US Sc 94 F GRILL identification help needed?

Kim Edwards · November 2022

The stamp grill has12-13 Vertical and 17 horz.and the paper is extremely thin.!! Can anybody help?

Kim Edwards · November 2022

Why won't this forum allow me to upload the reverse (back) of this stamp?

Phil Merrill_ · November 2022

Because it is too big. Photos are limited to 2MG. You can use the editing tools on your phone or PC to determine the file size and then trim the photo until it is small enough.

Scott Payton · November 2022

Kim,
It's a #94, with vertical perf shift, on VTP (Very Thin Paper). CV for a VF centered stamp is $13.
This one, however is pretty beat up, including a hole at lower right, interesting duplex cancel. If you're wondering value, it's around $5 given it's condition. It's an excellent candidate for a F-Grill reference in a reference collection.

PRO TIP: The best way to examine a grill is in cross light, from the back. I can see the grill of this one clearly in some areas from the front. But, take a strong light, like a flashlight, or even the camera lite from a mobile phone, and hold it near horizontal to the stamp, while it's laying flat on a black surface. Adjust your light angle to cause a shadow to cast across the stamp, and the grill (even faint ones) will "pop".

Regarding the VTP element, if you have a run of the mill 65, put it face down in a black tray or on a dealer card, next to this one also face down, now apply watermark fluid or lighter fluid (Ronsonol) these will NOT hurt a stamp even if gummed. You will notice that the VTP issue appears almost as clearly as it does form the front, while the 65 on regular stamp paper will not have the detail, just some color of the stamp image.
Reference copies of known grill and non-VTP are essential, but REALLY easy to get.