Sale 1108 — The Robert Bowman Collection of Superb U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 29 September, 2015
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 83-101)
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Unusually choice centering with wide margins, deep rich color on bright paper, nicely complemented by red cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL WITH A RED CANCEL.
The 90c stamps used to make grilled issues were printed on a thick stock of paper. It is likely that sheets remaining from the pre-grill period were used and that the thinner paper introduced in 1868 had not been used for the 90c value. Two characteristics of 90c F Grill stamps are poorly punched perforations and generally poor centering.
Ex. Dr. Morris. With 1958, 1994 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $5,000.00). In our opinion this stamp deserves a 95 grade based on eye appeal and margin width, but the slightly wider top margin and non-rectangular overall conformation kept the current graders at P.S.E. from reaching the same conclusion. Regardless of the numerical grade, this is one of the most beautiful 90c F Grill stamps in existence.
