Sale 1339 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 12-13 December, 2024
Category — 1867-68 Grilled and 1861-66 Re-Issue
1c Blue, A. Grill, All-Over Grill Essay with Points Up (unlisted in Scott). Original gum, full and well-defined grill, a few perfs missing at right, centered to right as are all four known
ONE OF FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 1867 ONE-CENT ALL-OVER GRILL ESSAY, WHICH IS UNLISTED IN SCOTT. THIS IS THE UPPER RIGHT STAMP FROM THE STEEL, EARL OF CRAWFORD AND WORTHINGTON BLOCK OF FOUR.
The four recorded examples of the 1c A Grill essay come from the block of four that originated in the Charles F. Steel archive and was part of the Earl of Crawford and George Worthington collections. The grill has tiny "X" pyramidal points impressed into the back, which differs from the essay grill made of small squares (79-E15a/b); it is very similar to the issued A Grill. The 1c block and a 5c block with the identical grill were acquired by the Earl of Crawford from the archive of papers and stamps retained by Charles F. Steel, who patented the grilling device. For more information about the origins of the experimental A and C grills, please refer to Chronicle 134 and to our Siegel Encyclopedia at https://siegelauctions.com/legacy/1867.pdf .
Two of the stamps from Steel's 5c block have actually been certified by the Philatelic Foundation as Scott 80, which indicates how similar these grills are to the issued A Grill (Scott 79, 80 and 81). We believe that the 1c and 5c A Grills from the Steel blocks deserve Scott Catalogue listings -- we would go so far as to put them at the front of the catalogue, not in the essay section. There is precedent for giving the 1c and 5c grilled stamps from the Steel blocks full Scott listings: the 4c Pan-American Invert and the 4c and 8c Bluish Paper stamps. None of them were issued at the post office, but nonetheless they are genuine varieties that reached the public through official channels. Whether or not Scott's editors concur with our view, collectors should consider the stamp offered here to be an integral part of classic U.S. philately.
Illustrated in the Evans book (p. 45). Ex Steel, Earl of Crawford and Worthington, C.W. Christian and "Lake Shore". With 2000 P.F. certificate.
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, reperfed at right, Extremely Fine appearance and a scarce original-gum example of Scott 83, with clear 1964 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, C. Grill (83). Rich color, clear grill, cancelled by blue bird fancy cancel of Rockford Ill., part of circular datestamp at left, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate, Scott value with no premium for the better cancel
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Original gum, lightly hinged, unusually well-defined grill, intense shade and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, tiny toned spot just over Jackson's eye is barely noticeable
FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL. PARTICULARLY SCARCE WITH SUCH A HIGH DEGREE OF FRESHNESS.
A thorough search of past auction catalogues reveals that the 2c D Grill in original-gum condition is conspicuously absent from most important collections. The finest examples are contained in the intact block of four, ex Caspary, Lilly and Klein. The stamp offered here, with full original gum, unusually clear grill, proof-like impression and fresh paper, is a rarity of the highest order.
Ex Geisler. With clear 1980 P.F. certificate. 2007 P.F. certificate noting the toned spot no longer accompanies.
1c, 2c, 3c, 12c 1868 E. Grills (86, 87, 88, 90). Each with exceptionally strong grill impression, original gum, rich color and deep shade, scissors-separated with straight edge(s)
THESE FOUR 1868 E GRILL STAMPS WERE FOUND TOGETHER AND DESCRIBED BY BRAZER AND FINKELBURG AS TRIALS FROM THE NEW E GRILL DEVICE.
Certain characteristics of these four stamps suggest that they were trial products grilled in early 1868 after the E Grill device was created. These distinguishing characteristics are 1) the uniform and very strong grill impressions; 2) the shades of the 3c and 12c; 3) scissors-separated perfs; and 4) the discovery of these four denominations together. This "set" is accompanied by Falk Finkelburg's original album page identifying these as "Trial Essayed...The Only Ones Known".
Scott value as normal stamps is $10,500.
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Balance of eight stamps, each with a different handstamp cancel including a couple quite attractive, all with perfs touching to in on at least one side, small faults, overall Very Good-Fine appearing group with more than adequate space-fillers
3c Red, F. Grill, Imperforate (94P5; formerly 94b). Horizontal pair, original gum, large margins to full, Very Fine, with 1979 P.F. certificate
2c Black, Re-Issue (103). Original gum, detailed impression, Fine, only 979 sold, with 2024 P.S.E. certificate
2c Black, Re-Issue (103). Part original gum, few small thins and light wrinkling, otherwise Fine, only 979 sold
3c Brown Red, Re-Issue (104). P.F. certificate notes Mint N.H. while P.S.E. certificate notes regummed and reperfed at left, we tend to side with P.S.E., deep rich color on bright paper, Very Fine, with 2023 P.F. and 2023 P.S.E. certificates, offered on its own merits, Scott value as hinged
5c Brown, Re-Issue (105). Disturbed original gum, pretty shade, Fine, only 672 sold, with 2024 P.S.E. certificate
90c Blue, Re-Issue (111). Original gum, deep rich color, reperfed at left, Very Fine appearance, only 317 were sold, with 2024 P.S.E. certificate