearly defined grill, choice centering with extraordinarily wide margins, intense shade on bright white paper nicely contrasted by blue segmented cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL CANCELLED IN BLUE. VERY FEW COPIES EXIST IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION, AND THE EXAMPLE OFFERED HERE STANDS OUT BY VIRTUE OF ITS COLORED CANCELLATION.
It is our theory that two grilling machines were used simultaneously, and that one of the machines was converted from the D to E Grill in early 1868, only a day or so after sheets of 2c stamps were first run through the D-equipped machine. The earliest documented usages of the 2c D Grill (2/15/68) and 3c E Grill (2/12/68) are very close, and the great rarity of 2c D Grills, relative to all other regular-production grills, bears out this theory.
The 2c D Grill is notorious for poor centering. In terms of surviving stamps, fewer than ten are sound, lightly cancelled and grade Extremely Fine. The stamp offered here has the added attraction of a colored cancel, which is rarely seen on a 2c D Grill.
With 1980 and 2005 P.F. certificates, the former for a pair.
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Unusually clear grill points, crisp impression on bright paper, choice centering for this difficult issue, neat strike of quartered cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL, SCOTT 84. SCARCE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1991 and 2002 P.F. certificates
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Clear grill, bold strike of blue segmented circle cancel, when we last offered this stamp in our 2021 sale of the Petersen collection we mentioned the faintest hint of a corner crease at bottom right, which is not noted on the new P.F. certificate obtained after that sale, appears Fine, a Power Search review of Scott 84 with blue cancels reveals that this is the most distinctively cancelled stamp we have offered, ex Petersen, with clear 1968 and 2021 P.F. certificates
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Clearly defined grill points, deep rich color, bold strike of Mirror Image "R" cancel, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT D GRILL WITH "R" FANCY CANCEL.
With 1995 and 2003 P.F. certificates
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Brilliant color, clearly defined grill, choice centering, perfectly struck fancy geometric cancel of Hartford Conn.EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT D GRILL WITH THE DISTINCTIVE HARTFORD GEOMETRIC CANCELLATION.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Wonderfully well-centered, wide margins for this notoriously difficult issue, proof-like shade and impression, bright red circle of wedges cancel and rim of New York City circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXTRAORDINARY USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL. ONE OF THE MOST VISUALLY APPEALING COPIES AVAILABLE.
The plates used to print the Black Jacks did not provide enough space between subjects for the large 12-gauge perf holes. Consequently, most Black Jack stamps have perfs touching the design on one or two sides. This scarcity of four-margin copies multiplies exponentially when the Z Grill is factored into the equation. Only a small quantity of 2c sheets were grilled during the period when the Z device was active -- after the D Grill (Scott 84), the Z is the rarest of Black Jack grilled stamps.
With 2003 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $12,000.00). Only two grade higher (at 98).
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Clearly defined grill, detailed impression, face-free cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL, SCOTT 85B.
With 1997 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C). Bright shade, clear grill points, face-free strike of cork cancel, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL, SCOTT 85C.
With 1978 and 1998 P.F. certificates
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Intense shade and impression, clear grill, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, light strike of blue cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL, WITH WONDERFUL IMPRESSION AND SHADE, BEAUTIFUL MARGINS AND PERFORATIONS, A CLEAR GRILL AND A BLUE CANCEL. THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
With 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $20,000.00). Only one grades higher (at 98, realized $37,500 in our 2013 "Golden Oak" auction). One other shares this grade, last offered by us in our 2012 Merlin sale. The P.F. has also graded one at 95, offered in our 2012 "Natalee Grace" sale. Scott value without premium for the blue cancel
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Beautifully centered with wide and balanced margins, intense shade and impression on bright paper, bold strike of Rosette cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1990 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
12c Black, Z. Grill, Double Grill (85E var). Showing clear second grill mostly overlapping the first, resulting in the appearance of a wider and taller grill, bright shade nicely complemented by blue circular datestamp cancel, reperfed at right but not noted as such on certificates, Very Fine appearance, rare with the double grill which is unlisted in Scott, with clear 2005 and 2014 P.F. certificates, Scott value without premium for the double grill or blue cancel