The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps continued...

VERY FINE AND CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL H GRILL.

The 30c National Bank Note Company Grilled Issue is normally seen with small margins, or is off-center, and often has an indistinct cork cancel. If one sees a centered copy, it more often than not turns out to have a small flaw. The stamp offered here, with nice centering and an attractive defined cancel, is an exception to the rule.

With 1987 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (F-VF 75, SMQ $2,300.00) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL.

Ex Engel and Hansen. With 1957, 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85, SMQ $3,100.00) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY I GRILL IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS HUGE STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

The I Grills have been elevated to major catalogue numbers starting with the 2013 Scott Specialized Catalogue.

With 1986 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,450.00 as 98 graded H Grill). This is the highest grade awarded and no other examples have achieved this grade, so there is no need to speculate how the P.S.E. graded population breaks down between grill types at this grade. However, the I Grill is scarcer than the H Grill, so we would expect the I Grill SMQ values to be separately reported and adjusted upward to reflect the new Scott listings. Scott Catalogue value is based on 2012 listing which does not distinguish between the grill types (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY I GRILL, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.

The I Grills have been elevated to major catalogue numbers starting with the 2013 Scott Specialized Catalogue.

With 2010 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $1,450.00 as H Grill). Only the stamp in the previous lot has graded higher and only three others share this grade. We are not aware of how the P.S.E. graded population breaks down between grill types at the 98 grade. However, the I Grill is scarcer than the H Grill, so we would expect the I Grill SMQ values to be separately reported and adjusted upward to reflect the new Scott listings. Scott Catalogue value is based on 2012 listing which does not distinguish between the grill types (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY I GRILL. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED FOR EITHER 7-CENT GRILL TYPE.

Ex "Beverly Hills." With 2011 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $10,750.00 as H. Grill). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade. SMQ and the Population Report do not yet differentiate between the two grill types, but the other example to achieve this grade is an H Grill. Since the I Grill is scarcer than the H Grill, we would expect the I Grill SMQ values to be separately reported and adjusted upward to reflect the new Scott listings. Scott Catalogue value is based on 2012 listing which does not distinguish between the grill types (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB AND EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL I GRILL IN THE FINEST ATTAINABLE CONDITION. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. ONLY NINE USED EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED. THE I GRILLS HAVE JUST BEEN ELEVATED TO MAJOR CATALOGUE NUMBERS, CONFIRMING THAT THIS IS A MAJOR GRILL RARITY.

Ronald A. Burns, the foremost authority on the Bank Note grills, records nine used examples of the 15c I Grill, plus an additional two on separate covers. He also records three unused examples.

With 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95, SMQ $6,300.00 as a 95 graded H Grill). This is the highest grade awarded and no other examples have achieved this grade, so there is no need to speculate how the P.S.E. graded population breaks down between grill types at this grade. However, the I Grill is scarcer than the H Grill, so we would expect the I Grill SMQ values to be separately reported and adjusted upward to reflect the new Scott listings. Scott Catalogue value is based on 2012 listing which does not distinguish between the grill types (Image)

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