10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Horizontal block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, extraordinarily choice centering throughout, intense shade and proof-like impression, clear grill on each stamp

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS REMARKABLY FRESH AND COMPLETELY SOUND BLOCK IS, WITHOUT QUESTION, THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM MULTIPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL IN EXISTENCE. A WONDERFUL GEM CLASSIC BLOCK THAT HAS MIRACULOUSLY SURVIVED INTACT SINCE THE LEGENDARY 1956 CASPARY SALE.

The few well-centered 1868 10c F Grill blocks from past auctions have, for the most part, been broken to feed market demand for singles. The block offered here is the second largest surviving multiple, but it is in far superior condition to the block of fifteen illustrated in Brookman. To the best of our knowledge, this block last appeared in the November 19-21, 1956, H. R. Harmer sale of the Alfred H. Caspary collection (lot 282), where it was described as "extremely fine... a magnificent block of the greatest rarity and a marvelous showpiece." In the Caspary sale it realized $2,100 versus its then-current Scott Catalogue value of $800.00. We have been unable to trace its provenance prior to Caspary, and it is quite possible that it was acquired by the European Connoisseur at or shortly after the 1956 auction.

With 2015 P.F. certificate as "genuine, previously hinged." Scott Catalogue value for two blocks of four

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