3c Ultramarine, Without Grill (114a). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, bright shade on crisp paper, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL. THE LOWER-VALUE 1869'S WITHOUT GRILL ARE MUCH RARER THAN THE HIGH VALUES, AND THEY ARE SELDOM ENCOUNTERED IN CHOICE CONDITION. THIS IS UNQUESTIONABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 WITHOUT GRILL WE HAVE EVER OFFERED, AND IT IS PROBABLY THE FINEST EXTANT.

We have only offered eleven other unused examples in our computerized records, which includes all of our Rarities sales plus 14 years of auctions. Of these, only five were sound and only one was graded better than Fine.

With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ in any grade)

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