Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps

Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012

Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)

Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
106
 
Sale 1034, Lot 106, 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)5c Brown, F. Grill, Very Thin Paper (95 var). Well-balanced margins, deep rich color and sharp impression, neat strike of circle of V's cancel

EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE WELL-CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL ON THIN PAPER.

The National Bank Note Co. undoubtedly made various attempts to improve grilling quality and efficiency through modifications in the process. Based on surviving stamps, it appears that one modification involved the use of very thin paper, which probably allowed two or more sheets to be grilled in one pass through the grilling device. The 1c (F), 2c (E and F), 3c (E and F), 5c (F), 10c (F), 12c (F) and 15c (F) are found on this very thin paper. They are scarce, particularly the 5c-15c values.

With 2000, 2005 and 2006 P.F. and 1999, 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,200.00 with no premium for the paper variety)

950
1,800