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Auction: 11002 - China & Hong Kong Stamps & Covers
Lot: 2053

China Large Dragons Covers An Outstanding and Rare Combination Cover 1879 (20 May) Hong Kong 5c. on 18c. black on blue postal stationery card sent from Chinkiang to St. Andrews, Scotland bearing, at left, Large Dragon 3ca. tied by faint "customs/chinkiang" despatch c.d.s. overstruck by "customs/shanghai" (27.5), the Hong Kong adhesive cancelled by "S1" obliterator in black with British Post Office Shanghai c.d.s. alongside and the arrival c.d.s. (14.7) in top corner; the reverse with Hong Kong transit (31.5). Pressed vertical filing crease which has been lightly coloured to improve the appearance. The card correctly pays the 3ca. internal mail plus 5c. U.P.U. rate. One of only two recorded Large Dragons used on Hong Kong postal stationery. One of the great rarities of this period with high visual and philatelic appeal, especially appealing with the Large Dragon affixed to the address side. Photo Estimate HK$ 1,200,000-1,500,000 This is one of the earliest internation mail bearing Large Dragon stamps, The others being 6 March and 16 May, both from Peking to Paris. This is the eraliest use on any postal stationery card provenance: Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckerman, October 1997

Sold for
HK$3,100,000