The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding U.S. Stamps, Part Two: 1870-1901 Issues

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 ONE-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE WITH THE SCARCER I GRILL. THIS IMPRESSIVE STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE TO EITHER GRILL TYPE.

In 2004 we started to distinguish between the H and I Grills in our catalogue descriptions and research, in an effort to establish relative scarcity. It is our opinion that the Scott Catalogue should list the H and I Grills separately, as they do for the A, B, C, D, Z, E and F Grills of the 1867-68 Issue. According to the Scott Catalogue, the H Grill is found on all values, and the I Grill is found only on the 1c, 2c, 3c, 7c, 10c and 15c. Certified copies of the 6c are also known, and the 24c and 90c are reported to exist as well. We have only offered four other unused 1c I Grill stamps since we started keeping our detailed records.

Ex Anderson. With 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded to date to either grill type and the only example to achieve this grade. Scott Catalogue and SMQ do not list the I grills separately, even though they deserve separate listings. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. AN INCREDIBLY WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 2-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.

With 2000 P.S.E. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 3-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS BY FAR THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE IN ANY CONDITION. A TRUE CONDITION RARITY.

Although 3c 1870 Issue stamps were produced in huge quantities, it is still a difficult denomination to find in high grades, especially in original-gum condition. This is the finest we have encountered and ranks at the top of the P.S.E. Population Report.

With 1995 and 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date in any condition, and this stamp is the only one to achieve this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH GORGEOUS CONDITION.

Well-centered and sound examples of the 6c National Bank Note Grilled issue with original gum are rare. This example is one of the finest original-gum copies that we have ever offered.

With 1990 P.S.E. and 1997 P.F. certificates (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE

With 1989 and 2002 P.F. certificates (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 10-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.

Signed lightly in pencil by Ward. With 1991 and 1993 P.F. certificates (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS THE ONLY MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THE 12-CENT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATION TO OBTAIN IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. THIS STAMP IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. ITS RARITY CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.

A review using Power Search demonstrates exactly how scarce this stamp is in sound original-gum condition (ignoring, for a moment, Mint N.H.). The last example we offered was in 2002, which was described as having disturbed part original gum. The example before that was sold in 1993. We also undertook a review of major name sales. Walter Klein, for whom one of his five-part catalogue series was devoted to Bank Note issues, did not have a 12c with original gum. Caspary, Ewing, Lilly, Morris, "Angel" and Floyd never had one. Weisman had one, centered to top left, which is hinged. Zoellner had the unique block of four (the only recorded multiple).

This stamp was once the bottom stamp in a vertical pair (offered in the 1978 Rarities sale). It was separated into two singles so that this phenomenal Mint N.H. stamp with a clear grill could be sold on its own. The other is hinged and has no apparent grill (according to the description).

With 1986 and 2004 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. EASILY ONE OF THE TWO OR THREE FINEST RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 15-CENT 1870 GRILL--ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE 1870 GRILLED ISSUES TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.

Ex Argentum. With 1976, 1989 and 1999 P.F. certificates (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A PARTICULARLY FRESH EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.

This 24c 1870 Grilled Issue is known only in used condition. The color and centering of this example are superior to what is typically encountered.

With 1992 P.S.E. certificate. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT GRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. THE 90-CENT IS THE THIRD MOST DIFFICULT OF THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

Considering original-gum examples only, after the extremely rare 12c and non-existent 24c, the 90c is the rarest of the 1870 National Grilled Issue. As a point of reference, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only two OG examples: one Mint N.H. stamp at VF 80 and one OGph stamp at 20(!).

Ex Argentum (where it realized $32,500 hammer in our 1999 auction). With 1984 and 1999 P.F. certificates (Image)

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