Sale 1024 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used Stamps of the United States, Part One: 1847-1868 Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 June, 2012
Category — 3c 1867 C Grill, 2c-3c 1868 D Grill (Scott 83-85)
3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, bright paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of radial cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT D GRILL MAY WELL BE THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
It is our hypothesis that two grilling machines were used to make regular-production grilled stamps, beginning in January 1868. Based on our analysis of grill production, the D Grill machine was refitted with the E Grill on or about February 3, 1868. Based on the earliest known uses of the 3c D Grill (2/1/68) and 3c E Grill (2/12/68), it is our theory that the conversion from the D to E Grill took place very soon after sheets of 3c stamps were first run through the D-equipped machine. This would explain the scarcity of 3c D Grill stamps.
Ex Ishikawa and Hinrichs. With 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificate. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $27,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other has achieved this grade.
