HONG KONG.- Zurich Asia, the leading stamp auction house in Asia, will hold its next Hong Kong sale on 29 & 30 September 2013 at Harbour Plaza Hotel North Point. Presenting approximately 2,700 offerings estimated at over HK$30 million, this exciting auction event will bring together both rare philatelic treasures and exquisite Chinese works of art highly coveted by discerning stamp collectors and art connoisseurs alike. Public preview will take place from 27-28 September.
The star lot, in juxtaposition to the strong selection of philatelic items, is a fabulous sancai-glazed pottery figure of camel and rider from Tang Dynasty (618-907) (Estimate: HK$2-3 million/ US$256,410- 384,615, Lot 3101). In very fine condition, this wonderful work of art features very attractive colours and includes the Certificate of authenticity issued in 2007 by celebrated Chinese pottery expert Li Zhiyan.
An array of rare 1897 Trial Surcharge with large figures on Customs Small Dragon stamps will be presented in the sale, highlighted by a 1 cent on 1 candarin bright green example featuring original gum with hinge remainder and deep rich colour. Estimated at HK$1.4-1.5 million (US$179,487-192,308, Lot 3011), this magnificent stamp is the only known copy of this great rarity and expected to arouse strong interest amongst collectors.
Another prized example of 1897 Large Figure Trial Surcharge on Customs Small Dragon in this sale is a 2 cents on 3 candarins mauve stamp (Estimate: HK$1.4-1.5 million/ US$179,487-192,308, Lot 3012), which is also the only known copy of this rarity. This stamp bears the signature of world renowned stamp expert Peter Holcombe and mint large part original gum with hinge remainder. A very fresh copy, its outstanding quality is testified by Holcombe's certificate which is included in this lot.
A further highlight is a 1897 Small Figures Surcharge 2 cents on 3 candarins with double surcharge variety and mint with black ink on reverse (Estimate: HK$400,000-450,000/ US$51,282-57,692, Lot 3010). Only three copies with this variety has been recorded by Zurich Asia and the present lot, an extremely fresh one, is believed to be the finest existing example and with the best provenance.
Other crown jewels in this sale include:
A horizontal pair imperforate-between variety of 1885 Small Dragon 1 candarin (Estimate: HK$800,000-900,000/ US$102,564-115,385, Lot 3006). With only two pairs of this great rarity has been recorded; this example boasts the brightest colour and features fresh mint with much original gum.
A yellow green block of 1897 Dowager redrawn printing 2 cents on 2 candarins of four imperforate vertically variety with mint original gum (Estimate: HK$500,000-600,000/ US$64,103-76,923, Lot 419). It is known that only about ten remaining pairs of this variety survive and the present lot is the only block of four stamps, making it an exceptional gem of Dowager rarity.
A 1893 Shanghai Local Post Woodchop Handstamped Surcharge in blue on Double Dragons with an extraordinary error of "Half Cent" (Estimate: HK$500,000-550,000/ US$64,103-70,513, Lot 3001), instead of "One Cent" error. Less than six copies of this rarity in existence and this example on offer features very fine condition with impeccable provenance. It comes with mint and Peter Holcombe's pencil signature on the back.
Yangchow Eight Eccentrics by master Jin Dongxin (1686-1762) (Estimate: HK$700,000-1 million/ US$89,744-128,025, Lot 3100), a scroll painting depicting Arhet in Buddhism.
All the sale items will be on view in Harbour Plaza North Point (665 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong) on 27 and 28 September from 10am-6pm.
