3c Rose, A. Grill (79).
Unused (no gum), perforations complete on all four sides, fresh bright
paper, few light rust specks in grill points on back onlyEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1867 EXPERIMENTAL ALL-OVER GRILL.
The August 1867 3c experimental A Grill was the first grilled issue. It was soon learned that the all-over grill weakened the paper and interfered with perforating and separating, resulting in rough perforations and pieces torn out of the margins when split apart. Within two months of A Grill production the apparatus was modified by dividing the embossed area into small rectangular units within each stamp (C Grill).
The 3c A Grill, Scott 79, is one of the most distinctive of 19th century United States stamps by virtue of its consistently poor appearance. The Scott Catalogue values this stamp in Fine-Very Fine grade and with perforation faults, the norm for the issue. Any example with complete perforations and in sound condition is valued far in excess of the Scott Catalogue price.
With 1984 P.F. certificate (Image)
2c Black, D. Grill (84).
Well-centered, black cork cancel, Very Fine, apart from the A and Z Grill
rarities, the 2c D. Grill is the rarest of regularly-issued 1867-68 grills,
with 1981 P.F. certificate (Image)
2c Black, E. Grill, Double
Grill, One Split (87 var). Full original gum, lightly hinged,
prominent grill points clearly showing both grills with one split at top
and bottom, marvelous centering for this difficult stamp, sharp
impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL GRILLED ISSUES TO FIND WITH ORIGINAL GUM AND WELL CENTERED. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE PROMINENT GRILL VARIETY.
We searched numerous major name sales containing 1867-68 grilled issues (Caspary, Lilly, Grunin, etc.), in order to compare this stamp with other original-gum examples. We found only one or two that compare favorably (normal grills), and we were surprised that several collections lacked even an average copy with gum. The demand for this stamp should push the realization into multiples of Scott value. With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)
10c Green, E. Grill, "TAG"
Variety (89 var). Unused (no gum), deep rich color, prominent grill
points, clearly showing the "TAG" double transfer, fresh and Very Fine,
small blue backstamp, with 1999 P.F. certificate
(Image)
12c Black, E. Grill (90).
Unused (no gum), sharp proof-like impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine
and choice, the 12c E Grill is far rarer in centered unused condition than
its F Grill counterpart, with 1983 and 1999 P.F. certificates (Image)
12c Black, E. Grill (90).
Enormous even margins on all sides, light red cork cancel, clear
grill and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp,
with 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)
12c Black, E. Grill (90).
Well-centered with huge margins, prominent grill points, crisp impression,
circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1990 and 1999 P.F.
certificates (Image)
15c Black, E. Grill (91).
Original gum, lightly hinged, remarkably fresh and well-centered with
strong grill impressionEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE GRILLED ISSUES IN THIS WELL-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
This is the upper right stamp of the Zoellner block (ex Caspary and Klein). With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)
12c Black, F. Grill (97).
Full original gum, clear grill points, very well-centered, sharp proof-like
impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT F GRILL.
With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)
12c Black, F. Grill (97).
Block of four, unused (no gum), clear grill points, well-centered and sharp
impressionsVERY FINE TO EXTREMELY FINE. THE UPPER RIGHT STAMP IS SUPERB.
Scott Retail as a block of four (Image)
90c Blue, F. Grill (101).
Very well-centered with wide margins, prominent grill points, bright color,
fancy cogwheel cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a notoriously difficult
stamp to find this well-centered, with 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)