The John F. Odeneal Collection of Mint United States Stamps continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL IS FAR SCARCER THAN ITS F-GRILL COUNTERPART, PARTICULARLY IN SUCH CHOICE 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 1994 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ $8,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. and the only 90 in the Population Report (Image Magnifier)

EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT E GRILL.

With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image Magnifier)

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, framed by unusually wide margins all around, is certainly among the finest extant (to prove the point, the P.S.E. Population Report's highest grade for Scott 89 OG is 50!).

With 1998 and 2007 P.F. certificates (Image Magnifier)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT E GRILL. SCARCE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.

As collectors who have been searching for a superb original-gum copy of the 12c E Grill can attest, it is rarely seen in choice condition. One reason is that there have been far fewer multiples of the 12c E Grill than other grilled issues, and, therefore, fewer singles from broken blocks. No blocks were offered in sales of great classic collections, such as Crocker, Caspary, Eno, Lilly, Moody, West or Ishikawa. The Zoellner block was broken into Fine-Very Fine singles. The singles in most of the important U.S. collections offered during the past 20 years have been unsatisfactory in one way or another.

With 1983, 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates. (Image Magnifier)

EXTREMELY FINE AND ONE OF THE WIDEST-MARGINED EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.

As an indication of the rarity of 15c E Grill stamps with original gum, the Scott Catalogue values Scott 91 at $4,500.00 without gum, and $11,000.00 with original gum. This stamp, with its unusually wide margins, full original gum, and overall freshness, is truly a remarkable rarity.

Ex Lessin. With 1997 and 2007 P.F. certificates (Image Magnifier)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL IS AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SOUND, SUPERBLY-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

With 2001 P.F. certificate (Image Magnifier)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT F GRILL.

We have only sold one other Mint N.H. 2c F Grill since keeping computerized records, which was centered strongly to the left. With 1982 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged (Image Magnifier)

EXTREMELY 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 Magnifier)

EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL. THIS IS THE FIRST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. WE DOUBT WHETHER MORE THAN ONE OR TWO OTHERS EXIST.

Virtually all multiples containing stamps with Very Fine or better centering have been broken to feed collector demand for singles. After thoroughly searching past auction catalogues, we were unable to locate any Mint N.H. stamps contained in the few remaining multiples, and we were unable to locate any other singles in Mint N.H. condition. The P.S.E. Population Report does not list any Mint N.H. copies and reports one meager OG 70.

With 1997 and 2007 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged (Image Magnifier)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL. AN EXTRAORDINARY STAMP AND CERTAINLY AMONG THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS BY FAR THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE, ACHIEVED ONLY BY THE STAMP OFFERED HERE.

We acknowledge the past existence of original-gum 12c F Grill multiples, which in recent years have been broken to furnish choice singles. However, the quality of this particular stamp -- its centering and margins, shade and overall freshness -- qualify it as one of the three or four finest in existence.

With 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $16,000.00). This is the only copy to achieve XF-Superb 95 from P.S.E. (followed by two 90’s) (Image Magnifier)