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
93
 
Sale 1034, Lot 93, 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Clearly-defined grill, detailed impression and attractive shade, beautiful centering with balanced margins, bold strike of circle of V's cancel

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.

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 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $11,750.00). Only two have graded higher (at 98).

1,300
4,250