Sale 956 — The Jay Hoffman Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 8-9 May, 2008
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issues
3c Rose, A. Grill (79). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, radiant color, virtually intact perfs which is rare for this issueVERY FINE. THE 1867 3-CENT A GRILL IS SELDOM ENCOUNTERED IN SOUND, ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WITH INTACT PERFORATIONS.
The experimental A Grill covered the entire stamp. On most examples, this caused the perforations to virtually disintegrate when the stamps were separated. When the unsatisfactory effects of the grilling process were observed during this experimental stage, the grill was reduced to a smaller area within the borders of each stamp. Examples of the 3c A Grill such as the stamp offered here, with virtually full perforations all around, are true condition rarities.
With 1983 and 1995 P.F. certificates
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, brilliant color on bright paper, beautiful centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL. AN EXCEEDINGLY SCARCE STAMP IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION AND WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
With 1989, 1994 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Bottom sheet margin, original gum, clear and sharp grill points with second impression of grill in selvage, centered to rightVERY GOOD. A RARE AND PRESENTABLE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL.
As a thorough search of past auction catalogues shows, 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. We have offered perhaps four or five sound copies with centering we would consider Very Fine. The example offered here, with selvage containing an additional imprint of the grill, should be considered highly desirable.
With 1993 and 2000 P.F. certificates
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Original gum, extraordinarily wide margins all around and perfectly centered, well-defined grill, sharp design impression, faint diagonal crease across top -- practically invisible on the face of the stampEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. IN TERMS OF CENTERING AND MARGINS, THIS STAMP RANKS AMONG THE TOP FIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL.
To form our assessment of this 2c Z Grill, we conducted a survey of approximately 100 auction catalogues for major United States collections sold over the past 60 years. The majority of these collections contained only used or very poor unused examples of 85B. Many accomplished collectors were never able to locate a sound, well-centered original-gum 2c Z Grill. Although the stamp offered here is indeed creased, its appearance far surpasses most of the known copies. In our Sale 814, a sound, Extremely Fine 2c Z Grill realized $24,000 hammer.
With 1987 and 2005 P.F. certificates.
3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C). Original gum, clear grill points, deep rich color, horizontal crease at bottomFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL.
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 second rarest of the regularly-produced grilled issues. Examples of the 3c Z Grill are usually far off-center and faulty.
With 2000 P.S.E. certificate
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Unused (traces of original gum), intense color, clearly-defined grillA FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL.
With 2001 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as no gum.
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright blue color and proof-like impression on fresh paper, clear grill pointsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. 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.
Ex Silver Lake. With 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade, exceptionally clear grill points, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT E GRILL.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $2,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to any of the four original-gum copies graded by P.S.E. to date.
3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, clearly-defined grillVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT E GRILL -- RARE IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION.
While blocks of the 10c F Grill have been broken in recent years, yielding some choice single stamps, the 10c E Grill blocks are extremely rare and always have been. Caspary's block of 18 was broken years ago, but many of the stamps had faults or disturbed gum. Few other blocks have become available to furnish singles. This stamp should be considered a condition rarity.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Original gum, strong grill, deep shade and sharp impression, very freshVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT E GRILL.
With 1990 P.F. and 1991 P.S.E. certificates
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, pretty shadeVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL.
As an indication of the rarity of 15c E Grill stamps with original gum, the Scott Catalogue values Scott 91 at $4,500.00 without gum, and $12,000.00 with original gum. This stamp, with its unusually balanced margins, full original gum, clear grill and overall freshness, is truly a remarkable rarity.
Ex Weisman. With 1989 P.S.E. and 1984 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Original gum, lightly hinged, clear grill points, radiant color, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION AND WITH NICE MARGINS.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $3,800.00)
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, choice centering with wide margins, marvelous dark shade and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT F GRILL. SCARCE IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
With 1990 and 2005 P.F. certificate
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, fresh and Very Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Original gum, lightly hinged, unusually clear grill, deep rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL.
The spacing on the 5c plate was quite narrow. The outer portions of the design are often touched in one or more places. Thus, centered copies are scarce, and in original-gum condition they are rare.
Ex Vineyard. With 1992 and 2003 P.F. certificates
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, bright shade on crisp paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL. A STAMP OF REMARKABLE FRESHNESS.
With 1998 P.F. certificate
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Original gum, clear and complete grill impression, intense shade and detailed impression, long and full perforationsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL.
With 2000 P.S.E. and 1989 and 2003 P.F. certificates
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, intense shade and impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT F GRILL.
A review of our computerized auction records from the past 12 years indicates that we have sold perhaps three or four examples which would compare favorably with the example offered here, including one in Mint N.H. condition, which realized $27,000 hammer in our recent Odeneal sale.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, rich color and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL.
The higher-denomination F Grills were produced in limited quantities and so this is one of the most difficult of the grilled issues to find in sound condition with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering.
Ex Vineyard. With 1998 P.S.E. and 1999 P.F. certificates
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Small part original gum (traces of gum), intense shade, clearly-defined grill, tiny corner perf crease at top left not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL.
With 2002 P.S.E. certificate. The Scott footnote to No. 100 states: "Values for No. 100 are for copies with small margins, especially at sides." Scott Retail with gum $8,500.00. Scott Retail as no gum
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Original gum, deep rich color, choice centering for this difficult issue with well-proportioned margins, expertly reperfed at right which is not noted on accompanying certificateVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1867 F GRILL. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE REGULARLY-ISSUED GRILLS TO OBTAIN IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
We have offered only ten original-gum examples of this issue since keeping computerized records (this is the tenth).
With 2001 P.S.E. certificate