Whole Country is Red block to make $516,000 in Hong Kong?

A rare 1968 Whole Country is Red block of four is to cross the block in a sale of Chinese stamps at InterAsia Auctions in Hong Kong on July 19.

It's expected to make $386,981-515,975.

Red China stamp
The Whole Country is Red block retains its original gum

The lot is offered unmounted and in mint condition. It displays bold colours and its original gum remains intact.

The auction house explained the fascinating history of the stamp: "Within the first half day of its issue in Beijing, the editor of the China Atlas Press had discovered that there were geographical inaccuracies in the map (the Archipelagos of Xisha and Nanshi were omitted).

"The stamp was withdrawn almost immediately; however, some post offices had already sold the stamps before the official date of issue.

"It has also been surmised that another reason that the stamp was withdrawn was that notwithstanding its name, Taiwan is coloured white (rather than red)."

A larger, single specimen of the issue sold for $1.1m in 2014 - a world record for a Chinese stamp.

Other lots in the sale include a sheet of the highly sought after 1980 Year of the Monkey issue. It carries an estimate of $128,993-154,792.

We have an incredible selection of rare stamps for sale.

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