Natalee Grace Collection to star '$650,000' 10 cent Z-Grill

A 10 cent Z-Grill stamp will form part of the Natalee Grace Collection sale, with a $650,000 estimate

A US auction of the Natalee Grace Collection will feature a 10 cent Washington as top lot in a series of Z-Grill rarities on June 7.

1868 10 cent Z-Grill stamp

The Z-Grills are noted as some of the rarest of all US stamps. There are currently only four of the 10 cent Z-Grills available to collectors, with a fifth housed in the Miller collection at the New York Public Library.

A sixth is thought to exist, but has not been seen since it was auctioned in November 1958.

The Z-Grill is so-called due to the "Z" variety of grill that was used to press the stamp. The grill allowed cancelling ink to be absorbed into the stamp paper but was replaced with D, E and F grills just a few months after being used for the 1868 issues, making the resulting stamps incredibly scarce.

This lot, estimated at $650,000, will highlight the Z-Grill section.  Of fine appearance, the stamp features a bold, quartered-cork cancel with a strong grill impression in a deep shade of green. The rarity features just two trivial defects, one small spot and a corner margin crease.

The 3 cent rose Z-Grill will bring the second highest bids in the section, with an estimate of $3,500. The stamp boasts radiant colourings, with a crisp Z-Grill impression and a bold rosette cancellation strike.

Another 3 cent Z-Grill sold through the same auction house in 2011, achieving $24,000 against an estimate of $3,750. The piece was made more desirable by a striking "B" cancellation, signifying postmaster George C Bestor.

The Z-Grill section of the auction will also feature the coveted 2 cent and 12 cent varieties.

PFC Auctions is offering a superb selection of British stamps to collectors in its current auction. This 1910 2d Tyrian Plum provides a great value opportunity for investors. With a Stanley Gibbons Catalogue price of £100,000+, the stamp is currently attracting bids in the region of £44,000.

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Images: Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries