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Dowagers 1897 New Currency Surcharges Large Figures Surcharges 1.5mm Setting on Dowager
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3173
Symbol: *
Cat No: 65, 66, 68, 69, 71
1897, Large Figures narrow surcharges on Dowager 1st printing, ½c on 3ca, 1c on 1ca, 4c on 4ca 5c on 5ca, and 10c on 9ca (Chan 65, 66, 68, 69, 71. Scott 56, 57, 59, 60, 62), bright colors, well centered, fresh, unused with large part original gum, the ½c on 3ca has slightly brown gum and the 5c on 5ca has weak corner perforation at lower left, Fine to Very Fine overall. Est. HK$3,000-4,000
Est. HK$3,000-4,000
Opening HK$ 1,500.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3174
Symbol: o
Cat No: 67
1897, Large Figures narrow surcharges on Dowager 1st printing, 2c on 2ca green (Chan 67. Scott 58), bright color, rough perforations, particularly well centered, canceled by dollar dater in brown, Very Fine. Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Opening HK$ 8,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3175
Symbol: *
Cat No: 70 var.
1897, Large Figures narrow surcharges on Dowager 1st printing, 8c on 6ca chocolate (Chan 70 var. Scott 61 var.), from the left of the sheet, showing part of additional surcharge, right vertical row of Chinese characters and "ts." of "cents.", in the sheet margin, with offset on reverse, distinctive color, fresh, unused with large part original gum, light natural gum crease, Fine to Very Fine and a remarkable variety.
There was a complete pane of twenty with sheet margin at left and large interpane margin at top, which showed part of the additional surcharge in the sheet margin, in the Sir Percival David collection (Robson Lowe, 22 July 1970, lot 181), which was subsequently split up. However, the above example shows much more of the marginal surcharge than the five examples from the David pane (e.g., "ts."). Judging from the slanting nature of the surcharge, there must have been an adjoining pane at top which yielded more striking examples of this variety. Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Opening HK$ 8,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3176
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 71
1897, Large Figures narrow surcharges on Dowager 1st printing, 10c on 9ca dull green (Chan 71. Scott 62), Pane 1, pane of twenty with sheet margin at top representing the complete setting of twenty unique to the first printing, basic stamp [5] shows the characteristic rounded top right corner, surcharge positions 11, 15 and 19 show the surcharges 1mm. higher than those of the adjoining stamps, position 16 shows non-constant variety short "1" in "10" due to a tiny paper adherence on the stamp before surcharging, deep rich color, wonderfully fresh for this, unused with practically full original gum, small ungummed portion at upper right and diagonal gum crease at top left just crossing the first stamp, Very Fine and an important multiple.
Since the first vertical row contained the inverted cliché and was, therefore, detached before surcharging, it is logical to assume that one vertical row of the surcharge plate was also removed.
Provenance Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 30.1.2010, lot 187. Est. HK$80,000-100,000
Est. HK$80,000-100,000
Opening HK$ 40,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3177
Symbol: *
Cat No: 72
1897, Large Figures narrow surcharges on Dowager 1st printing, 10c on 12ca brown orange (Chan 72. Scott 63), deep bright color, centered just to top left, fresh, unused with large part original gum, two short perforations at top, Fine to Very Fine appearance. Est. HK$1,600-2,000
Est. HK$1,600-2,000
Opening HK$ 800.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3178
Symbol: *
Cat No: 73
1897, Large Figures narrow surcharges on Dowager 1st printing, 30c on 24ca rose carmine (Chan 73. Scott 64), the "Red Ruby", resplendent color, well centered with intact perforations, exquisitely fresh, unused with large part original gum, insignificant age spot on gum just showing through on two perforations at bottom right, Very Fine and a magnificent example of this great rarity.
The "Red Ruby" ranks among the rarest stamps of China. One sheet was reportedly discovered by Adolphous Diercking at the Chungking Post Office (ref. Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe, 22.7.70, p. 25). All known examples, including two blocks of four, are unused from the same sheet.
Based on perforation, centering, and, most importantly, watermark position, Tony Kwan has located 21 examples to date in his reconstruction of the original sheet.
Provenance and Auction Record Paul Hock, Robson Lowe (Zurich), 19.10.1983, lot 264. "Ming", Corinphila (Zurich), 29.9.1988, lot 4213. Sotheby's (London), 16.12.1994, lot 30.
References Chen Chung-Ching, "Briefing on the Major Modification and Surcharge on the Empress Dowager's Birthday Commemorative First Printing Issue 24 Cents Stamp," Journal of the China Stamp Society, Inc. (R.O.C. Chapter), Taipei, August, 2002, pp. 158-159. Tony T.W. Kwan, "Watermarks Studies of Empress Dowager Jubilee and Its Surcharged Issues", Studies of Classic Stamps of Qing Dynasty, Vol. 15 (2013), pp. 11-13. Tony To Wah Kwan, "Watermarks on the Dowager and Surcharged Issues, China Clipper (China Stamp Society), Vol. 78, No. 3 (March 2014), pp. 76-85. Est. HK$300,000-400,000
Est. HK$300,000-400,000
Opening HK$ 150,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3179
Symbol: */(*)
Cat No: 74-78
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, ½c on 3ca to 5c on 5ca (Chan 74-78. Scott 65-69), fresh, unused with large part original gum, except the 1c on 1ca which is without gum, Fine to Very Fine. Est. HK$1,200-1,600
Est. HK$1,200-1,600
Opening HK$ 600.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3180
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 74
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, ½c on 3ca pale chrome yellow (Chan 74. Scott 65), complete sheet of forty, Panes 1 and 2, with sheet margin at left, unused with large part original gum, positions 1 and 7 from the left Pane each have a small internal defect from one perforation at foot, otherwise Very Fine. Est. HK$12,000-16,000
Est. HK$12,000-16,000
Opening HK$ 6,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3181
Symbol: **
Cat No: 74b
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, ½c on 3ca yellow buff, without surcharge (Chan 74b. Scott 18p), later second printing, fresh, centered just to top left, unused with full original gum, never hinged, Fine to Very Fine.
Expertization A.P.S. certificate (1994). Est. HK$1,600-2,000
Est. HK$1,600-2,000
Opening HK$ 800.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3182
Symbol: o
Cat No: 74, f
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, ½c on 3ca dull yellow, "½" 0.5mm. below Chinese characters (Chan 74, f. Scott 65, b), the left stamp in a horizontal pair, canceled by Kiukiang" dollar dater of Sep 97" dollar dater ("S" reversed) in brown, a few short perforations and shallow thin at top, Fine to Very Fine appearance for this rare variety.
Only two unused and two used examples of this variety were recorded by Dr. Chan.
Reference Shiu-Hon Chan, ed., The Empress Dowager Birthday Commemorative Issues and Surcharges (Hong Kong, 1996), p. 128. Illustrated. Est. HK$12,000-16,000
Est. HK$12,000-16,000
Opening HK$ 6,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3183
Symbol: *
Cat No: 74g
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, ½c on 3ca dull yellow, surcharge inverted (Chan 74g. Scott 65a), unused with large part original gum, some toned perforations at top, otherwise Fine to Very Fine. Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Opening HK$ 2,600.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3184
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 75
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 1c on 1ca pale red orange (Chan 75. Scott 66), complete sheet of forty, Panes 3 and 4, with sheet margin at top and right, watermark omitted in bottom row of eight stamps, consequently showing in top margin, Pane 3 [20] broken top of "Kun" and Pane 4 [14] broken "Tso", fresh, unused with large part original gum, a few small areas of minor brownish gum buildups, Fine to Very Fine. Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Opening HK$ 8,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3185
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 76
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 2c on 2ca pale yellow green (Chan 76. Scott 67), Pane 4, pane of twenty with sheet margins at top and right, [10] has tapered foot of "2" and [14] broken "Tso", unused with large part original gum, lower left and right corner stamps have hinge remnants, Fine to Very Fine. Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Opening HK$ 2,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3186
Symbol: *
Cat No: 76c
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 2c on 2ca pale yellow green, surcharge inverted (Chan 76c. Scott 67a), well centered, unused with large part original gum, perforations at top have light tones, otherwise Fine.
Expertization Peter Holcombe certificate (1993). Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Opening HK$ 8,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3187
Symbol: o
Cat No: 76c
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 2c on 2ca pale yellow green, surcharge inverted (Chan 76c. Scott 67a), good color, well centered within large margins, canceled by Zhao Cun framed handstamp in blue, Fine to Very Fine and unique cancellation.
Only four used examples are recorded, the other three are canceled by "Shanghai" bilingual c.d.s. Est. HK$18,000-22,000
Est. HK$18,000-22,000
Opening HK$ 9,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3188
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 77
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 4c on 4ca pale rose (Chan 77. Scott 68), Pane 2, block of ten (2 x 5) representing the two right vertical rows of the pane, position 8 broken lower "Kun", strikingly deep color, some separation along central vertical row of perforations. between top block of four, minor age spot on reverse of two perforations. of lower right stamp which also has light diagonal crease, nevertheless Fine to Very Fine and fresh multiple. Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Opening HK$ 8,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3189
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 77
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 4c on 4ca pale rose (Chan 77. Scott 68), block of four, dramatically misperforated, so the "cents." surcharge in the top pair traverses the central row of horizontal perforations, and the vertical perforations leave an apparent imperforate interpane margin at left, unused with large part original gum, Fine. Est. HK$3,000-4,000
Est. HK$3,000-4,000
Opening HK$ 1,500.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3190
Symbol: *
Cat No: 77a
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 4c on 4ca pale rose, incorrect "Four" of surcharge (Chan 77a. Scott 68 var.), Pane 2, position 1, good color, unused with large part original gum, faint ageing on reverse at top, otherwise Fine to Very Fine. Est. HK$3,000-4,000
Est. HK$3,000-4,000
Opening HK$ 1,500.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3191
Symbol: *
Cat No: 77b
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 4c on 4ca pale rose, surcharge inverted (Chan 77b. Scott 68a), dull color, unused with large part original gum, Fine. Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Opening HK$ 2,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3192
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 79
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 10c on 9ca gray green (Chan 79. Scott 70 var.), block of four, lovely color, choice centering, unused with large part original gum, Very Fine. Est. HK$2,200-2,800
Est. HK$2,200-2,800
Opening HK$ 1,100.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3193
Symbol: (*)
Cat No: 79b
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 10c on 9ca gray green, surcharge inverted (Chan 79b. Scott 70a), excellent color, near perfect centering, regummed, Very Fine appearance. Est. HK$3,000-4,000
Est. HK$3,000-4,000
Opening HK$ 1,500.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3194
Symbol: C
Cat No: 79b
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 10c on 9ca gray green, surcharge inverted (Chan 79b. Scott 70a), canceled by Canton pakua on 1898 (11 Apr.) local envelope and showing matching "Canton" dollar dater on reverse, opened out for display, Very Fine.
Provenance Richard Canman, Stanley Gibbons (London), 19.10.1972, lot 587. Wen Sun Kong, Interasia (Hong Kong), 6.12.2018, lot A7.
Reference Tony To-Wah Kwan, ed., Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume Three: Surcharged Issues Covers and Cards 1898-1911 (Hong Kong, 2011), p. 1174. Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Opening HK$ 8,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3195
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 80
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 10c on 12ca pale orange (Chan 80. Scott 71), block of four, well centered, unused with large part original gum, color a little oxidized and ageing on gum, Fine to Very Fine appearance. Est. HK$2,600-3,200
Est. HK$2,600-3,200
Opening HK$ 1,300.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3196
Symbol: *
Cat No: 81
1897, Large Figures Narrow surcharges on Dowager 3rd printing, 30c on 24ca pale rose red (Chan 81. Scott 72), fresh clear color, unused with large part original gum, toned spot in margin at top which is inconsequential for such a lovely example of this rare stamp, Fine to Very Fine.
Expertization Signed Peter Holcombe. Est. HK$30,000-40,000
Est. HK$30,000-40,000
Opening HK$ 15,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3204
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 82, 83
1897, Large Figures narrow surcharges on Dowager, Redrawn, ½c on 1ca yellow and 2c on 2ca yellow green (Chan 82, 83. Scott 73, 74), blocks of four, unused, the first from the top left corner of the pane, with full original gum, and the second with part original gum, paper adherence, both have diagonal gum creasing, Fine to Very Fine. Est. HK$3,000-4,000
Est. HK$3,000-4,000
Opening HK$ 1,500.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3205
Symbol: */o
Cat No: 82, c
1897, Large Figures narrow surcharges on Dowager, Redrawn, ½c on 1ca yellow, "½" 0.5mm. below Chinese characters (Chan 82, c. Scott 73, a), the lower left stamp in a block of four from Pane 2 [15-16/19-20], canceled by "Shanghai" dollar dater of "14 Sep 97" ("S" in "Sep" reversed), split perforations. between stamps and short perf. at top, a striking example of this variety in a multiple; also 2c on 2ca yellow green (Chan 83. Scott 74) vertical pair with sheet margin at left, top stamp shows broken foot of "2" in surcharge, unused with large part original gum, diagonal creasing, Fine to Very Fine. Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Opening HK$ 2,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3206
Symbol: C
Cat No: 83
1897, Large Figures narrow surcharges on Dowager, Redrawn, 2c on 2ca yellow green (Chan 83. Scott 74), canceled by "Shanghai" dollar dater in blue on 1897 (11 Oct.) envelope to Tientsin (15.10), with arrival dollar dater in brown on reverse, Fine to Very Fine.
Reference Tony To-Wah Kwan, ed., Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume Three: Surcharged Issues Covers and Cards 1898-1911 (Hong Kong, 2011), p. 1030. Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Opening HK$ 2,600.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3207
Symbol: C
Cat No: 83
1897, Large Figures narrow surcharges on Dowager, Redrawn, 2c on 2ca yellow green (Chan 83. Scott 74), canceled by Shanghai pakua on 1898 (26 Mar.) local envelope, with "Shanghai Local Post" c.d.s. on reverse, Fine to Very Fine.
Reference Tony To-Wah Kwan, ed., Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume Three: Surcharged Issues Covers and Cards 1898-1911 (Hong Kong, 2011), p. 1160. Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Opening HK$ 2,600.00
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Large Figures Surcharges 2.5mm Setting on Dowager
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3129
Symbol: *
Cat No: 47
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 1st printing, ½c on 3ca orange yellow (Chan 47. Scott 38), Pane 3, position 6, broken foot of "Kun", bright fresh color, centered to top left, unused with large part original gum, paper hinge remnants, a couple of perforations at top a trifle short and light ageing at top left on reverse, otherwise Fine to Very Fine for this difficult stamp. Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Opening HK$ 2,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3130
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 47
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 1st printing, ½c on 3ca orange yellow (Chan 47. Scott 38), Pane 3, block of four [1-2/5-6], position 6, broken foot of "Kun", deep bright color, well centered for this, unused with large part original gum, hinge remnant at top, Very Fine, believed to be one of only four surviving blocks.
Expertization Signed Peter Holcombe.
Provenance Dr. Warren G. Kauder, Robson Lowe (London), 10.11.1971, lot 355. "Ming", Corinphila (Zurich), 25.3.1987, lot 4863. Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 13.5.1999, C55. Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), 18.3.2006, lot 123. Est. HK$80,000-100,000
Est. HK$80,000-100,000
Opening HK$ 40,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3131
Symbol: oBL
Cat No: 47b
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 1st printing, ½c on 3ca orange yellow, surcharge inverted (Chan 47b. Scott 38b), Pane 3, block of four [5-6/10-12], bright color, well centered with large margin at foot, canceled by "Customs/Shanghai" of "Mar 24 1897" in brown, Very Fine and highly desirable.
One of two recorded blocks of four.
Only one sheet of forty was produced with this variety, and Tony Kwan has accounted for 35 surviving examples, all of which are canceled to order by the "Customs/Shanghai" dater of "Mar 24 1897".
Auction Record John Bull (Hong Kong), 31.10.2009, lot 186.
Reference Tony T.W. Kwan, "Large Figure 2.5mm Inverted Surcharge Half Cent on Empress Dowager First Printing Stamp", Asian Philatelist, Vol 4 (September 2013), pp. 71-78. Tony T.W. Kwan, Tony T.W. Kwan, "Introduction to the Four Double and Eight Inverted of Empress Dowager Surcharged Issues", Studies of Classic Stamps of Ching Dynasty, Vol. 17 (2015), pp. 22-25. Est. HK$160,000-200,000
Est. HK$160,000-200,000
Opening HK$ 80,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3132
Symbol: *
Cat No: 48, 50, 51, 53
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 1st printing, 1c on 1ca, 4c on 4ca, 5c on 5ca, and 10c on 9ca (Chan 48, 50, 51, 53. Scott 39, 41, 42, 44), lovely fresh definitive first printing colors, well centered, except 10c on 9ca centered to top with large margin at foot, unused with large part original gum, the 5c on 5ca has small paper hinge remnant, Fine to Very Fine. Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Opening HK$ 2,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3133
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 49
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 1st printing, 2c on 2ca green (Chan 49. Scott 40), block of four, bright color, well centered, unused with large part original gum, paper hinge remnant, light ageing on gum just showing through to front on a couple of perforations at top, Very Fine. Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Opening HK$ 2,600.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3134
Symbol: C
Cat No: 50
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 1st printing, 4c on 4ca rose pink (Chan 50. Scott 41), canceled by pakua on 1897 (10 Aug.) red-band envelope to Shanghai (18.8), matching "Canton" origin dollar dater, and "Do not again demand postage" unframed handstamp in red adjacent, with "Shanghai" arrival dollar dater on reverse, cover opened out for display, Fine to Very Fine double rate, and a unique usage of the first printing.
Only nine commercial covers bearing the Dowager large figures surcharges first printing are recorded used between 1897-99. This is the only recorded example of the 4c on 4ca large figures 2.5mm. setting first printing on cover according to Tony Kwan's listing, "Surcharged Issues on First Printing Covers and Cards", Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume One: First Printing Covers and Cards (Hong Kong, 2011), Vol. I, pp. xxx-xxxi.
Provenance Major James Starr, Sotheby's (London), 12.9.1991, lot 478. Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 12.11.1998, lot B128. Chen Tiung-Ching, Interasia (Hong Kong), 23.6.2019, lot 241.
Reference Tony To-Wah Kwan, ed., Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume Two: Surcharged Issues Covers and Cards-1897 (Hong Kong, 2011), p. 866. Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Opening HK$ 8,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3135
Symbol: *
Cat No: 52
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 1st printing, 8c on 6ca brown (Chan 52. Scott 43), deep bright color, centered to top right, unused with large part original gum, lightly hinged, a couple of irregular perforations at foot, Fine to Very Fine.
Expertization Signed Livingston. Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Opening HK$ 2,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3136
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 52
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 1st printing, 8c on 6ca brown (Chan 52. Scott 43), interpanneau block of four, Panes 1 [12/16] and 2 [9/13], position 13 with "Tso" shifted to left, deep color, well centered, unused with practically full original gum, Extremely Fine, and an exceptional multiple with this scarce stamp. Est. HK$30,000-40,000
Est. HK$30,000-40,000
Opening HK$ 15,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3137
Symbol: *
Cat No: 54
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 1st printing, 10c on 12ca brown orange (Chan 54. Scott 45), the legendary "Golden Dragon", bright rich color, near perfect centering within wide margins, unused with large part original gum, minute natural speck in paper at foot, Extremely Fine. A superlative example of this great unused rarity, irrefutably among the finest extant.
Of the Dowager surcharged issues, the rarest stamp unused is the large figures surcharge 1.5mm setting on 1st printing 2ca. green, the "Emerald Lady", of which there are now only three documented examples. The unused "Golden Dragon" is far rarer than the "Red Ruby", large figures surcharge 1.5mm setting on 1st printing 30c on 24ca rose carmine, which only exists unused, with two blocks of four recorded. There are somewhere between 10 and 15 surviving unused examples which today's leading experts and specialists would recognize as being the "Golden Dragon" in an unused state. Not all are sound, with some from the lower row of the sheet having trimmed perforations. or reperforated margin at foot.
In addition, there was a block of four in the first Dr. Warren G. Kauder auction (Robson Lowe, 10 November 1971, lot 369), which tragically was lost with the purchaser, Lyons F. Livingston, in an airplane crash on a flight from Thailand to Hong Kong.
Provenance Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (London), 22.7.1970, lot 152. Quintin Tan Kok Tin (Private Sale). Wilson Te, Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), 18.3.2006, lot 617. Est. HK$250,000-300,000
Est. HK$250,000-300,000
Opening HK$ 130,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3138
Symbol: *
Cat No: 55
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 1st printing, 30c on 24ca rose carmine (Chan 55. Scott 46), lustrous color, well centered for this, unused with large part original gum, Fine to Very Fine. Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Opening HK$ 2,600.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3139
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 55, a-c
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 1st printing, 30c on 24ca rose carmine (Chan 55, a-c. Scott 46, var.), Pane 1, the stupendous pane of 24 (missing only position 5), Pane 1, with selvedge on three sides including interpane margin at right, positions 2, 6 and 23 are the variety of Chinese "Three" of the surcharge (types A, B, and C respectively), and position 25 with "30" of "cents" shifted to right, bright color, particularly well centered, unused with large part original gum, typical brownish gum build up due to uneven application of gum, resulting in one stamp (position. 16) with small thin; also, an unused, o.g., detached example of position 5 with "30" 2mm. above "cents" (Chan 55d. Scott 46a) accompanies the pane, Fine to Very Fine, and a remarkable showpiece.
The largest recorded multiple of the 30c on 24ca large figures surcharge 2.5mm. setting of the first printing.
Provenance and Auction Record Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (London), 13.11.1969, lot 2072. Universe (Shanghai), 11.4.2015, lot 2206. The accompanying single from position 5 was lot 2203 in the same auction. Est. HK$200,000-250,000
Est. HK$200,000-250,000
Opening HK$ 100,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3140
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 57
1897, Large Figures with wide surcharges on Dowager, 2nd printing, 1c on 1ca red orange (Chan 57. Scott 48), Panes 1 and 2, complete sheet of forty, with sheet margin at left and interpane margin at right, fresh bright color, unused with large part original gum, one stamp has large speck on gum, Fine to Very Fine. Est. HK$10,000-12,000
Est. HK$10,000-12,000
Opening HK$ 5,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3141
Symbol: *
Cat No: 57a
1897, Large Figures with wide surcharges on Dowager, 2nd printing, 1c on 1ca red orange, "missing bat" (Chan 57a. Scott 48 var.), Pane 3, position 5, fresh, unused with large part original gum, Fine to Very Fine. Est. HK$1,600-2,000
Est. HK$1,600-2,000
Opening HK$ 800.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3142
Symbol: *
Cat No: 57, c
1897, Large Figures with wide surcharges on Dowager, 2nd printing, 1c on 1ca red orange (Chan 57, c. Scott 48, var.), block of four, Pane 1 [15-16/19-20], position 20 with 1mm. space between "e" and "n" of "cent", and vertical pair, Pane 2 [13/17], position 13 with "Tso" shifted to left, unused with large part original gum, the block has some browned gum at foot and the lower stamp in the pair has perforations trimmed at foot, Fine. Est. HK$800-1,000
Est. HK$800-1,000
Opening HK$ 400.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3143
Symbol: C
Cat No: 57, 58
1897, Large Figures with wide surcharges on Dowager, 2nd printing, 1c on 1ca red orange and 2c on 2ca yellow green (Chan 57, 58. Scott 48, 49), the 1c on 1ca in a pair, canceled by "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring datestamp on 1897 (17 Mar.) envelope to Hong Kong (23.3), Very Fine and the earliest recorded use of the 1c on 1ca on cover.
Reference Tony To-Wah Kwan, ed., Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume Two: Surcharged Issues Covers and Cards - 1897 (Hong Kong, 2011), p. 569. Est. HK$10,000-12,000
Est. HK$10,000-12,000
Opening HK$ 5,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3144
Symbol: C
Cat No: 57
1897, Large Figures with wide surcharges on Dowager, 2nd printing, 1c on 1ca red orange (Chan 57. Scott 48), horizontal pair, canceled by Wuhu pakua in brown on 1897 (2 May) to Shanghai (4.5), matching "Customs/Wuhu" origin and "Customs/Shanghai" arrival double-ring datestamps in brown, flap at back missing, Fine to Very Fine.
Reference Tony To-Wah Kwan, ed., Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume Two: Surcharged Issues Covers and Cards - 1897 (Hong Kong, 2011), pp. 664. Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Opening HK$ 2,600.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3145
Symbol: C
Cat No: 57
1897, Large Figures with wide surcharges on Dowager, 2nd printing, 1c on 1ca red orange (Chan 57. Scott 48), canceled by "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring datestamp on 1897 (11 May) envelope to Peking (17.5) via Shanghai Local Post (11.5), small cover tear to left of stamp, Very Fine.
Provenance and Auction Record Eugene Costales (New York), 27.11.1944, lot 654. Richard Canman, Stanley Gibbons (London), 19.10.1972, lot 572.
Reference Tony To-Wah Kwan, ed., Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume Two: Surcharged Issues Covers and Cards - 1897 (Hong Kong, 2011), p. 569. Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Opening HK$ 2,600.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3146
Symbol: C
Cat No: 57
1897, Large Figures with wide surcharges on Dowager, 2nd printing, 1c on 1ca red orange (Chan 57. Scott 48), canceled by "Wuhu" dollar dater in brown on 1898 (15 Oct.) printed matter envelope to Shanghai (16.10 Local Post arrival), a little ragged with neatly truncated corners for printed matter, Very Fine.
Reference Tony To-Wah Kwan, ed., Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume Three: Surcharged Issues Covers and Cards 1898-1911 (Hong Kong, 2011), p. 1304. Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Est. HK$5,000-6,000
Opening HK$ 2,600.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3147
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 58, a, b
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 2nd printing, 2c on 2ca yellow green (Chan 58, a, b. Scott 49), Panes 1 and 2, complete sheet of forty, with sheet margin at left and interpane margin at right, Pane 2 [4] with 3mm. spacing and [6] with 2.2mm. spacing, unused with large part original gum, uniform toning, thin spot in central interpanneau margin between lower two stamps, Fine. Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Est. HK$4,000-5,000
Opening HK$ 2,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3148
Symbol: *BL
Cat No: 58, a-c, j
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 2nd printing, 2c on 2ca yellow green (Chan 58, a-c, j. Scott 49), Panes 3 and 4, complete sheet of forty, with sheet margins at top and right, Pane 3 [1] and [3] with 3mm. spacing, [20] with broken "Yin", and Pane 4 [1] with 3mm. spacing, [2] with 3.5mm. spacing, [10] with 2mm. spacing, and [14] with broken "Tso", superb color, fresh, unused with large part original gum, Very Fine.
Provenance Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 13.5.1999, lot C75. Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Opening HK$ 8,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3149
Symbol: C
Cat No: 58
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 2nd printing, 2c on 2ca yellow green (Chan 58. Scott 49), block of four canceled by Ichang pakua in brown on 1897 (13 Apr.) envelope to Shanghai (20.4), matching "Customs/Ichang" origin c.d.s. and "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring arrival datestamp in brown (on reverse), Very Fine quadruple rate cover from the Hykes correspondence.
Provenance Richard Canman, Harmers (New York), 15.12.1988, lot 1019. Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 12.11.1998, lot B127.
Reference Tony To-Wah Kwan, ed., Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume Two: Surcharged Issues Covers and Cards - 1897 (Hong Kong, 2011), p. 624. Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Est. HK$16,000-20,000
Opening HK$ 8,000.00
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Sale No: 46
Lot No: 3150
Symbol: C
Cat No: 58
1897, Large Figures wide surcharges on Dowager, 2nd printing, 2c on 2ca yellow green (Chan 58. Scott 49), canceled by "Customs/Hankow" double-ring datestamp on 1897 (5 May) envelope to Shanghai (8.5), with "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring arrival datestamp in brown on reverse, Very Fine.
Reference Tony To-Wah Kwan, ed., Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume Two: Surcharged Issues Covers and Cards - 1897 (Hong Kong, 2011), p. 674. Est. HK$5,000-6,000
