The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality United States Stamps continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1867 EXPERIMENTAL ALL-OVER GRILL IN EXISTENCE. A PHENOMENAL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- CENTERING, COLOR, IMPRESSION, PAPER, PERFORATIONS AND CANCELLATION.

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 smaller 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 -- has realized hammer prices of many multiples of Scott value each time it has been sold, including $35,000 and $47,500 hammer in its last two auction appearances.

Ex Zoellner, Dr. Puliafito, "Natalee Grace" and "Golden Oak". With 1966, 1987 and 2012 P.F. certificates. Scott Catalogue states that "Values for No. 79 are for Fine-Very Fine examples with minor perf faults. Examples with complete or virtually complete perforations sell for much more." (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT ROSE C GRILL WITH A COLORED CANCEL.

The 3c is the only denomination that comes with the distinctive C Grill, with the grill points facing up instead of down. Like the all-over A Grill this is classified as an experimental grill and saw limited production and use in late 1867, just after the A Grill experiment and prior to the more widespread use of other grills in early 1868.

With 1986, 2002 and 2013 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL. DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE 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 uses of the 2c D Grill (2/15/68) and 3c E Grill (2/12/68), 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.

With 1991 and 2010 P.F. certificates (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT D GRILL.

With 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,500.00) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL.

As experienced collectors know, Black Jacks with perforations clear of the design are scarce, and those with the Z Grill are rare.

With 1998 and 2004 P.F. certificates noting red and black cancels. The way they are struck makes us think the cancelling device was first used with one color and was re-inked in the second color before this was cancelled, causing the two colors to display. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE -- MADE MORE DESIRABLE BY THE STRIKING "B" CANCEL. P.S.E. HAS AWARDED THIS STAMP THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AND IS SHARED BY NO OTHERS.

The 3c Z Grill was in production for only a short period of time before the device was replaced with the F Grill. Only a small number of 3c sheets were fed thru the Z Grill, which accounts for the rarity of surviving examples. Our review of past auctions, including Power Search, found precious few sound copies with Extremely Fine centering, and none that rival this stamp.

Ex Merlin and "Hanover". P.F. certificate no. 340419 no longer accompanies (states "genuine"). With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $27,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL, WITH PHENOMENAL IMPRESSION AND SHADE, BEAUTIFUL MARGINS AND PERFORATIONS AND A CLEAR GRILL. THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.

The 12c Z Grill stamps are often quite off-center. The example offered here is a true condition rarity.

Ex "Natalee Grace". With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT HESITATION WE REGARD THIS ONE-CENT E GRILL AS ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES EXTANT. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMPS OF THE SERIES TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING AND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. A MARVELOUS COMBINATION OF THE FOUR C's -- COLOR, CLARITY, CENTERING AND CANCELLATION.

Ex Dr. Puliafito and "Natalee Grace". With 1987, 2000 and 2012 P.F. certificates (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED 1868 2-CENT E GRILL BLACK JACK WITH A BLUE CANCEL.

With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,150.00 without premium for the blue cancel). Only three grade higher (two at 95J and one at 98J) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT E GRILL ON VERY THIN PAPER.

With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,150.00 as normal paper). Only three grade higher (two at 95J and one at 98J). SMQ does not separate the paper types so this may be the highest grade awarded to the very thin paper variety. Scott Retail as normal paper (Image)

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