sian stamp auctioneer Interasia Auctions Ltd is holding another mammoth Chinese stamp auction at the Park Lane Hotel in Hong Kong on July 31 - August 1 that promises to be one of the largest stamp auctions in Hong Kong ever (in total dollar terms) and likewise one of the largest auctions of Chinese stamps anywhere in the world. This historic auction boasts over 2,200 lots of China, Hong Kong and Asian stamps and postal history and is expected to realize in excess of HK$45 mln (over US$5.75 mln).
The two-day auction will sell the exceedingly rare 1897 Red Revenue 2c Green Surcharge (“The Red Lady in a Green Dress”) from the Qing Dynasty era, of which only 7 examples are available to collectors and which is set to become the most valuable stamp of China, with a presale estimate of HK$8 mln. A similar stamp last appeared on the market in December 2004 and sold for HK$3.45 million. But according to experts, the market for such stamps has increased substantially since then, reflecting both the popularity of collecting Chinese stamps not only in Greater China but throughout the world. The auction also includes the only known envelope with the legendary “Emerald Lady” (the 1897 large figures surcharge 1½ mm setting on Dowager 1st printing 2c on 2ca), which additionally bears the only known multiple (a pair) of this extremely rare stamp. There is also an 1941 stamp portraying Dr. Sun Yat-sen with his portrait printed upside down in error (Lot 365).
