Sale 1305 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 13-14 December, 2023
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-101)
3c Rose, A. Grill (79). Original gum, clear grill, typical perforations for this all-over grill stamp, small flaw at top, Fine, a scarce original-gum example of the 3c experimental grilled issue
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Large part disturbed original gum, clearly-defined grill, bright color, Very Fine, a scarce stamp in sound original-gum condition
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Original gum, h.r., clearly-defined grill, few short perfs, few toned perfs
FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 2-CENT Z GRILL.
This is one of the most difficult grilled issues to obtain with original gum and any semblance of decent centering. For example, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only five OG stamps, graded 10 (two), 20, 30 and 50.
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Intense shade and impression, well-defined grill, wide and balanced margins, quartered cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 2-CENT Z GRILL.
With 2001 and 2009 P.F. certificates (XF 90). With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (ungraded).
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Unused (regummed), characteristic deep shade for this issue, Fine and scarce in unused condition
3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, barely hinged and small pencil notation on gum, radiant color, outstanding centering and margins
EXTREMELY FINE. AN exceptional EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT E GRILL WITH ORIGINAL GUM AND CHOICE CENTERING. AN ELUSIVE STAMP IN THIS CONDITION.
With 2023 P.F. certificate states hinged, but we cannot find any evidence of hinging.
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Unused (no gum) intense shade and impression, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Very Fine, an attractive stamp
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Unused (no gum) detailed impression, Very Fine and choice, a desirable stamp for the collector who values centering more than gum
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Original gum, h.r., clearly defined grill, detailed impression, attractive centering and margins
FRESH AND very FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT E GRILL.
With 2023 P.F. certificate.
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Disturbed original gum, clearly-defined grill, crisp impression, Very Fine and attractive
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Original gum, clear grill, brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Original gum, clear grill, rich color and attractive centering and margins
VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL.
With 2023 P.F. certificate.
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill, Very Thin Paper (96 var). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, clearly-defined grill
VERY FINE AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL ON VERY THIN PAPER.
In our experience, the Very Thin Paper variety comes in a distinct shade on semi-translucent paper. The example offered here is only the second original-gum single contained in Power Search — we have offered two blocks of four which probably also qualify.
With 2023 P.F. certificate.
15c Black, F. Grill, Very Thin Paper (98 var). Original gum, intense shade, attractive centering and margins, two perfs at upper right with slight extraneous ink (called "two stained perfs" on accompanying certificate)
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED AND FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT F GRILL ON THIN PAPER.
With 2023 P.F. certificate.
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Disturbed original gum, h.r., deep rich color, clear grill points, some toning at bottom right, Very Good, scarce
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Original gum, brilliant color, clearly-defined grill, negligible single nibbed perf at bottom left
FRESH AND very FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL.
This stamp is infrequently found with original gum and a Power Search review of examples we have sold reveals that when one is found, more often than not it has faults, poor centering or both.
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Vibrant color, clear grill which is easily discernible on the front of the stamp, bold strike of large circle of wedges cancel and also traces of blue cancel
EXTREMELY FINE. THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL IS ONE OF THE MOST ELUSIVE CLASSIC UNITED STATES ISSUES IN THIS SUPERB QUALITY.
Ex Merlin. With 2007 P.S.E. (XF 90) and 2015 P.F. certificates. Only two grade higher (both 95), but this stamp really should have the Jumbo appellation, bringing it closer to the stamps graded 95. Scott Catalogue states "Values for No. 100 are for copies with small margins, especially at sides. Large-margined examples sell for much more."
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Slightly disturbed original gum, rich color, centered to bottom left with those margins clear and the other two wide
FINE and RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL.
We have offered approximately a dozen original-gum examples since keeping computerized records, and most either have faults or are off-center.
Ex Simon. With 1959 P.F. certificate.
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Unused (no gum), detailed impression, choice centering for this difficult issue
VERY FINE. A SCARCE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL.
We have offered perhaps a dozen examples with original gum, and several were off center or had faults. This sound example without gum and with attractive centering is a true rarity.