The Scarsdale Collection, Part Two continued...

EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL.

With 1997 P.F. certificate. (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL IS FAR SCARCER THAN ITS F-GRILL COUNTERPART, PARTICULARLY IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

Some time ago we observed that the 1c E Grill appeared at auction very infrequently, in any form. After analyzing the early 1868 regular-production grills (Z, D, E and F), we concluded that grilling of the 1c 1861 issue with the E (and Z) Grill must have been short-lived, occurring sometime around February 28, 1868. Later grilling of 1c stamps was probably done with the F Grill. Relatively little of the 1c E Grill supply appears to have reached the philatelic market, as evidenced by the stamp's scarcity.

With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE AND FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT E GRILL.

With copy of 1979 P.F. certificate and with 2001 P.F. certificate (Image)

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

With 1996 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION AND WITH SUCH SUPERB CENTERING.

The spacing on the 5c plate was quite narrow. The outer portions of the design are often touched in one or more places. Thus, centered copies are scarce, and in original-gum condition they are rare.

Ex Dr. Morris. With 1990 and 2000 P.F. certificates. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT F GRILL WITH UNCOMMONLY WIDE MARGINS.

With 1986 and 2005 P.F. certificates. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL. AN EXTRAORDINARY STAMP AND CERTAINLY AMONG THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.

We acknowledge the past existence of original-gum 12c F Grill multiples, which in recent years have been broken to furnish choice singles. However, the quality of this particular stamp -- its centering and margins, shade and overall freshness -- qualify it as one of the three or four finest in existence.

With 1997 P.S.E. and 1998 P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT F GRILL.

A review of our computerized auction records from the past 12 years indicates that we have sold perhaps three or four examples which would compare favorably with the example offered here.

Ex Chapin. With 1983 and 2003 P.F. certificates (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)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 30-CENT F GRILL IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL CLASSIC UNITED STATES STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN SOUND WELL-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST COPIES IN EXISTENCE.

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 2003 P.F. certificate (Image)