Sale 1231 — The James P. Myerson Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 9-10 February, 2021
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)
3c Rose, A. Grill (79). Unusually choice centering, perforations completely intact on all four sides, brilliant color and detailed impression, clear all-over grill, attractive blue pinwheel fancy cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1867 EXPERIMENTAL ALL-OVER GRILL IN EXISTENCE. A PHENOMENAL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- CENTERING, COLOR, IMPRESSION, PAPER, PERFORATIONS AND CANCELLATION.
The August 1867 3c experimental A Grill was the first grilled issue. It was soon learned that the all-over grill weakened the paper and interfered with perforating and separating, resulting in rough perforations and pieces torn out of the margins when split apart. Within two months of A Grill production the apparatus was modified by dividing the embossed area into smaller rectangular units within each stamp (C Grill).
The 3c A Grill, Scott 79, is one of the most distinctive of 19th century United States stamps by virtue of its consistently poor appearance. The Scott Catalogue values this stamp in Fine-Very Fine grade and with perforation faults, the norm for the issue. Any example with complete perforations and in sound condition is valued far in excess of the Scott Catalogue price. The example offered here, which received a clear but not as heavy grill impression as usual -- allowing the perfs to remain intact -- has realized hammer prices of many multiples of Scott value each time it has been sold.
Ex Zoellner, Dr. Puliafito, "Natalee Grace", "Golden Oak" and Morton. With 1966, 1987 and 2012 P.F. certificates. Scott Catalogue states that "Values for No. 79 are for Fine-Very Fine examples with minor perf faults. Examples with complete or virtually complete perforations sell for much more."
3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C). Choice centering and wide margins, rich color, strong grill impression, lightly cancelled by targetEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY CANCELLED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL.
The 3c Z Grill was in production for only a short period of time before the device was replaced with the F Grill. Only a small number of 3c sheets were fed thru the Z Grill, which accounts for the rarity of surviving examples. Our review of past auctions, including Power Search, found precious few sound copies with anything above Very Fine centering.
Ex Kantor and Zoellner. With 1965, 1988, 2004 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Well-centered with deep rich color, "Paid" cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1984 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $800.00)
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Wide margins and choice centering, vivid red cork cancel, Extremely Fine
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Perfectly centered with wide margins, beautiful shade and impression shows the intricate detail of the engraving, long and full perforations all around, unobtrusive yet clearly visible target cancel at leftEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT E GRILL, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE ON RECORD AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
Ex Zoellner, "Natalee Grace", "Hanover" and Morton. With 1989 and 1998 P.F. certificates. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $9,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade.
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Huge margins and choice centering, intense shade contrasted by red cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL WIDE-MARGINED 1868 12-CENT E GRILL CANCELLED IN RED.
With 2002 and 2007 P.F. certificates
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Well-centered with unusually wide and balanced margins, beautifully detailed impression and clear grill points, nicely complemented by bold red quartered cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL WITH A VIVID RED CANCEL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Dr. Puliafito and Morton. With 2004 P.F., 1998 and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by two others. One of the others has a light black cork cancel (ex Kirke); the other has a black cork and blue transit cancels (ex Dr. Dauer)
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Well-centered, bright color, duplex cancel leaves the vignette fully visible, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1982 and 2019 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill, Thin Paper (96 var). Extra wide margins, rich color, face-free cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1997 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates, the latter mentioning the Thin Paper variety
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Choice centering and margins, bold red circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine and striking
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Attractive centering and margins, face-free circular datestamp cancel, fresh and Very Fine, with 2001 and 2015 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Pastel shade, outstanding centering with balanced margins, light rosette cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL -- GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
The higher-denomination F Grills were produced in limited quantities and are often found either off center or with choppy perforations. This stamp is a true condition rarity.
With 1983 and 2019 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Wide margins, rich color complemented by red circular segmented cork cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL CANCELLED IN RED.
The 90c stamps used to make grilled issues were printed on a thick stock of paper, resulting in stamps with poorly punched perforations and also generally bad centering. This beautiful stamp cancelled in red is a notable exception