During the mid-nineteenth century it was widely believed that many unscrupulous individuals were washing the cancellations off of postage stamps and re-using them. It was found later that this was not really the case. The government tried several methods to try and make cancellation removal impossible.

Grills were adopted in the mid-nineteenth century as a security measure against the possible removal of a cancel. A grill consists of tiny square pyramids embossed in parallel rows within a square or rectangular shape upon the paper of a postage stamp.

The object was to break the fibers of the paper allowing the cancellation ink to absorb into the paper hence making washing out a cancellation nearly impossible.

Whilst viewing the face of a grilled example the points may be up or down depending upon the issue.

The most common grill varieties are as follows:

A Grill - points up, grill impression covers the entire stamp. Scott #79-81

B Grill - points up, impression measures approx 18x15mm 22x18 points Scott #82

C Grill - points up, 13x16mm 16 to 17 x 18 to 21 points Scott #83

D Grill - points down, 12x14mm 15 x 17 to 18 points Scott #84-85

Z Grill - points down, 11x14mm 13 to 14 x 18 points Scott #85A-85F

E Grill - points down, 11x13mm 14 x 15 to 17 points Scott #86-91

F Grill - points down, 9x13mm 11 to 12 x 15 to 17 points Scott #92-101

G Grill - points down, 9 1/2x9mm 12 x 11 to 11 ½ points Scott#112-122

H Grill - points down, 10x12mm 11 to 13 x 14 to 16 points Scott #134-144

I Grill - points down, 8 1/2 x 10mm 10 to 11 x 10 to 13 points Scott#134-139,141

J Grill - points down, 7x9 1/2 mm Scott #156-163,165,178-179

I found that the easiest method for me to count the grill points is to scan the example at 600dpi and enlarge the image on my computer screen allowing the grill points to be easily visible.

Note: Gill impressions can sometimes be very weak, especially on the large banknote issues. Sometimes they only show a few points.

Caution: Fake grills are commonly added to 19th century issues to enhance their value!

Shown below are some examples with genuine grills: