Sale 973 — 2009 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 June, 2009
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill which is easily visible from the front of the stamp, radiant color on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- A STAMP OF GREAT BEAUTY.
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 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $35,200.00). Only one has graded higher to date and only two others share this grade.
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.
It is our theory that the conversion from the D to E Grill took place only a day or so after sheets of 2c stamps were first run through the D-equipped machine. The great rarity of 2c D Grills, relative to all other regular-production grills, bears out this theory.
Ex Argentum. With 1958, 2004 and 2008 P.F. certificates.
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Unusually choice centering, rich color, clearly-defined grill easily visible from the front, bold strike of circle of wedges cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT D GRILL GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1989 and 2006 P.F. certificates. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $10,000.00). Only three have graded higher to date and one other share this grade
3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, bright shade and crisp impression, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE REGULARLY-PRODUCED GRILLED ISSUES. THE RARITY OF THIS STAMP IN SUCH PRISTINE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION CANNOT POSSIBLY BE OVERSTATED.
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. Our review of past auctions, including Power Search, found precious few sound copies with Very Fine centering. The editors of Stamp Market Quarterly have had no basis to value a stamp graded better than 85 -- the highest grade awarded to date is to the stamp offered here.
With 2006 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF 80; SMQ $25,000.00).
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, radiant color and detailed impression on crisp paper, unobtrusive strike of cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT E GRILL HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- IT IS CLEARLY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $9,900.00 as 98). Only one other shares this grade which is the highest awarded to date -- the next-highest is a 95J
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Original gum, h.r., intense shade and impression, well-defined grillVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND AND CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT E GRILL.
With 1993 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, F. Grill, Very Thin Paper (92 var). Original gum, distinctive bright shade on semi-transparent paper, balanced margins all around with near-perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL WITH ORIGINAL GUM ON VERY THIN PAPER.
With 1988 P.F. certificate as normal No. 92
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, deep rich shade, choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL IN A REMARKABLY FRESH STATE OF PRESERVATION.
The 5c 1861-68 Issues are extremely difficult to find in sound, well-centered, original-gum condition. The limited production of 5c F Grills leaves collectors with an even smaller supply.
With 1995 and 2004 P.F. certificates
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade and proof-like impression on brilliant white paper, sharp and clearly-defined grillEXTREMELY FINE BY ANY STANDARDS AND A SUPERB GEM FOR THIS RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL.
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 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $20,500.00). Only one has graded higher to date and only one other shares this grade.