Sale 929 — The Alan Geisler Collection of U.S. and Possessions Stamps
Sale Date — Monday, 26 February, 2007
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue
3c Rose, A. Grill (79). Original gum, intense shade and impression, lighter than usual grill impression which leaves perforations on all sides completely intact, faint horizontal creaseFINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT A GRILL. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE PERFORATIONS INTACT.
Due to the nature of the grilling machine and the all-over grill, most examples of this issue have perfs missing. The example offered here, with intact perfs all around, is a condition rarity.
With 1986 and 1990 P.F. certificates
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Original gum, strongly-impressed grill, radiant colorFRESH AND FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL.
With 1983 P.F. certificate
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Original gum, lightly hinged, unusually well-defined grill, intense shade and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paperFINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL. PARTICULARLY SCARCE WITH SUCH A HIGH DEGREE OF FRESHNESS.
A thorough search of past auction catalogues reveals that the 2c D Grill in original-gum condition is conspicuously absent from most important collections. The finest examples are contained in the intact block of four, ex Caspary, Lilly and Klein. The stamp offered here, with full original gum, unusually clear grill, proof-like impression and fresh paper, is a rarity of the highest order.
With 1980 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Unused (no gum), clearly-defined grill, radiant color on bright paper, well-balanced margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT ROSE D GRILL. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP.
With 1980 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Large part disturbed original gum described on accompanying certificate as part original gum, easily discernible grill, intense shade and impressionA FINE AND SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL.
With 1986 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C). Large part original gum, clearly-defined grill, bright color, vertical production paperfold in left margin (before perforating) has been opened upEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE REGULAR GRILLED ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
Excluding the supremely rare grills -- 5c and 30c A Grill, 3c B Grill, 1c, 10c and 15c Z Grills -- the 3c Z Grill is the rarest of the regularly-produced grilled issues. Examples of the 3c Z Grill are usually far off-center and faulty. The centering on this stamp is truly remarkable.
With 1956 P.F. certificate which does not mention the natural paperfold
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, intense shade and proof-like impression, light diagonal crease and short perfs at left not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL.
Unlike the 2c Z Grill, no well-centered blocks of the 3c or 12c have been available to furnish singles. We have offered perhaps five or six examples with original gum in the past thirteen years.
With 1978 P.F. certificate
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Wide straddle-pane margin at left with full centerline, clearly-defined grill which is highlighted by a neat circle of wedges cancel, centered to top, tiny thin spot at top right not mentioned on accompanying certificate, appears Fine, scarce straddle-pane copy, with 1980 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Unused (no gum), clear grill, radiant color, unusually wide margins for this difficult issue, Very Fine and choice, with 1984 P.F. certificate
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Disturbed original gum, intense shade and impression, choice centering, trivial toning at top not mentioned on accompanying certificate, otherwise Very Fine, with 1983 P.F. certificate for strip of three
3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, bright color, fresh and nearly Very Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Unused (no gum), rich color on bright paper, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Original gum, small h.r., well-defined grill, crisp impression showing great detail of the engravingVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT E GRILL.
With 1975 P.F. certificate
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Original gum, clearly-defined grill points, deep shade and proof-like impressionVERY FINE. THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE GRILLED ISSUES WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
With 1972 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Unused (no gum), vibrant color, choice centering with wide margins, small thin spot in the grill, appears Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
2c Black, F. Grill, Very Thin Paper (93 var). Barely disturbed original gum described on accompanying certificate as original gum, clear grill, wide margins, detailed impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1983 P.F. certificate not specifying this as the Very Thin paper
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, deep rich color, light natural gum wrinkles at bottom and minor adherences from another 5c stamp on back not mentioned on accompanying certificateFRESH AND FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL.
With 1987 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Slightly disturbed original gum described on accompanying certificate as original gum, deep rich color, pin point stain spot at bottom right, reperfed at right (not mentioned on accompanying certificate), Very Fine appearance, with 1982 P.F. certificate
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Unused (no gum), intense shade and impression, accompanying certificate notes "small faint stains at lower left" which we struggle to see, Very Fine appearance, with 1983 P.F. certificate
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Barely disturbed original gum described on accompanying certificate as original gum, bright shade and crisp impression, clear grill, small stain spot, otherwise Very Fine, with 1983 P.F. certificate
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Huge straddle-pane margin at right, choice centering other sides, crisp impression, blue open grid cancel, light creases, small thin spot at top, appears Very Fine, scarce position piece
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Large part original gum, bright shade and detailed impressionVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL.
With 1986 P.F. certificate
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Disturbed original gum, clear grill, vibrant color, tiny thin speck at top not mentioned on accompanying certificateVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL.
With 1994 P.F. certificate
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Wide straddle-pane margin at left with portion of adjoining stamp, bright color, split grill with one vertical row of grill points at right and majority of grill at left, red target as well as blue French transit and quartered cork cancels, few minor perf creases, Very Fine, an unusual stamp
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and proof-like impression, well-defined grill, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL.
We know of two other 90c F Grill stamps that compare to this example: one was offered in the Golin collection (Siegel Sale 812, lot 126, realized $30,000 hammer), and the other was offered in the 1986 Hewitt sale (Steve Ivy).
With 1967 and 1989 P.F. certificates
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Rich color, enormous margins incl. straddle-pane margin at right with guideline, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE STRADDLE-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT F GRILL. A STAMP OF MASSIVE PROPORTIONS.
With 2002 P.S.E. certificate
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Huge straddle-pane margin at right with guideline, wide margins other sides, rich color, light strike of segmented cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, scarce with such wide margins