Sale 1297 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 31 October-2 November, 2023
Category — 1879 American Bank Note Co. Issue (Scott 182-191)
5c Blue, With Gill (179c). Original gum, deep rich color, choice centering, very strong grill impression which causes a few tiny pinholes (not mentioned on certificate since this is a normal occurrence for these grills)
VERY FINE AND SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 5-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH GRILL.
It is believed that the Continental grills were made experimentally in 1876, after a stamp-cleaning court trial renewed fears of stamp re-use. The primary source of the rare J Grills was the Worthington collection, which was dispersed in 1917. It is believed that most or all examples in collectors' hands came from the archive of Charles F. Steel, who patented the grilling machines used between 1867 and 1873.
Ex Fekete. With 2012 P.F. certificate.
5c Blue (185). Mint N.H., deep rich color, detailed impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1991 P.F. certificate
5c Blue (185). Intense shade and impression on crisp paper, unusually wide and balanced margins, neat strike of duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, ex "Natalee Grace"
10c Brown, Without Secret Mark (187). Jumbo margins and excellent centering, rich color, quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, ex Gorham, with 1987, 2003 and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
10c Brown, With Secret Mark (188). Mint N.H., rich color and sharp proof-like impression, attractive centering and margins
VERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH SECRET MARK.
Unlike other values of the 1879 Issue, there are virtually no 10c stamps in Mint Never-Hinged condition. A thorough review of auction catalogues, including sales of the Caspary, Close, Sinkler, Col. Green, Lilly, Braus, Wunderlich and Klein collections, among others, produced no Mint N.H. singles and no blocks containing Mint N.H. stamps. We have offered only five unduplicated examples, and the P.F. has certified only two others.
With 1997 P.F. certificate.
10c Brown, With Secret Mark (188). Gorgeous centering with wide margins, rich color nicely contrasted by blue grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1997 and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo), only two grade higher (at 100J) and two others share this desirable grade
10c Brown, With Secret Mark (188). Massive Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, rich color, duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, an exceptional stamp, ex Gorham, with 1985, 2004 and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
15c Red Orange (189). Mint N.H., radiant color, choice centering with Jumbo margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1982 P.F. certificate
30c Full Black (190). Original gum, intense shade and impression, excellent centering, Extremely Fine, with 1984 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates
30c Full Black (190). Unusually wide margins, intense shade and impression, face-free cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1992 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
90c Carmine (191). Wide margins and outstanding centering, fresh color and paper, neat Boston oval cancels
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1879 90-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
With 2021 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only three used stamps grade higher (highest is 98) and four share this desirable grade.