2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Block of four, original gum with light reddish offset, h.r. at top, clearly-defined grills which clearly show the Z Grill characteristics, horizontal crease at bottom causing some grill point holes, creases in other stamps, small thins

VERY GOOD APPEARANCE. THIS 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL BLOCK IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL GRILLED ISSUE MULTIPLES. PERHAPS TWO OR THREE ARE KNOWN.

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. We were only able to locate two other unused blocks. One was offered in our 1970 Rarities sale and was well-centered (top pair creased), so that may have been broken to feed collector demand for choice singles. The other is a rejoined block, ex Allen and Metzger. The block offered here might be the only intact block of four.

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