2c Black, E. Grill (87).
L-shaped block of five used with another single, 3c Red, F. Grill (94)
and 12c Green (117), tied by cork cancels, "New Orleans La. Aug. 28"
(1869) circular datestamp on 3c Pink entire to Auzon, France, red
"New York Paid 6" credit datestamp, red "PD" in frame and blue Calais
transit, stamps have minor perfs flaws and gum soaks in grills, small part
of upper right corner of cover has been expertly repaired, block lifted to
lighten gum soaks and replacedFINE AND ATTRACTIVE COVER. USED BLOCKS OF THE 2-CENT E. GRILL ARE EXTREMELY RARE. THIS BLOCK OF FIVE, USED IN A FOUR-COLOR MIXED-ISSUE FRANKING, IS ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING ITEMS OF THE GRILLED ISSUE.
Illustrated in Allen Black Jack book (p. 147). Ex Zoellner. (Image)
3c Rose, E. Grill (88).
Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful Deep Rose shade on fresh paper,
remarkably well-centered with long full perforations, strong grill
impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ROSE E GRILL. RARELY SEEN IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION.
The 3c E Grill should not be confused with the F Grill in terms of condition. It is far rarer in this original-gum condition and Extremely Fine Gem grade. The reason could be that multiples, from which such choice stamps can be harvested, have always been scarce, and single stamps saved by collectors in albums typically have disturbed gum from multiple hinges. Therefore, this lightly hinged 3c E Grill, with its intense shade and enormous margins, should be given special attention.
With 1999 P.F. certificate. (Image)
10c Green, E. Grill (89).
Original gum, unusually choice centering, easily identifiable grill
pointsEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT E GRILL WITH REMARKABLE CENTERING -- RARE IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION.
Our comments about the relative rarity of 3c E and F Grills in choice original-gum condition (see lot 171) apply to the 10c, and perhaps even more so. While blocks of the 10c F Grill have been broken in recent years, yielding some choice single stamps, the 10c E Grill blocks are extremely rare and always have been. Caspary's block of 18 was broken years ago, but many of the stamps had faults or disturbed gum. Few other blocks have become available to furnish singles. The centering and soundness of this 10c E Grill place it high on the condition census.
With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)
5c Brown, F. Grill (95).
Original gum, pristine back with only the barest trace of previous hinge,
beautiful rich color in a bright reddish shade, unusually sharp impression,
remarkably freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT BROWN F GRILL WITH ORIGINAL GUM. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION.
The 5c 1861-68 Issues are extremely difficult to find in sound, well-centered, original-gum condition. The narrow spacing between stamps on the plate and large 12-gauge perforations resulted in stamps that are frequently off center. This applies to Scott 67, 75, 76 and 95 alike. None of these is easy to locate in centered original-gum condition (to understate the matter), but the limited production of 5c F Grills leaves collectors with an even smaller supply. By virtue of its color, centering and freshness, we believe the stamp offered here is superior to any we have seen offered in years.
With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)
5c Brown, F. Grill (95).
Perfectly centered with uncharacteristically wide margins leaving a white
frame all around the design, fancy rosette cancel, deep rich color on fresh
paper, clear grill pointsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO FIND WITH WIDE MARGINS ON ALL SIDES.
As noted in the previous lot, the narrow space between stamps and large 12-gauge perforations left little opportunity to clear the design. This stamp is an extraordinary exception to the rule.
With 1998 P.F. certificate. (Image)
15c Black, F. Grill (98).
Extraordinarily well-centered, sharp proof-like impression on bright white
paper, clear grill pointsEXTREMELY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM 15-CENT F GRILL WITH REMARKABLE FRESHNESS AND DEPTH OF COLOR.
With 1995 P.F. certificate. (Image)
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill
(99). Original gum, bright shade and fine impression on brilliant white
paper, sharp and clearly-defined grillEXTREMELY FINE FOR THIS SCARCE ISSUE. A CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL IN AN EXTRAORDINARY STATE OF FRESHNESS.
The higher-denomination F Grills were produced in limited quantities and seem to have caused National Bank Note Co. difficulty in applying perforations. They are typically off center with very choppy perfs. This stamp is uncharacteristically well-centered and has well-formed perforations. Although centered slightly to left, we feel it deserves the Extremely Fine grade, considering how high it is positioned in a condition census.
With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)