Sale 1256 — The Great Point Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 8 June, 2022
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly defined grill, brilliant color on bright paper, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A FRESH AND BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL.
The 3c is the only regularly issued denomination that comes with the distinctive C Grill, with the grill points facing up instead of down. The few high-grade original-gum examples owe their existence to the division of blocks of four.
With 1986, 2003 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $13,500.00)
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color and proof-like impression on fresh paper, wide and beautifully balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL IS FAR SCARCER THAN ITS F GRILL COUNTERPART, PARTICULARLY IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Some time ago we observed that the 1c E Grill appeared at auction very infrequently, in any form. After analyzing the early 1868 regular-production grills (Z, D, E and F), we concluded that grilling of the 1c 1861 issue with the E (and Z) Grill must have been short-lived, occurring sometime around February 28, 1868. Later grilling of 1c stamps was probably done with the F Grill. Relatively little of the 1c E Grill supply appears to have reached the philatelic market, as evidenced by the stamp's scarcity.
With 1990 and 2017 P.F. and 1991 P.S.E. certificates
3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, clearly defined grill, brilliant colorEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT E GRILL. A VERY RARE STAMP WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
With 2001 and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $2,650.00). Only two grade higher (at 95) and four others share this desirable grade. This is the finer of two P.S.E. graded examples with original gum we have offered (the other is graded 70).
10c Green, E. Grill, "TAG" Double Transfer (89 var). Original gum, lightly hinged, warm shade, unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT E GRILL. THIS STAMP IS GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AND THE ONLY TO ACHIEVE IT.
A Power Search review shows how difficult it is to find this issue in sound, centered original-gum condition. Most have one margin significantly larger than the others, or are poorly centered.
Ex "Hanover". With 1997 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $13,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to an original-gum example and the only stamp to achieve it. Scott value with no premium for the double transfer, which is listed but unpriced
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Original gum, lightly hinged, extra wide margins and well-centered, detailed impression and intense shadeVERY FINE AND CHOICE LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT E GRILL. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
As collectors who have been searching for a superb original-gum copy of the 12c E Grill can attest, it is rarely seen in choice condition. One reason is that there have been far fewer multiples of the 12c E Grill than other grilled issues, and, therefore, fewer singles from broken blocks. No blocks were offered in sales of great classic collections such as Crocker, Caspary, Eno, Lilly, Moody, West or Ishikawa. The Zoellner block was broken into Fine-Very Fine singles. The singles in most of the important U.S. collections offered during the past 30 years have been unsatisfactory in one way or another.
Ex Chapin. With 2000 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade, clear grill, fresh and Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautifully balanced margins, intense shade on fresh paper, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Original gum, lightly hinged, unusually well-centered, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, ex Wingate and Przybyl, with 1999 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-defined grill, rich color, crisp impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL. A SURPRISINGLY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
Over the years several multiples have been broken to feed collector demand for singles, so the overall number of original-gum copies is relatively high. However, virtually all original-gum copies seem to have at least one margin that is larger than the others. The stamp offered here, perfectly centered with four wide and balanced margins, is a true condition rarity.
Ex "Hanover". With 2005 and 2006 P.F. certificates, the latter graded (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, the highest grade in P.S.E.'s Population Report is 70.
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly defined grill points, beautifully centered with wide and balanced margins, intense shade and impressionEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL.
Ex Caspary and Drucker. With 1987 and 2002 P.F. certificates. With 2002 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $8,500.00). Only four grade higher (all at 95)
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Disturbed original gum, clear grill, intense shade and impression, three horizontal creases at bottom, Very Fine appearance, with 1990 P.S.E. certificate
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly defined grill, rich color and crisp impressionVERY FINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL.
With 2005 and 2012 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Original gum, vivid color, well-centered for this very difficult issueVERY FINE. A FRESH AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL.
This stamp is infrequently found with original gum and a Power Search review of examples we have sold reveals that when it is found, more often than not it has faults, poor centering or both. The P.S.E. Population Report also bears this out as only two Scott 100s are graded with original gum -- at 50 and this stamp at 80.
Ex Geisler. With 2021 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF 80; SMQ $10,500.00)
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Original gum, small h.r., clearly defined grill, rich color, light horizontal crease at top, small toned spot at bottom leftFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL.
We have offered approximately a dozen original-gum examples since keeping computerized records, and most either have faults or are off-center.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate