15c Orange, I Grill (141
var). Well-defined I Grill points visible on both sides of the stamp,
choice centering for this difficult issue, rich color (somewhat oxidized),
neat strike of circle of wedges cancel and part of red transit
cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 15-CENT I GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES STAMPS. APPROXIMATELY SIX EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.
At least two sizes of grills were used by the National Bank Note Company for the 1870 Issue. The I Grill measures from 9-11 points wide by 10-13 points tall. 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. To our knowledge, there are now six examples of the 15c I Grill, including four used and two with original gum, each certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation.
Ex Chapin. With 2003 P.F. certificate. (Image)
15c Orange, Double Grill (141
var). H. Grill, well-centered, bright shade with lightly struck cork
cancel, clear impressions of two distinct grillsEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE DOUBLE GRILL VARIETY.
Ex Morris. With 1997 P.F. certificate. Unpriced in Scott as used and not listed as unused. (Image)
24c Purple, Grill (142).
H. Grill, bright color, clear grill points, perfectly struck New York
Foreign Mail geometric cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE WITH A PERFECTLY STRUCK NEW YORK FOREIGN MAIL CANCELLATION. A VERY DESIRABLE COPY OF THIS RARITY.
With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)
24c Purple, Grill (142).
H. Grill, clear grill points, pretty pastel color, bold strike of rosette
cancelVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.
With 1998 P.S.E. and 2000 P.F. certificates (Image)
24c Purple, Grill (142).
H. Grill, noticeable grill points, bright color, bold strike of cork
cancel, small corner creases at bottom rightVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE.
With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)
24c Purple, Split Grill (142
var). H. Grill, clearly-defined grill points, natural s.e. at right,
cork cancel, small thin spot not mentioned on accompanying
certificateFINE APPEARANCE. THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE WITH SPLIT GRILL. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
With 1960 P.F. certificate. Accompanied by note from Eugene Costales. Listed but unpriced in Scott. Value is for a normal grill (Image)
24c Purple, Double Grill (142
var). H. Grill, horizontal pair, clear second grill partly
struck over the first, pretty shade, cork cancels, expertly reattached perf
separations, some soiling and staining, few light creases not mentioned on
accompanying certificateFINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 24-CENT NATIONAL GRILLED ISSUE.
Ex Braus. With 1959 P.F. certificate and accompanied by a note from Lester Brookman. (Image)
90c Carmine, Double Grill (144
var). H. Grill, bright color, clear doubling of the grill, face-free
cancel, reperfed at top and right (not mentioned on accompanying
certificate), Fine appearance, with 2002 P.F. certificate, listed but
unpriced as Split Grill, Scott Retail as normal
(Image)
90c Carmine, Grill (144).
H. Grill, horizontal strip of three, noticeable grill points, rich color,
cork cancels, light creases, appears Fine, scarce multiple of the 90c
National Grilled Issue (Image)
2c Red Brown, Double
Impression (146d). Unused (no gum), clear doubling with dramatic second
impression shifted up and to the left, light creases and small
repairFINE APPEARANCE. THIS EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT UNGRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH DOUBLE IMPRESSION MAY BE UNIQUE.
This is not known used, and this is the only unused example contained in our records. With 1983 P.F. certificate (Image)
3c Green, Double Impression
(147b). Clear double impression with second impression shifted
significantly, bright color, neat strike of target cancel leaves design
clearly visible, tiny pinhole at centerFINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY FOUR EXAMPLES OF THIS DOUBLE IMPRESSION VARIETY RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
Our census of Scott 147b records the following four examples: 1) target cancel, small pinhole, ex Braus, the example offered here, 2) cork cancel struck at top, slight doubling, small corner crease at top right, 3) slight doubling, unusual segmented target cancel, sound, and 4) partial second impression including captured plate no., quartered cork cancel, sound.
Ex Braus. With 1983 P.F. certificate. We are unaware of the basis for the current Scott Catalogue value. (Image)