Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)
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 and Bowman. With 1985 and 1994 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $4,850.00). 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.
