Description
China 1897 (Jan) "Red Revenue" large surcharges $1 on 3c deep red, 'Large' surcharge type 20, SG91.
A fine mint example with large part original gum.
A scarce and popular Chinese Empire stamp.
In 1897, the new Qing Dynasty government took charge of the Post Office. There was an immediate need for a large quantity of stamps, especially those of high value. While waiting for the delivery of new stamps from Japan a Provisional Issue was made using existing stock from the Imperial Customs.
A quantity of 600,000 of the 3c Revenue stamps received from England were surcharged with different values. The high value surcharged stamps, such as this $1 example, are very scarce and highly sought after by avid collectors.