China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, position 8, showing "kiss print" with non-coincidental doubling of Chinese surcharge and complete offset on reverse, centred to top, fine unused with much original gum. Quite striking. Chan 84var.
Estimate 5,000 - 6,000 Est. HK$5,000-6,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$5,000-6,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, vertical pair, positions 15/5, the top stamp has inverted "s" in "cents", and the lower stamp, comma for stop, good colour, centred to top, fine appearance unused with large part to much original gum (hinge remainders), a few light tones on gum, lower corner perfs. have faults. Chan 84e, g.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000 Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, position 11, variety surcharge inverted, deep colour, well centred, fine unused with part to large part original gum, hinge remainders. Chan 84i.
Estimate 100,000 - 120,000 Est. HK$100,000-120,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$100,000-120,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, block of four, positions 15-14/5-4, variety surcharge inverted, top left stamp, position 15, has inverted "s" in "cents", and the lower left stamp, position 5, comma for stop, resplendent colour, well centred on bright white paper, fine to very fine appearance unused with large part to much original gum, usual gum streaks, translucencies, and colour suffusion on reverse. A marvelous exhibition item of the highest calibre. Chan 84m, o.
Estimate 500,000 - 600,000

We record the following blocks of four with surcharge inverted containing this exceptional combination of varieties :

-- Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (London), 22.7.1970, lot 213

-- Richard Canman, Stanley Gibbons (London), 19-20.10.1972, lot 622; "Ming", Corinphila (Zurich), 25.3. 1987, lot 4894; Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's & Corinphila (Hong Kong), 12.11.1998, lot B133

-- L.Y. Woo collection. Revenue Surcharges (Taipei, 1983), p. 135

-- Sun collection, Matthew Bennett (New York), 23.6.2002, lot 1510

-- Postal Service Today (Taipei), No. 446 (February 1995). Ding Jin Song collection

-- The above block. Est. HK$500,000-600,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$500,000-600,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, block of four, positions 11-12/1-2, the lower horizontal pair, positions 1-2, the "suffused" surcharge showing through completely on reverse, particularly well centred within large margins on fresh white paper, centrally cancelled by "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring d.s. of "Feb 19 1897", which is the earliest date cancellation for the small 2c. surcharge, very fine and a rare example of this remarkable surcharge variety, which is distinct from any other offset encountered on a Red Revenue stamp. Chan 84, var.
Estimate 120,000 - 150,000

References: Postal Service Today (Taipei), No. 392 (August, 1990), pp. 10-13.

The small 2c. surcharge was locally produced, and, as such, the surcharging ink varied in composition and intensity. The "suffused" surcharge variety was the result of a different surcharging ink mixture and extremely heavy impression of the surcharge forme of twenty. For this block, the lower pair, positions 1-2, emanates from this surcharge setting, while the top pair, positions 11-12, is from the normal surcharge setting.

Other se-tenant blocks with the "suffused" surcharge either in the top row or lower row prove that there was only one surcharge setting of twenty produced with this variety. Other multiples similarly cancelled can be assigned to this sheet from adjoining settings of the surcharge. From their positions, it can be ascertained that only one block of twenty (10 x 2) from the sheet had this extraordinary inking variety. We know of twelve examples with this variety. To date, we record the following blocks :

-- Block of four, the lower row, surcharge positions 1-2, with "suffused" surcharge. The above block.

-- Block of four, the lower row, surcharge positions 3-4, with "suffused" surcharge. Ex M.F. Huang collection.

-- Block of twelve (4 x 3) with sheet margin at foot, the top row, surcharge positions 11-12-13-14, with "suffused" surcharge. Ex Sun collection.

-- Block of four, the top row, surcharge positions 19-20, with "suffused" surcharge. Ex Dr. Danny C. Ko collection.

When joined together, the blocks from the "Sun" and M.F. Huang collections offer irrefutable proof that the "suffused" surcharge variety emanates from a single surcharge setting of twenty. Est. HK$120,000-150,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$120,000-150,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 4c. on 3c. red, position 19, surcharged slightly misplaced to left, excellent colour, well centred within good to large margins, fine to very fine unused with large part to much original gum, usual gum skips, a few light yellow spots on gum do not detract from the outstanding nature of this rare stamp. Chan 85.
Estimate 200,000 - 250,000 Est. HK$200,000-250,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$200,000-250,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, position 5, showing offset on reverse, bright colour, centred to lower right, fine unused with much disturbed gum. Chan 87.
Estimate 2,000 - 2,500 Est. HK$2,000-2,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,500

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, surcharge dramatically misplaced to right, colour oxidised in places, well centred, cancelled by pakua, fine. Chan 87.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000 Est. HK$1,500-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,500-2,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red (2), positions 15 and 20, the former with large box of Chinese character, fine to very fine unused with much original gum, the latter has glazing on hinge remainder. Chan 87, a.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000 Est. HK$3,000-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,000-4,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, horizontal pair, positions 6-7, the left stamp with large box to Chinese character, bright colour, well centred, fine to very fine and fresh unused with much original gum, hinge remainder. Chan 87, a.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000 Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, position 11, fresh bright colour, choice centring, fine to very fine unused with much original gum, usual gum skips, hinge remainders. Chan 88.
Estimate 2,000 - 2,500 Est. HK$2,000-2,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,500

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, position 16, deep bright colour, well centred, fine and fresh unused with much original gum, unobtrusive red printing ink offset on reverse at top right corner. Chan 88.
Estimate 1,800 - 2,200 Est. HK$1,800-2,200 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,800-2,200

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, pane of twenty-five (5 x 5), Pane 4, with complete sheet margins at right and foot, surcharge position 25 is stamp position 100, showing characteristic vertical sheet guidelines extending vertically downwards from the lower right corner, deep bright colour, well centred, on fresh white paper, cancelled by "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring d.s. of "Apr 24 1897", separated and rejoined between 2nd and 3rd horizontal rows of stamps, some splitting and reinforcement between 4th and 5th horizontal rows of stamps, tiny age spot in sheet margin at right. A fine and handsome multiple. Chan 88.
Estimate 100,000 - 120,000 Est. HK$100,000-120,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$100,000-120,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 4c. on 3c. red, position 12, bright colour, near perfect centring, fine to very fine unused with part to large part original gum. Chan 89.
Estimate 3,500 - 4,000 Est. HK$3,500-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,500-4,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 4c. on 3c. red, position 3, deep colour, particularly well centred within large even margins, cancelled by pakua, fine. Chan 89.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000 Est. HK$1,500-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,500-2,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge $1 on 3c. red, position 20, bright colour, well centred, fine unused with much original gum. Chan 90.
Estimate 15,000 - 20,000 Est. HK$15,000-20,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$15,000-20,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge $1 on 3c. red, position 19, bright colour, centred just to foot, fine appearance unused with large part original gum, small paper adherence on reverse at top right corner and hinge remainders, one of which covers slight thinning. Chan 90.
Estimate 12,000 - 15,000 Est. HK$12,000-15,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$12,000-15,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge $1 on 3c. red, excellent colour, well centred on bright white paper, fine and fresh unused without gum, barely perceptible age spot at left. Chan 90.
Estimate 12,000 - 15,000 Est. HK$12,000-15,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$12,000-15,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge $5 on 3c. red, clear colour, compound perf. 13 x 14 x 12½ x 14, miscentred to the left thereby showing portion of adjoining stamp at right, as is sometimes encountered with the basic stamp used for $5 surcharge, fine unused without gum. Chan 91.
Estimate 150,000 - 200,000 Est. HK$150,000-200,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$150,000-200,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge $5 on 3c. red, position 19, deep colour, a trifle oxidised, thick sweated gum which may not be original, horizontal crease at top, fine appearance. Chan 91.
Estimate 100,000 - 120,000 Est. HK$100,000-120,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$100,000-120,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge $5 on 3c. red, variety surcharge inverted, deep bright colour, position 18, well centred for this, fine and fresh appearance unused, regummed. An eminently collectible example of this popular variety. Chan 91a.
Estimate 300,000 - 400,000 Est. HK$300,000-400,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$300,000-400,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c., and large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. (2, one with large box of Chinese character) and 4c. on 3c., very good to fine appearance unused with part to much original gum, a few small faults or foxed perfs. Chan 84, 87, a, 89.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000 Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, Canton : 1897 Red Revenue small figures 2c. on 3c. red, centrally cancelled by "Customs/Canton" double-ring d.s. of "Mar 30 1897" in brown, fine appearance, some sulphurisation around edges also showing through to reverse. Chan 84.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000 Est. HK$1,500-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,500-2,000

China, Canton : 1897 Red Revenue large figures 1c. on 3c. red, deep colour, centred to right, cancelled by Canton pakua in brown, neat pre-application diagonal crease, otherwise sound. Chan 87.
Estimate 1,200 - 1,500 Est. HK$1,200-1,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,500

China, Chungking : 1897 Red Revenue large figures 1c. on 3c. red (2), positions 18 and 19 originally forming a horizontal pair, on fragment, cancelled by "Chungking" dollar dater of "10 Dec 98", fine. Chan 87.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000 Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000