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)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
168
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Vivid color as fresh as the day it was printed, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, clearly-defined grill, bold strike of Leaf cancel, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING CLASSIC STAMPS TO FIND IN CHOICE CONDITION. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
The 30c 1861-68 Issue stamps -- Scott 71 (to a lesser extent) and Scott 100 -- rank as two of the most difficult classic U.S. stamps to find in such pristine condition. Due to narrow spacing of the plate, the 30c 1861-68's are usually found with tight margins, especially at sides. Brookman notes "Superb copies are almost non-existent".
With 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,100.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this grade.
950
10,000