12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Distinct vertical row of grill points behind ear of portrait and horizontal row across top of head, fresh color in distinctive 12c grilled-issue shade, tied by target cancel on salmon-colored cover addressed in violet to Gotland, Sweden, indistinct strike of town datestamp, red "New York 4 May 4" (1872) credit datestamp, red "Wfr. 1-1/2" German credit handstamp (re-stated credit in silbergroschen), Swedish receiving backstamps (May 20 and 21, 1872)

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE ON COVER. ONLY FOUR COVERS ARE REPORTED -- THIS IS THE ONLY COVER TO SWEDEN.

Our Levi records contain three other covers previously described as bearing the 12c 1870 Grilled Issue: 1) single used alone on cover to Liverpool, ex Braus (Siegel Sale 449, lot 54); 2) used with 10c 1870 to India, Bissell corr. (ex Braus, Siegel Sale 449, lot 55); and 3) used with Nos. 145, 146, 147 and 148 on large domestic cover from the Austro-Hungarian Consulate in New York (Siegel Sale Apr. 18, 1979, lot 175). This fourth cover was identified by us after it was consigned to our auction in 2001 as a No. 151. The grill on this stamp is much stronger than the grills on the stamps on the other covers. The stamp overpays the 11c NGU Closed Mail rate to Sweden. The cover was carried on the North German Lloyd's Weser II, departing New York on May 4 and arriving in Southampton on May 15, 1872.

Ex Andromeda. With 2001 P.F. certificate. Scott value for 12c Grill is $3,750.00 off cover and $7,000.00 on cover

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