The New Amsterdam Collection of United States Rarities
July 10, 2019
The New Amsterdam Collection of United States Stamps sold for close to $7 Million on 10th July 2019. Hundreds of floor and internet bidders competed for just 220 lots at auction which took almost four hours to complete. With the final hammer, the New Amsterdam Collection took its rightful place among the most valuable stamp collections in philatelic history.
The New Amsterdam Collection was formed over fifty years ago, its mission to complete spaces in a newly acquired Scott National Postage Album. Most of the material was acquired through Dumont Stamp Company, an old established and respected dealership which was in midtown Manhattan in the 1970s.
Competition was intense, especially for the top items. The absolute highlights of the auction were the two 1867 "Z" Grills, each with a pre-sale estimate of $750,000. The 10c green (Washington) fetched $1,150,000 and 15c gray black (Lincoln) $1,610,000, the latter setting a record for a single United States stamp sold at auction.
Additional rare Grills realized $661,250 for a 3c "B" Grill and $172,500 for a 30c "A" Grill. Other noteworthy results include $287,500 for 1869 30c Pictorial with Inverted flags and $402,500 for 24c Inverted Jenny. A rare 2c coil pair estimated at $300,000 was hammered down at $805,000. All results include Cherrystone's 15% buyer's premium.
| Images | Description | Current Bid |
 | Lot #73 1867 Grill Issue 1867 2c black, E. Grill, unused without gum, strong color, usual centering, with 2019 PFC, (*) Catalog #87 Catalog Value $650 | Price Realized $210.00 |
 | Lot #74 1867 Grill Issue 1867 3c rose red, E. Grill, unused with original gum, h.r., fresh color, fine, with 2019 PFC, * Catalog #88 Catalog Value $950 | Price Realized $575.00 |
 | Lot #75 1867 Grill Issue 1867 10c green, E.Grill, unused without gum, deep intense color, well centered with intact perforations on all sides, fine, with 2019 PFC (catalogued as unused without gum) (*) Catalog #89 Catalog Value $2,000 | Price Realized $550.00 |
 | Lot #76 1867 Grill Issue 1867 12c black, E.Grill, unused without gum, centered to bottom, light diagonal creases at bottom left, fine example of this rare Grill, with 2019 PFC, (*) Catalog #90 Catalog Value $1,900 | Price Realized $220.00 |
 | Lot #77 1867 Grill Issue 1867 15c black, E.Grill, fresh original gum, h.r., fairly well centered for this tough issue, perfect grill impression and nice color, fine and attractive 15c E. Grill, with 1952 and 2019 Philatelic Foundation Certificates, ex-Huber, * Catalog #91 Catalog Value $12,500 | Price Realized $2,500.00 |
 | Lot #78 1867 Grill Issue 1867 1c blue, 2c black, 3c rose red, F.Grill, unused without gum, few short perfs, last one with slight soiling in grill, fine group, with 2019 Philatelic Foundation Certificates, (*) Catalog #92-94 Catalog Value $1,215 | Price Realized $600.00 |
 | Lot #79 1867 Grill Issue 1867 5c dark brown, F.Grill, faintly canceled (appears unused), well centered, excellent color, fine and rare stamp, with 2019 PFC, O Catalog #95 Catalog Value $850 | Price Realized $650.00 |
 | Lot #80 1867 Grill Issue 1867 10c green, F.Grill, fresh original gum, h.r., usual centering, perfectly defined Grill, minute soiling at upper left, fine and rare stamp, with clear 1952 and 2019 Philatelic Foundation Certificates, ex-Huber, * Catalog #96 Catalog Value $2,500 | Price Realized $525.00 |
 | Lot #81 1867 Grill Issue 1867 12c black, F.Grill, unused without gum, well centered, fine, with 2019 PFC, (*) Catalog #97 Catalog Value $1,000 | Price Realized $425.00 |
 | Lot #82 1867 Grill Issue 1867 15c black, F.Grill, unused with large part original, disturbed gum, h.r., usual centering, small tear at lower right and rounded corner, fine appearance, with 2019 PFC, * Catalog #98 Catalog Value $4,250 | Price Realized $375.00 |
 | Lot #83 1867 Grill Issue 1867 24c gray lilac, Double F.Grill variety, unused without gum, usual centering, two short perforations at right, otherwise fine and rare, with 2019 PFC (the variety is only catalogued with gum) (*) Catalog #99var Catalog Value $9,500 | Price Realized $1,100.00 |
 | Lot #84 1867 Grill Issue 1867 30c orange, faintly canceled (if at all), looks unused, centered to left, with 2019 PFC, O Catalog #100 Catalog Value $900 | Price Realized $400.00 |
