Sale 1354 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 May, 2025
Category — 1870-93 Bank Note Issues
2c Red Brown, H. Grill (135). Block of four with top imprint selvage, original gum, bottom pair small h.r., top pair lightly hinged, top left stamp with slightly short gum at top, fresh color and sharp impression
FINE ORIGINAL-GUM IMPRINT BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1870 2-CENT GRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
Very few imprint blocks are known. A Power Search review found no others offered in our auctions since 1993. Scott value as normal block without premium for the position.
6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Horizontal pair, disturbed original gum, rich color, few perf separations, Fine, a rare original gum pair of the 6c Grilled Issue, with 1992 and 2012 P.F. certificates, Scott value $10,000
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Unused, described as regummed on current certificate but we think the two earlier certificates stating original gum are correct, clear grill points, fresh color and paper, centered to upper left but perforations well clear
FINE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY WITH H GRILL. THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST CLASSIC ISSUES IN UNUSED CONDITION.
Unused examples of the 12c 1870 Grilled Issue are extremely rare, especially in sound condition. This stamp was certified by both The Philatelic Foundation and Professional Stamp Experts in 1990 as having original gum. It was purchased in a 1990 Ivy, Shreve & Mader auction by Eliot H. Weisman, who was Frank Sinatra’s manager. Weisman required two concurring certificates from the P.F. and P.S.E. for many of his stamps, thus the twin 1990 certificates for this Scott 140. William H. Gross acquired the stamp in the 1998 Shreves auction of the Weisman collection. The current P.F. certificate opines that the stamp is regummed, but we respectfully disagree with that opinion.
Ex Weisman and Gross. With copy of 1990 P.S.E. and 1990 P.F. certificates as original gum. With 2024 P.F. certificate as regummed. Scott value as original gum $35,000. Scott value as no gum $18,500.
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Bright color, several clear rows of grill points, light cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, tiny tear at bottom left, Fine appearance, with 2024 P.S.E. certificate
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Open bars cancel, reperfed on two sides and cleaned to remove staining at right, slightly affecting the color, still Fine appearing and presentable example of this scarce grill, with 1988 P.F. certificate, Scott value $4,000
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Clear grill points at lower left, rich color, neat grid cancel, fresh and Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate
15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Traces of original gum, clear grill points, vibrant color, Fine, with 2023 P.F. certificate, Scott value as no gum
15c Orange, H. Grill, (141). Horizontal pair, perhaps a faint trace of grill points on left stamp, right stamp with no discernible grill points, original gum, creases, appears Fine, with 1980 P.F. certificate for a strip of four as No. 141 (this the right pair), we offered the intact strip in our Sale 870 and stated at that time that the left three stamps had visible grill points and the right stamp did not, offered as-is and not returnable if a new certificate states one or both are Scott 152 (a likely outcome), take your pick for Scott values — original-gum pair of No. 141 $16,000, singles of Nos. 141 and 152 $11,000, pair No. 152 $7,500
24c Purple, H. Grill (142). Unusually rich shade, noticeable grill points, bold circle of wedges cancel
FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1870 24-CENT 1870 NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE.
Signed Brookman. With 1964 P.F. and 2025 P.S.E. certificates.
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Original gum, several clear rows of grill points in Hamilton's forehead, intact perforations at left
FINE. A RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 1949 and 1990 P.F. certificates.
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Original gum, h.r., clear grill, decent centering for this difficult issue, small corner crease at bottom right
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 1984 P.F. certificate.
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Small part disturbed original gum, several rows of clear grill points visible on the front of the stamp, radiant color, centered to right, thin spot
VERY GOOD APPEARANCE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
This is a rare stamp in unused condition. With 1994 A.P.S. certificate. We are sure this would qualify for a reduced certificate fee if a buyer wished to submit this for an updated certificate. Scott value $25,000 as original gum.
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Unused (no gum), clear grill, bright color, centered to bottom, about Fine, a very scarce stamp unused in sound condition, with 2024 P.F. certificate, Scott value $10,000
90c Carmine, H. Grill (144). Vertical pair, clear grill points on bottom stamp, quartered cork cancels, short or frayed perfs at top and bottom, otherwise Very Good, Scott value for pair $5,250
3c Green, I. Grill (136A). Original gum, h.r., deep rich color on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2024 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF 90), this is the only graded unused example at P.S.E.
7c Vermilion, I. Grill, Split Grill (138A var). Bright color, showing split grill at top and bottom, cork cancel, well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY WITH A SPLIT I GRILL, GRADED XF 90.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90). Only two grade higher for the normal I Grill (at 95J and 98) and three others share this desirable grade. This is the only example graded 90 or above with a split grill. Listed but unpriced in Scott. SMQ value as normal I Grill.
10c Brown, I. Grill (139A). Clear grill, rich color, centered to top, light circular datestamp cancel, short perf at top right
FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 10-CENT I GRILL.
Starting with the 2013 Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, the I Grills were elevated to major catalogue number status, meaning collectors had to start acquiring the I Grills if they desired completeness. Some years back, Bank Note grills authority Ronald A. Burns had recorded ten used and three unused examples of the 10c I Grill, plus an additional two used on the same cover. There are a few more than that identified by now, but it remains one of the rarest U.S. stamps.
With 2022 P.S.E. certificate.
15c Orange, I. Grill (141A). Well-defined I Grill points from the early state of the grilling device, brilliant color, neat strike of segmented cork cancel, tiny corner perf crease at bottom right
FINE. THIS STAMP IS THE DISCOVERY COPY OF THE 15-CENT I GRILL, WHICH IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES STAMPS.
Starting with the 2013 Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, the I Grills were elevated to major catalogue number status. For the 15c, Ronald A. Burns records 14 used off-cover, three unused and two covers, for a total of 19.
With 1955 and 2008 P.F. certificates and accompanied by 1953 note from Stanley Gibbons where purchased by Charles J. Starnes. Small backstamp.
1c Ultramarine (145). Block of four with right selvage, unused (no gum), rich color on bright paper, choice centering, fresh and Very Fine, with 1988 P.F. certificate, Scott value as original gum block
1c Ultramarine (145). Top imprint and plate no. 17 strip of six, unused (no gum), bright color on bright paper, choice centering, Very Fine, a rare multiple, only one plate block of Scott 145 is known (bottom position, also without gum, ex Gross), this imprint and plate number strip is an excellent alternative
3c Green (147). Unused (no gum), with "Read the New York Ledger" advertisement on back, Very Fine and very unusual, with 1992 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (150). Original gum, lightly hinged, fresh and Fine, with 1983 P.F. certificate
12c Dull Violet (151). Slightly disturbed original gum, dark color, well-centered but reperfed at left, appears Very Fine, with 2007 P.S.E certificate
15c Bright Orange (152). Part original gum which covers essentially the entire back of the stamp, vibrant color, corner perf flaw at bottom right not noted on certificate, Fine appearance, with 2016 P.S.A.G. certificate
15c Bright Orange (152). Slightly glazed original gum, straight edge at right, small thin spot at bottom left, Very Fine appearance
24c Purple (153). Horizontal block of six, manuscript and cork cancels, small faults and a few toned spots, otherwise Fine and rare, used blocks of four are rare enough but a block of six is the second largest listed in Power Search
30c Black (154). Original gum, intense color, bit heavily thinned, otherwise Fine, scarce in original-gum condition, Scott value $7,000
15c Yellow Orange (163). Original gum, Jumbo margins and choice centering, vibrant color on bright white paper, insignificant short perf at top
EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING JUMBO-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
From our 1992 Rarities sale and ex Floyd and "Clipper City". 1991 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85 Jumbo). Only four grade higher (three at 90, one at 90J) and none share this grade.
2c Dark Brown, Special Printing (168). Without gum as issued, rich color, perfs trimmed off at left, certificate states reperfed at right, but in our opinion it is not (the holes gauge perfectly and have the irregular shapes of genuine perfs)
VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 168, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/168, contains 64 examples, including one in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, leaving 63 available to collectors. Many have perfs scissors-trimmed on at least one side and many have perforations into the design.
Census no. 168-UNC-60. With 2018 P.F. certificate.
5c Blue, With Gill (179c). Original gum, deep rich color, clearly defined grill
FINE 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.
With 2024 P.S.E. certificate.
5c Blue (185). Block of four, original gum, deep rich color, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, the bottom stamps are especially well-centered
10c Brown, Without Secret Mark (187). With left selvage, original gum with some brownish areas, detailed impression, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, natural pre-printing paperfold in selvage only, Fine, with clear copy of 1981 P.F. certificate for block
30c Full Black (190). Top imprint and plate no. 405 strip of five, original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade, intact perfs at left
FINE. A RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF FIVE OF THE 1879 30-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
Multiples showing the imprint and plate number are rare. We offered one in 1992 and one in the 2019 Gross sale. Perhaps four or six plate blocks are known. This strip, showing the entire imprint and plate number, is desirable.
3c Vermilion (214). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 421 block of twelve, bright color, position 11 with natural inclusion, Fine, unpriced in Scott as a Mint N.H. plate block of 12, Scott value as plate block of ten plus two singles
3c Vermilion (214). Mint N.H. horizontal block of twelve, well-centered, slight toning not mentioned on certificate, Very Fine, with clear 2005 A.P.S. certificate, Scott value as singles
30c Orange Brown (217). Unused (no gum), mathematically perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp for the collector who values centering above gum, with 2024 P.S.E. certificate (NG, Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ), this is the highest grade awarded to an unused Scott 217 and it is shared by only one other (which has original gum)
1c-90c 1890 Issue, Imperforate (219P5-229P5; formerly 219a-229a). Horizontal pairs, complete set including both 2c, also including two of 4c and 6c (different shades), large margins to full including 15c with left sheet margin, few small faults including thin spots
VERY FINE APPEARING COMPLETE SET OF IMPERFORATE PAIRS OF THE 1890-93 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
90c with 1997 P.F. certificate.
2c Lake (219D). Original gum, we would classify this as lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), only one hinged and one Mint N.H. grade higher, the highest grade we have offered in either hinged or Mint N.H. categories is a 95
3c Purple (221). Bottom imprint and plate no. 21 block of ten, original gum, rich color, typical minor perf separations
FINE-VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM PLATE BLOCK OF THE 3-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
We have offered only six hinged and three Mint N.H. plate blocks since keeping computerized records. Ex Petersen.
4c Dark Brown (222). Original gum, barely hinged, perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1995 P.F. and 2024 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98), the highest grade awarded to a hinged example with only one equal (98 is also the highest Mint N.H. grade with two)
4c Dark Brown (222). Mint N.H., unusually deep rich color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1991 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate (223). Rich color, unusually wide and balanced margins, neat machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 and 2022 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98), only one grades higher (at 98J) and three others share this desirable grade
6c Brown Red (224). Bottom imprint and plate no. 23 block of ten, original gum, rich color, some fairly significant perf separations reinforced, still Fine and attractive plate block, ex Petersen
8c Lilac (225). Top imprint, plate no. 269 and letter "Z Z" block of twelve, original gum, lightly hinged with about half the stamps Mint N.H., rich color, some perf separations between two stamps at right (which are outside the plate block and also Mint N.H.), tiny tear in top edge of selvage, Fine and attractive, ex Petersen, Scott value for hinged plate block of ten plus the two Mint N.H. singles at right
8c Lilac, Imperforate (225P5; formerly 225a). Mint N.H. horizontal strip of three, large to huge margins, rich color, usual light natural gum bends, Extremely Fine, with 2017 A.P.S. certificate, Scott value as pair $1,000
15c Indigo (227). Deep rich color on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide margins, neat cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2020 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
90c Orange (229). Horizontal block of ten with natural straight edge at left, brilliant color, nice centering, New York registry oval cancel, some hinge reinforced perf separations, Very Fine, ex Curtis, Scott value as two blocks of four and two singles
90c Orange, Imperforate (229P5; formerly 229a). Mint N.H., large margins, vibrant color, Extremely Fine, with 2013 P.F. certificate, Scott value as hinged pair $1,450