Sale 1044 — United States Essays, Proofs and Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 22 May, 2013
Category — 1870-71 National Banknote Issue, H & I Grills (Scott 136-144, 134A-139A)
3c Green, H. Grill (136). Original gum, lightly hinged, outstanding centering, fresh and bright, Extremely Fine, we give this stamp "Gem" status despite very conservative P.S.E. grade of 90, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $1,450.00)
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Original gum, well-balanced margins, clear grill points, fresh and bright colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 1977 and 2004 P.F. certificates
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Disturbed original gum, rich color, three balanced margins to just in or touching at right, clear grill pointsFINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
There exist only a handful of original-gum examples of this issue. As a testimonial to its rarity, we have offered only two examples in the last 11 years -- a disturbed part original-gum stamp from our 2002 Rarities sale and the unique Mint N.H. stamp from our 2009 Whitman sale.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Original gum, clear grill points across Webster's forehead, vivid color, wide and well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
The 15c Grilled Issue is one of the most difficult of all National Bank Note Company issues to find in well-centered, original-gum condition. This stamp is one of the finest original-gum examples extant.
With 1993 P.S.E. and 2002 P.F. certificates
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Unusually deep rich color, several easily noticeable rows of grill points, bold strike of crossroads cancel, almost perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES, IF NOT THE FINEST, OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. ONE OF THE KEYS TO A SUPERB SET OF THIS ISSUE.
Scott 142 is not known in unused condition. Therefore, anyone wishing to complete this set must obtain this stamp in used condition. The example offered here, with rich color, clear grill, superb centering and bold cancel, is a truly stunning example of this rarity in the finest condition attainable.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Original gum, h.r. near top, noticeable grill points along Hamilton's forehead, intense shade and impressionVERY FINE. THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SOUND, CENTERED AND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 30c 1870 Grilled Issue is notorious among collectors for its typical poor centering. Among original-gum examples, which are rare in any condition, only a few sound examples would grade Very Fine or better -- our computerized records contain five others with centering that would grade Fine-Very Fine or Very Fine by current standards. A search through 60 years of past auction catalogues and name sales produced only two blocks of four, both poorly centered, which means that there have been no multiples from which choice singles could be harvested. In fact, even among the collections famed for quality Bank Note issues -- Caspary, Lilly, Henry, Ambassador, Braus, Floyd, Whitman et al -- we could not find any original-gum examples that would grade Very Fine or better. Further demonstrating just how rare Scott 143 is in this condition, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only one stamp in the "OG" category, which is graded Fine 70. The finest example we were able to locate was offered in our Scarsdale sale (Sale 924, lot 9).
Small pencil "Grill J.M. Bartels" signature on back. With 1999 P.S.E. and 2000 P.F. certificates
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Original gum, clearly-defined grill easily visible on face of stamp without magnification, deep rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT GRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. THE 90-CENT IS THE THIRD MOST DIFFICULT STAMP OF THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Considering original-gum examples only, after the extremely rare 12c and non-existent 24c, the 90c is the rarest of the 1870 National Grilled Issue.
Ex Drucker and Hoffman. With 1981 and 2008 P.F. certificates
1c Ultramarine, I Grill (134A). Original gum, lightly hinged, attractive margins and exceptionally well-centered, beautiful bright pastel colorEXTREMELY FINE. A VERY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND WITH THIS OUTSTANDING CENTERING, MARGINS AND ORIGINAL GUM.
With 1970 and 2006 P.F. certificates not specifying the grill type (XF 90)
2c Red Brown, I. Grill (135A). Original gum, well-balanced margins, beautiful fresh color, clear grillVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 2-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH I GRILL.
With 1994 and 2000 P.F. certificates not specifying the grill type
6c Carmine, I. Grill (137A). Original gum, clearly defined grill, vivid color, three wide margins, centered slightly to bottom but perfs clearFINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT I GRILL, WHICH HAS BEEN ELEVATED TO MAJOR CATALOGUE NUMBER STATUS.
The Scott Specialized Catalogue elevated the I Grills to major catalogue numbers beginning with the 2013 edition. For years we have differentiated between the two grill types in our auctions and pointed out the rarity of many of the I grills -- especially in original gum condition. Now, with major catalogue listings, the I Grills have taken their rightful place alongside the 1867-68 Grilled Issues, which have long been differentiated in the Scott Catalogue. The 6c I Grill is rare in original-gum condition. We have not offered another example identified as an I Grill since our 1999 sale of the Lewis F. Golin collection.
With 2006 P.F. certificate not specifying the grill type
10c Brown, I. Grill (139A). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color, the I grill is well-defined with several rows clearly visible and the full dimensions measurableVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY REPORTED EXAMPLE OF AN ORIGINAL-GUM 10-CENT I GRILL. A PHENOMENAL RARITY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER. THE I GRILLS HAVE JUST BEEN ELEVATED TO MAJOR CATALOGUE NUMBERS.
Starting with the 2013 Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, the I Grills have been 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 Burns, the foremost authority on the Bank Note grills, records ten used examples of the 10c I Grill, plus an additional two used on the same cover. This newly-certified copy is the only reported unused example.
With 2004 and 2013 P.F. certificates, the former not identifying the grill type. Unpriced in Scott as unused. Scott Retail $6,000.00 as used. The 12c, with one unused example known, catalogues $35,000.00