Sale 1277 — The Adventurer Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 7-8 March, 2023
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 83-100)
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Original gum, clearly-defined grill which is easily visible on the front of the stamp, brilliant color and paper, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL 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 1972 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Unused (no gum), bright shade, clearly-defined grill, well-balanced margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE UNUSED SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT D GRILL.
Scott 85 is very difficult to obtain in sound and centered unused condition. For original-gum copies, we record only eight that would qualify as either Very Fine or Extremely Fine (only one is graded by P.S.E. at 85 and none are graded by the P.F.). We have not sold any with gum and decent centering since our 2015 Hall sale. Unused examples without gum such as the example offered here are also extremely difficult to find with good centering. P.S.E. has certified one, at the lowest grade of 10, and this is the only example certified by the P.F. Power Search shows we have not offered any with decent centering in at least a decade.
With 1979, 1994 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Original gum, wonderfully rich color and detailed impression, uncharacteristically well-centeredVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A HIGHLY DESIRABLE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 ONE-CENT E GRILL.
Ex Hewitt. With 1984 and 2012 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Original gum, single hinge mark, clearly-defined grill, detailed impression, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT E GRILL.
Ex "Hanover". With 2007 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85). Only three have achieved this grade at the P.F. with none higher and the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. is 80.
3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color on crisp paper, clearly-defined grillEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT E GRILL.
With 2004 and 2005 P.S.E. and 2013 P.F. certificates (last XF 90).
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Unused (no gum), rich color on bright paper, choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 10-CENT E GRILL.
With 1982 and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, small flaw at bottom left (most likely a faint crease)EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
The 12c E Grill is extremely difficult to obtain with choice centering. For graded, P.S.E. lists only one with gum (at 50) and the P.F. has also only graded one (at 75). For ungraded, very few match the centering of the example offered here. Collectors looking for Extremely Fine centering are strongly encouraged to consider the example offered here.
With 1969 P.F. certificate.
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, detailed impression, unusually choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. THE 15-CENT E GRILL IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION WITH EXTREMELY FINE CENTERING. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
Although at least one block of four of the 15c E Grill has been split in recent years, few of the stamps harvested from broken blocks have the centering and well-preserved gum and paper of this example. Looking at what has been graded, P.S.E. lists only one stamp with original gum, at 80. The P.F. has graded four, including one at 90, the 85 offered here, one at 80 and one at 70.
With 2017 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85).
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Original gum, small h.r., brilliant color, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT F GRILL.
With 1979 P.F. certificate
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Original gum, h.r., clearly-defined grill, rich color, choice centering, tiny perf tear at top right corner not noted on certificate, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1969 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Original gum, clear grill, rich color on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Unused (no gum), crisp impression, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (both XF 90; SMQ $2,250.00)
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Original gum, area of gum loss at bottom and h.r., intense shade and impression, small thin spot not noted on certificate, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1976 A.P.S. certificate as part original gum
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, precise centering with well-balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL.
The high-value F Grill stamps are scarce in original-gum condition and rarely seen with the centering of this superb example.
Ex "Hanover". With 2003 and 2018 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
30c Orange, F. Grill, Double Grill, One Split (100 var). Original gum, lightly hinged, grills overlap vertically, bottom grill split with one row showing at left, vibrant colorVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL SHOWING TWO CLEAR GRILLS WITH ONE SPLIT VERTICALLY. A MARVELOUS STAMP.
With 2015 P.S.A.G. certificate. With 1979 (copy) and 2021 P.F. certificates. This is the first time we have offered this variety in unused condition. Listed but unpriced in Scott. Scott value as double grill