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 — 1c-90c 1868 F Grill (Scott 92-101)
5c Black Brown, F. Grill (95a). Deep rich color in the true Black Brown shade, remarkably detailed impression showing all of the subtle details of the lathework engraving, well-balanced margins with design well clear of perforations on all four sides, neat strike of cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL IN THE BLACK BROWN COLOR. THIS IS EASILY THE FINEST OF THIS RARE SHADE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
The 5c F Grill is known in Brown, Dark Brown and Black Brown. The first two are in the same color family (listed as Scott 95). The Black Brown is distinctly darker and is given its own sub-letter designation, Scott 95a. The Dark Brown is sometimes mistaken by collectors for the Black Brown shade, but a side-by-side comparison illustrates the significant difference between the two. On the Black Brown the engraved lines are especially clear, it has a proof-like appearance, and is significantly scarcer than the other shades. The modest difference in catalogue value does not adequately convey its rarity.
Ex Hansen. 1980 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. Only three have been graded. A review using Power Search found we have offered only two others since 1994, both of which were faulty.
