2006 Rarities of the World continued...

VERY FINE. A RARE USAGE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL ON A PATRIOTIC COVER TO IRELAND. THIS IS THE SECOND-EARLIEST RECORDED USAGE OF THIS STAMP.

For several years this was the earliest recorded usage of the 12c Z Grill. The cover offered in the previous lot, which is a new discovery, now takes that title.

With 1996 P.F. certificate. With 2002 A.P.S. certificate. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL IS FAR SCARCER THAN ITS F-GRILL COUNTERPART, PARTICULARLY IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

Some time ago we observed that the 1c E Grill appeared at auction very infrequently, in any form. After analyzing the early 1868 regular-production grills (Z, D, E and F), we concluded that grilling of the 1c 1861 issue with the E (and Z) Grill must have been short-lived, occurring sometime around February 28, 1868. Later grilling of 1c stamps was probably done with the F Grill. Relatively little of the 1c E Grill supply appears to have reached the philatelic market, as evidenced by the stamp's scarcity.

With 1989 and 1999 P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT E GRILL WITH REMARKABLE CENTERING -- RARE IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION.

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. This stamp is certainly among the finest extant.

With 1990 P.F. certificate as block of four (two of the four stamps in the block had faults) (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE GRILLED ISSUES WITH ORIGINAL GUM AND WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS.

As an indication of the rarity of 15c E Grill stamps with original gum, the Scott Catalogue values original-gum condition at more than twice the value of unused without gum. This stamp, with its unusually wide margins, full original gum, and overall freshness, is truly a remarkable rarity.

With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL. SCARCE IN SUCH MAGNIFICENT CONDITION.

With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONLY A FEW 2-CENT BLACK JACK GRILLED STAMPS EXIST IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION WITH MARGINS AND CENTERING RIVALLING THE GARGANTUAN DIMENSIONS OF THIS STAMP.

With 1988 and 1997 P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL IN A REMARKABLY FRESH STATE OF PRESERVATION. A GREAT CONDITION RARITY.

Original-gum singles and blocks of the 5c F Grill tend to be in rather poor condition, either in terms of centering, color or overall condition.

With 1987 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL. SCARCE IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.

With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL.

With 1995 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL.

With 1983 P.F. certificate (Image)