Sale 1077 — United States Stamps and Possessions
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 29-30 July, 2014
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, brilliant color on crisp paper, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL.
The 3c is the only 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 in recent years.
With 1981, 2004 and 2014 P.F. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85)
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Clear and well-defined grill points, cork cancel, beautiful fresh color in typical 1867 C Grill pastel shade, fresh and Very Fine, with 1978 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Clearly-defined grill, cork cancel and part of circular datestamp, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, some manuscript on back
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Sharp grill points clearly showing the horizontal ridges characteristic of the Z Grill, cancelled by bluish-black New York City "Post Office" datestamp, reperfed at right, Very Fine appearance, with 1960 P.F. certificate not mentioning reperf
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Well-balanced margins, rich color on bright paper, segmented cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, ex Koppersmith, with 1986 P.F. certificate
3c Rose Red, E. Grill (88). Intense Rose Red shade variety, original gum, nicely centered, Very Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered with fresh color, small area of offset on gum, otherwise Extremely Fine
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Clear grill, pretty color, cork cancel, Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Original gum, deep shade and detailed impression, clear grill points which show the entire grill, choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE SOUND 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 $12,500.00 with original gum. This stamp, with its unusually balanced margins, full original gum, clear grill and overall freshness, is truly a remarkable rarity.
Ex Whitman. With 1998 and 2014 P.F. certificates
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Choice centering, intense shade, cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1988 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Original gum, bright color, clearly-defined grill, Very Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Bottom selvage strip of six with plate no. 11 and part imprint, original gum, h.r., some perf separations at left reinforced, wrinkling in selvage at left extends just into left stamp, otherwise Fine, Scott Retail as singles with no premium for the position
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Extra wide margins, deep shade, clear grill, neat target cancel, negligible toned spot on back only (not mentioned on accompanying certificate), Very Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate
12c Black, F. Grill, Very Thin Paper (97 var). Unused (no gum), intense shade and proof-like impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine example of this desirable variety, with 1976 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as no gum without any premium for the variety
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Well-centered with unusually wide margin at bottom, crisp impression, light cancel, Very Fine and choice, scarce with such wide margins, ex Twigg-Smith
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with unusually wide margins for this issue, very clear grill impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT F GRILL.
A review of our computerized auction records from the past 20 years indicates that we have sold perhaps four or five examples which would compare favorably with the example offered here.
Ex Chapin and Scarsdale. With 1983 and 2003 P.F. certificates
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Rich color, clear grill easily visible on the front of the stamp, bold strike of segmented cork cancel, Very Fine, ex Lake Shore, with 1984 P.F. certificate
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Clear grill points, intense shade and impression, unusual cork cancel, Very Fine and choice
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Clearly-defined grill, intense shade, bold cork bars cancel, Very Fine