China Imperforate pair of a 'Large Dragon' 3c from 1883
One of the most important varieties of the ‘Large Dragon’ issue of China.
Only 3 verified pairs are known to exist (a fourth pair is rumoured). This example is one of only two which are not defective and has graced some of the most respected collections of China ever assembled.
Imperial China had a long and rich history of an organised postal system - after all it is a vast country to manage. This system was however for the exclusive use of the government and their officials though and citizens had to use private couriers for personal use.
In 1878 a postal service was established for ‘the masses’. ‘Large Dragons’ were the first stamps issued in China from 1878 onwards. The initial offering was of 3 types of stamps in different denominations (these being 1, 3 & 5 Candarins). There were various printings using different paper and a variety of perforations. These stamps were from the 1883 printing using ‘think paper’ and with ‘clean cut perforations’.
In 1885 these stamps were replaced by a similar design but in a smaller format - these are know (for obvious reasons) called ‘Small Dragons’).
£POA
1883 thicker paper, clean-cut perf, 3ca brown red. SG 8d. Catalogue £150,000.
Variety imperforate between stamps from an unknown setting. Lightly folded between stamps in margin. Cancelled by central black seal (with additional small part strike at foot).
Guy du Vachat cert from 2009 included
Provenance. Sir Percival David, October 1970. Beckerman Collection, November 1996. Huang Ming Fang, June 2003.
The other examples are;
(15/10) from setting XII, Warren Kauder and Meiso Mizuhana Collection.
(Unknown setting) Ferrary, Hnd and James Starr collections (this example is defective at top).
£Price on Application
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