2006 Rarities of the World continued...

EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL USED PAIR OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL.

We have offered very few multiples of the 3c C Grill, and, to the best of our recollection, this is the finest used pair we have handled in many years.

Ex Ishikawa. With 1993 P.F. certificate. (Image)

FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL. PARTICULARLY SCARCE WITH SUCH A HIGH DEGREE OF FRESHNESS.

As a thorough search of past auction catalogues shows, 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 Hetherington (as a block). With copy of 1954 P.F. certificate for block of four. (Image)

FRESH AND FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL.

Ex Ishikawa. With 1993 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL. PARTICULARLY DESIRABLE WITH THE GRILLED SELVAGE.

This stamp is one of the pieces of evidence supporting our theory that the Z and F Grills were used in succession on the same machine, while the D and E Grills were used in succession on another machine. Additional grills on Z/F Grill selvage always occurs at the sides, while additional grills on D/E Grills always occur at the top or bottom.

With 1955 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. IN TERMS OF CENTERING AND MARGINS, THIS STAMP RANKS AMONG THE TOP FIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL.

To form our assessment of this 2c Z Grill, we conducted a survey of approximately 100 auction catalogues for major United States collections sold over the past 60 years. The majority of these collections contained only used or very poor unused examples of 85B. Many accomplished collectors were never able to locate a sound, well-centered original-gum 2c Z Grill. Although the stamp offered here is indeed creased, its appearance far surpasses most of the known copies. In our Sale 814, a sound, Extremely Fine 2c Z Grill realized $24,000 hammer.

With 1987 and 2005 P.F. certificates. (Image)

VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL.

To form our assessment of this 2c Z Grill, we conducted a survey of approximately 100 auction catalogues for major United States collections sold over the past 60 years. The majority of these collections contained only used or very poor unused examples of 85B. We noted the following: our 1975 Grunin sale had a well-centered 85B with nearly full original gum and small faults, remarkably, Caspary and Lilly had a few singles and multiples with original gum, but all of these had perfs cutting far into the design, the ex-Connoisseur and ex-Vernon Morris 85B is similarly well centered with original gum, Clifford C. Cole had a well-centered single with slightly disturbed original gum, our 1970 Rarities sale had an original gum block with the top pair creased, but the bottom pair was well-centered (probably still intact as a block), our 1971 Rarities sale had an off-center original gum pair, our 1981 Rarities sale had a right sheet-margin copy with original gum and choice centering, the Rorke specialized Black Jack collection had a superb 85B, but without gum, and, finally, our recent sale of the Golin collection had another superb no-gum copy. In general, many accomplished collectors, such as Sheriff, Klein and Seymour, evidently were unable to acquire a well-centered, original-gum 2c Z Grill.

In our September 1999 auction (Sale 814), a sound, Extremely Fine 2c Z Grill with full original gum realized $24,000 hammer.

With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL.

With 1986 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE COLORED CANCEL.

An examination of our records shows that this is one of the most difficult of the grilled issues to find in superb condition, particularly with a colored cancel. This stamp is a true condition rarity.

With 1995 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL, COMBINING CENTERING, MARGIN WIDTH AND A COLORED CANCEL.

With 1989 P.F. certificate (Image)