US Stamps (before the Inverted Jenny)
Except otherwise stated, all results below include the premium.
not including pre-US Hawaii
See also : Stamps
not including pre-US Hawaii
See also : Stamps
1848 The Rush Cover
2006 SOLD for $ 1.38M by Robert A. Siegel
In 1847 the first two stamps of the United States are issued. The 5 c is the portrait of Franklin and the 10 c of Washington.
On September 26, 1848 in Philadelphia, Benjamin Rush prepares a letter for his father, the US ambassador to France. The instructions for transportation require to use the Europa, a British steamer of the Cunard, in her September 27 Transatlantic travel. The payment in US stamps is by-passing the protectionist British mail rules.
The Europa reached Liverpool on October 9. The letter was carried by rail to London and Dover, crossing the Channel to Boulogne, and by rail to Paris where it was delivered on October 11.
The Rush cover is inscribed with Benjamin Rush's manuscript inscriptions and with the stamped records of all steps of the transfer. It is bearing a horizontal row of six 10 c stamps, one of them being in another variant than the other five. The total 60 c were overpaying the 58 c US 'Retaliatory' rate for a letter over the half ounce limit. The addressee had to pay a fee of 33 French décimes on delivery.
In very fine condition, the Rush cover was sold by Robert A. Siegel for $ 1.38M on May 13, 2006, lot 501. Purchased at that sale by William Gross, it was sold from that provenance for $ 600K by the same auction house on October 27, 2020, lot 552. The image is shared by Wikimedia.
On September 26, 1848 in Philadelphia, Benjamin Rush prepares a letter for his father, the US ambassador to France. The instructions for transportation require to use the Europa, a British steamer of the Cunard, in her September 27 Transatlantic travel. The payment in US stamps is by-passing the protectionist British mail rules.
The Europa reached Liverpool on October 9. The letter was carried by rail to London and Dover, crossing the Channel to Boulogne, and by rail to Paris where it was delivered on October 11.
The Rush cover is inscribed with Benjamin Rush's manuscript inscriptions and with the stamped records of all steps of the transfer. It is bearing a horizontal row of six 10 c stamps, one of them being in another variant than the other five. The total 60 c were overpaying the 58 c US 'Retaliatory' rate for a letter over the half ounce limit. The addressee had to pay a fee of 33 French décimes on delivery.
In very fine condition, the Rush cover was sold by Robert A. Siegel for $ 1.38M on May 13, 2006, lot 501. Purchased at that sale by William Gross, it was sold from that provenance for $ 600K by the same auction house on October 27, 2020, lot 552. The image is shared by Wikimedia.
1868 Grilled
Intro
The grilled stamps were a regular variant used by the US Postage from 1867 to 1870. The purpose was to indent the stamp to make the paper more porous and discourage the washing out of the cancellation ink. The types of grills are identified since 1916 by letters A to J and Z which are not related to a figure of points.
The first tests are carried out with the A Grill in 1867. They are promising, but the A Grill covers the entire surface of the stamp, which reduces the production yield due to an excessive mechanical stress.
Released in January 1868, the Z Grill had the only design with horizontal ridges. It was obsoleted in mid February. It is not uncommon for some stamp values but is very rare for 1 cent, 10 cents and 15 cents, certainly for reasons of production sequence.
The first tests are carried out with the A Grill in 1867. They are promising, but the A Grill covers the entire surface of the stamp, which reduces the production yield due to an excessive mechanical stress.
Released in January 1868, the Z Grill had the only design with horizontal ridges. It was obsoleted in mid February. It is not uncommon for some stamp values but is very rare for 1 cent, 10 cents and 15 cents, certainly for reasons of production sequence.
1
Z Grill 1 c
2024 SOLD for $ 4.4M by Robert A. Siegel
The 1 cent Z Grill is known in two examples only. One of them is kept at the New York Public Library.
The other example was sold for $ 940K by Robert A. Siegel on October, 8, 1998, lot 226. It was purchased at that auction by a stamp dealer who traded it in 2006 to the collector Bill Gross against another top star of US philately, the plate block of the Inverted Jenny. Gross had desired the 1c Z Grill as the final element of his full collection of US stamps.
This unique example in private hands is graded Extremely Fine and perfectly centered. The cancellation by a Philadelphia circular date stamp is bold. The grill impression is strong.
It was sold for $ 4.4M by Robert A. Siegel on June 14, 2024, lot 31 in the last sale of the Gross collection.
The image is shared by Wikimedia.
The other example was sold for $ 940K by Robert A. Siegel on October, 8, 1998, lot 226. It was purchased at that auction by a stamp dealer who traded it in 2006 to the collector Bill Gross against another top star of US philately, the plate block of the Inverted Jenny. Gross had desired the 1c Z Grill as the final element of his full collection of US stamps.
This unique example in private hands is graded Extremely Fine and perfectly centered. The cancellation by a Philadelphia circular date stamp is bold. The grill impression is strong.
It was sold for $ 4.4M by Robert A. Siegel on June 14, 2024, lot 31 in the last sale of the Gross collection.
The image is shared by Wikimedia.
2
Z Grill 15c ex Gross
2024 SOLD for $ 2.8M by Robert A. Siegel
The time scale of the Z Grill predates the first release of grilled 15 cents in April 1868 with E and F grills, so the 15 cent Z grill had possibly been printed on sheets prepared for 1c or 10c runs and later mingled into regular 15c runs with E or F grills.
The discovery unit was acknowledged as such in 1961 by an expect in the Newbury collection before a Siegel auction. It has a faded manuscript “X” cancel and tiny part of an octagonal town date stamp. Its centering is virtually perfect.
Coming from the Gross collection, it was sold for $ 2.8M from a lower estimate of $ 1.5M by Siegel, lot 32 in the same sale as the 1c Z Grill narrated above.
The discovery unit was acknowledged as such in 1961 by an expect in the Newbury collection before a Siegel auction. It has a faded manuscript “X” cancel and tiny part of an octagonal town date stamp. Its centering is virtually perfect.
Coming from the Gross collection, it was sold for $ 2.8M from a lower estimate of $ 1.5M by Siegel, lot 32 in the same sale as the 1c Z Grill narrated above.
3
Z Grill 15 c
2019 SOLD for $ 1.6M by Cherrystone
Another example of 15 cent Z Grill was identified after the surfacing of the Newbury unit.
It was sold by Cherrystone on July 12, 2019 for $ 1.6M from an estimate of $ 750K, lot 72.
No other example of that error variety has surfaced.
It was sold by Cherrystone on July 12, 2019 for $ 1.6M from an estimate of $ 750K, lot 72.
No other example of that error variety has surfaced.
4
Z Grill 10 c
2019 SOLD for $ 1.15M by Cherrystone
6 units of the 10 cents Z Grill are known.
The finest example of the 10 cents Z Grill was sold by Cherrystone on July 12, 2019 for $ 1.15M from an estimate of $ 750K, lot 70.
The finest example of the 10 cents Z Grill was sold by Cherrystone on July 12, 2019 for $ 1.15M from an estimate of $ 750K, lot 70.
5
B Grill
2008 SOLD for $ 1.04M by Robert A. Siegel
The B Grill is an experimental or involuntary aberration. Used in 1868 during the phase of removal of the A Grill, it was too large against the new specified standard that was the F Grill.
The four known stamps with a B Grill are 3 cents. They were circulated on a single cover in February 1869 and discovered in 1969. They have been detached later. All of them are centered to upper left and have a natural straight right edge.
A B Grill was sold for $ 1.04M by Robert A. Siegel on October 28, 2008, lot 557. Other prices for B Grill stamps are $ 660K by Robert A. Siegel on June 25, 2015, lot 3102, and also $ 660K by Cherrystone on July 12, 2019, lot 64.
The four known stamps with a B Grill are 3 cents. They were circulated on a single cover in February 1869 and discovered in 1969. They have been detached later. All of them are centered to upper left and have a natural straight right edge.
A B Grill was sold for $ 1.04M by Robert A. Siegel on October 28, 2008, lot 557. Other prices for B Grill stamps are $ 660K by Robert A. Siegel on June 25, 2015, lot 3102, and also $ 660K by Cherrystone on July 12, 2019, lot 64.
1869 Pictorial Invert
2008 SOLD for $ 1.27M by Philip Weiss
The 1869 Pictorial Issue marked a significant milestone in U.S. postage stamp production as the first series printed in two colors (bicolors) for the higher denominations of 15 cents and above, which introduced the possibility of invert errors during the two-pass printing process. These errors occurred when sheets were inadvertently inserted upside down into the press for the second color application—specifically, the frame was printed second and thus inverted relative to the vignette (central image), which was printed first. The issue itself was short-lived, lasting only about 14 months before being replaced due to public criticism of its designs and size, but the inverts became legendary rarities in philately. Three denominations are known with invert errors: the 15-cent (Scott #119b), 24-cent (Scott #120b), and 30-cent (Scott #121b). No genuine 90-cent invert exists, despite rumors leading to the creation of fictitious invert proofs for that value in 1894.
15-Cent Invert (Type II, Landing of Columbus)
This stamp features a brown frame and blue vignette depicting John Vanderlyn's painting of Christopher Columbus's landing. The error results in an inverted frame (often described as an inverted center for simplicity). All known examples are from the Type II printing, which began in May 1869 and included modifications like a diamond ornament above the vignette to improve alignment. Approximately 100 copies are recorded: 1 with original gum (OG), 2 unused without gum, and 97 used, plus 3 rare double inverts (where the center is printed twice, once normally and once inverted). Most were used on mail to France for the single rate or domestically for registered mail (15-cent registry fee). The first sheet was reportedly purchased by collector David H. Anthony shortly after issuance; he sold one copy and exchanged the rest back at the post office for normal stamps between May 1869 and early 1870. The sole OG example was acquired in 1869 by Paul Lichtenstein, a clerk who noticed the error among 25 stamps bought for his firm and kept one for his collection. Auction records include a mint example estimated at $1.2 million in 2013, reflecting its intense color and sharp impressions.
24-Cent Invert (Declaration of Independence)
Depicting John Trumbull's famous painting in a green frame with a violet vignette, this invert also features an inverted frame. A total of 94 copies are known: 4 unused without gum (one housed in the British Library's Tapling Collection, leaving three available to collectors), 83 used, 4 on cover, and multiples including one block of four and one pair. Estimates suggest errors from about four sheets of 100 stamps each. Primarily used for mail to Great Britain (covering multiples of the 12-cent rate until December 31, 1869, then 6 cents thereafter), some bear notable cancellations indicating foreign or domestic use. The invert was among the first reported in philatelic journals, with an initial (inaccurate) account in J. Walter Scott's American Journal of Philately on December 20, 1870, claiming hundreds of sheets were delivered before discovery. A used example was offered in a 2021 auction with an estimate reflecting its desirability as a major error.
30-Cent Invert (Shield, Eagle, and Flags)This is the highest-denomination bicolor in the series with an invert error, showing an ultramarine frame and carmine vignette of an eagle on a shield with inverted flags. It is the rarest of the three, with 47 copies recorded: 1 with OG, 6 unused without gum, and 40 used, likely originating from one or two sheets. Often used for double rates to France or other foreign destinations. Discovered later than the others—the least obvious error—it was not listed in the Scott Catalogue until 1876. A notable auction result includes one exceeding $300,000 in a 2016 sale.
These inverts were part of broader production challenges in the 1869 series, including grill varieties, perforation errors, and color shifts, but the bicolor process uniquely enabled the inverts. Proofs of the inverts were produced later, such as cardboard versions in 1894 for the Atlanta Exposition, including the non-existent 90-cent for display purposes. Overall, the errors have fetched a combined quarter-million dollars for used copies in a single 2011 auction, underscoring their status as philatelic treasures.
15-Cent Invert (Type II, Landing of Columbus)
This stamp features a brown frame and blue vignette depicting John Vanderlyn's painting of Christopher Columbus's landing. The error results in an inverted frame (often described as an inverted center for simplicity). All known examples are from the Type II printing, which began in May 1869 and included modifications like a diamond ornament above the vignette to improve alignment. Approximately 100 copies are recorded: 1 with original gum (OG), 2 unused without gum, and 97 used, plus 3 rare double inverts (where the center is printed twice, once normally and once inverted). Most were used on mail to France for the single rate or domestically for registered mail (15-cent registry fee). The first sheet was reportedly purchased by collector David H. Anthony shortly after issuance; he sold one copy and exchanged the rest back at the post office for normal stamps between May 1869 and early 1870. The sole OG example was acquired in 1869 by Paul Lichtenstein, a clerk who noticed the error among 25 stamps bought for his firm and kept one for his collection. Auction records include a mint example estimated at $1.2 million in 2013, reflecting its intense color and sharp impressions.
24-Cent Invert (Declaration of Independence)
Depicting John Trumbull's famous painting in a green frame with a violet vignette, this invert also features an inverted frame. A total of 94 copies are known: 4 unused without gum (one housed in the British Library's Tapling Collection, leaving three available to collectors), 83 used, 4 on cover, and multiples including one block of four and one pair. Estimates suggest errors from about four sheets of 100 stamps each. Primarily used for mail to Great Britain (covering multiples of the 12-cent rate until December 31, 1869, then 6 cents thereafter), some bear notable cancellations indicating foreign or domestic use. The invert was among the first reported in philatelic journals, with an initial (inaccurate) account in J. Walter Scott's American Journal of Philately on December 20, 1870, claiming hundreds of sheets were delivered before discovery. A used example was offered in a 2021 auction with an estimate reflecting its desirability as a major error.
30-Cent Invert (Shield, Eagle, and Flags)This is the highest-denomination bicolor in the series with an invert error, showing an ultramarine frame and carmine vignette of an eagle on a shield with inverted flags. It is the rarest of the three, with 47 copies recorded: 1 with OG, 6 unused without gum, and 40 used, likely originating from one or two sheets. Often used for double rates to France or other foreign destinations. Discovered later than the others—the least obvious error—it was not listed in the Scott Catalogue until 1876. A notable auction result includes one exceeding $300,000 in a 2016 sale.
These inverts were part of broader production challenges in the 1869 series, including grill varieties, perforation errors, and color shifts, but the bicolor process uniquely enabled the inverts. Proofs of the inverts were produced later, such as cardboard versions in 1894 for the Atlanta Exposition, including the non-existent 90-cent for display purposes. Overall, the errors have fetched a combined quarter-million dollars for used copies in a single 2011 auction, underscoring their status as philatelic treasures.
In 1869, the United States renew their postage stamps. Ten values are released, from 1c to 90c, but only three of them maintain the tradition of featuring the heads of the great statesmen of the past. The other seven display scenes and symbols of American patriotism.
Another innovation is technical. Four of these values are printed in two colors, the first step towards the modern polychromatic stamp: 15c, 24c, 30c and 90c Lincoln.
The printing is done in two stages. When the sheet is presented in reverse to its second pass, the two elements of the image are one another inverted. This error of image position did not prevent the stamps to be used.
The controls were not strict enough. Similar errors of the 1901 Pan American issue were certainly better filtered, and only a single sheet escaped the controls of the 1918 Air Post.
Survivors of uncirculated Pictorial inverts are very rare : their total for the three usual values is estimated at 14 units. On February 9, 2008, Philip Weiss sold for $ 1.27M one of the four 24c, sound but unevenly centered and without gum. It is illustrated in the post sale report shared by Antiques and the Arts.
The Grant administration, which has made this release, had reluctantly inherited this project from Johnson and did nothing to promote it to the users. After a few months, the traditional figuration returned to the US stamp, explaining the scarcity of the Pictorial issue and of its errors.
On October 9, 2013, Robert A. Siegel sold the finest known inverted example of the two other usual 1869 values. Each one is the only specimen in its category to have retained its original gum. The 15c stamp, whose colors are very fresh, was sold for $ 920K, lot 1. The 30c, perfectly centered, was sold for $ 690K, lot 2.
Another innovation is technical. Four of these values are printed in two colors, the first step towards the modern polychromatic stamp: 15c, 24c, 30c and 90c Lincoln.
The printing is done in two stages. When the sheet is presented in reverse to its second pass, the two elements of the image are one another inverted. This error of image position did not prevent the stamps to be used.
The controls were not strict enough. Similar errors of the 1901 Pan American issue were certainly better filtered, and only a single sheet escaped the controls of the 1918 Air Post.
Survivors of uncirculated Pictorial inverts are very rare : their total for the three usual values is estimated at 14 units. On February 9, 2008, Philip Weiss sold for $ 1.27M one of the four 24c, sound but unevenly centered and without gum. It is illustrated in the post sale report shared by Antiques and the Arts.
The Grant administration, which has made this release, had reluctantly inherited this project from Johnson and did nothing to promote it to the users. After a few months, the traditional figuration returned to the US stamp, explaining the scarcity of the Pictorial issue and of its errors.
On October 9, 2013, Robert A. Siegel sold the finest known inverted example of the two other usual 1869 values. Each one is the only specimen in its category to have retained its original gum. The 15c stamp, whose colors are very fresh, was sold for $ 920K, lot 1. The 30c, perfectly centered, was sold for $ 690K, lot 2.
1901 Invert Block
2009 SOLD for $ 920K by Robert A. Siegel
Blocks are especially popular with philatelists. Interviewed by Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, the collector Alan Whitman explains why : Once separated, a block is lost forever for philatelists, who are therefore proud to contribute to their preservation.
Two blocks of four stamps with inverted centers from the Pan American series of 1901 were listed in the second sale of the Whitman collection, organized by Robert A. Siegel on April 14 and 15, 2009. The 2-cent featuring a steam train was sold for $ 920K. The 4-cent featuring a mail coach was sold for $ 370K.
It is difficult to identify if it is really an error or an unauthorized test conducted by a manager of the United States Post Office Department.
Two blocks of four stamps with inverted centers from the Pan American series of 1901 were listed in the second sale of the Whitman collection, organized by Robert A. Siegel on April 14 and 15, 2009. The 2-cent featuring a steam train was sold for $ 920K. The 4-cent featuring a mail coach was sold for $ 370K.
It is difficult to identify if it is really an error or an unauthorized test conducted by a manager of the United States Post Office Department.
1908 2c Coil Pair
1
2021 SOLD for $ 1.48M by Robert A. Siegel
In 1908 the US government authorized new packages for selling stamps through automated vending machines. The stamps were cut from the sheets in a single stripe of 20, in a row with top and low edges unperforated, or in a column with side edges unperforated. The coils were pasted together in rolls of 500 or 1,000 stamps.
This new process was most effective than the rolls available from the previous year in the UK, where the coils were cut from fully perforated sheets and then trimmed.
The very first application was on the Series of 1902 which were terminated at the end of 1908. The coil stamps of these variants had thus been made in a very short period. It was applied to three denominations only, 1c, 2c and 5c, excluding the eleven rarer values. Only 5 vending machines were homologated.
The 2c vertical is the rarest in the Series of 1902. Only 4 rolls of 1,000 had been assembled. Four unused pairs are known. One of them was sold for $ 1.48M from an estimate of $ 600K by Robert A. Siegel on April 29, 2021, lot 299.
This new process was most effective than the rolls available from the previous year in the UK, where the coils were cut from fully perforated sheets and then trimmed.
The very first application was on the Series of 1902 which were terminated at the end of 1908. The coil stamps of these variants had thus been made in a very short period. It was applied to three denominations only, 1c, 2c and 5c, excluding the eleven rarer values. Only 5 vending machines were homologated.
The 2c vertical is the rarest in the Series of 1902. Only 4 rolls of 1,000 had been assembled. Four unused pairs are known. One of them was sold for $ 1.48M from an estimate of $ 600K by Robert A. Siegel on April 29, 2021, lot 299.
2
2024 SOLD for $ 1.1M by Robert A. Siegel
A 2c vertical pair was sold for $ 1.1M from a lower estimate of $ 750K by Robert A. Siegel on June 14, 2024, lot 79. It is graded Very Fine, with original gum and light hinging.
Another one was sold for $ 800K by Cherrystone on July 12, 2019, lot 169. It was reunited with its cover after the sale.
The fourth surviving pair is owned by the New York Public Library.
Two single 2c on covers with unperforated edges are also known.
Another one was sold for $ 800K by Cherrystone on July 12, 2019, lot 169. It was reunited with its cover after the sale.
The fourth surviving pair is owned by the New York Public Library.
Two single 2c on covers with unperforated edges are also known.
