Sale 1245 — United States Stamps, featuring the Sacramento Collection
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 16-18 November, 2021
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Clearly defined grill, radiant color, lightly struck quartered cork cancel, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL.
With 1984, 2006 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $3,000.00). Only one grades higher (at 95) and two others share this grade. This is the first in this grade we have offered.
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Clearly defined grill, intense shade and impression, cork cancelVERY FINE. A CHOICE SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL.
This is a surprisingly difficult issue to obtain in sound and centered condition.
Ex Bowman. With 1996 and 2015 P.F. certificates (VF 80). Scott values this issue in the grade of Fine
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Centered slightly to top right but perfs clear of the design all around, crisp impression, only a small bit of a cancel at top rightVERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE ELUSIVE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL.
With 1969 and 2000 P.F. certificates
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Clearly defined grill, target cancel, few light creases, top with tiny tear, small perf flaw and gum soaks, otherwise Fine, a collectible decently centered example of this scarce stamp
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Detailed impression on bright paper, bold strike of target cancel, unusually choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,500.00), only five grade higher and five others share this desirable grade
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Wide margins and well-centered, attractive fancy cork cancel, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, a choice example of this scarce grill, ex Zoellner, with 1985 and 2014 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Clearly defined grill, bright shade, segmented cork cancel, Very Fine, with 2010 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Clearly defined grill, bright shade, bold strike of segmented cork cancel, Very Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Wonderfully well-centered, wide margins for this notoriously difficult issue, proof-like shade and impression, bright red circle of wedges cancel and rim of New York City circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXTRAORDINARY USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL. ONE OF THE MOST VISUALLY APPEALING COPIES AVAILABLE.
The plates used to print the Black Jacks did not provide enough space between subjects for the large 12-gauge perf holes. Consequently, most Black Jack stamps have perfs touching the design on one or two sides. This scarcity of four-margin copies multiplies exponentially when the Z Grill is factored into the equation. Only a small quantity of 2c sheets were grilled during the period when the Z device was active -- after the D Grill (Scott 84), the Z is the rarest of Black Jack grilled stamps.
With 2003 and 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $12,000.00). Only two grade higher (at 98).
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Intense shade and impression, clearly defined grill, unusually wide margins, bold strike of segmented cork cancel, one slightly shorter perf at leftEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 2-CENT Z GRILL.
With 1999 and 2016 P.F. certificates not mentioning the shorter perf. With 2004 and 2009 P.S.E. certificates with the latter mentioning the shorter perf. Both P.S.E. certificates graded (XF 90; SMQ $4,750.00). Based on centering alone this is a conservative grade -- they no doubt took off points for the slightly shorter perf which is truly insignificant
2c Black, 3c Rose, 12c Black, Z. Grill (85B, 85C, 85E). Clear grills, each with cork cancel, few small faults, Fine appearing trio of these scarce grilled issues, each with certificate
3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C). Choice centering with unusually wide margins all around, clearly defined grill, clear strike of rosette cancel, radiant colorEXTREMELY FINE. A JUMBO USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $7,600.00). Only four grade higher and only one other shares this grade.
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Intense shade and impression, bold strike of quartered cork cancel, wide margins, most recent certificate notes short perf at upper left which is obscured by the cancel and is barely noticeableVERY FINE AND CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL.
With 1986 and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85). With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $2,750.00)
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Wide margins, intense shade and impression, lightly struck red cancel, Very Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate, Scott does not list premiums for colored cancels on this stamp
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant "blue sky" color and proof-like impression on fresh paper, exceptional centering with huge margins, clearly defined grillEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL -- WHICH IS FAR SCARCER THAN ITS F-GRILL COUNTERPART. THIS SUPERB STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 1983 and 2020 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the only original-gum Scott 86 at this grade in the P.F. records. By way of comparison, the highest graded original-gum example in the P.S.E. Population Report is XF 90 (two examples). It is not even priced in SMQ at the XF-Superb 95 grade.
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Pretty shade, neat strikes of Brattleboro circular datestamp and unusual small square of wedges cancel, Jumbo margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $2,650.00)
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering, clear grill points, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Twigg-Smith, with 1987 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
1c Blue, E. Grill (86). Clear grill points, bright shade, bold strike of small circle of wedges cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, bright shade and crisp impression, bold strike of circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example of the 2c E Grill, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,150.00), only three grade higher
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Wide and balanced margins, attractive shade, quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, clearly defined grill, brilliant colorEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT E GRILL. A VERY RARE STAMP WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
With 2001 and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $2,650.00). Only two grade higher (at 95) and four others share this desirable grade. This is the first P.S.E. graded example with original gum we have offered.
3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful deep Rose shade characteristic of early regular-issue 3c grilled stamps, strong grill impression, choice centering on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT E GRILL. AN ELUSIVE STAMP IN THIS CHOICE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
With 2021 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Bright shade nicely complemented by red circular datestamp cancel, unusually wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1988 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Well-centered, wide margins, rich color, neat strike of small circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.F. certificate
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Intense shade and impression, wide and well-balanced margins, target cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,250.00)
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Choice centering with wide margins all around, grayish shade on bright paper, clearly defined grill, bold blue small circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2004 and 2010 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Crisp impression on bright paper, clearly defined grill, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,400.00), only three grade higher
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Wide balanced margins, crisp impression, circle of wedges cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1979, 1989 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,400.00)
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly defined grill, bright shade, most recent certificate notes short lower left corner perf and perf crease at right, Very Fine appearance, with 1985 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (VG-F 60)
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Choice centering, bright color, lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine, with 1985 and 2005 P.F. certificates
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Nearly perfect centering, crisp impression, clear grill, target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,900.00), only five grade higher
2c Gray Black, Very Thin Paper, F. Grill (93 var). Well-centered, distinctive Gray Black shade, bold cork cancel is essentially face-free, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90), Scott value as normal No. 93
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Rich color on bright paper, neat strike of quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $375.00)
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Mint N.H., deep rich color and detailed impression, Fine and fresh, only a small number of 5c Grill stamps exist in Mint Never-Hinged condition, with 1977 P.F. and 2000 P.S.E. certificates, Scott value as hinged
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Intense shade and impression, circle of wedges and light red cancels, reperfed at left not noted on certificates, Extremely Fine appearance, with clear 1994 and 2018 P.F. certificates
10c Green, F. Grill (96). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, three wide margins and design well clear of perfs at rightEXTREMELY FINE. A FRESH AND CHOICE LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL.
With 2002 P.F. certificate mistakenly calling this Scott 89. With 2021 P.F. certificate as Scott 96 (VF-XF 85)
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Rich color on bright paper, bold cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1985 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $400.00)
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Wide margins, rich color and detailed impression, quartered cork and red transit cancels, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $400.00)
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Lovely shade and crisp impression nicely complemented by blue target and circular datestamp cancels, perfectly centered with balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, ex Hall, with 1992 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $750.00), this grade seems conservative to us
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Wide margins, deep shade and sharp impression, face-free cork cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. certificate
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Intense shade and impression, blue cork cancel, choice centering, most recent certificate notes short perf at lower left and another at bottom right, still Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $525.00), the grade is no doubt much lower than its superior centering would indicate
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Well-centered, wide margins, strong shade and impression, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Exceptional centering and wide margins for this tightly spaced issue, rich color, quartered cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $3,250.00). Only five grade higher (all at 95) and two others share this grade.
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Deep rich color, clearly defined grill, faint cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $2,250.00)
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Vibrant color, bold cork cancel, additional trace of red cancel at upper left, Very Fine, with 1985 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $1,050.00)
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Extraordinarily wide margins for this tightly spaced issue, well-centered, bright shade, Very Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, clearly defined grill, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, light strike of segmented cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
With 2010 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $4,850.00). Only two grade higher and five others share this grade.
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Wide margins, deep color and sharp impression, cork cancel, Very Fine and choice example of this top denomination grilled issue, with 1997 and 2009 P.S.E. certificates