[No Value] Experimental Grill
Essays on White Wove (79-E13a, 79-E13b). Complete set of five
stamp-size essays, incl. cross, star in square, horizontal line oval in
square, diagonal lined oval in square and perforated circle with points
down, all original gum, h.r., few have faint toning at top, last shows few
breaks in grill from heavy impressionVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE ODD-SHAPED COLORLESS GRILLS.
The four odd-shaped grills also show grilling in the larger background. Brookman noted that the alignment of the design and the background matches perfectly, and so probably were produced by the same grilling device (Image)
3c Carmine, Colored Grill
with Points Down (79-E13d). Approx. stamp size, deep rich color, thin
spot at bottom right, otherwise Very Fine, illustrated in Brookman (Image)
3c Grilled Circle on Tan
Wove, Perforated 12 (79-E13e). Bottom right corner margin block of
four, original gum, bottom stamps Mint N.H., wide natural gum skip at right
and bottom corresponding to creases, few natural internal creases, appears
Very Fine, Scott Retail as four singles
(Image)
3c Grilled Circle on
Yellowish Wove, Perforated 12, Experimental Cancel (79-E13f var).
Vertical strip of three with bottom two stamps only with embossing,
original gum, h.r., showing trial cancel of similar design to grill, light
vertical crease at right corresponding to end of gum, Very Fine and unusual
item (Image)
3c Grilled Circle on White
Wove, Perforated 12 (79-E13g). Right sheet margin block of six,
original gum, h.r., top two rows tete-beche, inscription in margin
reads "Subjected to a half hour's pressure after embossing" and
matching "2." at corner, faint vertical creases affecting left row and
selvageVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN IMPORTANT GRILLED ISSUE ESSAY.
In Charles F. Steel's 1867 patent for the grilling device, he notes his intention that as part of the process he would "flatten a portion or the whole of the paper, so as to nearly remove all indications of the embossing, except that the fiber of the paper remains disturbed and partially broken. After this I print on the surface thus prepared."
Our records do not indicate whether the tete-beche design has been noted by experts before, and its existence is a mystery (Image)
[No Value] Grilled Circle on
White Wove, Perforated 12 (79-E13h). Sheet margin block of four,
original gum, lightly hinged, wide natural gu skip at "bottom"
corresponding to crease (similar crease in selvage at "right", one stamp
with some black ink on embossing, Very Fine, Scott Retail as four singles
(Image)
[No Value] All-Over Grill
Essay on Colored Papers (79-E14b). Five, three approx. 78 x 52mm, two
approx. 31 x 50mm, incl. White, Light Gray Green, Light Gray, Light Blue
and Salmon, the latter shows soiling, otherwise Fine-Very Fine (Image)
[No Value] All-Over Grill
Essay, Colored Paper (79-E14b var). Four different colored papers
affixed to 152 x 228mm card, ms. at bottom "Section of Grill used by
National Bank Note Co." in handwriting and signed first by J.
Macdonough (manager of N.B.N. Co.), Alexander Duke (operator of grilling
machine), W. Dougherty (last in pencil), also signed by "Chas. F. Steel,
Inventor and patentee of the grill", small thin at top of card, small
pen notation marks added at far right of card by a challenged collector,
top paper sample hinged back in placeVERY FINE. AN INTERESTING GRILLED ISSUE ITEM. A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION PIECE.
The card, signed by both the the manager of National Bank Note Co. and Steel (with his notation as inventor and patentee), provides an acceptance of Steel's patent claim by National (Image)
[No Value] All-Over Grill
Essay on Colored Paper (79-E14b var). Three samples affixed to 147 x
206mm card signed "Chas. F. Steel" at bottom, card has few
toned spots, top sample light creases, faint scuff along left side from
removal from album (all minor detractions), Very Fine appearance, rare (Image)