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 paperbutwas 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. Therarity featuresjust 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.