Sale 1024 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used Stamps of the United States, Part One: 1847-1868 Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 June, 2012
Category — 1c-90c 1868 F Grill (Scott 92-101)
1c Blue, F. Grill (92). Perfectly centered with unusually wide and balanced margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, clearly-defined grill, perfect strike of 12-spoke radial cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS EVERYTHING ONE COULD WISH FOR IN A USED STAMP -- PERFECT CENTERING, GORGEOUS COLOR, BRIGHT PAPER AND A CLEARLY STRUCK FANCY CANCEL. IT HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2001 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $14,700.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98J) and only two others share this grade. This statistic has not changed in over two years. We offered one of the other 98's in our 2010 Rarities sale, but the stamp offered here is far more attractive
1c Pale Blue, F. Grill (92a). Distinctive shade, well-proportioned margins, neat strike of target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL IN THE PALE BLUE SHADE. A WONDERFUL SHADE VARIETY.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Beautifully centered with well-balanced margins, sharply-defined grill points, perfectly-struck blue crossroads cancellationEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT F GRILL WITH A PERFECT STRIKE OF A COLORED CANCEL. THIS STAMP HAS THE GREATEST EYE APPEAL OF ANY EXAMPLE OF THIS ISSUE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. A TRULY SPECIAL STAMP.
Ex Ishikawa and Twigg-Smith. With 1988 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00). Only three have graded higher to date. In our opinion SMQ does not adequately account for the very desirable cancel on this stamp.
3c Red, F. Grill (94). Gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, brilliant color, clearly-defined grill which is easily visible on the front of the stamp, quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Floyd, with 2000 P.F. certificate
3c Rose, F. Grill (94a). Rich color on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, sharp grill points, unusual cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem example of this shade variety, this is similar to the Rose shade of the 3c E Grill (Scott 88), with 2006 P.S.E. certificate
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Choice centering with uncharacteristically wide margins leaving a white frame all around the design, rosette fancy cancel, deep rich color on fresh paper, clear grill pointsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO FIND WITH WIDE MARGINS ON ALL SIDES.
The narrow space between stamps and large 12-gauge perforations left little opportunity to clear the design. This stamp is an extraordinary exception to the rule.
With 1998 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,250.00). Only two have graded higher to date (both at 95).
5c Black Brown, F. Grill (95a). Deep rich color in the true Black Brown shade, remarkably detailed impression showing all of the subtle details of the lathework engraving, well-balanced margins with design well clear of perforations on all four sides, neat strike of cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL IN THE BLACK BROWN COLOR. THIS IS EASILY THE FINEST OF THIS RARE SHADE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
The 5c F Grill is known in Brown, Dark Brown and Black Brown. The first two are in the same color family (listed as Scott 95). The Black Brown is distinctly darker and is given its own sub-letter designation, Scott 95a. The Dark Brown is sometimes mistaken by collectors for the Black Brown shade, but a side-by-side comparison illustrates the significant difference between the two. On the Black Brown the engraved lines are especially clear, it has a proof-like appearance, and is significantly scarcer than the other shades. The modest difference in catalogue value does not adequately convey its rarity.
Ex Hansen. 1980 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. Only three have been graded. A review using Power Search found we have offered only two others since 1994, both of which were faulty.
5c Brown, F. Grill (95). Deep rich color, showing an all-over kiss print, especially evident at top in lettering of "U.S. Postage", choice centering with well-balanced margins, unobtrusive strike of cork cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL WITH A KISS PRINT WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. A RARE PRINTING VARIETY.
The 5c F Grill is found with a few varieties: split grill and double grill and three distinct shades. Other than these there are no printing varieties, nor is it known with a double impression. The kiss print on this stamp is actually an excellent reference, because while there is doubling similar to a double impression, one of the impressions lacks the clear lines of the engraving, which is a requirement of a true double impression.
With 1996 and 2001 P.F. certificates, the latter confirming the kiss print.
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Choice centering with wide margins, pretty color, neat strike of New York circular datestamp and open grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp, with 1991 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Green, F. Grill (96 var; formerly 96a). Deep rich color, choice centering, bold strike of Leaf cancel, Extremely Fine example of this shade variety, with 1983 and 2005 P.F. certificates
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, bright shade and crisp impression, clear grill, neat strike of circle of wedges cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL. A PHENOMENAL STAMP, WHICH IS RARE WITH SUCH ENORMOUS MARGINS.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,450.00 as 95, $9,000.00 as 98), only three have graded higher to date and no others share this grade.
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, bold strike of circle of wedges cancel, clearly-defined grillEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT F GRILL.
With 1988 P.F. certificate
24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99). Unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, rich color, bold strike of geometric cancel leaves design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The higher-denomination F Grills were produced in limited quantities and are often found either off-center or with choppy perforations. Brookman notes "A centered copy, lightly cancelled, is indeed a jewel that should be acquired, if offered, regardless of the strain upon the exchequer".
Ex Hinrichs. With 1981 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Vivid color as fresh as the day it was printed, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, clearly-defined grill, bold strike of Leaf cancel, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING CLASSIC STAMPS TO FIND IN CHOICE CONDITION. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
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 tight margins, especially at sides. Brookman notes "Superb copies are almost non-existent".
With 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,100.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this grade.
90c Blue, F. Grill (101). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, clear grill, unusually wide margins for this issue, cork cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN ATTRACTIVE WIDE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL.
With 1985 and 1996 P.F. certificates.