Sale 1163 — The Clipper City Collection of Superb U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 19 September, 2017
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. H. and I. Grilled Issue (Scott 134-144)
1c Ultramarine, H. Grill (134). Wide margins and almost perfect centering, gorgeous rich color on fresh paper, clearly defined grill, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example of the 1870 1c Grilled Issue, ex Merlin, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00), one of only five examples to achieve this grade with only four higher (highest is 98)
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Bright shade, clearly-defined grill, Jumbo margins, bold cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Merlin and Curtis, with 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $900.00)
3c Green, H. Grill (136). Well-defined grill, radiant color, Jumbo margins, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine, the 3c Grilled Bank Note issue is very scarce with such enormous margins, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Unused (no gum), vivid color, attractive margins and centering, Very Fine and choice, with 1988 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $1,750.00, with note stating "faint late state H. grill"), this is a very difficult issue to find unused in sound, centered condition, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only this single example without gum at VF 80 with none higher, there are three original-gum examples graded higher (highest is 95), but that is the extent of the better graded unused population
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Brilliant color, clearly-defined grill, neat mostly face-free strikes of target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 1996 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00). Only three used examples have been graded higher (highest is 98)
7c Vermilion, H. Grill, Split Grill (138 var). Clear grill points, brilliant color, bold quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Hansen, small purple backstamp, with 1987 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates, the latter stating "split I. grill variety", but we believe this is an H. Grill (VF-XF 85; SMQ $675.00 as normal H. Grill)
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Rich color and detailed impression, several easily discernible rows of grill points, bold strikes of quartered cork cancel and trace of red transit cancel at bottom, Extremely Fine, ex Merlin, with 1996 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,500.00)
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Clear grill, fresh rich color, outstanding margins and centering, unobtrusive cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL.
This is an extremely difficult issue to obtain in sound used condition with choice centering.
With 2004 and 2013 P.F. certificates. With 2005 and 2013 P.S.E. certificates
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Brilliant color, clear grill points, neat bars cancels, choice centering with balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT GRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,750.00), only three used examples have been graded higher (highest is 95J)
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Easily discernible grill points, bold strike of blue cork cancel, bright shade, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. ESPECIALLY RARE WITH A PROMINENT BLUE CANCEL.
A Power Search review reveals how rare the 24c Grilled Issue is with a blue cancel. We have offered only two other examples since 1993 and in all our Rarities sales since 1964.
Ex Senchuk and "Golden Oak." With 1999, 2014 P.F. (VF-XF 85) and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (F-VF 75; SMQ $5,750.00 for normal cancel). In our opinion P.S.E. undergraded this stamp. The P.F.'s grade of 85 is much more representative of the centering, color, grill, cancel and overall desirability of this stamp
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Bright shade and crisp impression, several rows of clear grill points, light strike of duplex cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL.
This is a surprisingly difficult issue to obtain in sound condition with decent centering.
Ex Bowman. With 1999 P.S.E., 2000 and 2015 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Rich color, full and clear grill, beautifully balanced margins for this difficult issue, face-free cancel leaves Commodore Perry's portrait unobscuredEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING AND DESIRABLE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL.
With 2005 and 2012 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
1c Ultramarine, I. Grill (134A). Clearly-defined grill points, bright shade, neat strike of Star in Circle fancy cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $400.00 for normal cancel)
2c Red Brown, I. Grill (135A). Rich color and detailed impression, light cork cancel, wide and beautifully balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00).
3c Green, I. Grill (136A). Unused (no gum), clearly-defined grill, brilliant color and gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem example of the scarcer I Grill, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90, SMQ $725.00 as 90), this should be priced in SMQ but the 2010 certificate was issued before the I Grills were elevated to major catalog number status, therefore the P.S.E. Population Report misses this example (no unused examples at any grade are listed by P.S.E.)
6c Carmine, I. Grill, Split Grill (137A var). Nicely centered, bright color, bold blue cork cancel (probably Chicago), Very Fine example of the split I Grill, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (F-VF 75; SMQ $650.00 as normal)