3c Rose, A. Grill (79).
Well-centered, perforations complete on all four sides, attractive blue
pinwheel fancy cancel and completely soundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT 1867 EXPERIMENTAL ALL-OVER GRILL. A PHENOMENAL STAMP.
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. The example offered here, which received a clear but not as heavy grill impression as usual -- allowing the perfs to remain intact -- realized hammer prices of $5,500 when sold by our firm in 1987 and $7,500 at our 1998 Zoellner sale.
Ex Zoellner. With 1966 and 1987 P.F. certificates (Image)
3c Rose, C. Grill (83).
Well-centered with long and full perforations all around, clear and sharp
grill points highlighted by bright blue quartered cork cancel, extra
wide left marginEXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE 3-CENT C GRILL WITH ATTRACTIVE BLUE CANCELLATION.
With 1997 P.F. certificate (Image)
2c Black, D. Grill (84).
Perfectly centered, deep shade, lightly cancelled by target, full clear
grill impression showing the requisite 15 columns of pointsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. APART FROM THE A AND Z GRILL RARITIES, THE 2-CENT 1868 D GRILL IS THE RAREST OF ALL GRILLED ISSUES. PROBABLY FEWER THAN TEN COPIES EXIST IN THIS SUPERB CONDITION.
The device equipped with the D Grill was refitted with the E Grill on or about February 9, 1868. Based on the earliest known usages of the 2c D Grill (2/15/68) and 3c E Grill (2/19/68), it is our theory that the conversion from the D to E Grill took place only a day or so after sheets of 2c stamps were first run through the D-equipped machine. The great rarity of 2c D Grills, relative to all other regular-production grills, bears out this theory.
Ex Zoellner. With 1995 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for Fine centering (Image)
3c Rose, D. Grill (85).
Bright color, beautifully centered with wide margins, clear and
well-defined grill, bold face-free rosette cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT D GRILL.
With 1997 P.F. certificate (Image)