Sale 1376 — The Monterey Collection of Superb United States 19th and 20th Century Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 22 April, 2026
Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 83-101
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Original gum, clear grill and brilliant color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins
extremely FINE GEM. A SUPERB wide-margined and centered ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP IN THIS CONDITION.
The 3c is the only denomination that was regularly issued with the distinctive C Grill, with the grill points facing up instead of down.
With 1989 and 2008 P.F. certificates.
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Near perfect centering, intense shade, lightly cancelled by blue-black target, full clear grill impression showing the requisite 15 columns of points
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. APART FROM THE A AND Z GRILL RARITIES, THE 2-CENT 1868 D GRILL IS THE RAREST OF ALL GRILLED ISSUES, ESPECIALLY IN THIS EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION.
The device equipped with the D Grill was refitted with the E Grill on or about February 9, 1868. Based on the earliest documented use of the 2c D Grill (2/15/68) and 3c E Grill (2/12/68), it is our theory that the conversion from the D to E Grill took place only a day or so after sheets of 2c stamps were first run through the D-equipped machine. The great rarity of 2c D Grills, relative to all other regular-production grills, bears out this theory.
Ex Drs. Dauer. With 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). Only two grade higher and four share this grade.
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Perfect centering with unusually wide margins all around, clearly defined grill, bright shade and crisp impression, beautifully cancelled by red segmented cork
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ASTONISHING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS SPECTACULAR STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST AWARDED AND SHARED BY ONLY ONE OTHER.
The plates used to print the Black Jacks did not provide enough space between subjects for the large 12-gauge perf holes. Consequently, most Black Jack stamps have perfs touching the design on one or even two sides. This scarcity of four-margined copies multiplies exponentially when the Z Grill is factored into the equation. Only a small quantity of 2c sheets were grilled during the period when the Z device was active — after the D Grill (Scott 84), the Z is the rarest of Black Jack grilled stamps.
Ex Kirke. With 2010 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other (we have never offered it).
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E). Intense shade and impression with wide and balanced margins, bold strike of cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL. A STUNNING STAMP.
Although the 12c Z Grill is the most common of the Z Grills, it is still extremely scarce compared to the E and F Grills and is very rarely found in this superb used condition.
Ex Drs. Dauer. With 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). Only three grade higher (at 98) and three share this grade.
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Extra wide margins, perfectly struck circle of Vs cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Zoellner, with 1987 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, E. Grill (88). Original gum, barely hinged, clearly defined grill, choice centering, brilliant color and detailed impression
EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT E GRILL.
With 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates.
3c Lake Red, E. Grill (88a). Near perfect centering with Jumbo margins, intense shade in the distinct Lake Red, neatly struck target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a marvelous example of the printer's art at a time when quality control was decidedly lacking, ex Wagshal and Drs. Dauer, with 2005 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), this is the highest grade awarded to a Scott 88a and it is shared by no others, despite the modest SMQ value this stamp realized $5,000 hammer the last time we offered it
10c Green, E. Grill, "TAG" Double Transfer (89 var). Bright color complemented by red circle of wedges cancel, wide margins, Very Fine, with 1988 and 2008 P.F. certificate
10c Green, E. Grill (89). Extra wide margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, lightly cancelled by target, Very Fine and choice, ex Zoellner, 1986 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Original gum, well-centered and intense shade
VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT BLACK E GRILL.
The 12c E Grill is extremely difficult to obtain in sound original-gum condition with decent centering.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate.
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Extra wide margins and exceptional centering, very lightly cancelled
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT E GRILL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F.—DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH choice CONDITION.
With 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95).
12c Black, E. Grill (90). Well-centered with huge margins, red circular datestamp with "Am. Pkt." visible and black "Paid Only to England" transit handstamp, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, ex Drs. Dauer, with 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Essentially perfect centering and detailed impression, segmented cork cancel and trace of blue French entry datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. VERY FEW EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL ISSUE RIVAL THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP, WHICH IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Drs. Dauer. With 1996 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others.
15c Black, E. Grill (91). Well-centered with nicely balanced margins, unobtrusive circle of wedges cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1987 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Huge Jumbo margins all around, deep shade, light strike of face-free target cancel, Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, from our 1993 Rarities sale, with 1992 P.F. certificate
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Original gum, lightly hinged, fresh and bright color with huge margins, Extremely Fine Gem, an outstanding example of a ubiquitous stamp that is rarely found in this superb original-gum condition, with 2006 P.F. certificate
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Original gum, bright color, well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90), only five grade higher
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Rich color and clear grill, phenomenally huge margins all around including captured part of adjoining stamp at left, neat penstrokes cancel which cleverly frames Jefferson's eye, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, ex Lyons and "Tahoe", with 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo)
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Well-centered and rich color, unobtrusive strike of target cancel, Very Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Original gum, lightly hinged, almost perfectly centered with remarkably wide margins all around capturing the characteristic plate burrs of the 12c 1868 Grilled Issue, intense shade and impression, clearly defined grill
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL. AN EXTRAORDINARY STAMP AND CERTAINLY AMONG THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE — GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
We acknowledge the past existence of original-gum 12c F Grill multiples, which have been broken to furnish choice singles. However, the quality of this particular stamp — its centering and margins, shade and overall freshness — qualify it as one of the few finest in existence.
Ex Odeneal. With 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to an unused Scott 97 in any gum category and it is equaled by only three others.
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Wide margins and precisely centered, light black cork and trace of red datestamp at lower left, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only six used stamps grade higher
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Choice centering with well-proportioned margins, crisp impression, bold strike of red segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Drs. Dauer, with 1987 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Fresh and bright color, crisp impression, bold Leaf cancel, Very Fine and choice, rare in sound centered condition, with 2000 P.F. certificate
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Outstanding centering with balanced margins, strong grill and rich color, face-free cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE. THE 30-CENT 1868 F GRILL IS RARE WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
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 1861-68s are usually found with tight margins and compromised centering, especially at the sides. Brookman notes "Superb copies are almost non-existent".
With 1982 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90).
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Bright color, excellent centering with balanced margins, circle of wedges cancel
EXTREMELY FINE. THE 30-CENT 1868 F GRILL IS RARE WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
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 1861-68s are usually found with tight margins and compromised centering, especially at the sides. Brookman notes "Superb copies are almost non-existent".
With 1984 P.F. certificate.
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Perfectly centered, gorgeous intense blue shade and impression, blue and red cancels, grid in blue and part of foreign boxed transit handstamp in red, clear grill points, very fresh
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STAMP IS BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL — A COMBINATION OF PERFECT CENTERING AND FLAWLESS CONDITION, THE STRIKING PORTRAIT OF A YOUTHFUL GENERAL WASHINGTON AND COLORFUL CANCELLATIONS — UNLIKE ANY OTHER 90-CENT F GRILL WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED.
The 90c stamps used to make grilled issues were printed on a thick stock of paper. It is likely that sheets remaining from the pre-grill period were used and that the thinner paper introduced in 1868 had not been used for the 90c value. Two characteristics of 90c F Grill stamps are poorly punched perforations and generally bad centering. This stamp is a remarkable exception. The perfs are much better formed than usual (although they show the genuine characteristics) and the centering is mathematically precise. In this stamp there is the added feature of color. Red cancellations are sometimes seen on the 90c, applied at New York City to supplementary mail, but blue is an extremely unusual color.
Ex "Tahoe". With 1992 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates and with 2004 P.F. certificate.
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Deep rich color on bright paper, face-free cork cancel, clear grill, well-proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL.
The 90c stamps used to make grilled issues were printed on a thick stock of paper. It is likely that sheets remaining from the pre-grill period were used and that the thinner paper introduced in 1868 had not been used for the 90c value. Two characteristics of 90c F Grill stamps are poorly punched perforations and generally bad centering. This stamp is a remarkable exception.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 2000 P.F. certificate.
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Intense color and proof-like impression on bright paper, clear grill, choice centering, bright red New York datestamp with integral "18" credit
VERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL WITH A VIVID RED CANCEL.
With 2003 P.F. certificate.