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 — 2c-12c 1868 Z Grill (Scott 85B-85E)
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Clearly-defined grill, crisp impression and attractive shade, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of rimless grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL. THIS IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
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-margined 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 1985 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $11,750.00). Only two have graded higher to date (both 98) and only four others share this grade. Amazingly, this is the first graded example of this issue in any grade we have ever offered at auction.
