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VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL.
To form our assessment of this 2c Z Grill, we conducted a survey of approximately 100 auction catalogues for major United States collections sold over the past 60 years. The majority of these collections contained only used or very poor unused examples of 85B. In general, many accomplished collectors, such as Sheriff, Klein and Seymour, evidently were unable to acquire a well-centered, original-gum 2c Z Grill. Power Search produced only a very few, along with some near-misses -- the most common flaw being faint creases. Finally, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only four OG stamps, graded two 10's, a 30 and a 50.
With 1998 and 2007 P.F. certificates (Image)
Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL.
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, especially in original-gum condition.
With 1973 P.F. certificate (Image)
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 ONE-CENT E GRILL IS FAR SCARCER THAN ITS F-GRILL COUNTERPART, PARTICULARLY IN SUCH CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM 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.
Ex Odeneal. With 1994 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF 90, SMQ $9,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E., and the SMQ does not price this in any higher grades. (Image)
FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF THE 10-CENT E GRILL.
Receipt docketing on back also confirms the date. (Image)
AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE MIXED-FRANKING COVER FROM ST. THOMAS, DANISH WEST INDIES, TO NEW YORK CITY VIA FRENCH AND UNITED STATES PACKETS. ONE OF THE MOST ELUSIVE OF ALL MIXED-FRANKING USAGES. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MARC WEINBERG-MARTIN COLLECTION.
This cover was postmarked with the "St. Thomas" Line B datestamp, which was used on mail carried on Compagnie Generale Transatlantique (CGT) Main Line B steamer sailings, which in this case left St. Thomas for Havana. From Havana it was transferred to a U.S. steamer bound for New York, possibly the Morro Castle, which departed Havana on May 8 and arrived in New York on May 12. The French rate was 60 centimes per 7.5 grams. The U.S. contract steamship rate was 10c. From the French perspective, all that was required was the 60c prepayment, and the cover was marked "P.P." (Port Paye). On arrival in New York, the 10c stamp was recognized as prepayment, and the cover was postmarked "New York Paid All".
At this time, all French Packet mail from the Danish West Indies was required to pass through the post office and usually bears a St. Thomas postmark. However, some mail was clandestinely put on board French CGT ships, thus by-passing the St. Thomas post office (see DuBois book, p. 65). On May 1, 1869, the St. Thomas-Havana-New York connection would have beaten the arrival of the next U.S. and Brazil Line sailing from St. Thomas to New York. Ironically, the ship that would have made that sailing, the Mississippi, was wrecked off the coast of Martinique en route to St. Thomas, so there never was a regular May 1869 trip.
Ex Schatzkes. From the Marc Weinberg-Martin Collection. (Image)
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1868 15-CENT E GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE GRILLED ISSUES WITH ORIGINAL GUM AND WITH SUCH WIDE AND BALANCED MARGINS.
As an indication of the rarity of 15c E Grill stamps with original gum, the Scott Catalogue values original-gum condition at $13,500.00, and an example with no gum at $5,250.00. This stamp is barely hinged and has a well-defined grill and superior centering.
With 1976, 1990 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90) (Image)
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 ONE-CENT F GRILL HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS SURELY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ $15,400.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98J) and only two others share this desirable grade. (Image)
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 5-CENT BROWN F GRILL WITH ORIGINAL GUM. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION.
The 5c 1861-68 Issues are extremely difficult to find in sound, well-centered, original-gum condition. The narrow spacing between stamps on the plate and large 12-gauge perforations resulted in stamps that are frequently off center. This applies to Scott 67, 75, 76 and 95 alike. None of these is easy to locate in centered original-gum condition (to understate the matter), but the limited production of 5c F Grills leaves collectors with an even smaller supply. By virtue of its color, centering and freshness, we believe the stamp offered here is superior to any we have seen offered in years.
With 1990 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95 XQ) (Image)
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP IN SUCH CONDITION.
The higher-denomination F Grills were produced in limited quantities and are often found either off center or with choppy perforations. This stamp is a true condition rarity.
With 1997 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $11,600.00). This is one of only four examples to achieve this desirable grade to date with none higher (Image)