Sale 1255 — The David W. Gorham Collection of Outstanding Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 17-20 May, 2022
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue, F Grills (Scott 92-101)
5c Black Brown, F. Grill (95a). Deep rich color in the true Black Brown shade, remarkably detailed impression showing all of the subtle details of the lathework engraving, well-balanced margins with design well clear of perforations on all four sides, neat strike of cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL IN THE BLACK BROWN COLOR. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THIS RARE SHADE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
The 5c F Grill is known in Brown, Dark Brown and Black Brown. The first two are in the same color family (listed as Scott 95). The Black Brown is distinctly darker and is given its own sub-letter designation, Scott 95a. The Dark Brown is sometimes mistaken by collectors for the Black Brown shade, but a side-by-side comparison illustrates the significant difference between the two. On the Black Brown the engraved lines are especially clear, it has a proof-like appearance, and is significantly scarcer than the other shades.
Ex Hansen and "Natalee Grace". 1980 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $10,000.00). With 2012 P.F. certificate. Only four have been graded, including one at 95 which realized $40,000 hammer in our Sale 1199. A review using Power Search found we have offered only three others since 1995, two of which were faulty.
