Sale 1235 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 19-20 May, 2021
Category — 1870-71 National Bank Note Co. Issue (Scott 134-155)
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Original gum, clear grill, deep rich color, wide margins at top and bottom and nicely centered, Very Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Original gum, easily discernible grill points, radiant color on bright paper, well-centeredVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Original gum which is slightly disturbed but called "OGh" on accompanying certificate, clear grill points, vibrant color, attractive centering and marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
P.F. certificate no. 439613 no longer accompanies (states slightly disturbed gum). With 2008 P.S.E. certificate
10c Brown, H. Grill (139). Original gum, evident grill points around Jefferson's ear, deep rich color, outstanding centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1870 10-CENT NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL BANK NOTE STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN THIS CHOICE QUALITY, ESPECIALLY WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
With 2015 P.F. certificate
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Exceptional centering with unusually wide margins, several rows of clear grill points, rich color, well-struck crossroads cancel, tiny internal sealed tear at bottom center is noted only on the 2004 P.F. certificate which is no longer with the stampEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND THIS WELL-CENTERED WITH RICH COLOR AND A NEAT CANCEL.
With clear 1996 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates. 2004 P.F. certificate, noting the small sealed tear, no longer accompanies
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Clear grill, characteristic light pastel color, wide margins and very well centered, especially for this difficult issue, rectangle of wedges cancelEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING AND VERY RARE CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE, WHICH IS KNOWN ONLY IN USED CONDITION.
With 1993 A.P.S. and P.F. certificates
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Large part original gum which covers approximately half the stamp, clearly visible grill on Hamilton's head, well-centered, intense shade and impression, a couple previous minor perf gum soaks have been mitigatedEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SOUND, CENTERED AND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The 30c 1870 Grilled Issue is notorious among collectors for its typical poor centering. Among original-gum examples, which are rare in any condition, only a few sound examples would grade Very Fine or better. A search through 60 years of past auction catalogues and name sales produced only two blocks of four, both poorly centered, which means that there have been no multiples from which choice singles could be harvested. In fact, even among the collections famed for quality Bank Note issues -- Caspary, Lilly, Henry, "Ambassador," Braus, Floyd, Whitman et al -- we could not find any original-gum examples that would grade Very Fine or better. The finest original gum example we were able to locate was offered in our Scarsdale sale (Sale 924, lot 9).
Ex Cole and Curtis. 1988 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With clear 2014 P.F. certificate stating "large part o.g." A 2010 P.S.E. certificate (POG, F-VF 75) also no longer accompanies -- but it was issued when the stamp displayed the tiny perf gum soaks and so it was downgraded for that. Scott value as original gum
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Original gum, clearly defined grill points easily visible on face of stamp, deep rich color, wide margins and well-centered for this difficult issue, single enhanced perf at lower right with tip of perf addedVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
Considering original-gum examples only, after the extremely rare 12c and non-existent 24c, the 90c is the rarest of the 1870 National Grilled Issue.
With clear 2003 P.S.E. certificate. 2008 P.F. certificate no. 466601 mentioning the added perf tip no longer accompanies
1c Ultramarine, I. Grill (134A). Original gum, lightly hinged, full and clear grill, bright color on white paper, choice centering but partly achieved by expert reperfing at right, Extremely Fine appearance, 1992 and 2005 P.F. certificates do not specify the grill type and state "genuine, previously hinged" (1992 certificate no longer accompanies), 2008 P.F. certificate no. 465488, which also no longer accompanies, mistakenly calls this an H Grill and correctly states reperfed at right, Scott value as I Grill
2c Red Brown (146). Original gum, choice centering with extra wide margins, brilliant color, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.S.E. and 2000 P.F. certificates
3c Green (147). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins and choice centering, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate
6c Carmine (148). Original gum, brilliant color, wide margins and well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate
7c Vermilion (149). Original gum, glowing color and sharp proof-like impression, outstanding centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 7-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE UNGRILLED ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
15c Deep Orange (152 var). Original gum, brilliant color in the more intense Deep Orange sub-shade, attractive centering and marginsVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE UNGRILLED ISSUE IN THE DEEP ORANGE SHADE.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
24c Purple (153). Original gum, choice margins and centering, bright colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 1987 P.F. certificate
90c Carmine (155). Original gum, beautiful centering with wide margins, wonderful depth of color on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. A SCARCE STAMP IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION.
In general, the Grilled National Bank Note Issues in superb original-gum condition overshadow their ungrilled counterparts. This is also true for the 90c. However, in the case of the 90c, collectors are frequently misled by the availability of Scott 166, the 1873 Continental printing. The difference in shades is distinct, yet collectors have a tendency to under-rate the 1870 National printing. Most original-gum examples are poorly centered. This example is remarkable for its centering and freshness of color.
With 2001 P.F. certificate