Sale 968 — The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 27-28 January, 2009
Category — 1868 Regular-Production Grilled Issue (F Grill, Scott 92-100)
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Original gum, vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL IN EXISTENCE. A REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- COLOR, GRILL, IMPRESSION, INTACT PERFORATIONS AND MARGIN WIDTH. TRULY SPECTACULAR.
The 30c 1861-68 Issue stamps -- Scott 71 (to a lesser extent) and Scott 100 -- rank as two of the most difficult classic U.S. stamps to find in such pristine condition. Due to narrow spacing of the plate, the 30c 1861-68's are usually found with tight margins, especially at sides.
A review of auction sales produced only six other original-gum examples of the 30c F Grill in grades of Very Fine or Extremely Fine. Except for this stamp and one other (ex Scarsdale, Siegel Sale 918, lot 54), the potentially choice stamps appeared in sales held during the 1940's and 50's. Whether any or all of them could pass today's more rigorous standards for condition and certification is unlikely.
Ex Gabade and Morris, and offered to the market for the first time since 1996. With 1987 and 1995 P.F. certificates.
