The Tahoe Collection of Superb Used United States Stamps continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGINFICENTLY-CENTERED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT D GRILL. SCARCE WITH SUCH BRIGHT COLOR AND SUPERB CENTERING.

With 2001 P.F. certificate (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. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE -- THE P.S.E. AGREES AND HAS AWARDED THIS STAMP THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE, AND THIS STAMP IS THE ONLY ONE TO ACHIEVE IT.

We have encountered only two others which compare favorably to the example offered here. They are: 1) blue circle of wedges cancel, ex Puliafito, Siegel Sale 818, lot 75, realized $5,750 hammer in 1999, and 2) blue grid cancel, ex Scarsdale, Siegel Sale 943, lot 2050, realized $7,500 hammer. P.S.E. has also graded two stamps Superb 95 Jumbo.

With 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $7,800.00) (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT F 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 JUST RECEIVED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.

With 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $3,400.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date, and the stamp offered here is the only example to achieve Superb 98J. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING JUMBO-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 10-CENT E GRILL.

With 1997 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE LARGEST-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. A MAGNIFICENT STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.

With 1984 and 2003 P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY THE LARGEST EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT F GRILL IN EXISTENCE. A STUNNING STAMP OF MAMMOTH PROPORTIONS.

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

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED WIDE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT F GRILL.

With 2001 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. UNDOUBTEDLY THE FINEST USED BLOCK OF THE 1868 15-CENT LINCOLN WITH F GRILL.

As an indication of rarity, the Twigg-Smith collection of used blocks lacked a block of Scott 98. Considering the centering of this block and the fact it is sound, we have no hesitation describing this as the finest used block extant.

With 2002 P.F. certificate. In our opinion, Scott Catalogue value does not adequately reflect the rarity of this block. (Image)