Sale 1388 — The Boardwalk Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps–Part One–19th Century Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 23-24 September, 2026
Category — 1873 Continental Bank Note Company with J Grills (Scott 158e-179c)
3c Green, With Grill (158e). Original gum, h.r., clearly defined grill, wide margins, Very Fine, it is believed that the Continental grills were made experimentally in 1876, after a stamp-cleaning court trial renewed fears of stamp re-use, the primary source of the rare J Grills was the Worthington collection, which was dispersed in 1917 — it is believed that most or all examples in collectors' hands came from the archive of Charles F. Steel, who patented the grilling machines used between 1867 and 1873, with 1998 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1998 PF No. 0328257 View Cert
3c Green, With Grill, End Roller Grill (158e). Mint N.H., prominent end roller grill on full right third of stamp, rich color, Fine and scarce, especially in Mint N.H. condition, it is believed that the Continental grills were made experimentally in 1876, after a stamp-cleaning court trial renewed fears of stamp re-use, the primary source of the rare J Grills was the Worthington collection, which was dispersed in 1917 — it is believed that most or all examples in collectors' hands came from the archive of Charles F. Steel, who patented the grilling machines used between 1867 and 1873, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value as hinged
Certificate
2001 PSE No. 51180 View Cert
6c Dull Pink, With Grill (159b). Original gum, h.r., clear grill points, bright color, Fine and scarce, it is believed that the Continental grills were made experimentally in 1876, after a stamp-cleaning court trial renewed fears of stamp re-use, the primary source of the rare J Grills was the Worthington collection, which was dispersed in 1917 — it is believed that most or all examples in collectors' hands came from the archive of Charles F. Steel, who patented the grilling machines used between 1867 and 1873, ex Klein and Zoellner
Certificate
1998 PF No. 0332197 View Cert
6c Dull Pink, With Grill, End Roller Grill (159b var). Horizontal pair with narrow left selvage, left stamp End Roller Grill covering nearly one-half of the stamp at left, right stamp normal J Grill, both grills strongly impressed and easily visible from the front, original gum, brilliant color and well-centered
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE COMBINATION PAIR OF THE 6-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH J GRILL AND END ROLLER GRILL. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED.
It is believed that the Continental grills were made experimentally in 1876, after a stamp-cleaning court trial renewed fears of stamp re-use. The primary source of the rare J Grills was the Worthington collection, which was dispersed in 1917. It is believed that most or all examples in collectors' hands came from the archive of Charles F. Steel, who patented the grilling machines used between 1867 and 1873.A Power Search review failed to find not only a combination of the J Grill and End Roller Grill in a multiple, but even a single of the latter. This is a great Bank Note Issue rarity.
With 1977 P.F. certificate. Scott value as singles.
Certificate
1977 PF No. 64152 View Cert
10c Brown, With Grill (161c). Original gum, clear grill, deep rich color and attractive centering, tiny thin spot and barely visible corner crease
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH GRILL.
It is believed that the Continental grills were made experimentally in 1876, after a stamp-cleaning court trial renewed fears of stamp re-use. The primary source of the rare J Grills was the Worthington collection, which was dispersed in 1917. It is believed that most or all examples in collectors' hands came from the archive of Charles F. Steel, who patented the grilling machines used between 1867 and 1873.
A Power Search review failed to find another example of the 10c Continental with grill. The only two entries listed in our auctions since 1993 and our Rarities sales since 1964 are both for this stamp — last appearing in our 1985 Rarities sale.
Ex Caspary, Lilly and from our 1985 Rarities sale. P.F. certificate nos. 25104 and 241865 (the latter calling the stamp regummed), no longer accompany. With 1992 P.S.E. certificate as original gum.
Certificate
1992 PSE No. 18718 View Cert
2c Vermilion, With Grill (178c). Original gum, narrow h.r. and pencil Scott number notation, clear grill, vivid color and choice centering, couple unpunched perfs, Extremely Fine, it is believed that the Continental grills were made experimentally in 1876, after a stamp-cleaning court trial renewed fears of stamp re-use, the primary source of the rare J Grills was the Worthington collection, which was dispersed in 1917 — it is believed that most or all examples in collectors' hands came from the archive of Charles F. Steel, who patented the grilling machines used between 1867 and 1873, ex Floyd, with 1994 P.F. certificate
Certificate
1994 PF No. 0279294 View Cert
5c Blue, With Grill (179c). Original gum, clear grill which does not break the paper as often seen with the J Grills, deep rich color
VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 5-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH GRILL.
It is believed that the Continental grills were made experimentally in 1876, after a stamp-cleaning court trial renewed fears of stamp re-use. The primary source of the rare J Grills was the Worthington collection, which was dispersed in 1917. It is believed that most or all examples in collectors' hands came from the archive of Charles F. Steel, who patented the grilling machines used between 1867 and 1873.
Ex Floyd. With 1998 P.F. certificate.
Certificate
1998 PF No. 0325649 View Cert
5c Blue, With Grill (179c). Original gum, clearly defined grill with one point that just pierces the paper (as often found with this issue), deep rich color, light horizontal crease at top mentioned only on more recent certificate, fresh and Fine, it is believed that the Continental grills were made experimentally in 1876, after a stamp-cleaning court trial renewed fears of stamp re-use, the primary source of the rare J Grills was the Worthington collection, which was dispersed in 1917 — it is believed that most or all examples in collectors' hands came from the archive of Charles F. Steel, who patented the grilling machines used between 1867 and 1873, ex Geisler and Schwenk, with 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates
5c Blue, With Grill, End Roller Grill (179c var). Original gum, strong grill covers the left third of the stamp, rich color, few short perfs, one pulled perf at upper left
FINE APPEARING AND EXTREMELY RARE END ROLLER J GRILL ON THE 5-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED.
It is believed that the Continental grills were made experimentally in 1876, after a stamp-cleaning court trial renewed fears of stamp re-use. The primary source of the rare J Grills was the Worthington collection, which was dispersed in 1917. It is believed that most or all examples in collectors' hands came from the archive of Charles F. Steel, who patented the grilling machines used between 1867 and 1873.
The end roller grill is extremely rare and this is the only example listed in Power Search.
Ex Braus. Listed but unpriced in Scott, which prices the normal J Grill at $9,500.