Sale 1247 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 14-15 December, 2021
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-85E)
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Clearly-defined grill, crisp impression and attractive shade, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of rimless grid cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL. THIS IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH OUTSTANDING CONDITION.
The plates used to print the Black Jacks did not provide enough space between subjects for the large 12-gauge perf holes. Consequently, most Black Jack stamps have perfs touching the design on one or two sides. This scarcity of four-margin copies multiplies exponentially when the Z Grill is factored into the equation. 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.
Ex "Natalee Grace". With 1985, 2004 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $12,000.00). Only two grade higher (at 98).
