China, Shanghai : 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. (4) with part strikes of "Customs/ Shanghai" double-ring d.s. for "Feb 19 (1897)" (2, the earliest date for this stamp), "Feb 20 1897" (first official day of operation of Imperial Post Office), and "Feb 25 1897", fair to fine part strikes, a few faults. Chan 84.
Estimate HK$ 5,000 - 6,000 Est. HK$5,000-6,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$5,000-6,000

China, Shanghai : 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. (marginal staining) and large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. (2), 2c. on 3c. (2) and 4c. on 3c. (2), cancelled by part strikes of "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring d.s., good to fine part strikes (7). Chan 84, 87-89.
Estimate HK$ 7,000 - 9,000 Est. HK$7,000-9,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$7,000-9,000

China, Canton : 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c., position 14, and large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c., position 22, surcharge misplaced to right (toned), and 4c. on 3c., position 5, cancelled by part to large part strikes of "Customs/Canton" double-ring d.s., good to fine part to large part strikes, the first with complete "Mar 20 1897" date. Chan 84, 87, 89.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000 Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, Chefoo : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c., position 15, large box of central character, cancelled by "Customs/Chefoo" double-ring d.s. in brown with "97" year date, very good to fine part strike, diagonal corner crease. Chan 87a.
Estimate HK$ 1,200 - 1,500 Est. HK$1,200-1,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,500

China, Chungking : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 4c. on 3c. (2), positions 17 and 23, each cancelled by part strike of "Customs/Chungking" oval d.s., both stamps have thins. Chan 89.
Estimate HK$ 2,500 - 3,000 Est. HK$2,500-3,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,500-3,000

China, Foochow : 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. (2), and large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. (2, one misplaced to left, position 25 variety "one cent" of surcharge 3mm. below Chinese character) and 4c. on 3c., position 10, cancelled by part to large part strikes of "Customs/Foochow" double-ring d.s., three with May 1897 dates, good to fine part to large part strikes (5). Chan 84, d, 87, 89.
Estimate HK$ 7,500 - 9,000 Est. HK$7,500-9,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$7,500-9,000

China, Foochow : 1897 (14 June) "Rev. F. Ohlinger, Hing-Hua…" corner card envelope to the U.S.A. (21.7) bearing 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, cancelled by "Customs/Foochow" double-ring d.s. in brown, "Shanghai" transit dollar dater (16.7) in brown (on reverse), in combination with Japan Koban 1s., cancelled by "Shanghai/I.J.P.O." c.d.s., with "Clarksville, Tenn./Rec'd" arrival c.d.s. on reverse, envelope has damage at top and lower right well clear of stamps and markings, a fine printed matter rate usage overseas. Chan 87.
Estimate HK$ 30,000 - 40,000

Expertisation: Experts and Consultants certificate (2009).

Provenance: Stephen Gates, John Bull (Hong Kong), 7.3.2009, lot 2339.

References: Benjamin Y.K. Hwa, The Illustrated Covers, Postcards, Lettercards, Remittance Certificates of Revenue Surcharges, Vol. I, p. 134. Illustrated.

The preferential printed matter rate of 1 cent to the United States through the Japanese Post Office. Est. HK$30,000-40,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$30,000-40,000

China, Hankow : 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c., position 7, and large figures surcharge 2c. on 3c., position 22, cancelled by "Customs/Hankow" double-ring d.s. of May 24 and 29 1897 repsectively, fine part to large part strikes. Chan 84, 88.
Estimate HK$ 2,500 - 3,000 Est. HK$2,500-3,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,500-3,000

China, Soochow : 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, position 13, variety no stop after "cents", centrally cancelled by "Customs/Soochow" double-ring d.s. of "Feb 25 1897" in brown, first month date, very fine large part complete strike. Chan 84f.
Estimate HK$ 2,500 - 3,000 Est. HK$2,500-3,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,500-3,000

China, Soochow : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, position 5, centrally cancelled by "Customs/Soochow" double-ring d.s. of "Feb 25 1897" in brown, first month date, very fine large part complete strike. Chan 87.
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 2,500 Est. HK$2,000-2,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,500

China, Soochow : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 4c. on 3c. red, position 21, centrally cancelled by "Customs/Soochow" double-ring d.s. of "Feb 25 1897" in brown, superb large part strike, perfs. trimmed at foot as usual for examples from the bottom row of the sheet, the earliest date of use of the Red Revenue large figures surcharge 4c. on 3c. Chan 89.
Estimate HK$ 12,000 - 15,000

Provenance: Woo Lo-Yuan.

References: Directorate General of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Republic of China, The Revenue Surcharges China 1897, Vol. I (Taipei, 1984), p. 66. Illustrated.
L.Y. Woo, Revenue Surcharges, L.Y. Woo Collection (Taipei, 1983), p. 153. Illustrated. Est. HK$12,000-15,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$12,000-15,000

China, Wenchow : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 4c. on 3c., position 8, cancelled by "Customs/Wenchow" double-ring d.s., two very good to fine part strikes. Chan 89.
Estimate HK$ 2,500 - 3,000 Est. HK$2,500-3,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,500-3,000

China, Hangchow (Square Paid Chop) : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 4c. on 3c. red, position 21, deep colour, centred just to upper left, with bold "Cancelled by Hangchow Customs Post Office" framed h.s., very fine example of this scarce and distinctive cancellation type. Chan 89.
Estimate HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

Provenance: "D.C." collection, Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), 18.3.2006, lot 735. Est. HK$5,000-6,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$5,000-6,000

China, Pagoda Anchorage (Mail Matter) : 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, horizontal strip of three, positions 8-9-10, cancelled by two strikes of the "Pagoda Anchorage/Customs/Mail Matter" h.s. in brown, one being complete, very fine and handsome. Chan 84.
Estimate HK$ 25,000 - 30,000

THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF A RED REVENUE WITH THIS ELUSIVE CANCELLATION.

Pagoda Anchorage is the only town which regularly used a Customs Mail Matter handstamp as a canceller on Red Revenues. Est. HK$25,000-30,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$25,000-30,000

China, Nanking : S1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, position 17, cancelled by "Imperial Post Office/Nanking" oval d.s. in violet, and large figures surcharges 2c. on 3c. red, position 8, and 4c. on 3c. red, position 4, both cancelled by "Imperial Post Office/Hangchow" oval d.s., very good strikes for these, the 2c. on 3c. has uniform toning. Chan 84, 87, 88.
Estimate HK$ 3,500 - 4,000 Est. HK$3,500-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,500-4,000

China, Amoy and Foochow : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, position 3, cancelled by "Amoy" dollar dater in brown, and 1c. on 3c. red, position 7, cancelled by "Foochow" dollar dater in brown, fine to very fine part strikes, the latter has tear at top. Chan 87.
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 2,500 Est. HK$2,000-2,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,500

China, Chinkiang : 1897 Red Revenue large figures 2c. on 3c. red, horizontal strip of three, surcharge positions 8-9-10, sheet positions 13-14-15, perf. 14 x 13½, on piece, cancelled by "Chinkiang" dollar dater of "3 Nov 97", in combination with Hong Kong 10c. purple on red, cancelled by "Hong Kong/C" c.d.s. (5.11.97), very fine and appealing. Chan 88.
Estimate HK$ 6,000 - 8,000 Est. HK$6,000-8,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$6,000-8,000

China, Chungking : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharges 1c. on 3c. red, position 7, 2c. on 3c. red, position 15, and 4c. on 3c. red, position 16, each cancelled by "Chungking" dollar dater, the first two with legible "16 Nov 97" and "11 Oct 97" dates respectively, very fine part strikes, the 4c. on 3c. has light uniform toning. Chan 87-89.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000 Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, Chungking : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 4c. on 3c. red, position 25, surcharge misplaced downward into margin at foot (partial offset on reverse there), centrally cancelled by "Chungking" dollar dater of "21 Sep 97", very fine, believed to be the earliest recorded date of use of this dollar dater, predating the October earliest dates in Explore Dollar Daters. Chan 89.
Estimate HK$ 3,000 - 4,000 Est. HK$3,000-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,000-4,000

China, Hangchow : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 4c. on 3c. red, position 1, centrally cancelled by "Hangchow" dollar dater of "6 Aug 97" in brown, very fine strike, stamp thinned at bottom right, rare dollar dater and the earliest recorded date of use of this dollar dater, the hitherto earliest date recorded in Explore Dollar Daters is 20 August 1897. Chan 89.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000 Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, Hankow : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, surcharge position 5, sheet position 5, centrally cancelled by "Hankow" dollar dater on 1898 (2 Nov.) envelope to Shanghai (6.11), showing "China Inland Mission/Hankow/2 Nov 1898" oval sender's cachet in violet and "Shanghai/Local Post/B" double-ring arrival d.s., stamp lightly toned, fine usage. Chan 88.
Estimate HK$ 25,000 - 30,000

References: Benjamin Y.K. Hwa, The Illustrated Covers, Postcards, Lettercards, Remittance Certificates of Revenue Surcharges, Vol. II, p. 483. Illustrated.

The 2 cents domestic single rate. Est. HK$25,000-30,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$25,000-30,000

China, Hankow : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 4c. on 3c. red, position 6, cancelled by "Hankow" dollar dater in brown, fine part strike. Chan 89.
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 2,500 Est. HK$2,000-2,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,500

China, Hankow : 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red (2, one position 15, inverted "s" in "cents"), and large figures surcharges 1c. on 3c. red and 2c. on 3c. red (6), cancelled by "Hankow" dollar dater, all except one with partly readable dates, fine to very fine part strikes, one stamp has small hinge thin (9). Chan 84, g, 87, 88.
Estimate HK$ 10,000 - 12,000 Est. HK$10,000-12,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$10,000-12,000

China, Ichang : 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharges 1c. on 3c. red (2, positions 2 and 10) and 2c. on 3c. red (position 2), each cancelled by "Ichang" dollar dater in brown, one has complete "22 Nov 97", fine part strikes. Chan 87, 88.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000 Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, Kiukiang : 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red (3) and large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, each cancelled by "Kiukiang" dollar dater, one shows "22 Aug 97" date (thin), very good to fine part strikes (4). Chan 84, 87.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000 Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000