The Scarsdale Collection, Part Five: Used United States 1847-69 Issues continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. WIDELY REGARDED BY STUDENTS OF UNITED STATES STAMPS AS THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT ROSE C GRILL IN EXISTENCE.

Ex Welling, Morris and Hinrichs. With 1985, 1994 and 2004 P.F. certificates. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE LIGHTLY-CANCELLED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL.

The 2c D Grill is the rarest of the regular-production 1867-68 Grilled Issues (excluding the 1867 trials and rarest Z Grills), followed in order of scarcity by the 3c Z Grill, the 3c D Grill and the 12c Z Grill.

It is our theory that two grilling machines were used simultaneously, and that one of the machines was converted from the D to E Grill in early 1868, after a small number of 2c sheets were run through the D-equipped machine. The earliest documented usages of the D Grill (3c 2/2/68) and E Grill (3c 2/12/68) are in close proximity, and the great rarity of 2c D Grills, relative to all other regular-production grills, bears out this theory.

With 2001 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT D GRILL IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.

With 2006 P.F. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ for a 98 is $13,400.00, but the P.S.E. Population Report only lists two 95's and one 95J as the highest grades) (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT, AND EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.

Ex Engel, "Connoisseur" and Floyd. With 1960, 1992 and 2001 P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL, COMBINING CENTERING, MARGIN WIDTH AND A COLORED CANCEL.

Although the 12c Z Grill is the most common of the Z Grills, it is still extremely scarce compared to other regular-production grilled issues and is very rarely found in the superb used condition.

With 1989 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Image)

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.

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, which may be explained by the fact that so many were used on printed matter and wrappers.

Ex Drucker. With 1981 and 2002 P.F. certificates. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT E GRILL WITH FANTASTIC EYE APPEAL.

With 1996 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. VERY FEW EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILLED ISSUE RIVAL THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP.

With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL IN EXISTENCE. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- COLOR, CANCEL, STRENGTH OF GRILL, CENTERING AND PERFORATIONS.

Whatever has been said about the rarity of choice grades (used or unused) among the ungrilled 5c 1861-63 Issues (Scott 67, 75 and 76) can be underscored and boldfaced for the 1868 5c F Grill. The stamp offered here defies the norm, possessing wide margins all around (simply unheard of) and a lightly struck brownish-black target cancel.

Ex Hinrichs. With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)