Lot 2203 o
1867, 90¢ blue, F. grill, exceptional centering with wide well balanced margins, beautiful shade and impression, red cork cancel, much better formed perfs than typically encountered, an Extremely Fine gem, after reviewing all known graded examples at the P.S.E. and despite the grade attributed by the P.S.E., this is in our opinion this is the finest example, with perhaps the exception of the 90¢ Graded 100; with 1985, 1994 P.F. & 2015 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF 90, SMQ $4,850).Scott No. 101 $2,800.
A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 90¢ F. GRILL, COMBINING CHOICE CENTERING, PERFORATIONS, COLOR AND A PREMIUM CANCEL.
The 90¢ stamps used to make grilled issues were printed on a thick stock of paper. It is likely that sheets remaining from the pre-grill period were used and that the thinner paper introduced in 1868 had not been used for the 90c value. Two characteristics of 90c F Grill stamps are poorly punched perforations and generally bad centering. This stamp is a remarkable exception. The perfs are much better formed than usual (although they show the genuine characteristics) and the centering is precise. In this stamp there is also the added feature of a striking red cancel.