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Auction: 154 - The Philatelic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 179

#141A, 15c Orange, "I" grill, an amazingly rare horizontal pair (natural straight edge at left) tied to piece by "Shannon/Miss/Feb 1" c.d.s., this is an early-state "I" grill (the only type of 'I" grill known on this value), the left stamp shows a wonderful typical impression of this type of grill with one to two outside rows framing the grill area and the center largely blank, the right stamp is similar but lacks an outside row at top, the stamps possess brilliant color and a strong impression, both stamps have pleasingly fine centering.

The early-state "I" grill is a very scarce grill on any value, the late-state truncated "I" grill being the type that is normally found on low values. The 15c is one of the high values that is rare with an "I" grill and is only found in this early state with only perhaps a dozen used examples and three mint examples known. This writer has seen a large portion of the "I" grills on this value and the impressions on this pair, especially the left stamp, are outstanding. The discovery of this pair is the only known multiple of this very rare Fifteen Cent "I" Grill. the catalog value is for two singles.

Sold for
$5,250