2007 Rarities of the World continued...

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 10-CENT I GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES STAMPS. TO DATE, ONLY ELEVEN USED EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED. THIS IS THE LISTING COPY. BY ALL RIGHTS, THIS GRILL SHOULD BE GIVEN A MAJOR CATALOGUE LISTING AND TREATED THE SAME AS ITS OTHER RARE GRILLED COUNTERPARTS FROM THE 1867-68 ISSUE.

At least two sizes of grills were used by the National Bank Note Company for the 1870 Issue. They are identified in the Scott Catalogue by a notation preceding Scott 134, which assigns them the letters H and I, but these have not been separately catalogued, as have the different grills used in 1867 and 1868 (A, B, C, D, Z, E and F). The I Grill measures from 9-11 points wide by 10-13 points tall. It is currently recorded on all values except the 12c, 24c and 30c (there are unconfirmed reports of the I Grill on the 12c and 24c). The 1c thru 7c values make up most of the population of I Grill stamps. The 10c, 15c and 90c I Grills are extremely rare and it is only in recent years that their existence was reported by Ronald Burns.

Illustrated in Opinions VII by The Philatelic Foundation. With 1993 and 2000 P.F. certificates, the former not identifying the grill type. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THE 15-CENT I GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES STAMPS. ONLY TEN USED AND TWO UNUSED EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED. THIS RARITY DESERVES MAJOR CATALOGUE LISTING STATUS.

At least two sizes of grills were used by the National Bank Note Company for the 1870 Issue. The I Grill measures from 9-11 points wide by 10-13 points tall. The I Grill is currently recorded on all values except the 12c, 24c and 30c (there are unconfirmed reports of the I Grill on the 12c and 24c). The 1c thru 7c values make up most of the population of I Grill stamps. The 10c, 15c and 90c I Grills are extremely rare, and it is only in recent years that their existence was reported by Ronald Burns.

Illustrated in Opinions VII published by The Philatelic Foundation. With 1992 P.F. certificate. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE.

The 15c National Grilled Issue is one of the most difficult of all National Bank Note Company issues to find in well-centered, original-gum condition. The stamp offered here, combining the elements of color, paper, centering, noticeable grill points and full gum, is a true condition rarity.

Ex Hetherington, Klein, Zoellner and Lyons. With 1998 and 2002 P.F. certificates. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE, WHICH IS ONLY KNOWN IN USED CONDITION.

With 1996 and 2003 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85, SMQ $11,000.00) (Image)

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

With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE RED FACE-FREE CANCEL.

With 1997 P.S.E. certificate (Image)