1c Ultramarine, Grill
(134). Original gum, clear and easily recognizable grill points,
brilliant color on bright paper, superb centering with extra wide top and
bottom margins, barest trace of a tiny toned spot at left center that does
not detract from the freshness of the paper and colorEXTREMELY FINE. A FRESH AND UNUSUALLY WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1870 NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE.
With 2001 P.F. certificate (Image)
1c Ultramarine, Grill
(134). Original gum, lightly hinged, remarkable centering, clear grill,
bright colorAN EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1870 NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE.
With 2001 P.F. certificate (Image)
7c Vermilion, Grill (138).
Natural s.e. at left, tied by bold quartered cork cancel on cover to
Dresden, Germany, forwarded to Paris, France, with Germany 1870 1gr, 2gr
Eagle (17, 18), all three stamps tied by Dresden 27 11 73 3 AM" framed
datestamp, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Nov. 12" circular datestamp,
blue Paris receiving postmark, and small boxed "PD" handstamp, cover
expertly repaired along top edge not affecting stamps and not mentioned on
accompanying certificate, appears Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
10c Brown, Grill (139).
Fresh color, well-defined grill points at top right, huge margins all
around, bold strike of "N.York Steamship" circular datestamp,
Extremely Fine Gem, a magnificent example of this scarce issue, with 1988
P.F. certificate (Image)
12c Dull Violet, Grill
(140). Perfectly centered, beautiful pastel shade on bright paper,
noticeable grill points, light strike of target cancelEXTREMELY FINE. THE CENTERING OF THIS RARE 12-CENT 1870 NATIONAL GRILLED STAMP IS EXTRAORDINARILY PRECISE.
With 1997 P.S.E. and 1998 P.F. certificates (Image)
15c Orange, Grill (141).
Original gum, lightly hinged, few grill points visible at base of bust,
incredibly wide margins for this rare issue and beautifully centered,
brilliant color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE. THE 15-CENT 1870 NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE IS RARE IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION, AND THIS STAMP HAS PHENOMENAL MARGINS AND CENTERING.
The 15c National Grilled Issue is one of the most difficult of all National Bank Note Company issues to obtain in well-centered, original-gum condition. This stamp has margin width and centering rarely seen among examples of any 15c 1870-73 Issues, grilled or ungrilled.
With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
15c Orange, I Grill (141
var). Well-defined I Grill points visible on both sides of the stamp,
no less than 9 points in width and 11 points in height, wide margins,
bright color, light strike of cork cancel, small corner crease at top
leftVERY FINE AND CHOICE APPEARANCE. THE 15-CENT I GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES STAMPS. ONLY FOUR EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.
At least two sizes of grills were used by the National Bank Note Company for the 1870 Issue. They are identified in the Scott Catalogue by a notation preceding Scott 134, which assigns them the letters H and I, but these have not been separately catalogued, as have the different grills used in 1867 and 1868 (A, B, C, D, Z, E and F).
The H Grill is larger than the I Grill, measuring approximately 11-13 points wide by 14-16 points tall when the full dimensions are visible. It is found on all values from the 1c thru 90c. The H Grill is sometimes extremely faint, appearing only as a few pinpoints on the face of the stamp, and H Grill multiples are known with some stamps in the block grilled and others in the same block having no impression of the grill whatsoever.
The I Grill measures from 9-11 points wide by 10-13 points tall. It is usually a stronger grill impression (though sometimes incomplete) with well-defined points, the shape of which differ from the H Grill's points. The I Grill is currently recorded on all values except the 12c, 24c and 30c (there are unconfirmed reports of the I Grill on the 12c and 24c). The 1c thru 7c values make up most of the population of I Grill stamps. The 10c, 15c and 90c I Grills are extremely rare, and it is only in recent years that the existence of two 10c and one 90c was reported by Ronald Burns. At this stage in our studies, we are unable to say if there is yet a third type of grill (similar in size to the I Grill), nor can we establish the progression or dating sequence of the 1870-71 grills. Calvet M. Hahn described the I Grill on the higher denominations as the "X" Grill, but stopped short of creating a third grill (Collectors Club Philatelist, September-October 1989).
Brookman notes in Vol. II (p. 205) that as of 1955 the Philatelic Foundation had certified one genuine copy of the 15c I Grill. To our knowledge, there are now four examples, including three used and one with original gum, each certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation.
To properly appreciate the I Grill stamps, one must understand that the only distinction between the most valuable stamp in United States philately, the 1c Z Grill (Scott 85A), and its grilled counterparts (Scott 86 and 92), is the size and shape of the grill. Scott's policy of listing the different types of grills used in 1867 and 1868 is not applied to the 1870-71 National Bank Note Issue, possibly due to the faintness of many H Grills and the difficulty of measuring their size. One consequence of this inconsistent treatment is that rarities such as the 15c I Grill are ignored by many collectors and dealers. However, if the 1870-71 I Grill stamps were accorded major Scott numbers, as are the different 1867-68 Grills, we would have eight new major listings (a precedent for this was the creation of the Z Grill numbers, Scott 85A thru 85F). In such a scenario, the value of this used 15c I Grill would multiply as collector recognition turned into demand. For the collector who comprehends the significance of the I Grill stamps relative to other listings and has the foresight to see beyond the current Scott Catalogue, this is a significant opportunity to acquire one of the rarest stamps in United States philately.
With 1983 P.F. certificate (not specifying the grill type) and with 1999 P.F. certificate stating that the stamp is an I Grill. Accompanied by copy of Nov. 16, 1998 Linn's article discussing the I Grill. (Image)
24c Purple, Grill (142).
Well-centered, clear New York Foreign Mail fancy cancel, usual
pastel shade, clear grill pointsVERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1870 NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE FEATURING A NEW YORK FOREIGN MAIL FANCY CANCEL.
With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)