Very Possibly A #114 No Grill Used And Tied Cover Or #125 ?

OK, I know that is a pretty bold claim HOWEVER I believe I can back it up but I need a cert to absolutely verify & clarify but-
Like the title stated, I was flyspecking my covers and this one I always loved due to it's beautiful brilliant color but on closer inspection I noticed no grill. I very carefully searched it top to bottom with a 30x jewelers loupe and no grill. How do I go about making absolutely certain and/or getting it certified as a legitimate #125 ?

THE COVER ~


THE STAMP~





I edited the title to properly state what I meant. Thank you.

That's a nice cover, however, I am quite doubtful you'll ever get it certified as a "no grill" variety. According to the introduction of this issue in the Scott Specialized Catalog of US Stamps, it states that:




It is that very reason why no Scott 125a (without grill variety) values are given for used varieties of the stamp.

The above comments were based on the title of your thread as to whether or not you had a #114 no grill.

If you're thinking in terms of Scott #125, then there is yet a different comment in the Scott Specialized Catalog suggesting that:




The very fact that there are very few legitimately authenticated examples known to exist suggests that the odds of yours being one of them is highly unlikely. However, the only way to be absolutely certain would be to have it expertized by a highly regarded firm.

I am not an expert and am not even a specialist on this issue, but from what I can see in your example (when I blow it up even larger than your scan) suggests to me that there are some very faint areas in the right side of the stamp (in front of the train, for example) that may very well be determined to be a pressed out grill.

However, if you feel expertization is required to rule out that possibility, then go for it. Otherwise, I'd be inclined to suggest it's just a standard #114 on cover which has only a modest value as compared to the five figure values for a certified "no grill" variety.

Right WT1 and your word I respect VERY HIGHLY and I am fully aware of all the pitfalls BUT you cant see what I can only because I have it in-hand and I know that it most probably couldn't be but I should at least try. I think if someone would go to the trouble of pressing it out they would most likely went that extra step to try to pass it off previously so I actually may have a shot here.

yeah I looked at it under a U.V. light and still absolutely no sign or trace of any grill. No matter the criticism or ridiculing I'm bound to take I'll have to stick to my guns on this one until I get it authenticated. Any suggestions on how to go about it?

I'd start here:

http://www.stampexpertizing.com/index.html

The problem you're going to have is finding someone to issue a certificate. Being as it's on cover it would have to be lifted, and I even doubt that you'd find someone to do that as whoever you choose to expertize it would probably not do it knowing it's most likely pressed out. Whether or not they can see one isn't going to matter since these experts have probably looked at a Thousand like it already. Best of luck, our fingers are crossed.

Thanks to both of you! I'll let you know whats up.

Well this morning I found the grill. Oh well it was fun while it lasted. in the lower right of the stamp over the word "CENTS". it was hiding all along. Thank you for the well wishes though. See, the red morning sun was just peeking up over the mountains almost straight out from me so I dug it out and looked across the face of the stamp and it stood out pitifully...*SIGH* LOL Thanks again... -Jeff oh well a lesson learned I guess..

Note to self:
Please don't make anymore bold claims without the cert already in hand...LOL
methinks I jumped the gun a bit in my haste-

There isn't much that is more useful than light shone at an oblique angle, especially if you can eliminate sources of light coming from other angles. The shadows will be much more intense.

ILS Great thread and I was hoping you had a winner. You are correct that things need to be continuously checked and even the extreme rarities still come up. Some listings state only 100-500 examples ever released but especially with the classics it is not beyond reason that a sheet or two went out the back door as trade for something else. There is alot of mystique to the 1800's in just about all countries and information was definatly altered at times. I've personally found a couple canadian varieties that were not expected including 1 with only 2 known used examples in existance so they are out there. Great description on using the sunlight as well.

Wish we had a like button. Thank you nitro and I couldn't agree more obviously! -Jeff