The Merlin Collection of Superb Quality 19th and 20th Century United States Stamps continued...

VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT EXPERIMENTAL A GRILL.

With 1998 and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (VG-F 60, SMQ $2,500.00 as 50, $5,000.00 as 70). This is the highest grade awarded and two others share it. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. A REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.

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 (probably in late 1867) just after the A Grill experiment and prior to the more widespread use of other grills in early 1868. The 3c B Grill, Scott 82, is only known from a cover dated Feb. 17, 1869, and was probably produced much later than the C Grill.

With 2002 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $9,600.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only to achieve it. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT D GRILL HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.

With 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, SMQ $7,000.00 as 95, $25,000.00 as 98). Only two have graded higher (both at 98, both offered in our recent Natalee Grace and Kirke sales) and no others share this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.

The plates used to print the Black Jacks did not provide enough space between subjects for the large 12-gauge perf holes. Consequently, most Black Jack stamps have perfs touching the design on one or two sides. This scarcity of four-margined copies multiplies exponentially when the Z Grill is factored into the equation. Only a small quantity of 2c sheets were grilled during the period when the Z device was active -- after the D Grill (Scott 84), the Z is the rarest of Black Jack grilled stamps.

With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $11,750.00). Only two have graded higher (at 98). (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 ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.

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.

P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98, SMQ $35,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP IN THIS CHOICE USED CONDITION.

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.

With 1982 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $22,500.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98, offered in the previous lot) and none share this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL, WITH WONDERFUL 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.

With 1995 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $19,500.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and one other shares this grade (offered in our recent Natalee Grace sale) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMPS OF THE SERIES TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING AND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED, AND THIS STAMP IS ONE OF ONLY TWO TO ACHIEVE IT.

Ex Tahoe. With 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $13,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it (offered in our Kirke sale). (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT E GRILL. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND WITH SUCH HUGE MARGINS AND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. AN EXTRAORDINARY STAMP WHICH MAY WELL BE THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE -- IT HAS RECEIVED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.

Ex Tahoe. With 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $6,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded, and this is the only example to achieve it. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT E GRILL HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- IT IS CLEARLY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.

With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $9,500.00 as 98). Only one other shares this grade which is the highest awarded (offered in our Kirke sale). The next-highest is a 95J. (Image)

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