In a few weeks' time Cherrystone is holding another of its auctions of Rare Stamps and Postal History of the World, anchored by the exceptional Santa Fe Collection, including exceptional Chinese rarities.
Two of the particular highlights from this section include, firstly, a 1923 stamp surcharged in red on first Peking printing: 2 Cts on 3c blue-green, with the surcharge inverted in error.
The whole stamp boasts a deep bright colour with characteristic centring to the bottom, position 19. It is fresh with full original gum (partially dried and streaky) with a handstamped guarantee mark, signed by Holcombe, with his 1996 certificate ("a very rare variety of which under 20 copies are recorded to date.")
 1923 Chinese stamp surcharged in red on first Peking printing |
According to contemporary reports (Theodore Sidall), only thirteen of these stamps exist and were acquired at Wanhsien, a small port about half way between Chungking and Ichang, in July, 1924, by Dr. A. Germain, the medical officer on the French gunboat "Balny."
He applied two of the stamps to separate covers which he mailed to himself locally and sold ten mint examples to the French dealer Theodore Champion.
Champion than sold a block of four and a single to M.D. Chow, two singles to Bush and one each to Hinds and Hawkins.
 1941 Dr Sun Yat-sen inverted stamp |
It is one of the "Four Treasures of the Republic" another example of this rarity was sold at Cherrystone's June sale for $150,000 plus buyer's premium. It is listed at $150,000 again here.
Expected to beat even this, however, is a 1941 Dr. Sun Yat-sen, New York print $2 black and blue, centre inverted single stamp, with deep rich colours and post office fresh condition.
There is characteristic centring of the frame to the bottom, but this example has never been hinged, and is in very fine condition. Only one sheet of fifty is believed to have been printed with this error.
A comparable (but poorer quality) example realised HK$ 1,725,000, and this example is expected to reach $200,000.
Cherrystone's auction will take place on December 7-8 in New York and online.
Rare stamps from the region have often achieved extraordinary results in recent first (such as the remarkable 1980 'Year of the Monkey' stamp sheets, which aren't even very rare).
It's partly for this reason that we're so proud to be offering the most philatelic piece of Hong Kong philately, the unique 96c olive-bistre block of four, and why it qualifies for our unique 120% guarantee.
