Chinese Empire

Essays and Proofs

The Clichés of the Large Dragons

1878 Thin Paper

1882 Thin to Pelure Paper, 4.5mm spacing

1883-1885 Thicker, More Opaque Paper

**1878-1885 Large Dragon Issues**
LotNo.	Symbol	Lot Description
2001	E	1878, Elephant Design essay of 5 cash black, perforation 12½ on thin native laid paper, horizontal pair [71-72] with sheet margin at left, excellent color and sharp impression on this delicate paper which remarkably has retained its overall freshness, well centered, with intact perforations, light creases mostly in sheet margin, Very Fine state of conservation for this rare and elusive essay. Provenance Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (London), 4.10.1967, lot 3. This was a block of fifteen with sheet margin at left, which subsequently was split into blocks, strips, pairs and singles over the years. The lot offered above originates from this block, originally having been the lower left pair. The lower left marginal horizontal strip of four taken from the original block was in the Giulio Mochi collection (David Feldman, 24.10.1984, lot 40552), and then further split into two pairs in the "Ming" collection. "Ming" (Peter Holcombe), Corinphila (Zurich), 25.3.1987, lot 4734. Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 10.12.2018, lot 1. References Sir Percival David, "Sketches, Essays, and Proofs of China's First Issue," The London Philatelist, Vol. VIII, No. 676 (March, 1949), pp. 33-37. Jeffrey S. Schneider, "Plating the Elephant Essay", Journal of China Philately, Vol. 1 (2006), pp. 262-266. Dr. Ji Sun, "The Elephant Essay Resurfaces after 100 Years," The China Clipper, Vol. 74, No. 6 (June, 2008), pp. 231-233. Zhao Yue and Dr. Jeffrey Schneider, "A Study of the Elephant Essay as the Proofs of the Large Dragon Issue," Jiyou, No. 27 (Beijing, 2018), pp. 188-195. From our records of multiples, we have reconstructed a left sheet margin block of fifty (10 x 5) from blocks of twenty-five, fifteen, six and four. These represent the bottom half of the sheet of one hundred. The blocks of fifteen and six were subsequently split into lesser multiples and singles. We have no record of any examples which do not originate from these blocks. Research indicates that these essays were printed in the sheet format of one hundred, of which only fifty perforated examples have survived. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$260,000-300,000 Selling for...HK$130,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2002	P	1878, Large Dragons, Essay of the Accepted Design with "Extra Circle", 3ca brown red, imperforate proof on thin wove paper, horizontal pair [4-5] with 21mm. sheet margin at top and 8mm. sheet margin at right, large margins on the other two sides, slightly contrasting impressions with right stamp displaying a near perfect impression with heavy "bite" showing on reverse as is characteristic for such a corner example and the "découpage" (make ready) utilized, faint toning on reverse barely discernable from front, light vertical crease crossing left stamp and diagonal bend in margin at top right corner well clear of stamp, Very Fine and a rare essay on thin paper. The largest recorded multiples are blocks of four, of which three have survived, in addition to three pairs. Provenance Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 10.12.2018, lot 2. Using multiples and two marginal singles, we have reconstructed twenty-three of the twenty-five positions on the sheet. It appears that there were only two sheets of this essay printed on thin paper. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$40,000-50,000 Selling for...HK$20,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2003	P	1878, Large Dragons, Essay of the Accepted Design with "Extra Circle", 5ca yellow ocher imperforate proof on thin wove paper, horizontal pair [2-3] with 8mm. sheet margin at top, lovely fresh pastel-like yellow color, large even margins on the other sides, sharp highly detailed impression showing pronounced "bite" on reverse, trivial creasing, Very Fine. Provenance Godfrey Mellor, Robson Lowe (London), 15.5.1969, lot 2128. Paul Hock, Christie's Robson Lowe (Zurich), 19.10.1983, lot 12. "Ming" (Peter Holcombe), Corinphila (Zurich), 25.3.1987, lot 4738. Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 10.12.2018, lot 3. Two complete sheets of 25 are known. From various multiples and three marginal singles, we have been able to reconstruct twenty-four positions of another sheet. With different inking, as well as the two intact complete sheets, it appears as if there were four sheets produced in this color. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$60,000-80,000 Selling for...HK$30,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2004	E	1878, Large Dragons, 1ca green with "Extra Circle" removed, imperforate proof on thin wove ungummed paper, Setting I, a complete sheet of 25, brilliant color and sharp impression on crisp white paper, a few light rust spots mostly in the margins and inconsequential horizontal folds in top and bottom sheet margins, Very Fine. A magnificent intact sheet in an optimum state of conservation. Provenance Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman. Lam Man Yin. Auction Record Robson Lowe (London), 9.2.71, lot 419. George Alevizos (Santa Monica), 8-9.2.79, lot 1008. We record the following seven imperforate complete sheets from Setting I E.H. Finegan, Harmer, Rooke (London), 14.10.1937, lot 69; Adolphous Diercking, H.R. Harmer (London), 5.11.1956, lot 6. Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (London), 22.7.1970, lot 537. Robson Lowe (London), 9.2.1971, lot 419; George Alevizos (Santa Monica), 8-9.2.1979, lot 1008; Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Lam Man Yin; Interasia (Hong Kong), 26.2.2011, lot 10. This is the above lot. Giulio Mochi, David Feldman (Zurich), 26.10.1984, lot 40559; Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 7.11.1996, lot A3; Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), 18.3.2016, lot 9. Dr. Warren G. Attwood, Harmer, Rooke (New York), 7.10.1952, lot 3; Richard Canman, Stanley Gibbons (London), 19.10.1972, lot 177; Philip Ireland, Christie's Robson Lowe (Zurich), 25.5.1989, lot 2035; Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 10.12.1998. lot 5. Major James Starr, Sotheby's (London), 11.9.1991, lot 4. Mizuhara Meiso, Spink (Hong Kong), 17.1.2016, lot 1566, fine to very fine. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$400,000-500,000 Selling for...HK$200,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2005	P	1878, Large Dragons, 1ca green with "Extra Circle" removed, imperforate proof on thin wove ungummed paper, Setting I, a complete sheet of twenty-five, clear bright color and fine impression on white paper, heavy registration along top and part of left frame lines from the découpage ("make ready"), inconsequential horizontal bend crosses fourth row of stamps, slight ageing mostly in margin at top and light creasing in outer extremities of top and bottom sheet margins, Fine to Very Fine. Another impressive intact well-preserved sheet. Provenance Dr. Warren G. Attwood, Harmer, Rooke (New York), 7.10.1952, lot 3. Richard Canman, Stanley Gibbons (London), 19.10.1972, lot 177. Philip Ireland, Christie's Robson Lowe (Zurich), 25.5.1989, lot 2035. Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 10.12.2018, lot 4. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$300,000-400,000 Selling for...HK$150,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2006	P	1878, Large Dragons, 1ca dark green with "Extra Circle" removed, imperforate proof on thin wove ungummed paper, Setting II, an astounding block of four [1-12/7-21] with 7.5mm. sheet margin at left and 10mm. sheet margin at top, constant small dot of printing ink in sheet margin above cliché [12] and typical misalignment of the clichés in the second row, extraordinarily deep color and characteristic over-inked impression, on bright white paper, large to huge margins, extremely fine and choice. A veritable gem. One of only three blocks recorded in this color from Setting II. Provenance Richard Canman, Stanley Gibbons (London), 19.10.1972, lot 89. Philip Ireland, Christie's Robson Lowe (Zurich), 25.5.1989, lot 2098. Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 10.12.2018, lot 4. This is a distinctly rich dark shade. Our reconstruction of eighteen of the twenty-five positions shows very poor alignment of the clichés in the second row. From the examples found to date, there must have only one sheet of twenty-five printed in this color. Only three blocks are known to date, a block of nine and two blocks of four. These three blocks all appear to join. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$200,000-260,000 Selling for...HK$100,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2007	/O	1878-85, Large Dragons, 3ca brown red or vermilion (Chan 2, 5, 8, 11, vars. Scott 2, 5, 8, vars.), unused and used study, skillfully presented with hand-drawn illustrations and explanations for the identification of each cliché comprising the twenty-six clichés, classified by the owner, as applicable for the 1878 thin paper 3ca unused (9) and used (17), 1882 wide margins 3ca used (16), and 1883-85 thick paper 3ca. unused (2) and used (21), a few of the thick paper issues are misidentified, some faults, mainly Fine to Very Fine (65). Provenance Bernard Stoloff, Christie's Robson Lowe (Zurich), 14.5.1987, lot 2207. Shipping charges apply - weight 0.8 lbs. Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 10.12.2018, lot 9. (PDF for this Lot) (Image1)	Est. HK$70,000-90,000 Selling for...HK$36,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2008		1878, Large Dragons on thin paper, 3ca brown red (Chan 2. Scott 2), Setting I, a complete sheet of twenty-five with selvedge all round, [12] shows plate wear to Dragon's lower right claw but inner frame line still unaffected, deep rich color, unused with full original gum, minor ageing in a few places on the gum and gum creasing in first vertical row of stamps, Fine to Very Fine, and in an excellent state of conservation. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$200,000-260,000 Selling for...HK$100,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2009		1878, Large Dragons on thin paper, 3ca brown red (Chan 2. Scott 2), Setting V, a complete sheet of twenty (5 x 4) without margins as usual, large hole perforations, clear shade highlighting the unevenness of the registration of the printing, on bright white paper, [26] shows extraneous dot of printing ink on frameline at foot below left numeral "3", wonderfully fresh, unused with practically full original gum, reinforced along central horizontal row of perforations, Very Fine. A marvelous sheet. We record thirteen sheets from Setting V. No sheets from Setting V are known with selvedge (sheet margin). Provenance "Ming" (Peter Holcombe), Corinphila (Zurich), 25.3.1987, lot 4746. Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 10.12.2018, lot 14. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$150,000-200,000 Selling for...HK$7,500.00 Will close during Public Auction
2010	O	1878 Large Dragons on thin paper, 5ca orange (Chan 3. Scott 3), Setting II, vertical block of ten [12-8/6-19/14-20/7-21/3-25] representing the two right vertical rows of the sheet, showing characteristic printing "bite" along top and right framelines, natural paper fold across top left vertical pair, good color, well centered with perforations intact, cancelled by Tientsin seals, some foxed perforations and barely perceptible vertical split in right margin or along frameline of [19] and [20], nevertheless Fine and a significant multiple. The largest recorded multiple for Setting II. Provenance Richard Canman, Stanley Gibbons (London), 19.10.1972, lot 218. Philip Ireland, Christie's Robson Lowe (Zurich), 25.5.1989, lot 2132. Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 10.12.2018, lot 19. References James B. Whang, History of the Large Dragons. An Anthology of James B. Whang's Writings (Taipei, 1999), pp. 112-114. There are only two blocks of ten recorded from Setting II. The other is a horizontal block of ten from the lower two rows of the sheet, ex Richard Canman, Stanley Gibbons, 19.10.1972, lot 219; Giulio Mochi, David Feldman, 24.10.1984, lot 40580; and Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila, 7.11.1996, lot A70. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$50,000-60,000 Selling for...HK$26,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2011		1882 Large Dragons (wide margins), 1ca green (Chan 4. Scott 4), Setting III, a stupendous block of twelve [25-18-16/8-14-3/7-12-9/1-15-20] from the lower left corner of the sheet with selvedge at foot, stellar color on brilliant white paper, uneven inking resulting in deep green shade at left, near perfect centering within even expansive margins, fresh, unused with large part original gum, a few inconsequential light age spots on reverse and some reinforced perforations, nevertheless Very Fine. A significant multiple, being the third largest recorded. Provenance Godfrey Mellor, Robson Lowe (London), 15.5.1969, lot 2146. Richard Canman, Stanley Gibbons (London), 19.10.1972, lot 94. Philip Ireland, Christie's Robson Lowe (Zurich), 25.5.1989, lot 2101. Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 10.12.2018, lot 20. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$100,000-120,000 Selling for...HK$50,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2012	/	1882, Large Dragons (wide margins), 5ca yellow ocher, thin paper (Chan 6. Scott 6), Setting III, the incomparable vertical pair [17/21] with 40mm. sheet margin at right, deep lustrous color on pristine white paper, perfect centering, exquisitely fresh, unused with immaculate white irregularly applied gum, top stamp has a hinge remainder and the lower stamp is never hinged, faint vertical crease in sheet margin just to right of stamps, Extremely Fine. A gem for the connoisseur, of impeccable quality and of the highest exhibition caliber, "sans pareil". Provenance and Auction Record Philipps (London), 30.11.1973, lot 193. Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman. Lam Man Yin. Interasia Auctions (Hong Kong), 26.2.2011, lot 76. When this pair was last sold in 2011, there were only three recognized unused, o.g., multiples recorded: The Major James Starr and Lam Man Yin complete sheet of twenty-five. The Sir Percival David, and Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman block of eight. The Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, and Lam Man Yin vertical marginal pair (the above lot). In the Kelleher & Rogers Ltd. auction of 22 May 2015, a new find of three large unused multiples with original gum was offered. This consisted of blocks of 19 (lot 120), ten (lot 121), and six (lot 122), which were discovered in the Cotswolds (England) in the attic of the family home of a former missionary. These blocks had been folded to fit in a church donation envelope, and despite some blemishes, light stains, creasing, and splitting due to this method of storage over 125 years, these have survived in remarkable condition. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$200,000-260,000 Selling for...HK$100,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2013		1883, Large Dragons on thick paper, clean-cut perforations, 1ca to 5ca (Scott 7-9), blocks of four from the lower left corner of the sheet and with full sheet margins, comprising: 1ca bright green, Setting VI, block of four [11-8/14-7]. 3ca brown-red, Setting XII, block of four [20-11/23-4]. 5ca chrome yellow, Setting VI, block of four [16-11/10-18]. All are of fresh bright color on crisp white paper, each with outstanding centering and intact perforations, unused with part to large part original gum, Very Fine, the 1ca. and 3ca. have the lightest of age spots mostly confined to the margins. A superlative and, in all probability, unique set of matched corner blocks. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$200,000-250,000 Selling for...HK$100,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2014		1883, Large Dragons on thick paper, clean-cut perforations, 3ca brown red (Chan 8. Scott 8 var.), Setting VIII, the complete reconstruction of the twenty positions, comprising: Block of ten [8-1-15/17-26-10/25-3-11-21], the last two stamps with part sheet margins at foot, unused with large part original gum, a few split and reinforced perforations between 1st and 2nd rows of stamps, the largest recorded unused multiple from Setting VIII. Provenance Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (London), 22.7.1970, lot 45. Giulio Mochi, David Feldman (Zurich), 24.10.1984, lot 40599. Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong). 7.10.1997. lot C57. Block of four [4-9/18-6], unused with large part original gum. Provenance and Auction Record Major James Starr, Sotheby's (London), 11.9.1991, lot 66. Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 11.11.1999, lot 109. Block of four [23-24/15-20], unused with large part original gum. Provenance Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 7.10.1997, lot C57. Vertical pair [20/14], cancelled by Chefoo seal. Horizontal pair [13-5], cancelled by Shanghai seal. A remarkable reconstruction, which includes the largest recorded unused multiple for this Setting. Fine to Very Fine. One of the few complete reconstructions of Setting VIII. Ex Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 10.12.2018, lot 34. (Image1) (Image2) (Image3) (Image4)	Est. HK$150,000-200,000 Selling for...HK$75,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2015		1883, Large Dragons on thick paper, 3ca brown red, clean-cut perf. 12½ variety 12mm. imperforate sheet margin at right (Chan 8i. Scott 8 var.), Setting XVII [5], resplendent color on brilliant white paper, ideal centering, unused with large part original gum, Extremely Fine and fresh. A flawless example of this great rarity. This, and a block of four, also Setting XVII [10-14/11-21] from the right of the sheet with 12mm. imperforate sheet margins, are the only recorded examples with complete imperforate sheet margin at right. Provenance and Auction Record Dr. Warren G. Kauder, Robson Lowe (London), 10.11.1971, lot 91, James B. Whang, Christie's Swire (Hong Kong), 2.11.1994, lot 1539. Huang Ming-Fuang, Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), 21.6.2003, lot 51. Lam Man Yin. Interasia Auctions (Hong Kong), 26.2.2011, lot 103. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$200,000-260,000 Selling for...HK$100,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2016		1885, Large Dragons on thick paper, 1ca green, rough perforations, vertical pair imperforate between (Chan 10b. Scott 7c var.), vertical pair, Setting VII [8/7], deep bright color on fresh white paper, unused with large part original gum, [7] has a few tiny age specks at top left corner and in margin between stamps as well as on reverse, nevertheless Very Fine. There are only five such pairs with intact perforations which have survived. There are a further five pairs which have had the perforations trimmed, and one pair with perforations at sides only. Provenance and Auction Record Brum Pederson, Stanley Gibbons (London), 15.2.1980, lot 1139. Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman. Lam Man Yin. Interasia Auctions (Hong Kong), 26.2.2011, lot 143. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$400,000-500,000 Selling for...HK$200,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2017		1885, Large Dragons on thick paper, 1ca green, rough perforations, vertical pair imperforate between (Chan 10b. Scott 7c var.), vertical pair, Setting VII [15/10], lovely bright color on white paper, unused with part to large part original gum, top stamp has adherences. A rare variety which ranks among the finest of the few recorded pairs. There are only five such pairs with intact perforations which have survived. This imperforate between pair [15/10] and the imperforate between pair [14/25] from the E.H. Finegan (Harmer, Rooke, 14.10.1937, lot 105) and Sir Percival David (Robson Lowe, 6.4.1971, lot 610) collections originally formed a block of four. Provenance Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (London), 22.7.1970, lot 35. Giulio Mochi, David Feldman (Zurich), 24.10.1984, lot 40598. "Ming" (Peter Holcombe), Corinphila (Zurich), 25.3.1987, lot 4757. Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 7.11.1996, lot A25. Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 10.12.1998, lot 43. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$350,000-400,000 Selling for...HK$180,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2018	O	1885, Large Dragons 3ca brown red, rough perforations, vertical pair imperforate between (Chan 11g. Scott 8b var.), vertical pair, from an unknown Setting, intact perforations all round, deep vibrant red color approaching the deep Venetian red shade, on fresh white paper, lightly cancelled by Peking seal in blue, paper adherences on reverse and tone spot at right affecting two perforations, otherwise Very Fine. A great rarity, and one of the most important varieties of the Large Dragons. There are only four such pairs which have survived. All are from unknown settings and are used. Expertization B.P.A. certificate (2012). Auction Record Interasia (Hong Kong), 28.4.2012, lot 75. The other three recorded pairs: Unknown Setting [26/8?], canceled by Tientsin seal in blue. Phillip von Ferrary de la Renotière, Gilbert (Paris), 22-24.4.1925, lot 490. Arthur Hind, H.R. Harmer (New York), 21-22.5.1935, lot 109. Major James Starr, Sotheby's (London), 11.9.1991, lot 105. Jane and Dan Sten Olsson, Interasia (Hong Kong), 16.6.1998, lot 24. Unknown Setting [24/14], canceled by seal in black. Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (London), 22.10.1970, lot 38. Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 7.11.1996, lot A46. Giulio Mochi, David Feldman (Geneva), 24-27.10.1984, lot 40604. Huang Ming-Fuang, Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), 21.6.2003, lot 59. Unknown Setting [26/21], canceled by seal in black. Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (London), 10.11.1971, lot 99. Dr. Warren G. Kauder, Robson Lowe (London), 10.11.1971, lot 99. Mizuhara Meiso, Spink (Hong Kong), 17.1.2016, lot 1640. (Image1) (Image2) (Image3)	Est. HK$500,000-600,000 Selling for...HK$260,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2019	O	1885, Large Dragons, rough perforations, 5ca chrome yellow, horizontal pair imperforate between (Chan 12e. Scott 9b var.), horizontal pair, Setting VII [17-7], excellent color, canceled by Tientsin type 5 seal in blue, contrasting with the freshness of color of the stamps, the left stamp has a tear at top extending into the Dragon's body, Fine to Very Fine appearance for this phenomenal world rarity. The only recorded example of the 5 candarins in an imperforate between pair. Provenance Phillip von Ferrary de la Renotière, Gilbert (Paris), 22-24.4.1925, lot 490. Arthur Hind, H.R. Harmer (New York), 21-22.5.1935, lot 110. Major James Starr, Sotheby's (London), 11.9.1991, lot 191. Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 7.11.1996, lot A79. Huang Ming-Fuang, Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), 21.6.2003, lot 59. Only six collectors have owned all three values of the Large Dragons in imperforate between pairs. This esteemed list comprises Phillip von Ferrary de la Renotière, Arthur Hind, Major James Starr, Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Huang Ming-Fuang, and the current collector. (Image1) (Image2) (Image3)	Est. HK$600,000-800,000 Selling for...HK$300,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2020		1883 Large Dragons on thick paper, 5ca. chrome-yellow, rough perforations (Chan 12d. Scott 9 var.), Setting VI, a splendid block of six [11-3-4/18-5-22] from the lower right corner of the sheet, cliché [22] is the broken plate variety, resplendent color, near perfect centering, wonderfully fresh, unused with much original gum, Extremely Fine. A striking and noteworthy block. (Image1) (Image2)	Est. HK$60,000-80,000 Selling for...HK$30,000.00 Will close during Public Auction