() U.S.; General Issues, 1875 Special Printing, 7¢ Reddish Vermilion, #171. Ungummed, “reperfed at right”, Fine to Very Fine appearance, PF (2008) cert. Scott $5,500. Estimate value $1,600-1,800.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2012, Sale 92, Lot 966

1c Ultramarine, Special Printing (167). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated at right and bottom, intact perforations at left and top, beautifully centered, bright color and proof-like impression EXTREMELY FINE. THE 1875 ONE-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT VALUES OF THE SERIES TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING. Our recently updated census records for Scott 167 contain 44 certified examples. Of these, fewer than ten have perforations all around (including two with either imprint or plate no. at bottom). Very few are centered as well as this stamp. Unpublished Census No. 167-UNC-31. Ex Lilly and Klein. Signed E. Stern. With 1966 and 2008 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2008, Sale 963, Lot 780

90c Rose Carmine (Scott 166). Selvage at left, original gum, radiant color, fresh and Fine, an attractive stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2449

P 1873, 30¢ gray black, large die proof (165P1), 113 x 152mm, signed by engraver Douglas S. Ronaldson, small minor tone spots on card, proof fresh and Extremely Fine. Scott value $400+

Matthew Bennett International, Dec 2007, Sale 325, Lot 1328

15c Yellow Orange (Scott 163). Original gum, vibrant color, Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2448

o U.S., 1870, 90¢ carmine, #155. Used, small corner crease, rich color, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $350. Estimate $75.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Oct 2008, Sale 79, Lot 111

30c Black (Scott 154). Uncommonly wide margins, beautiful deep shade, red New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel, Very Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1573

o 1870, 24¢ purple (153), straddle margin single with extra wide margins showing part arrow and adjacent stamp at left, black cork cancellation, a Very Fine jumbo. Scott price $200 Expertization: 1989 P.F. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Dec 2008, Sale 330, Lot 1636

1870, 2¢ red brown (146), exceptionally well centered within unusually large even margins, intense color with a well incised impression. Full o.g., tiny hinge remnant. Fresh and Extremely Fine. SMQ value $1,050. Scott $400 Expertization: P.S.E. encapsulated XF 90.

Matthew Bennett International, May 2008, Sale 327, Lot 150

10c Brown, Grill (Scott 139). H. Grill, unused (no gum), bright color and clear impression, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4271

7c Vermilion, Grill (Scott 138). H. Grill, slightly disturbed original gum, intense color, very slight perf tip gum soak, otherwise Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2428

UNITED STATES 1870-88 BANKNOTE ISSUES 1870 6c carmine, relatively light canc., well centered with nice margins all around, v.f.

Cherrystone Auctions, Jan 2009, Sale 200901, Lot 141

2c Red Brown, Grill (Scott 135). H. Grill, original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill (at first we thought it might be an I Grill), pretty shade, Very Fine and choice, with 1976 and 2005 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2008, Sale 963, Lot 727

1c Brown Orange, 1881 Re-Issue (Scott 133a). Without gum as issued, top left corner wide selvage, bright color, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, a superb stamp in every respect

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1385

90c Carmine & Black, Re-Issue (Scott 132). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright paper, marvelous centering with Jumbo margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SENSATIONAL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. With 1993 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Only three have graded higher to date and no other shares this desirable grade — it is difficult to find stamps that qualify as Jumbos in this issue. In fact, many collectors would prefer this 95 Jumbo over a 98 stamp with smaller margins.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jan 2009, Sale 968, Lot 171

24c Green & Violet, Re-Issue (Scott 130). Part original gum, rich colors, Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1379

UNITED STATES 1875 RE-ISSUE OF THE 1869 ISSUE 1875 15c brown & blue, type III, unused without gum, well centered, v.f., only 981 issued, with 2003 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Mar 2009, Sale 200903, Lot 129

12c Green, Re-Issue (Scott 128). Original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide margins VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. With 1983 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 972, Lot 3129

10c Yellow, Re-Issue (127). Original gum, vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. The 10c and 30c 1869 Pictorials and their Re-Issues are two of the most difficult designs to obtain in higher grades. Part of the reason for his has to do with their asymmetrical designs, which do not lend themselves easily to precise mathematical centering, which is the basis for numerical grading. For Scott 116, there are two used and one no gum copies graded 98 and none with original gum. For Scott No. 121 there is only one in any category graded higher than a 95 (a 95J used copy). For Scott 127 there is this stamp and one other with original gum graded 98 (only one other is graded 95J — the rest are 95 or below). Scott 131 has the most, with four original gum and two two used graded 98. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, Superb 98, SMQ price $14,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 973, Lot 109

2c Brown, Re-Issue (Scott 124). Unused (no gum), deep rich color and proof-like impression, mathematically perfect centering with unusually wide margins, long and full perforations all around EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. — IT IS BY FAR THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (NG, Gem 100, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95, SMQ value $950.00 as a 95 with no gum). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. One used copy has been graded 95J, and beyond that the highest grade in any category is a 95. SMQ does not price the no gum or original gum stamps in any grade higher than a 95, which is an excellent indication of the rarity of this issue in higher grades.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 973, Lot 107

90c Carmine & Black (Scott 122). Rich colors, cork cancel, some flaws incl. filled-in pinholes, otherwise Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1479

UNITED STATES 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE 1869 30c ultramarine and carmine, well centered with wide margins, beautiful bright color, original gum, a fresh and v.f. mint example of this sought after stamp, with 2000 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Mar 2009, Sale 200903, Lot 118

24c Green & Violet (Scott 120). Rich colors, unobtrusive cork cancel, some faults, still appears Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2008, Sale 963, Lot 686

15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Mint N.H. with selvage at right, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, choice centering VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. THIS IS THE FIRST MINT NEVER-HINGED SINGLE WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS. A PHENOMENAL RARITY OF THE ISSUE. Large multiples of this issue do exist, and we have surveyed or sold most of them. Several contain Mint N.H. examples, but they are invariably off-center. Most of the blocks containing Mint N.H. stamps are significantly off-center, with perfs at least touching or well into the designs. The one exception is a left selvage block of fifteen which contains eight Mint N.H. stamps. This is unlikely to be broken as it usually forms the linchpin of a great 1869 Pictorial collection. With 1985 and 2000 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged does not even remotely reflect the rarity of this item.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jan 2009, Sale 968, Lot 148

15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (Scott 118). Original gum, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on crisp paper, beautiful centering with well-balanced margins EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. With 1995 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jan 2009, Sale 968, Lot 147

UNITED STATES 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE 1869 10c yellow, h.r., little oxidized, still fine, with clear 2002 PSE cert.

Cherrystone Auctions, Nov 2008, Sale 200811, Lot 1056

3c Ultramarine, Split Grills (114 var). Bottom selvage block of six, stamps Mint N.H., small h.r. in bottom left selvage, clearly-defined grills, perfs in at top of top stamps, almost Fine, Scott Retail as hinged singles

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2008, Sale 963, Lot 651

3c Ultramarine, Without Grill (Scott 114a). Original gum, fresh and bright, lovely color VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITHOUT GRILL. THE LOWER-VALUE 1869’S WITHOUT GRILL ARE MUCH RARER THAN THE HIGH VALUES, AND THEY ARE SELDOM ENCOUNTERED IN CHOICE CONDITION. We have only offered fourteen other unused examples in our computerized records, which includes all of our Rarities sales plus 15 years of auctions. With 1994 and 2004 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jan 2009, Sale 968, Lot 154

o 1869, 2¢ brown (113), near perfect centering with large margins and rich color on bright paper, cancelled by Japanese “X” chop used by the U.S. Post Office in Japan (not mentioned on certificate), Extremely Fine. A choice stamp with a very scarce cancellation. Scott price $350 Expertization: 1987 P.F. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Dec 2007, Sale 323, Lot 264

() 1869, 2¢ brown, perforation freak (113 var.), dramatically irregular shape caused by fold-over, unused, Very Fine. Estimate 300 – 400

Matthew Bennett International, Dec 2008, Sale 330, Lot 1564

o 1869, 1¢ buff (112), essentially perfectly centered, bright color, light target cancel, fresh, Extremely Fine. Scott value $175 Expertization: 2006 P.F. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Apr 2008, Sale 326, Lot 117

90c Blue, Re-Issue (Scott 111). Original gum, rich color on crisp paper, few barely nibbed perfs at lower left not mentioned on accompanying certificate VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE. Only 317 sold. With 1994 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jan 2009, Sale 968, Lot 140

15c Black, Re-Issue (Scott 108). Original gum, intense shade and impression nicely complemented by bright paper, wide margins, trivial nibbed perf at right VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A PARTICULARLY ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1866 RE-ISSUE. Only 397 sold. With 1992 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jan 2009, Sale 968, Lot 137

5c Brown, Re-Issue (Scott 105). Original gum, lightly hinged, warm shade on crisp paper, unusually wide and balanced margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. EASILY ONE OF THE WIDEST-MARGINED EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. A STUNNING STAMP. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95, SMQ value $14,400.00). Only one has graded higher to date and only six others share this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4217

3c Brown Red, Re-Issue (Scott 104). Unused (no gum), rich color, faint blue staining on face, otherwise Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2367

2c Black, Re-Issue (Scott 103). Original gum, lovely wide margins and well-centered, sharp impression on crisp paper VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY ATTRACTIVE AND DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 2-CENT BLACK JACK RE-ISSUE. With 2006 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4213

UNITED STATES 1867 Grill Issue 1867 30c orange, clearly defined grill, unused with full original gum, h.r., centered to left, fine and sound example of this rare stamp, with 2009 PSE cert.

Cherrystone Auctions, Apr 2009, Sale 200904, Lot 23

15c Black, F. Grill (Scott 98). Five singles, original gum, each centered to left and slightly in, few small faults incl. creases, otherwise Very Good, scarce group with original gum and seldom seen in this quantity

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1419

12c Black, F. Grill (Scott 97). Nearly perfect centering with wide balanced margins, detailed impression, bold cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ price $750.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1315

() U.S., 1867, 10¢ yellow green, F. grill, #96. Regummed, light toning, Average to Fine. Scott $1,150. Estimate price $150.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Oct 2008, Sale 79, Lot 85

o 1867, 3¢ red, F. grill (94), virtually perfect centering, with rich color on bright paper and a face-free cork cancel, Extremely Fine and choice. SMQ $320. Scott $10 Expertization: 2006 P.S.E. Certificate graded XF-Superb 95.

Matthew Bennett International, Dec 2007, Sale 325, Lot 1551

1c Blue, F. Grill (Scott 92). Horizontal pair, radiant color, neat target cancels, Very Fine and choice, with 1984 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1410

10c Green, E. Grill (Scott 89). Choice centering, bright and fresh, clear grill, well-struck blue target cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1982 and 2000 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2008, Sale 963, Lot 586

3c Rose, E. Grill (Scott 88). Original gum, fresh, deep rich color, minor crease at top, otherwise Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1297

2c Black, E. Grill (87). Block of six with imprint and plate no. 51 at bottom, original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grills, centered strongly to top left THEONLY RECORDED UNUSED BLACK JACK MULTIPLE SHPWING THE RARE PLATE NUMBER 51. Ex Allen and Metzger. As an indication of rarity, the Scott Catalogue lists a plate number and imprint strip of four, but does not list a plate block. Scott Retail as block of four and pair with no premium for the plate number or imprint

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2008, Sale 963, Lot 582

o U.S. General Issues, 1867, 2¢ black, Z. grill, #85B. Light cancel, “cleaned (bleached), thin in grill”, scarce, Fine appearance, APS (2005) cert. Scott $1,500. Estimate price $150.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 81, Lot 537

UNITED STATES 1867 GRILL ISSUE 1867 3c rose, D. Grill, black segmented cork canc., well centered, fresh and v.f., with 1995 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Jan 2009, Sale 200901, Lot 101

3c Rose, C. Grill (Scott 83). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill which is easily visible from the front of the stamp, radiant color on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT C GRILL, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. A STAMP OF GREAT BEAUTY. The 3c is the only denomination that comes with the distinctive C Grill, with the grill points facing up instead of down. The few high-grade original-gum examples owe their existence to the division of blocks of four in recent years. With 1989 and 1997 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others share this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jan 2009, Sale 968, Lot 102

3c Rose, B. Grill (82). Rich color in shade of 1868 printings, centered to upper left as are all four known examples, fancy cork cancel of Mason Tex. and part of red cancel at bottom, clearly-defined grill easily visible from the front of the stamp VERY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF THE FOUR 3-CENT B GRILL STAMPS DISCOVERED TOGETHER ON COVER IN 1969, WHICH REMAIN THE ONLY EXAMPLES KNOWN TO PHILATELY. ONE OF THE RAREST STAMPS IN THE WORLD AND A KEY TO A COMPLETE COLLECTION OF UNITED STATES POSTAGE STAMPS. The distinguishing characteristics of the true B Grill are its size–22 points wide by 18 points high (18 x 15 mm)–and the points-up orientation of the grill, which shows as a pyramidal (male) grill impression on the back. The four recorded 3c B Grill stamps were discovered in 1969 on a cover mailed in February 1869 from Mason, Texas, to Germany. A photograph of the complete cover as discovered is shown here. Our census data can be found at http://siegelauctions.com/enc/census/82.pdf The shade and thinner paper of the 3c B Grill stamps are more typical of the mid-1868 printings and quite different from the paler Rose shades and thick paper of the 1867 and early 1868 3c grilled issues (A, C, D, Z and some E production). The shade and paper indicate that the B Grill was implemented after the 1867 experimental period and after the first two months of regular 1868 grill production. Perhaps the B Grill was created during the process of making a replacement grilling device for one of the two machines. The grilling surface must have worn during production of many thousands of sheets, and it seems likely that replacement grills would become necessary in mid-1868. Through miscalculation or possibly deliberate experimentation, the grill size per stamp on this new B Grill device was twice the width of the F Grill. Based on the small number of surviving copies, this wider grill must have been quickly modified or discarded. Sheets with the B Grill made their way into the regular supply and, in the case of the discovery examples, were used in early 1869. This stamp was the first example of the 3c B Grill (Scott 82) ever offered at auction when it appeared in our sale of the Dr. Drew B. Meilstrup collection on May 2, 1973 (lot 148). It was acquired by the current owner in that sale for $23,000 hammer. By comparison, just two years later the 1c Z Grill (Scott 85A) was offered in our 1975 Rarities sale and realized $42,500. Census No. 82-CAN-02. Ex Drew B. Meilstrup (Siegel Sale 431, May 2, 1973, where acquired by the current owner). With photo of 1969 P.F. certificate for cover and 2015 P.F. certificate for this single.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2015, Sale 1106, Lot 3102

24c Lilac (Scott 78). Block of four, original gum, pleasing color and clear impression, bottom pair minor gum bends, some slight strengthening and few tiny trivial toning specks between stamps in two places, otherwise Very Good

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2009, Sale 982, Lot 5224