2020 Rarities of the World continued...

FINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT ALL-OVER A GRILL.

Ex Golin. With 1989 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates stating "o.g., previously hinged, with usual perforation faults" (OGph, G 30), the grade does not adequately reflect its rarity with original gum -- no unused examples have graded higher (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A FRESH AND BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL.

The 3c is the only denomination that comes with the distinctive C Grill, with the grill points facing up instead of down. The few high-grade original-gum examples owe their existence to the division of blocks of four.

With 1986, 2003 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $13,500.00) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A FRESH AND CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL.

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.

Ex Kirke. With 2002 P.F., 2005 and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $9,500.00). Only two others share this grade and only two grade higher (at 95 and 98) (Image)

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VERY FINE. EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 1868 GRILLED ISSUE ON MAIL FROM NEW MEXICO TERRITORY TO AN OVERSEAS DESTINATION.

The stamps overpay by 1c the 15c rate to Germany via North German Union Closed Mail. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL. WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.

With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $8,500.00). With 2012 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). We are surprised the P.F. did not also give this a Jumbo designation, which it obviously deserves (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL IN THE PALE BLUE SHADE, CANCELLED IN COMPLEMENTARY BLUE.

With 2014 and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a Scott 92a and it is shared by no others. The next highest is F-VF 75. The main listing for Scott 92, in Blue, has only four stamps at the 98 grade (one of which is 98J) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. SOUND EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 2-CENT F GRILL ARE RARELY SEEN WITH THIS COMBINATION OF COLORED CANCEL AND BALANCED JUMBO MARGINS.

With 2004 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,350.00). Only three grade higher (at 98) and one other shares this desirable grade, also with a blue cancel. Two of the three higher have black cancels (we are unaware of what the third looks like) (Image)

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VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND PROBABLY UNIQUE USE OF AN 1868 GRANT CAMPAIGN COVER TO SWEDEN. THE 15-CENT LINCOLN AND ONE-CENT FRANKLIN GRILLED ISSUES PAY THE 16-CENT RATE BY NORTH GERMAN UNION DIRECT MAIL.

This cover was mailed after Ulysses S. Grant won the 1868 election and before he was inaugurated on March 4, 1869. The use of a 15c Lincoln stamp on a Grant campaign cover or on a cover to Sweden would be extraordinary in either case; however, the combination of the two circumstances is singularly represented by this cover.

Ex Vogel. With 2010 P.F. certificate (Image)

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VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE 1868 GRILLED ISSUE FRANKING FOR THE TRIPLE 28-CENT RATE TO INDIA VIA SOUTHAMPTON.

This cover was carried on the Cunarder Cuba from New York on May 19, 1869, arriving in Queenstown on May 29. Ex "Lake Shore" (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL, COMBINING FLAWLESS CENTERING, PERFORATIONS, COLOR AND A PREMIUM CANCEL.

The 90c stamps used to make grilled issues were printed on a thick stock of paper. It is likely that sheets remaining from the pre-grill period were used and that the thinner paper introduced in 1868 had not been used for the 90c value. Two characteristics of 90c F Grill stamps are poorly punched perforations and generally bad centering. This stamp is a remarkable exception. The perfs are much better formed than usual (although they show the genuine characteristics) and the centering is precise. In this stamp there is also the added feature of a striking red cancel.

Ex Merlin. With 1969 P.F., 2012 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $4,850.00 as normal cancel). Only two grade higher and four others share this grade, but the red cancel on this stamp adds considerably to its appeal and value, which has been reflected in its price the last two times we offered it -- $13,500 hammer in our Sale 997 in 2010 and $7,500 hammer in the 2012 Merlin sale (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90-CENT F GRILL.

With 2011 and 2015 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ), the "XQ" stands for Extraordinary Quality (Image)

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