10c Brown, I. Grill (139 var). Early state with a well-defined grill impression, large, nearly balanced margins, rich color, grid cancel, small corner crease at top left, bottom right corner perf extended

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE 10-CENT I GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES STAMPS. TO DATE, ONLY TWELVE USED EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED. BY ALL RIGHTS, THIS GRILL SHOULD BE GIVEN A MAJOR CATALOGUE LISTING AND TREATED THE SAME AS ITS OTHER RARE GRILLED COUNTERPARTS FROM THE 1867-68 ISSUE.

At least two sizes of grills were used by the National Bank Note Company for the 1870 Issue. They are identified in the Scott Catalogue by a notation preceding Scott 134, which assigns them the letters H and I, but these have not been separately catalogued, as have the different grills used in 1867 and 1868 (A, B, C, D, Z, E and F). The I Grill measures from 9-11 points wide by 10-13 points tall. It is currently recorded on all values except the 24c. The 1c thru 7c values make up most of the population of I Grill stamps. The 10c, 15c and 90c I Grills are extremely rare and it is only in recent years that their existence was reported by Ronald Burns. The 12c and 30c are unique (see Siegel Sale 1014, lots 1371-1372).

With 1988 and 2004 P.F. certificates. Accompanied by note from Ronald A. Burns

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables