Robert A Siegel is to conduct “The Gross Multiples” sale that is breathtaking in its scope and quality. The auction will offer to collectors’ attention a great array of largest known unused multiples and plate blocks. The auction will take place on May 8-9. One of the brightest lots that will appear at this sale is the original-gum imprint block 12¢ Dull Violet H. Grill stamps. This is the only recorded unused multiple of the 12¢ National Bank Note Company Grilled Issue, and one of the most important items of the 1870 to 1888 Bank Note Company issues.
The first owner of record was William H. Crocker. The Crocker family built an empire in the west, which included railroads, banks, insurance and other enterprises. William H. Crocker, president of Crocker National Bank in San Francisco, began collecting U.S. and foreign stamps in 1884 and, by the start of the 20th century, had already assembled a world-class holding. An unexpected outcome of the Crocker sale was a discovery of a mint block of four of the 12¢ Dull Violet of the United States, which was sold for $800 in London, 1938.
Robert A Siegel described this lot as follows: “block of four with bottom "(NATIONAL BANK N)OTE CO. NEW YORK" part imprint, original gum, each stamp shows some grill points with the most noticeable in the top left stamp, bottom stamps with superior centering, rich color in the distinctive shade associated with the grilled issue”. The block is expected to fetch $150,000.
