Sale 1357 — 2025 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 June, 2025
Category — Worldwide: Austria thru Germany
Austria, 1863, 2kr Yellow (17; Ferchenbauer 24a). Used with 1860-61, 5kr Red and 10kr Brown (14-15; Ferchenbauer 20c, 21c), 10kr two singles, and 1863, 10kr Blue and 15kr Yellow Brown (20-21; Ferchenbauer 27b, 28a), 15kr two singles, each tied by "Triest 27/11" circular datestamps on 1863 folded mourning cover to the Danish consulate in Shanghai, China, Danish consulate imprint and "Consulat General de Danemarc, Trieste" handstamp on back, red Alexandria (Dec. 5) and blue Hong Kong (Jan. 20, 1864) transit and British Shanghai (Jan. 27) arrival datestamps, red manuscript rate marking also ties a few stamps with "15/52" rate marking on back
EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKBLE FIVE COLOR AND DUAL-ISSUE COMBINATION COVER FROM THE DANISH CONSULATE IN TRIESTE TO SHANGHAI, CHINA. A SPECTACULAR POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT WORTHY OF ANY AWARD-WINNING EXHIBIT COLLECTION.
This 67-kreuzer rate prepaid cover is broken down into 15kr paying the Austrian Lloyd rate to Alexandria, then a further 52kr (equaling one shilling) for the British rate from Alexandria to Shanghai. This is denoted by the "15/52" rate marking on back.
From the Magnolia collection. Signed Ferchenbauer. With 2019 Steiner certificate.
Basutoland, 1934, 1/2p Emerald, Official (O1; SG O1). Two singles, used with 1934, 1p Carmine, Official (O2; SG O2), with part Waterlow & Sons imprint in bottom selvage, each tied by "Maseru, 1 May 34" double-circle datestamps on legal-sized "On His Majesty's Service" imprint cover to Sir Godfrey Lagden in Weybridge, England, red "Resident Commissioner's Office, Maseru, Basutoland, 1 May 1934" double-oval datestamp at bottom left, minor vertical file fold well clear of stamps
VERY FINE. AN IMPORTANT BASUTOLAND OFFICIAL COVER. ONE OF THE RAREST OFFICIAL STAMPS OF THE WORLD—ONLY A FEW EXAMPLES RECORDED ON COVER.
Barry Fletcher in his 1996 monograph The Rare Basutoland Officials illustrates this cover on p. 23. He records only fourteen used examples of these two values. The 1p on this cover is also the only recorded example with the part imprint selvage. Neither Stanley Gibbons nor Scott provide values for covers, but SG does provide a "from x 4" multiplier. Simply as used examples off cover, these stamps catalogue $21,250 (£21,250).
Ex King Carol of Romania. With 1977 R.P.S. certificate.
Canada, 1851, 3p Red, Plate Proof on India (Unitrade 1P). Pane of 100 with double "Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, New-York." imprint on each side, brilliant color, affixed to original card backing so without the India paper flaws normally encountered
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE COMPLETE PANE OF 100 OF THE 1851 3-PENCE BEAVER ISSUE PLATE PROOF ON INDIA.
The 1851 3p issue was printed from plates of 200 subjects, divided into panes of 100. Unlisted in Scott.
Unitrade C$35,000 as singles with no premium for the imprints.
China, 1897, 4c on 3c Red Revenue, Small Format (81; Chan 85). Position 13 in the setting of 25, showing broken "n" in "cents.", well-centered, beautiful rich color
VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE VERY RARE 1897 SMALL "4" CENT RED REVENUE—MADE EVEN MORE DESIRABLE BY THE UNRECORDED BROKEN "N" VARIETY.
China specialists have determined that the “Small 4” Red Revenue was the first of the “cents” surcharges on the 3c Red Revenue produced in Shanghai by the Inspectorate General of Customs Statistical Department. A total of 200 “Small 4” stamps were prepared, the 25-subject surcharge form applied four times each to two sheets of 100. 25 of these stamps exist with double surcharge, one in black and one in faint violet. It is believed that violet was the intended color of the surcharge, but due to the poor impression, these 25 and the others were surcharged in black. It is also thought the small Arabic “4” was difficult to see, so the production was halted and a larger and thicker sans-serif “4” was substituted. All of the other characters of the overprint remained the same. Several blocks of 25 (the complete setting) of the “Large 4” Red Revenue exist. Owing to the constant varieties of the many Chinese characters, the position can be determined. The stamp offered here is from Position 13.
This stamp possesses a distinct variety, with the “n” in “cents” having a large break in the right leg, with the lower part of the left leaning in toward the left. Close examination reveals this is a definite break in the piece of type, not an inking or impression variety. We compared it to three other “Small 4” position 13 stamps, all unused, illustrated in The Revenue Surcharges China 1897 (Vol. 1). Of those three (one is a double surcharge), one has the broken “n” identical to this stamp, while the other two do not. Our research also located several examples of the “Large 4” from Position 13, and none have the broken “n”. This suggests that the break occurred during the short production of the “Small 4”, and the broken “n” was replaced by a new piece of type when the numeral was changed to the larger size. This variety is not listed in any catalogue, but it is just as prominent as the 2c surcharge with broken “n” in “cents" listed in Chan (No. 84a), and far rarer.
The majority of surviving “Small 4” surcharges are unused. Approximately 30 used examples are recorded. There are four known on cover, all used in 1900.
With 2023 B.P.A. certificate. Scott $75,000 (without premium for the variety).
China—Shanghai, 1893, 1c on Half of 2c Brown, Provisional Surcharge in Blue (151). Right half, tied by "Amoy Local Post Agency" double-circle handstamp with additional strike at center for local delivery to British Legation in Amoy, originating in Egypt with 3m Violet postal card (Nile Post SPC7), cancelled by "Alexandria 5 I 95" bilingual double-circle datestamp, card with insignificant nick at bottom right, Very Fine, an extraordinary commercial use of the Shanghai provisional surcharge on a postal card from Egypt to Amoy, Shanghai stamps were used in this treaty port until shortly after this card arrived—after March 31, 1895, the post office was taken over by the Amoy Local Council and by June 1895, Amoy stamps were in use, ex "Ming" and Beckeman, with 2024 B.P.A. certificate, from the Magnolia collection
China, Treaty Ports—Kewkiang, 1894, 1/2c Red on Yellow (12). Horizontal pair, tied by violet "Kewkiang Local Postal, 4 Sep. 95" double-oval datestamp on "The Central China Press, Kewkiang, China" imprint cover to Ft. Meade, South Dakota, forwarded to Baraboo and Eau Claire, Wis., sent via the Japanese Post Office in Shanghai with 1883, 5s Ultramarine (74), tied by "Shanghai I.P.O. 7 Sep. 95" circular datestamp, Chinese Shanghai (Sept. 6), Yokohama, Victoria (Sept. 24), Seattle, Fort Meade (Sept. 30), Baraboo (Oct. 3 and 4), and Eau Claire transit and arrival datestamps, cover with rough opening at right affecting Japanese 5s stamp (missing bottom right corner), stains around the Kewkiang stamp from use of adhesive, accompanied by original enclosure on "The Central China Mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Kiukiang, China" letterhead, Fine appearance, an unusual use of the Kewkiang Local Post issue on a cover to a western fort in the U.S. via the Japanese Post Office in Shanghai, the letter from Ralph O. Irish to his parents notes "Mr. Little of our mission got back Friday. He has brought several shooting irons and has worried the natives that he means business if they attack him...", also mentions disagreement about English between the British and Americans, stating "Aren't you sorry you were born in America? (Leaps the climax). It makes me want to vomit", and other contents, from the Magnolia collection
China, Treaty Ports—Kewkiang, 1895, 1c Black, Postage Due, Type A Overprint (J3). Tied by light strike of violet "Kewkiang Local Postal, 8 Oct. 95" double-oval datestamp on 1895 cover to Ft. Meade, South Dakota, forwarded to Baraboo and Madison, Wis., sent via the Japanese Post Office in Shanghai with 1883, 5s Ultramarine (74), tied by "Shanghai I.P.O. 11 Oct. 95" circular datestamp, Chinese Shanghai, Yokohama (Oct. 17), San Francisco (Nov. 2), Fort Meade (Nov. 8), Baraboo (Nov. 11), and Madison (Nov. 11) transit and arrival datestamps, cover with minor wear and professionally restored along right edge, Japanese 5s with repairs due to being partially torn away, Fine appearance, a remarkable cover with the Kewkiang 1c Postage Due used to a western fort in the U.S. via the Japanese Post Office in Shanghai, from the Magnolia collection
Cilicia, 1920, 2pi on 15c Gray Green and 5pi on 40c Red & Gray, Air Post (C1-C2; Yvert A1-A2). Original gum, very lightly hinged, 5pi with thin "O.M.F." ("O.M.F. maigre") overprint, well-centered
EXTREMELY FINE. THE KEY STAMPS OF CILICIA AND ONE OF THE RAREST AIR POST SETS OF THE WORLD. THE THIN LETTERING ON THE 5-PIASTRES IS LIKELY UNIQUE.
This set was issued in very limited quantities specifically for two airmail flights. It is thought one European dealer bought up the small remaining stock of unused sets. Around the same time, "reprints" were made using a new handstamp. The total number of genuine unused sets purchased by the stamp dealer is not known, though many sources we have seen put the number at ten or "less than ten". In any case, very few genuine sets are available today.
The thin lettering on the "O.M.F." of the 5 piastres surcharge is most easily noticeable in the "M" and "F". Even the accompanying certificates notes "timbre sans doute unique..." (stamp is without doubt unique).
Each signed A. Brun. Each with 2025 Roumet certificate. Scott $18,750. Yvert €25,500.
East Africa & Uganda Protectorates, 1912, 100r Black & Violet on Red (58; SG 62). Original gum, h.r., intense color and strong impression on fresh paper
FINE. A CHOICE AND DESIRABLE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1912 100-RUPEE HIGH-DENOMINATION.
Scott $9,750. SG £9,500.
France, 1853, 1fr Carmine on Yellowish (21; Yvert 18). Mint N.H. with small area of gum pooling, large balanced margins, deep rich color and strong impression
EXTREMELY FINE. AN ESPECIALLY CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1853 ONE-FRANC NAPOLEON III ISSUE. RARELY SEEN IN THIS PREMIER CONDITION.
According to Power Search, this is the first Mint N.H. example we have offered in over 25 years. Signed Calves. With 2009 Calves and 2011 Boule certificates. Catalogued as hinged. Scott $7,450. Yvert €9,000.
France, 1870, 40c Lemon Yellow (47d; Yvert 48b). Original gum, h.r., particularly large margins, vibrant shade, bold impression
EXTREMELY FINE and wonderful ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1870 40-CENTIMES BORDEAUX ISSUE IN THE LEMON YELLOW SHADE.
This shade is the rarest found on the 40c Bordeaux issue. Due to the tendency of the orange and yellow color to oxidize, we doubt many examples still retain this lemony shade, particularly with original gum. According to Power Search, despite offering numerous world-class collections of France, this is the first example we have offered in over 25 years.
Signed A. Brun and Calves. With 2018 Boule certificate. Scott $9,500. Yvert €18,000.
German States, Bavaria, 1870-72, 7kr Ultramarine, 14mm Wide Watermark (26b; Michel 25Xa). Horizontal strip of three, used with 1870-72, 1kr Green and 3kr Rose, 14mm Wide Watermark (23a, 24a; Michel 22Xb, 23X), 3kr horizontal pair, all tied by blue "Nurnburg BHF 23/10 72" circular datestamps on blue folded cover to Shanghai, China, sender's directive "Via Brindisi", red "PD" handstamp, Brindisi (Oct. 26) and Hong Kong (Dec. 12) transit backstamps, red manuscript rate marking, 7kr strip with insignificant and minor perf flaws including slightly pulled perf at bottom right
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL BAVARIA THREE-COLOR FRANKING OF THE 1870-72 COAT OF ARMS ISSUE TO SHANGHAI, CHINA.
From the Magnolia collection. With 1991 Brettl certificate.
German States, Hamburg, 1864, 4s Green (18; Michel 16a). Two singles, tied by four-bar cancel and "Hamburg 24/4 66" double-circle datestamp on folded letter to Hong Kong, sender's directive "via Triest", blue "Salomon & Berend Roosen, Hamburg" company and framed "FRANCO" handstamps, Trieste (Apr. 27) and Alexandria (May 3) transit and Hong Kong (Jun. 5) arrival datestamps, few manuscript rate markings including "1/-" due applied for British rate from Alexandria to Hong Kong, cover with minor file fold mildly affecting left 4s stamp
VERY FINE AND PARTICULARLY RARE USE OF TWO SINGLES OF THE HAMBURG 1864 4-SCHILLINGS ON PARTIALLY PREPAID COVER TO HONG KONG. VERY FEW (IF ANY) OTHER STAMPED COVERS FROM HAMBURG ARE KNOWN TO HONG KONG OR CHINA DURING THIS TIME PERIOD.
From the Magnolia collection.
German States, Hanover, 1861, 10g Green (24; Michel 18). Large to ample margins, tied by bold blue "Stade 9/2" circular datestamp on 1866 yellow cover to Ningpo, China, red framed "P.P." handstamp, French entry (Feb. 14) and French Yokohama (Apr. 12) transit datestamps, red manuscript rate marking, cover with slight overall soiling
VERY FINE. A SENSATIONAL AND NOTEWORTHY DESTINATION WITH A SINGLE FRANKING OF THE HANOVER 1861 10-GUTE GROSCHEN. VERY FEW COVERS ARE RECORDED TO CHINA—ESPECIALLY RARE USE THROUGH THE FRENCH POSTAL SYSTEM.
From the Magnolia collection. With 2019 Berger certificate.
German States, Saxony, 1856, 10ng Milky Blue on Thin Paper (14 Footnote; Michel 13c). Full to ample margins, used with 1863, 1/2ng Red Orange and 3ng Dark Yellow Brown (16a, 19a; Michel 15a, 18b), 3ng two singles, all tied by "Leipzig 7 Mai 64" double-circle datestamps on folded letter to Shanghai, China, sender's directive "Pr Overland Mail", blue framed "Gustav Spiess, Leipzig" company handstamp, Trieste, red Alexandria (May 13), and blue Hong Kong transit datestamps, various manuscript rate markings and "15/52" rate handstamp on back, 10ng with slight wrinkling endemic to this thin paper and left 3ng with trivial short perf at left, cover with file folds
VERY FINE. AN IMPORTANT EARLY SAXONY DUAL-ISSUE COMBINATION TO SHANGHAI, USING THE 1856 10-NEU-GROSCHEN KING JOHN I ISSUE. A RARE POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT.
From the Magnolia collection. With 2008 Sismondo certificate.
German States, Saxony, 1863, 5ng Gray Blue (20b; Michel 19a). Used with 1863, 3ng Bister Brown (19a; Michel 18b), each tied by "Chemnitz 19 XI 65" oval datestamps on blue registered cover to passenger on the ship Emma of the Siemsen & Co. company in Hong Kong, sender's directive "per Triest", used with Great Britain, Used in Egypt—Alexandria, 1865, 6p Lilac and 1865, 1sh Green (A24, A36; SG Z22, Z37), 6p Plate 5, lettered F-K, 1sh Plate 4, lettered F-F, tied by barred "B01" cancel with "Alexandria DE 4 65" circular datestamp on back, red fancy framed "Recomandirt" handstamp, Vienna (Nov. 20) and Trieste (Nov. 22) transit and Hong Kong (Jan. 15, 1866) arrival, cover held for about a year with light red manuscript "refused by..." and Hong Kong Jan. 5, 1867 despatch datestamp on back, various manuscript rate markings, cover with some soiling, small piece of backflap missing, and edgewear indicative of prolonged storage and extensive transportation
FINE AND REMARKABLE prepaid REGISTERED COVER TO A PASSENGER ON BOARD A SHIP IN HONG KONG USING STAMPS FROM BOTH SAXONY AND THE BRITISH POST OFFICE IN ALEXANDRIA—ULTIMATELY REFUSED AND RETURNED A YEAR LATER.
From the Magnolia collection. Ex Knapp and Haub. With 2020 Vaatz certificate.
German States, Schleswig-Holstein—Schleswig, 1865, 4s Bister, Rouletted (14; Michel 17). Horizontal strip of five with first stamp wrapped around edge to back, all tied by "Sonderburg 10/6 67" double-circle datestamps with additional strip at top right on petite cover to Shanghai, China, sender's directive "via Marseilles" cross out and replaced with "Triest", Trieste (Jun. 17), Alexandria (Jun. 25), and Hong Kong (Aug. 3) transit and blue Shanghai (Aug. 8) arrival datestamps, manuscript rate markings on back
VERY FINE USE OF THE 1865 4-SCHILLINGS STRIP OF FIVE ON COVER TO SHANGHAI, CHINA. VERY FEW COVERS TO CHINA ARE RECORDED AND THIS STRIP OF FIVE IS THOUGHT TO BE LARGEST recorded MULTIPLE ON COVER. AN IMPORTANT AND MAJOR RARITY OF SCHLESWIG.
From the Magnolia collection. Signed Kruschel and Lange.
German States, Thurn & Taxis, Used in Bremen, 1859, 10sgr Orange (14; Michel 19). Large margins to touching, used with 1859, 5sgr Lilac and 1863, 1sgr Rose (13, 18; Michel 18, 29), 5sgr large margins to clear, 1sgr large margins to touching at left, all tied by "301" four-ring concentric circles cancel with "Bremen Th & Tx 9/10" circular datestamp on 1864 blue folded cover to Canton, China, Carlowitz correspondence, sender's directive "Pr. Overland Mail via Marseille", red framed "PD" crossed out and "P.P." applied, red French entry and "Marseille a Lyon" transit datestamps, manuscript rate markings, faint vertical file fold barely affects 10sgr
VERY FINE. A HANDSOME AND EXTREMELY RARE THREE-COLOR THURN & TAXIS FRANKING FROM BREMEN TO CANTON, CHINA. A RARELY ENCOUNTERED DESTINATION.
From the Magnolia collection. Signed Sommer BPP. With 2013 Sem certificate.
Germany, 1872, 5gr Bister, Small Shield (6; Michel 6). Used with 1872, 1/2gr Orange, Large Shield (16; Michel 18), horizontal pair and single, and 1875, 3pf Blue Green (29; SG 31), all tied by "Catzenelnbogen 30/3 75" circular datestamps on cover to Peking, China, Ritter correspondence, sender's directive "via Brindisi", red framed "P.D." handstamp, Brindisi (Apr. 3) and "Hong Kong Marine Sorter, Singapore to Hong Kong MY 3 10 75" transit backstamps, red manuscript "15" and "63/4" (groschen), small flaws to ½gr pair, cover missing part of backflap and slight overall soiling
FINE AND SUPERB USE TO PEKING, CHINA. THIS IS THOUGHT TO BE THE ONLY RECORDED GERMANY COVER WITH THIS COMBINATION OF THREE ISSUES—THE 1872 SMALL AND LARGE SHIELD AND THE 1875 "PFENNIGE".
Illustrated in Manfred Wiegand Handbuch and Katalog der Mischfrankaturen zwischen Freimarken der Ausgaben, Brutschild and Pfennige 1875 (p. 86a). From the Magnolia collection.