China, 1878, Large Dragons on thin paper, 1ca-5ca complete (Chan 1-3. Scott 1-3), the 1ca and 3ca values fresh mint (no gum), the 5ca fresh with great color and partial blue Peking seal cancel (a few nibbed perforations at top), Very Fine, nice group. Scott $2,425 (HK$ 19,090).
Estimate HK$ 5,000 - 6,000. Est. HK$5,000-6,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$5,000-6,000

China, 1878, Large Dragons on thin paper, 1ca-5ca complete (Chan 1-3. Scott 1-3), nicely centered, Fine to Very Fine+. Scott $1,725 (HK$ 13,580).
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1878, Large Dragons on thin paper, 1ca-5ca complete (Chan 1-3. Scott 1-3), attractive, all-used group of six items, comprising two of each value; the 3ca includes plate flaw at bottom right variety (Chan #2d), etc.; couple smallish flaws here and there, mostly Fine to Very Fine, examine. Scott $3,450 (HK$ 27,160).
Estimate HK$ 8,000 - 9,000. Est. HK$8,000-9,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$8,000-9,000

China, 1878-83, Large Dragons, 1ca to 5ca (Chan 1-2, 9. Scott 1-2, 9), a lovely used selection comprising 1ca and 3ca thin paper printings, plus a choice 5ca thick paper smooth perforation type, with perfect, bold Chefoo seal cancel, Very Fine, fresh. Scott $1,775 (HK$ 13,980).
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1878, Large Dragon on thin paper, 1ca green (Chan 1. Scott 1), an attractive example cancelled by somewhat light but near-maximum strike of "Customs/SEP [?]/78/Newchwang" dater; stamp with several faults, Fine to Very Fine appearance, but still an exceptionally early first-year usage, particularly scarce on the 1ca value. Scott $725 (HK$ 5,710).
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1878, Large Dragon on thin paper, 3ca brown red (Chan 2. Scott 2), a lovely, fresh horizontal pair, cancelled by bold, centrally struck blue Peking seal cancel, Very Fine, remarkably fresh. Scott $800 (HK$ 6,300).
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1878, Large Dragon on thin paper, 5ca orange (Chan 3. Scott 3), a lovely, fresh used example, cancelled by near-maximum strike of "Customs/NOV 5/78/Newchwang" dater; few trivial blunted perforations at right, Very Fine, an exceedingly early first-year usage from Newchwang. Scott $600 (HK$ 4,720).
Estimate HK$ 6,000 - 8,000. Est. HK$6,000-8,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$6,000-8,000

China, 1878, Large Dragon on thin paper, 5ca orange (Chan 3. Scott 3), a superb stamp, with incredibly intense color, cancelled by partial strike of "I.G. of Customs Peking" double-ring cancel in blue, Very Fine, a very scarce marking when found on the stamps themselves. Scott $600 (HK$ 4,720).
Estimate HK$ 1,500 - 2,000. Est. HK$1,500-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,500-2,000

China, 1882, Large Dragons (wide margins), 1ca-5ca complete, thin paper (Chan 4-6. Scott 4-6), 1ca bottom margin single, each value fresh and well-centered, 3ca with Customs cancel; 5ca minor trivial perforation crease at left, otherwise Very Fine, a lovely set. Scott $2,275 (HK$ 17,910).
Estimate HK$ 9,000 - 10,000. Est. HK$9,000-10,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$9,000-10,000

China, 1882, Large Dragons (wide margins), 1ca-5ca complete, thin paper (Chan 4-6. Scott 4-6), each exceptionally fresh and absolutely sound, with the 5ca just a stunning example, Very Fine. Scott $2,275 (HK$ 17,910).
Estimate HK$ 7,000 - 9,000. Est. HK$7,000-9,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$7,000-9,000

China, 1882, Large Dragons (wide margins), 1ca green & 3ca brown red, thin paper (Chan 4-5. Scott 4-5), each fresh with bold colors, o.g.; the 3ca with a tiny paper speck by the dragon's head, otherwise Very Fine. Scott $1,700 (HK$ 13,390).
Estimate HK$ 6,000 - 8,000. Est. HK$6,000-8,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$6,000-8,000

China, 1882, Large Dragon (wide margins), 1ca green, thin paper (Chan 4. Scott 4), two lovely and fresh mint examples, o.g., Very Fine. Scott $1,200 (HK$ 9,450).
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1882, Large Dragon (wide margins), 5ca yellow ocher, thin paper (Chan 6. Scott 6), a well-centered example with intense color, neatly cancelled; trivial, barely noticeable pinpoint thin speck, otherwise Very Fine+. Scott $1,500 (HK$ 11,810).
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1882, Large Dragon (wide margins), 5ca yellow ocher, thin paper (Chan 6. Scott 6); slightly nibbed perforation at bottom right, otherwise fresh and sound, Very Fine, scarce this nice. Scott $1,500 (HK$ 11,810).
Estimate HK$ 3,600 - 4,000. Est. HK$3,600-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,600-4,000

China, 1883, Large Dragons on thick paper, 1ca to 5ca complete (Chan 9, 10-11. Scott 7-9), the 1ca and 3ca rough perf 12½ types, the 5ca with smooth perforations, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $1,625 (HK$ 12,800).
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1883, Large Dragons on thick paper, 1ca-5ca complete, rough perf 12½ (Chan 10-12. Scott 7-9 vars.); 5ca with corner crease, otherwise Fine to Very Fine. Scott $1,625 (HK$ 12,800).
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1883, Large Dragon on thick paper, 1ca green, rough perf 12½ (Chan 10. Scott 7 var.), a lovely, well-centered example, o.g., Very Fine. Scott $675 (HK$ 5,320).
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 3,000. Est. HK$2,000-3,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-3,000

China, 1883, Large Dragon on thick paper, 3ca vermilion, rough perf 12½, semicircle to left of "CANDARINS" (Chan 11f. Scott 8 var.), an absolutely superb example offering vibrant color and excellent centering, blue seal cancel, along with partial Shanghai French Post Office transit, Extremely Fine. Scott $500 as normal (HK$ 3,940).
Estimate HK$ 2,600 - 3,000. Est. HK$2,600-3,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,600-3,000

China, 1885, Small Dragons, 1ca-5ca complete, rough perf 12½ (Chan 16-18. Scott 10-12 vars.), each cancelled by centrally struck by small "Customs/JUL 3/Newchwang" daters without year slug; some hinge remnants, etc., Fine to Very Fine. Scott $390 (HK$ 3,070).
Estimate HK$ 1,000 - 1,200. Est. HK$1,000-1,200 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,000-1,200

China, 1885-88, Small Dragons, 1ca to 5ca selection (Chan 16-18, 19, 21. Scott 10-12 var, 13, 15), nice mint group of five items: a fresh, complete 1ca to 5ca rough perforation set, plus 1ca and 5ca smooth perf 12 types, good colors, all with o.g., Fine to Very Fine+. Scott $1,485 (HK$ 11,690).
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1888, Small Dragons, 1ca-5ca complete, clean-cut perf 11½-12 (Chan 19-21. Scott 13-15), beautifully centered with great colors, o.g., Very Fine. Scott $760 (HK$ 5,980).
Estimate HK$ 2,200 - 2,600. Est. HK$2,200-2,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,200-2,600

China, 1888, Small Dragons, 1ca-5ca complete, clean-cut perf 11½-12, cancelled Anping (Chan 19-21. Scott 13-15), three items, comprising a 5ca off-piece, a 1ca on piece, plus a piece bearing a 3ca and 5ca, all cancelled by centrally struck "Customs/DEC 14/1893/Anping" daters in red; stamps heavily toned, but the cancels are clear as day, Fine to Very Fine, a remarkable group from Taiwan Province.
Estimate HK$ 1,600 - 2,000. Est. HK$1,600-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,600-2,000

China, 1885-88, Small Dragon issues (Chan 13-15, 16-18, 19-21. Scott 10-12, 13-15), massive, overall nice quality, mostly used selection of approximately 429 Small Dragon stamps, neatly assembled by perforation type (which, for the most part, appears to by correct), housed on a group of stockpages by value; allowing for some perforation types, we note Scott #10 (31 used and 8 mint examples), #11 (59 used, 7 mint) and #12 (30 used), plus 1888 issue #13 (63 used, 55 mint), #14 (a whopping 105 used plus 18 mint) and #15 (47 used, 6 mint); the mint examples are generally o.g., and the used section offers good cancel potential; fresh, with condition ranging on some as to be expected, generally Fine to Very Fine, a wonderful lot, well worth a thorough inspection. Scott $57,225 (HK$ 450,590).
Estimate HK$ 120,000 - 140,000. Est. HK$120,000-140,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$120,000-140,000

China, 1894, Empress Dowager 60th Birthday, 1st printing, 1ca-24ca, von Möllendorf special printing complete (Chan 22M-30M. Scott 16-24 var), o.g.; occasional minor gum toning, Fine to Very Fine+, an attractive and scarce set. Scott $3,100 (HK$ 24,410).
Estimate HK$ 12,000 - 16,000. Est. HK$12,000-16,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$12,000-16,000

China, 1894, Empress Dowager 60th Birthday, 1st printing, 1ca-24ca complete (Chan 22-30. Scott 16-24), a lovely, fresh, nicely cancelled set, Very Fine. Scott $1,690 (HK$ 13,310).
Estimate HK$ 5,000 - 6,000. Est. HK$5,000-6,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$5,000-6,000