1870, 24¢ purple (Scott 153), Red NYFM cancel, well struck cancel, Very Fine. Weiss type 3 ST-MP3. Scott $230. Estimate price $150 – 201.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2015, Sale 669, Lot 2642

15c Bright Orange, Double Impression (152a). Clear double impression with second impression significantly shifted to top and left, bold strike of target cancel, somewhat oxidized, thin spot and defective at bottom FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH A DOUBLE IMPRESSION. THIS IS THE LISTING COPY. Our list of double impressions is included as an appendix to this catalogue. Most double impressions occur when the first impression is made and found to be inadequate. The paper is then put in the press a second time, when it receives the heavier impression. It is a common misconception that the weaker impression is the second one. Ex Lake Shore. With 1990 P.F. certificate. Scott Catalogue value seems low to us for a unique item such as this.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 61

15c Bright Orange (152). Vivid color on bright white paper, bold strike of Maltese Cross fancy cancel, Very Fine, a striking stamp, with 1979 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as normal cancel

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2013, Sale 1061, Lot 3594

1870, 15¢ bright orange (Scott 152), fancy black “Hollow Star in circle” cancellation, sensational rich shade, a very appealing example of this difficult stamp that’s hard to find nice, Fine to Very Fine, 2014 P.F. certificate. Scott $220. Estimate value $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Dec 2014, Sale 661, Lot 146

United States 1870-73 Banknote Issues 1870 12c dull violet, rich color, centered slightly to top, original gum, light “facial rub”, otherwise fine, with 2004 PSE cert.

Cherrystone Auctions, Feb 2011, Sale 201102, Lot 59

12c Dull Violet (151). Vertical block of six with selvage at top, original gum, center right stamp Mint N.H., center left stamp barely hinged, rich color, center left stamp few shortish perfs FINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY UNGRILLED ISSUE, WITH ONE STAMP IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION. Blocks of this issue are scarce, and surviving blocks are not well-centered, because the choice blocks have been broken to feed collector demand for singles. This is the first original-gum block was have offered in over a decade. Scott Retail as block of four and pair.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1021, Lot 359

12c Dull Violet (Scott 151). Unused (no gum), radiant color on bright paper, Very Fine, with 1987 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1412

12c Dull Violet (Scott 151). Large part disturbed original gum, deep rich color, reperfed at left, Very Fine appearance

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2014, Sale 1078, Lot 295

10c Brown (Scott 150). Bright shade, perfect strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric (Weiss Type ST-8P11), Extremely Fine strike, with 2002 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1724

1870, 10¢ brown (Scott 150), block of 4, light black cancellation, extremely elusive genuinely used multiple with brilliant color, Very Good to Fine. Scott $275. Estimate $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2014, Sale 652, Lot 286

7c Vermilion (Scott 149). Jumbo margins all around, circle of wedges cancel, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Dr. Morris and Mayer, with 1986 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,525.00 as 98), only one has graded higher (at 100) and one other shares this grade

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 153

1871, 7¢ vermilion (Scott 149), interesting black cancellation, exquisite GEM quality example with large margins and beautiful centering, Extremely Fine to Superb, 2007 P.S.E. certificate graded XF-SUP-95 (1 of 7 attaining this premium grade, with only 9 others grading higher). Scott $100. Estimate value $500 – 750.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2014, Sale 653, Lot 2110

() 1870, 6¢ carmine (148), block of four with bottom “National Bank Note Co.” imprint selvage, well centered, unused, some perf flaws, otherwise Very Fine and rare block. Scott value $5,500 Expertization: 1986 P.F. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Mar 2011, Sale 335, Lot 64

o U.S.; General Issues, 1870, 6¢ carmine, #148. Used, Extremely Fine. Scott $35. Estimate price $40.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Mar 2011, Sale 89, Lot 181

6c Carmine (Scott 148). Radiant color, neat strike of “Hiogo, Japan” circular handstamp, Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1722

6c Carmine (Scott 148). Choice centering with Jumbo margins, brilliant color, very unusual fancy cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp with wonderful visual appeal, with 2014 PSAG certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1067, Lot 1145

3c Green (Scott 147). Original gum, lightly hinged, outstanding centering, rich color, Extremely Fine, an extremely difficult stamp to find unused in the higher grades, with 1988 P.F. (for block) and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ value $650.00), this is the highest grade awarded and is shared by only three others, SMQ does not even price this issue above the grade of 90

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, May 2013, Sale 1044, Lot 133

2c Red Brown (146). Mint N.H., deep shade on crisp paper, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine, ex Silver Lake, with 2004 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2011, Sale 1014, Lot 1388

2c Red Brown (Scott 146). Original gum, lightly hinged, pretty shade, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90, SMQ price $750.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1406

1c Ultramarine, Kiss Impression (145 var). Clear doubling of design at bottom, bottom selvage with trace of imprint affixed partly over 10c Brown (161), target cancels and tied by “Leicester Mass. Apr. 22” circular datestamp on registered cover to Charlemont Mass., barely reduced at right, Very Fine on-cover example of the kiss impression, with 2003 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2014, Sale 1068, Lot 143

o U.S.; General Issues, 1870, 90¢ Carmine, Split Grill, #144. Used, “2 tiny tears at top, and a small piece out of bottom margin and reperfed at right”, Fine to Very Fine appearance, PF (1976) cert. Scott $2,750. Estimate value $300-350.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2011, Sale 90, Lot 1309

o 1870, 90¢ carmine, grilled (144), wonderfully well centered, with deep vibrant color, a light unobtrusive cancel and a lightly impressed but nearly complete grill; Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Scott $2,500 A TRULY EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE OF THE CHALLENGING 90¢ NATIONAL GRILL, ESPECIALLY SO WITH THE CLEAR, NEARLY COMPLETE GRILL. Expertization: 2005 PF Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 185

90c Carmine, H. Grill (Scott 144). Original gum, clearly-defined grill easily visible on face of stamp without magnification, deep rich color VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT GRILLED NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. THE 90-CENT IS THE THIRD MOST DIFFICULT STAMP OF THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SOUND 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. Ex Drucker and Hoffman. With 1981 and 2008 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, May 2013, Sale 1044, Lot 126

*    90¢ carmine, H. grill (Scott 144), numerous visible grill points, choice color, centered to top, part original gum, Fine for this exceedingly rare mint high value Bank Note grill (photo). $25,000 Expertization: 1970 P.F. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, May 2014, Sale 350, Lot 262

90c Carmine, H. Grill (Scott 144). Rich color, choice centering with wide margins, few grill points visible at right, cork cancel, accompanying 2014 P.S.E. certificate states “two short perfs” but the perfs are typically choppy on this issue and such irregular perf tooth length would never have been characterized as “short” in the past (which we long for), still Very Fine and a great stamp, with 1992 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $2,500.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2014, Sale 1090, Lot 1306

30c Black, Grill (Scott 143). H. Grill, intense shade, clear grill, light unobtrusive central red cork cancel, some minor indelible pencil marks on back, Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2011, Sale 1014, Lot 1383

Scott #143, 30c Black with grill, left margin single with natural straight edge and partial arrow at top, remarkably well centered within lavish margins, strong color and impression, cancelled solely by a bright red postmark, trivial corner crease, extremely fine appearance; clear 1990 PF and 2012 PF certificates.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 141, Lot 80

1870, 30¢ black, H. grill (143), o.g., very lightly hinged, among the few existing completely sound 30¢ grilled Banknote issues, a wonderfully fresh and choice example showing several visible grill points, a major league philatelic rarity missing from even the most advanced collections, Fine, 2007 P.F. certificate. Scott $20,000. Estimate price $6,000 – 8,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Sep 2013, Sale 639, Lot 3258

30c Black, H. Grill (Scott 143). Pretty shade, easily discernible grill points, unobtrusive cork cancel, small corner creases at top right VERY FINE APPEARING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY H GRILL. With 1997 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2014, Sale 1078, Lot 278

24c Purple, Grill (Scott 142). H. Grill, nicely centered, excellent color for this issue, red 4-bar grid cancel, minor corner crease which is not mentioned on accompanying certificate and reperfed at left which is mentioned, Very Fine appearance, with 2011 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2011, Sale 1017, Lot 566

24c Purple, H. Grill (Scott 142). Easily discernible grill points, bold strike of blue cork cancel, bright shade, choice centering for this difficult issue VERY FINE. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 24-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. ESPECIALLY RARE WITH A PROMINENT BLUE CANCEL. A Power Search review reveals how rare the 24c Grilled Issue is with a blue cancel. We have offered only two other examples since 1993 and in all our Rarities sales since 1964. Ex Senchuk. With 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (F-VF 75; SMQ value $5,050.00 for normal cancel). In our opinion this stamp is undergraded

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2013, Sale 1062, Lot 357

15c Orange, Grill (Scott 141). H. Grill, block of four, original gum, h.r., few adherences on gum, vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, each stamp with clear grill points, reperforated at right VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. THIS IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE FOR THE ISSUE. Perhaps three or four unused blocks of four are known. One has creases affecting all stamps, and another has perforations touching the design on one or more sides. The block offered here has full original gum, clear grill points and marvelous color. Despite the reperfing it is likely the finest in existence. With 2012 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 167

1870, 15¢ orange, grilled (Scott 141), light black target cancellation, flawless example of this tough stamp, with intense color and an easily identifiable grill, Fine, 1987 P.F. certificate. Scott $1,400. Estimate $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Feb 2013, Sale 634, Lot 115

o    15¢ orange, H. grill (Scott 141), well centered, fresh color, unobtrusive cork cancel, grill clearly visible front and back, Very Fine, SMQ price $850 (photo). $1,400 Expertization: 1970 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. Certificates, the latter graded F-VF 75.

Matthew Bennett International, May 2014, Sale 350, Lot 257

USA (Scott 141) 1870 WEBSTER GRILLED BANKNOTE 15? ORANGE Used, good color, very fine centering, small tear at bottom and corner crease lower right. (2000 PSE Cert #42674) Cat value $1400.

Regency-Superior, Nov 2014, Sale 108, Lot 324

12c Dull Violet, I. Grill (140 var). Disturbed original gum, overall rectangular grill impression showing size and shape of grill, several grill points along the bottom of the impression visible at center left, the grill points and overall impression are clear enough that noted expert Ronald A. Burns has definitively identified this as an early state of the I Grill, attractive shade, light diagonal surface rub across the face of the stamp VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY CONFIRMED AND CERTIFIED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE WITH THE I GRILL. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE BANK NOTE ISSUE, WHICH MAY ONE DAY BECOME A KEY TO A COMPLETE COLLECTION OF MAJOR SCOTT-LISTED UNITED STATES STAMPS. # At least two sizes of grills were used by the National Bank Note Company for the 1870 Issue. They are identified by Scott Catalogue by a notation prior to Scott 134, which assigns them the letters H and I. However, to date they have not been separately catalogued, as have the different grills used in 1867 and 1868 (A, B, C, D, Z, E and F Grills). The G Grill was used on the 1869 Pictorial Issue. The H Grill is larger than the I Grill, measuring approximately 11-13 points wide by 14-16 points tall when the full dimensions are visible. It is found on all values from the 1c thru the 90c. The I Grill measures from 9-11 points wide by 10-13 points tall. It is often a stronger grill impression (though many times incomplete). Students also distinguish between early and late states of the grilling device. The sizes of the grills remained the same in both states, but the characteristics of the grill points changed in different ways as the device wore away. The early state I Grill, as in the stamp offered here, has a very distinct shape to the grill points. 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. The 1c thru 7c makes up the bulk of the population of the I Grill, but it is also known on the 10c (approximately a dozen used known), 12c (one certified unused copy offered here and another unused example reported by Ron Burns), 15c (3 unused and 11 used known) and the 90c (3 used known). The recently-discovered 30c I Grill — the listing copy — is offered in the following lot and fills in a gap, leaving only the 24c value to be discovered with the I Grill. If the Scott Catalogue editors were to be consistent in their listing policy of grills across all issues, then they would separate the H and I Grills into major catalogue numbers, as they do for the 1867-68 Grilled Issue. If this were to occur, then the rare Bank Note I Grills would take their place alongside other grilled-stamp rarities such as Nos. 80, 81, 82, 85A, 85D and 85F. Ex Edward H. R. Green and Col. Aisenstadt. With 1957 A.P.S. certificate not specifying grill type. With 2011 P.F. certificate. Accompanied by a note and analysis by Ronald A. Burns, one of the foremost authorities on the Bank Note grills, who points out that this may be the 12c I Grill reported by J. B. Leavy in 1897. Scott Retail as normal grill, with no premium for the I Grill.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2011, Sale 1014, Lot 1371

12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (Scott 140). Attractive pale shade which is a characteristic of genuine National Grilled issue stamps, unusually wide margins, neat strikes of Star in Circle New York Foreign Mail cancel and also with part of red transit cancel at left EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. For some reason, the 12c National Bank Note Co. Grilled Issue is an exceedingly difficult stamp to obtain with wide margins. The 12c is one of the most difficult of all of the grilled issues to obtain in higher grades. A Power Search review of our sale records failed to find its equal. “MBC” backstamp. With 2001 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 38

12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (Scott 140). Rich color, neat strike of segmented cork cancel, fresh and Very Fine, with 1990 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2013, Sale 1062, Lot 352

() 1870, 10¢ brown, grilled (139), deep rich color, unused without gum, shows only a few grill points, fresh and Just Fine. Scott price $2,550 Expertization: 1982 PF Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Mar 2012, Sale 344, Lot 4349

10c Brown, H. Grill (Scott 139). Attractive centering, fresh color with clearly struck “(N.) York Steamship” circular datestamp, Fine, scarce and desirable, especially with the entire word “Steamship” on the stamp

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1710

10c Brown, H. Grill (Scott 139). Clear grill points, rich color and proof-like impression nicely complemented by blue cork cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1067, Lot 1136

10c Brown, H. Grill (Scott 139). Several discernible grill points in head, rich color, tied by target cancel, “London O. Jul. 27” circular datestamp on cover to Bremen, Germany, red “New York Paid All Br. Transit Jul. 29” circular datestamp, receiving backstamp, minor edgewear, Very Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3377

1871, 7¢ vermilion, grilled (Scott 138), unobtrusive cancel, bright color, F.-V.F. Scott value $550.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2011, Sale 626, Lot 158

7c Vermilion, H. Grill (Scott 138). Clearly-defined grill which is easily visible on the front of the stamp, brilliant color, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, bold cork cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 7-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE, WITH WIDE MARGINS, RADIANT COLOR AND A VERY CLEAR GRILL. A REAL CONDITION RARITY. This denomination was issued almost a year after the others in the series. It was primarily used to pay the rate via Prussian Closed Mail to Germany and Austria (via England), which was reduced from 10c to 7c on October 1, 1871, and later to pay the 7c rate to Denmark, Hungary and Luxembourg. With 1995 P.F. certificate. Signed “S.P.” in pencil on back.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 36

7c Vermilion, H. Grill, Split Grill (138 var). Vertically split and clearly-defined grills, radiant color nicely complemented by red New York circular datestamp, trace of blue cancel at center, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, the higher value Bank Note stamps are very rarely seen with a socked-on-the-nose circular datestamp, and the red ink is yet another factor of rarity and desirability, with 1999 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2013, Sale 1061, Lot 3579

USA (Scott 138) 1871 STANTON GRILLED BANKNOTE 7? VERMILION Bright color, fine. Original gum, hinge remnant, few short perfs otherwise sound per Weiss Cert. Cat value $4250.

Regency-Superior, Nov 2014, Sale 108, Lot 320

() 1870, 6¢ carmine, grilled (137), well centered with lovely pale shade and an unmistakable grill, unused without gum, fresh and Very Fine. Scott value $1,750 Expertization: 1991 PSE Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 257

United States 1870-73 Banknote Issues 1870 6c carmine, well centered, clear and well defined grill, bold negative “I” cancel, rich color, v.f. with 2001 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, May 2013, Sale 201305, Lot 83

6c Carmine, H. Grill (Scott 137). Intense color, easily discernible grill points at right, bold target cancel, Very Fine and choice

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2014, Sale 1078, Lot 271

6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Block of four, original gum, few small hinge slivers where minor perf separations sensibly reinforced, clear grills on all four stamps FINE-VERY FINE. THIS IS BY FAR THE FINEST OF THE THREE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE BLOCKS WE RECORD, AND THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS. A REMARKABLE LINCOLN-THEMED MULTIPLE. After searching for multiples of the 6c 1870 Grill (Scott 137 and 137A), we were surprised that blocks are so rare. None were offered in Caspary, Eno or other major block collections. A review of all 28 Colonel Green sales also failed to find one. Two others were offered in the Walter C. Klein sale (one ex Close and Ainsworth, the other ex Sinkler), but both have perfs impinging on the design. The Brookman book notes one was offered in the 1933 Hind sale, which is described in the sale catalogue as well-centered, but not illustrated — we assume that block is the one offered here.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2015, Sale 1096, Lot 264