large dragons - Stamp Auctions

Lot 61 - 1: China large dragons -  Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

Lot 61 - 1: China large dragons - Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

China, 1887 (9 Jan.) printed envelope to Copenhagen, Denmark (2.2) bearing on reverse 1885 Large Dragons thick paper, rough perfs., 1ca. green and 5ca. chrome-yellow, and 1885 Small Dragon rough perf. 12½ 3ca. mauve, tied by two superb strikes of "Customs/Chinkiang" double-ring d.s., showing "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring transit d.s. (10.1) and arrival c.d.s. adjacent, and on front France Peace and Commerce 25c. cancelled by "Shang-hai/Chine" c.d.s. (11.1), opened out for display, extremely fine tri-colour mixed issue franking paying the 9 candarins rate to Europe through the French Post Office. An absolutely wonderful cover of the highest magnitude and exhibition calibre. Chan 10, 12, 17.
Estimate HK$ 1,000,000 - 1,200,000


Provenance: Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Interasia (Hong Kong), 26.2.2011, lot 239.

References: James B. Whang, A Comprehensive Illustration on Covers of the Large Dragons (Taipei, 1997), pp. 531-532.

LESS THAN TEN LARGE DRAGON-SMALL DRAGON MIXED ISSUE COVERS ARE KNOWN.

IRREFUTABLY ACKNOWLEDGED TO BE IN THE TOP ECHELON OF LARGE DRAGON COVERS AND AMONG THE GREATEST OF THE WORLD'S MIXED ISSUE FRANKINGS, SINCE IT BEARS THE FIRST AND SECOND ISSUES OF CHINA.

Auction Record
Christie's Robson Lowe (Zurich), 23.11.1989, lot 2027.

Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

1: China large dragons
Lot 56 - 1: China large dragons -  Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

Lot 56 - 1: China large dragons - Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

China, 1878-85 Large Dragon 1ca. to 5ca., good colours, well centred, cancelled by seals (two in blue), comprising thin paper 3ca., and 1883-85 thick paper, clean-cut perfs., 1ca., and rough perfs. 5ca. the first two have minor tones or small faults, fine to very fine. Chan 2, 7, 12.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

1: China large dragons
Lot 54 - 1: China large dragons -  Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

Lot 54 - 1: China large dragons - Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

China, 1883-85 Large Dragon thick paper 3ca. vermilion on thick soft wove paper, the second and third reserve clichés [27] and [28], the former with rough perfs. resembling 1885 issue and black small seal cancellation, the latter has large hole private perforation 8 and repaired top right corner, a fine appearing set of these very rare clichés which are not known in any Setting and, therefore, are only believed to exist in proof form. These are offered on a hypothetical basis, emanating from the study of a vast multitude of Large Dragon 3 candarins stamps. From the Beckeman collection.
Estimate HK$ 8,000 - 10,000


The second and third reserve clichés are relatively crude productions probably made toward the end of the Large Dragon issue. The proofs were struck side-by-side on the same sheetlet produced on a thick coarse manila paper. Only three such composite die proofs have been recorded. The two stamps (proofs) offered here might emanate from different sheetlets due to their contrasting shades and length of perforations at right and left sides respectively, since the proof impressions were struck close together. The two clichés are unmistakable : [27] is a "small" stamp with noticeable frame breaks at top and the top right, and [28] has a dot in margin outside the top left frame line, dot in lower right corner of the top left tablet, and a break in horizontal line over the "3" at lower right.

Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

1: China large dragons
Lot 57 - 1: China large dragons -  Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

Lot 57 - 1: China large dragons - Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

China, Large Dragons : An used selection, comprising 1878 1ca. to 5ca., and 1883-85 1ca. and 3ca., cancelled by seals, good to fine appearance, faults. Chan 1-3b, 7, 11.
Estimate HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

1: China large dragons
Lot 51 - 1: China large dragons -  Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

Lot 51 - 1: China large dragons - Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

China, 1882 Large Dragon wide margin 5ca. yellow-ochre, deep bright colour, cancelled by Customs double-ring d.s., small thin spot at top right, otherwise very fine. Chan 6.
Estimate HK$ 3,500 - 4,000

Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

1: China large dragons
Lot 58 - 1: China large dragons -  Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

Lot 58 - 1: China large dragons - Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

China, 1883 (11 Apr.) envelope to P.A. Pichot, the Director of the Revue Britannique in Paris (28.5) bearing on reverse Large Dragons 1878 thin paper 1ca. and 1882 wide margins 5ca., centrally cancelled by Peking seal in blue, matching "I.G. of Customs/Peking" double-ring origin d.s. of "Apl 11 83", "Customs/Tientsin" double-ring transit d.s. of "Apl 12 83", "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring transit d.s. of "Apl 18 83" alongside, and on front France Peace and Commerce 25c. bistre on straw pair, cancelled by "Shang-hai/Chine" c.d.s. (18.4) and showing "Modane à Paris" French entry c.d.s. (28.5) in red adjacent, with "Paris 1/(Distribon)" arrival c.d.s. on reverse, the French stamps have small faults and the envelope is opened out for display, with an insignificant corner of flap missing, very fine mixed issue franking. Chan 1, 6.
Estimate HK$ 150,000 - 200,000


References: James B. Whang, A Comprehensive Illustration on Covers of Chinese Large Dragons (Taipei: Whang's Philatelic Foundation, 1997), pp. 349-350.

The 6 candarins double rate with Large Dragon stamps and French adhesives both applied in Peking at time of posting in order to prepay the domestic and foreign postage with their respective stamps.

The recipient's docketing refers to the arrival of Chinese troops at Tonkin, placement on a war footing, fortification of Petchili, and the opinion of the diplomats.

Auction Record
Heinrich Köhler (Wiesbaden), 8.2.1995, lot 6150.

Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

1: China large dragons
Lot 52 - 1: China large dragons -  Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

Lot 52 - 1: China large dragons - Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

China, 1883-85 Large Dragon thick paper 1ca. to 5ca., clean-cut perfs., bright colours, well centred, fine unused, the 1ca. and 3ca. have part to much original gum, the 3ca. and 5ca. with a few lightly foxed perfs. Chan 7-9.
Estimate HK$ 10,000 - 12,000

Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

1: China large dragons
Lot 59 - 1: China large dragons -  Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

Lot 59 - 1: China large dragons - Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

China, 1885 (21 Jan.) envelope to New York (15.3) "Via San Francisco" bearing on reverse 1885 Large Dragons thick paper 3ca. brown-red, rough perfs., cancelled by Tientsin type 3 seal, matching "Customs/Tientsin" double-ring origin d.s. and "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring transit d.s. (2.2) on reverse, and on front Japan Koban 5s. blue, cancelled by "crossroads" type, showing "I.J.P.A./Shanghai" (12.2) and "Yokohama" (19.2) c.d.s. adjacent, with "New York/Paid All" arrival d.s. on reverse, carried on the winter overland service from Tientsin to Shanghai, the envelope opened out for display and a few small cover faults including small patched area at lower right, fine to very fine and appealing usage. Chan 11.
Estimate HK$ 200,000 - 250,000


Provenance: Richard Canman, Stanley Gibbons (London), 19.10.1972, lot 317
Giulio Mochi, David Feldman (Geneva), 24.10.1984, lot 40628
Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 15.5.1997, lot B92.

References: A Select Collection of Large Dragon Stamps and Postmarks (Taipei: Directorate General of Posts, 1981), p. 66. Illustrated.
James B. Whang, A Comprehensive Illustration on Covers of Chinese Large Dragons (Taipei: Whang's Philatelic Foundation, 1997), p. 457. Illustrated.

THE TIENTSIN TYPE 3 SEAL ON COVER IS RARE, SINCE IT WAS ONLY IN USE FOR ABOUT A YEAR.

The 3 candarins single rate with China and Japan adhesives both applied in Tientsin at the time of posting by the sender in order to prepay the domestic and foreign postage.

The preferential rate to the U.S.A. through the Japanese Post Office was 5 sen. The sender affixed a 3 candarins stamp to pay the domestic postage to Shanghai and his own Japan 5 sen stamp for transmission through the Japanese Post Office. Standard procedure was to affix 6 candarins of Chinese stamps at the post office through which the letter was being sent and in exchange for this the equivalent amount of foreign stamps would be applied by the Customs Post Office. Thus, there would be no domestic postage to pay.

Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

1: China large dragons
Lot 53 - 1: China large dragons -  Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

Lot 53 - 1: China large dragons - Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

China, 1883-85 Large Dragon thick paper 1ca. to 5ca., rough perfs., mainly fine and fresh unused, the 5ca. has trace of soiling at left resulting in slight discolouration of frame. Chan 10-12.
Estimate HK$ 6,000 - 8,000

Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

1: China large dragons
Lot 60 - 1: China large dragons -  Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

Lot 60 - 1: China large dragons - Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

China, 1885 (20 Apr.) envelope to London (2.6) via Shanghai Customs (23.4) bearing on reverse 1883 Large Dragons thick paper, clean-cut perfs., 1ca. green, Setting V, horizontal strip of three [11-19-20] and single and 5ca. lemon-yellow, cancelled by Chefoo seal in black, matching "Customs/Chefoo" double-ring d.s. alongside, the 5ca. additionally tied by "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring transit d.s. (23.4), in combination with France 25c. bistre on straw (creased), cancelled by "Shang-hai/Chine" c.d.s. (24.4), one 1ca. [20] is crossed by filing fold and has a defective corner. A fine and exceptional franking paying the 9 candarins overseas rate. Chan 7, 9.
Estimate HK$ 450,000 - 550,000


Provenance: H.B.R. Clarke, Robson Lowe (London), 22.4.1953, lot 48
Dr. Warren G. Kauder, Robson Lowe (London), 2.5.1972, lot 62
James Huangco
Chen Sun-Sing
James B. Whang, Christie's Swire (Hong Kong), 2.11.1994, lot 1830
Wen Sun Kong, Interasia (Hong Kong), 29.6.2003, lot B8.

References: James B. Whang, A Comprehensive Illustration on Covers of the Large Dragons (Taipei, 1997), pp. 473-474. Illustrated.
Customs Dater (1875-1913). Taipei : Philatelic Writers' Club, 2008, pp. 29-30. Illustrated.

THERE ARE ONLY THREE LARGE DRAGON COVERS RECORDED FROM CHEFOO TO AN OVERSEAS DESTINATION, AND THIS IS BY FAR THE FINEST OF THESE.

Interasia Auctions Limited Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

1: China large dragons