Sale 983 — The Hampshire Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 23 February, 2010
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. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. 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.
Ex Whitman. With 1967, 1989 and 1997 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $26,000.00). Only one has graded higher to date and only two others share this desirable grade
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Unused (no gum), centered to bottom left, perfs clear, wide at top and right, clear impressionFINE. THE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL IS A GREAT RARITY AMONG THE 1867-68 GRILLED ISSUES.
The Scott Catalogue states that the value for No. 84 is for a stamp in Fine grade. With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Fine 70; SMQ $4,900.00)
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, intense shade and proof-like impression, light diagonal creases and slightly blunted perfs at leftFINE 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 only approximately ten examples with original gum in the past fifteen years.
Ex Geisler. With 1978 and 2007 P.F. certificates
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 and Hoffman. With 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-defined grill clearly visible from front, intense shade and impression, fresh and Very Fine, with 1997 and 2009 P.F. certificates
3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine, ex Hoffman, 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, bright shade, crisp impression, clearly-defined grill, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE AND ONE OF THE WIDEST-MARGINED EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
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. This stamp, with its unusually wide margins, full original gum, and overall freshness, is truly a remarkable rarity.
Ex Lessin and Odeneal. With 1997 and 2007 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Unused (no gum), magnificent margins and centering, bright color, sharp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS THE ONLY UNUSED 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL TO RECEIVE THE LOFTY GRADE OF SUPERB 98 FROM P.S.E. (WITH NONE HIGHER). A FABULOUS STAMP FOR THE CONNOISSEUR.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,700.00)
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Original gum, single hinge mark, well-defined grill, wide and well-balanced margins, detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT F GRILL.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, brilliant color, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $720.00 as 85, $1,100.00 as 90)
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, clearly-impressed grill, choice centering for this narrowly-spaced issue, single nibbed perf at top not mentioned on accompanying certificateVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL.
We have offered only four other Mint N.H. stamps in Power Search. Most were removed from blocks, and only a few are sound.
Ex Whitman. With 1989 (copy), 1997 and 2009 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged
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, clear and complete grill impression, intense shade and detailed impression, long and full perforationsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL.
Ex Hoffman. With 2000 P.S.E. and 1989 and 2003 P.F. certificates
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Barely disturbed original gum described on accompanying certificates as original gum, bright shade and crisp impression, clear grill, small stain spot barely shows through on Lincoln's head, otherwise Very Fine, with 1983 and 2007 P.F. certificates
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Large part original gum, bright shade and detailed impressionVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL.
Ex Geisler. With 1986 and 2007 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.
Ex Hoffman. With 2002 P.S.E. certificate. The Scott footnote to No. 100 states: "Values for No. 100 are for examples with small margins, especially at sides." Scott Retail with gum $8,500.00. Scott Retail as no gum