China, 1897 Red Revenue surcharges, a small mint or unused study of the perforations (8, with five compound perfs.) and the resultant stamp sizes (3) due to the uneven perforations, comprising small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c., large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. (7) and 4c. on 3c. (3), mainly fine to very fine with part to large part original gum, three 1c. on 3c. without gum (one toned) and one 4c. on 3c. is regummed, a few have small faults (11).
Estimate HK$ 20,000 - 25,000 Est. HK$20,000-25,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$20,000-25,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue surcharges, the outstanding beautifully presented original study of sheet positions of the basic Revenue stamps, which hitherto have not had the distinguishing characteristics identified (except for position 100), comprising :

Small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c.
Unused with much original gum including position 100/20.

Large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c.
Singles unused (6, five unused with much original gum, two have sheet margins) with position 100/25
Block of four, sheet positions [56-57/66-67], surcharge positions [1-2/6-7], position 66/6 with large box of Chinese character and position 67/7 with no stop variety, unmounted mint
Block of four, sheet positions [11-12/21-22], surcharge positions [6-7/11-12], with sheet margin at left, position 11/6 with large box of Chinese character, cancelled by "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring d.s.
Block of eight, sheet positions [4-5/14-15/24-25/34-35], surcharge positions [4-5/9-10/14-15/19-20], with sheet margin at top cancelled by "Shanghai" dollar dater of "Jun 11 97"

Large figures surcharge 2c. on 3c.
Singles unused with much original gum (2) and used (2)
Block of four, sheet positions [2-3/12-13], surcharge positions [2-3/7-8], unused with much original gum (lower pair unmounted mint)
Block of four, sheet positions [32-33/42-43], surcharge positions [17-18/22-23], unused with much original gum (lower pair unmounted mint)

Large figures surcharge 4c. on 3c.
Unused (8, six with much original gum, one has sheet margin) with position 100/25 (2, both have perfs. trimmed at foot) and used (2)
Pairs (2, vertical and horizontal), each cancelled by "Shanghai" dollar dater
Block of four, sheet positions [69-70/79-80], surcharge positions [9-10/14-15], cancelled by complete "Soochow" dollar dater of "18 Mar 1899", the latest date for this dollar dater on a Red Revenue.

Mainly fine to very fine, a few have small faults. A marvelous assembly.
Estimate HK$ 200,000 - 250,000

This lot comprises eleven pages devoted to the sheet positions of the basic 3c. Revenue stamp and is replete with multiples, which are important for establishing beyond a doubt such positions, as well as including cancellation interest. It represents a small but selective selection of great philatelic significance for the student, and offers a wonderful addition to a sophisticated collection of Red Revenues.

Please note that sheet position is listed first followed by surcharge position in the surcharge forme (e.g., for the 1c. on 3c. sheet position 100, surcharge position 25, it appears as 100/25). Est. HK$200,000-250,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$200,000-250,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, the fine mint or unused reconstruction of the twenty surcharge types classified by the owner and presented on five album pages with detailed descriptions and drawings of the distinguishing characteristics, nearly all with part to much original gum, mainly fine, a couple are toned and one is thinned. An excellent assembly. Chan 84, e, f, g.
Estimate HK$ 40,000 - 50,000 Est. HK$40,000-50,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$40,000-50,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, position 10, with sheet margin at top showing sheet number "907", good colour, small printing smudge in margin at lower right, outstanding centring within large balanced margins, fine mint, hinge remainder and slight oxidisation at top. Chan 84.
Estimate HK$ 50,000 - 60,000

Provenance: James B. Whang, Christie's Swire (Hong Kong), 4.11.1994, lot 2345
M.F. Huang, Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), 21.6.2003, lot 371. Est. HK$50,000-60,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$50,000-60,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, vertical pair, positions 5/10, top stamp variety comma for stop and lower stamp with inverted "s" in "cents", very fine unmounted mint, top stamp has a few gum skips and light fingerprints on gum, while the gum on the lower stamp is perfect. Chan 84e, g.
Estimate HK$ 8,000 - 10,000 Est. HK$8,000-10,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$8,000-10,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, positions 15 and 19, varieties inverted "s" in "cents" and non-constant comma for stop respectively, both centred to lower left, fine unused with part original gum, hinge remainders. Chan 84g, var.
Estimate HK$ 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 20, variety middle character "Zan" of right vertical row shifted to right, fine and fresh unused without gum. Chan 84c.
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 2,500 Est. HK$2,000-2,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,500

China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. position 20, right vertical row "Zan" and "Zuo" shifted to right, compound perf. 14 x 13½ (L) x 14 x 14:12 compound (R), stamp miscentred to top right showing trace of frame line of neighbouring stamp at left, fine unused with much original gum, a few lightly foxed perfs. at top. Chan 84d.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

It follows on from this that Aaron Li believes the shift of the "Zuo" character to the right at the same time at position 20 could possibly have been caused by a loose die of this character, since it does not occur all the time. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue small figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, a selection of varieties, comprising partially omitted characters due to underinking (4, two unused with original gum), surcharge misplaced to right (Position 4) with third stroke of character "Qing" omitted mint, and unusually light inking of surcharge (perfs. clipped in places) cancelled by "Imperial Post Office/Nanking" oval d.s. in violet, mainly fine, two other stamps have small faults (6). Chan 84var.
Estimate HK$ 12,000 - 15,000 Est. HK$12,000-15,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$12,000-15,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, the fine mint or unused reconstruction of twenty-two of the twenty-five surcharge types, comprising positions 1-17, 20, 21, and 23-25 classified by the owner and presented on six album pages with detailed descriptions and drawings of the distinguishing characteristics, all (except one) with part to much original gum, mainly fine to very fine, three are toned and one has slight thinning. An ideal nucleus for achieving a reconstruction of superior quality (22). Chan 87, a, b, d.
Estimate HK$ 35,000 - 40,000 Est. HK$35,000-40,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$35,000-40,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, surcharge position 7, broken top of "Yi", sheet position 12, compound perf. 14½ x 15 x 15 x 15, a phenomenal example, deep bright colour on brilliant white paper, well centred within absolutely enormous margins, very fine and fresh unused with part to large part original gum, hinge remainder and light natural diagonal gum crease of no consequence to the outstanding quality of this stamp. Chan 87.
Estimate HK$ 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, position 8, showing "blind" perforation in both vertical rows of perfs., bright colour, near perfect centring, very fine and fresh mint, small hinge remainder; also 2c. on 3c. red, position 11, sheet position 26, with similar "blind" perf. at top, such "blind" perfs. are rarely encountered on Red Revenue stamps, fine to very fine. Chan 87, 88.
Estimate HK$ 2,500 - 3,000 Est. HK$2,500-3,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,500-3,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, position 15, large box of Chinese character, with partial doubling of English surcharge "one cent" showing on "o", first "e" and "t", bright colour, particularly well centred, very fine appearance unused with much original gum, hinge remainder and slight thinning at top from removal of small part of hinge. Chan 87a var.
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

This partial doubling of the English surcharge seems to only occur on positions 15 and 16. This inking phenomenon has been explained in two articles which have appeared in philatelic journals over the past twenty-five years, one authored by Ed Bohannon in the "Journal of Chinese Philately", Vol. 39, No. 5 (June 1992) and the other by Yuan Liu in the "2011 Philatelic Magazine". These two authors were only aware of this occurrence on position 16, but Aaron Li has found the similar for position 15; the difference being that the variety is positioned toward the upper right on position 15 and toward the upper left on position 16. Est. HK$2,000-2,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,500

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, position 15, large box of Chinese character, with partial doubling of English surcharge "one cent" showing on "o" and first "e" and with sharp break in vertical stroke of "t", bright colour, well centred, very fine appearance unused, gum appears to have dried into paper, short perf. at lower left. Chan 87a var.
Estimate HK$ 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, position 16, large box of Chinese character, bright colour on fresh white paper, centred just to top left, fine to very fine unused with much original gum, hinge remainder. Chan 87a.
Estimate HK$ 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, horizontal pair, positions 16-17, position 16 the large box of central character, good colour, well centred, fine unused with much original gum, position 16 has slight thinning at top and light natural vertical gum crease. Chan 87, a.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000 Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, surcharge position 25, variety "one cent" of surcharge 3mm. below Chinese character and sheet position 100, basic stamp with characteristic vertical sheet guide lines extending downwards from the lower right corner of the sheet, bright colour, excellent centring, fine unused without gum, light soiling on reverse. Chan 87d.
Estimate HK$ 2,500 - 3,000 Est. HK$2,500-3,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,500-3,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, surcharge position 25, variety "one cent" of surcharge 3mm. below Chinese character, with weak inking of "Yi", and sheet position 100, basic stamp with characteristic vertical sheet guide lines extending downwards from the lower right corner of the sheet, cancelled by pakua leaving nearly all of surcharge free, fine appearance, a few faults including tear at top. Chan 87d.
Estimate HK$ 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, a magnificent block of eight (4 x 2) from the lower right corner of the sheet with complete sheet margins at right and foot, lower right stamp is position 25 variety "one cent" 3mm. below Chinese character and sheet position 100, basic stamp with characteristic vertical sheet guide lines extending downwards from the lower right corner of the sheet, cancelled by "Amoy" dollar dater of "8 Jun 97" in brown, very fine and splendid positional piece, especially with this sought after dollar dater. Chan 87, d.
Estimate HK$ 35,000 - 40,000 Est. HK$35,000-40,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$35,000-40,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 1c. on 3c. red, a mint, unused, and used (4) selection of shifted or misplaced surcharges, one is position 16 cancelled by "Hankow" dollar dater (month transposed), the mint example has perfs. trimmed at foot, also surcharge position 25, variety "one cent" of surcharge 3mm. below Chinese character with broken "n" in "cent" used, mainly fine (7). Chan 87, a, d.
Estimate HK$ 7,000 - 9,000 Est. HK$7,000-9,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$7,000-9,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, surcharge position 11, sheet position 21, sharp impression, dry printing in a deep colour, near perfect centring within wide balanced margins, very fine mint, hinge remainder. Chan 88.
Estimate HK$ 3,000 - 4,000 Est. HK$3,000-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,000-4,000

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 2c. on 3c. red, surcharge position 1, lovely fresh colour, near perfect centring, very fine unused with much original gum. Chan 88.
Estimate HK$ 2,200 - 2,600 Est. HK$2,200-2,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,200-2,600

China, 1897 Red Revenue large figures surcharge 2ca. on 3c. red, surcharge position 16, sheet position 31, deep bright colour, well centred, fine to very fine unused with part to large part original gum. Chan 88.
Estimate HK$ 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, surcharge position 17, sheet position 32, perf. 15, deep colour, well centred, fine and fresh unused with part original gum, hinge remainders. Chan 88.
Estimate HK$ 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, position 8, perf. 15, bright colour, well centred, fine unused with part to large part original gum, hinge remainders. Chan 88.
Estimate HK$ 1,800 - 2,000 Est. HK$1,800-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,800-2,000