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Auction: CSS46 - Fine Stamps of China and Hong Kong
Lot: 6468

Japan
1896 Official presentation album of Japanese stamps "Dai Nippon Teikoku Ubin Kitte Eukakushi" (The Postage Stamp History of the Japanese Empire), with all postage and telegraph issues plus postal stationery from 1871-96 and two 1874 Express labels. The complete book beautifully bound in silk with the original purple/blue ties for binding at side, printed in both Japanese and English.


The book contains original examples of all stamps except for seven which were no longer available even in the Post Office archives. Between pages 88 and 89 of the book there is a fold-out page detailing the exact numbers printed of the original issues. The book is dedicated on the first page (at the back) to "Monsieur André Frouin, Budapest, 11 July 1896". A wonderful and outstanding example of what is, perhaps, the most sought after book in all philatelic literature of Asia and of the utmost rarity to both bilbliophiles and philatelists.

The work is printed in Japanese characters with short notes in English throughout and the edition was limited to 300 copies. Of the 107 specimens of stamps, etc., all are original with the exception of the 1 and 2 sen stamps of February, 1872, the band of April, 1872, the ½ sen and 1 sen post cards of December 1, 1873, some of the envelopes issued at the same date, and the ½ sen and 1 sen post cards of the second issue of December, 1873. As no specimens of these remained in the Post Office, imitations were made and substituted for them.


Andre Frouin was representing France along with M. Raymond at the Budapest Post and Telegraph conference in 1896. Andre Frouin received the prestigious french medal : "Chevalier de la légion d'honneur" in 1897

Sold for
HK$90,000