2003 Rarities of the World continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL IS AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.

With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT F GRILL.

With 1983 and 1997 P.F. certificates (Image)

VERY FINE. THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL IS A SCARCE STAMP IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

With 2002 P.F. certificate (Image)

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

With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONAL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL.

This stamp is highly desirable because its size, freshness, color, impression, original gum, clear grill and choice centering. As such, it ranks among the finest 12c F Grill stamps extant.

With 2002 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT F GRILL.

With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)

FINE-VERY FINE. THIS IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST RECORDED USED MULTIPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT F GRILL.

As an indication of scarcity, the Twigg-Smith collection lacked a block of Scott 98. The Ishikawa collection, known for its multiples, contained a used block of four.

Scott Retail as block of four and pair. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL. A RARE STAMP IN SUCH OUTSTANDING CONDITION.

The high-value F Grill stamps are scarce in original-gum condition and rarely seen with the centering of this superb example.

With 2002 P.F. certificate (Image)

FINE-VERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL. VERY FEW BLOCKS EXIST.

A cursory examination of major name-sale auctions turned up three other blocks of four: one offered in Caspary sale, one ex Ishikawa with selvage at right, and one ex Lilly and Klein. The block offered here is ex Sinkler. We have been unable to find any unused multiple larger than a block of four. (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL CLASSIC UNITED STATES STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN SOUND WELL-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

The 30c 1861-68 Issue stamps -- Scott 71 (to a lesser extent) and Scott 100 -- rank as two of the most difficult classic U.S. stamps to find in such pristine condition. Due to narrow spacing of the plate, the 30c 1861-68's are usually found with narrow margins, especially at sides.

A review of auction sales produced only six other original-gum examples of the 30c F Grill in grades of Very Fine or Extremely Fine. With the exception of the stamp from the Dr. Vernon R. Morris Jr. collection (Shreve sale), they appeared in sales held during the 1940's and 50's. Whether any or all of them could pass today's more rigorous standards for condition and certification is unlikely.

With 2001 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. EXCEPTIONALLY WIDE MARGINS FOR THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL.

The 30c F Grill rarely comes well-centered. This example is a true condition rarity.

With 2003 P.F. certificate (Image)