Sale 972 — The Laila Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday-Tuesday, 27-28 April, 2009
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)
3c Rose, A. Grill (79). Original gum, h.r. at top, clear grill which covers the entire stamp and with most perforations intact, rich colorFINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT GRILLED ALL OVER STAMP.
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.
With 1975, 1988 and 2005 P.F. certificates.
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Original gum, small h.r., brilliant color on crisp paper, clearly-defined grill, fresh and Fine, with 1990 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Original gum, intense shade, wide margins on three sides, well-defined grill with the characteristic Z Grill horizontal ridgesFRESH AND FINE. A RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, clearly-defined grill, radiant colorFRESH AND FINE. A RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL. THIS IS ONE OF THE SCARCEST OF THE REGULARLY-PRODUCED GRILLED ISSUES.
The 3c Z Grill was in production for only a short period of time before the device was replaced with the F Grill. Only a small number of 3c sheets were fed thru the Z Grill, which accounts for the rarity of surviving examples, especially in sound, original-gum condition.
With 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, F 70; SMQ $11,300.00)
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, clearly-defined grillFRESH AND FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL. THIS IS THE FIRST IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION THAT WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE 1996.
A review of both singles and multiples using Power Search found only one other Mint N.H. single, which was classified as Very Good centering the perfs cut into the design at bottom and left).
With 2005 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-defined grill, intense shade and impression, fresh and Very Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, lightly hinged, clear grill impression, rich color and sharp impression, unusually fresh paper with long full perfs all around, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.F. certificate for horizontal pair, this being the left stamp
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, deep rich colorVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT E GRILL.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Original gum, strong grill, sharp impression, very freshVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT E GRILL.
With 1985, 1997 and 2005 P.F. certificates
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Original gum, lightly hinged, crisp impression showing detailed lines of the engraving, clearly-defined grillEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND VERY SCARCE 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 $5,250.00 without gum, and $13,500.00 with original gum.
With 1998 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Original gum, lightly hinged, fresh and bright color, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL IS AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SOUND, WELL-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
With copy of 2000 P.F. certificate for block of four, this being the top left stamp.
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Original gum, lightly hinged, strong grill, attractive shade, fresh and Very Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, brilliant color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, a scarce stamp in such pristine condition, with 2000 P.F. certificate
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Original gum, clear grill, bright shadeVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL.
With 1974 and 1991 P.F. certificates
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Original gum, lightly hinged, clear and sharp grill points, choice centering with unusually wide margin at top, rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill points, perfectly centered with wide and even margins all around, intense shade and impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL.
This stamp is highly desirable -- it is remarkably fresh, lightly hinged, has a clear grill and is perfectly centered. As such it is a true condition rarity. A comparable example realized $14,000 hammer in our Sale 953 (lot 416).
With 2002 P.F. certificate
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Original gum, lightly hinged, clear grill, intense shade and impressionFINE. AN ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT F GRILL.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Original gum, lightly hinged, clear grill points visible from both front and back of the stamp, rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL. A RARE STAMP IN SUCH OUTSTANDING CONDITION.
The higher-denomination F Grills were produced in limited quantities and seem to have caused National Bank Note Co. difficulty in applying perforations. They are typically off center with very choppy perfs. This stamp has uncharacteristically precise centering and well-formed perforations.
With 1996 P.F. certificate
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill with all points easily visible, beautiful bright color, almost perfectly centered with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT F GRILL IN EXISTENCE. A MAGNIFICENT STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- INCLUDING FRESHNESS OF GUM, FRESHNESS OF COLOR AND PAPER, CENTERING, AND PROMINENCE OF THE GRILL. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL CLASSIC U.S. STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
There are several reasons why the 30c 1861-68 Issue stamps -- Scott 71 (to a lesser extent) and Scott 100 -- rank as two of the most difficult classic U.S. stamps to find in such pristine condition. Due to narrow spacing of the plate, the 30c 1861-68's are usually found with narrow margins, especially at sides. When one margin is large, it usually means that the other side will have perforations impinging on the design. Due to high metallic content of the inks used to print the 30c, the stamps are prone to oxidization and color-change over time. The stamp offered here, with near-perfect centering and balanced margins on all sides, and with color as fresh as the day it was printed, is a condition rarity.
A careful review of auction catalogues in our extensive library produced no more than six other original-gum examples of the 30c F Grill in grades of Very Fine or Extremely Fine. With the exception of the stamp from the Dr. Vernon R. Morris Jr. collection (Shreve sale), they appeared in sales held during the 1940's and 50's. Whether any or all of them could pass today's more rigorous standards for condition and certification is unlikely.
Small "W.H.C." (Colson) backstamp. With 2001 P.F. certificate
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, rich color and detailed impressionVERY FINE. THE 90-CENT F GRILL IS AN EXCEEDINGLY SCARCE STAMP WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
As an indication of rarity, we have only offered ten other unduplicated original-gum examples since keeping computerized records.
With 2004 P.F. certificate