China Stamp Rarity - Sun Yat-sen stamp invert could turn over $200,000 at Cherrystone

In a few weeks' time Cherrystone is holding another of its auctions of Rare Stamps and Postal History of the World, anchored by the exceptional Santa Fe Collection, including exceptional Chinese rarities.
Two of the particular highlights from this section include, firstly, a 1923 stamp surcharged in red on first Peking printing: 2 Cts on 3c blue-green, with the surcharge inverted in error.

The whole stamp boasts a deep bright colour with characteristic centring to the bottom, position 19. It is fresh with full original gum (partially dried and streaky) with a handstamped guarantee mark, signed by Holcombe, with his 1996 certificate ("a very rare variety of which under 20 copies are recorded to date.")

1923 Chinese stamp surcharged in red on first Peking printing

According to contemporary reports (Theodore Sidall), only thirteen of these stamps exist and were acquired at Wanhsien, a small port about half way between Chungking and Ichang, in July, 1924, by Dr. A. Germain, the medical officer on the French gunboat "Balny."

He applied two of the stamps to separate covers which he mailed to himself locally and sold ten mint examples to the French dealer Theodore Champion.

Champion than sold a block of four and a single to M.D. Chow, two singles to Bush and one each to Hinds and Hawkins.

1941 Dr Sun Yat-sen inverted stamp

It is one of the "Four Treasures of the Republic" another example of this rarity was sold at Cherrystone's June sale for $150,000 plus buyer's premium. It is listed at $150,000 again here.
Expected to beat even this, however, is a 1941 Dr. Sun Yat-sen, New York print $2 black and blue, centre inverted single stamp, with deep rich colours and post office fresh condition.

There is characteristic centring of the frame to the bottom, but this example has never been hinged, and is in very fine condition. Only one sheet of fifty is believed to have been printed with this error.
A comparable (but poorer quality) example realised HK$ 1,725,000, and this example is expected to reach $200,000.

Cherrystone's auction will take place on December 7-8 in New York and online.

Rare stamps from the region have often achieved extraordinary results in recent first (such as the remarkable 1980 'Year of the Monkey' stamp sheets, which aren't even very rare).

It's partly for this reason that we're so proud to be offering the most philatelic piece of Hong Kong philately, the unique 96c olive-bistre block of four, and why it qualifies for our unique 120% guarantee.

Finest Quality Stamp Albums are available at www.boscastlesupplies.com

Source: http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/News/STAMPS/Sun-Yat-sen-stamp-invert-could-turn-over-$200,000-at-Cherrystone/8889.page

Fremont resident Albert J. Vizinho recounts his life-long love of stamp collecting in this personal essay

National Geographic Magazine fed my fascination with this world, its peoples, countries and histories. At about age ten, stamp collecting further added to my interest and curiosity.

Let me focus on my stamp-collecting hobby. My first album was one from the 1940's with the names of countries that no longer existed as independent entities at that time: Montenegro, Croatia and the other members of the former Yugoslavia; Danzig, Tanu Tuva, Manchukuo, etc. I wondered about these places and always hoped to find stamps from these faraway places.

I did acquire stamps, both by purchase and by trading, of many countries that existed then as they do today. They showed kings and queens, emperors and emirs, flora and fauna, presidents and prime ministers, monuments and mountains. What a motivation for a kid to wonder about these people, places and things!

This led to the public library to find out more about these countries and also to check out the fat stamp catalogs available. Hours were spent reading and also paging through the catalogs to see if I had any "priceless" stamps. For the most part, a three-cent stamp in my album was worth just that; but I was never discouraged. My interest in stamps continued into young adulthood. I continued saving stamps even after my interest flagged. A new door opened for me: travel.

While still in college, I made my first trip to Europe with special interest in visiting Portugal, my parents' country of origin. I had to see this country that I had heard so much about and from which I had accumulated so many postage stamps. In the years that followed, I have been able to visit many of those countries that I first learned about from my stamp album: Brazil and most of its neighbors; Egypt, the former Tanganyika now called Tanzania, Kenya, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, India, Tibet, Bhutan, Turkey and so many other names to which I was introduced by those small pieces of paper: postage stamps.

I am fortunate, despite my almost three quarters of a century, to continue to learn more about those faraway places. My wish list of places to visit seems to grow rather than diminish: Tunisia, Libya, and return visits to some of the countries that have left me wanting to experience more. Stamps have helped enrich my life, as I never imagined they could.

Visit Boscastle Supplies for all your Philatelic Needs

Source: http://www.tricityvoice.com/articlefiledisplay.php?issue=2011-11-18&file=story3.txt

GB Royal Mail seeking Beckenham man who designed stamp 40 years ago

Royal Mail has renewed an appeal to find a Beckenham man who designed a stamp more than 40 years ago – aged six.

James Berry, of Bromley Road Infants School, Beckenham, chose a snowman, with a trilby hat on the 1s 6d stamp in 1966. It was the first time children’s work had been used on British stamps and he would now be 51.

Royal Mail spokesman Hilary Robertson said: “We are intrigued to find out how James has got on in his life and what he is up to after all this time. I wondered if someone might be using it as their claim to fame, but I’ve had no success.”

Anyone who can help can email kate.nelson@archant.co.uk.

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