Rare China Red Revenue stamp with inverted surcharge in April 23 Kelleher and Rogers auction

By Charles Snee

Kelleher and Rogers Ltd., a division of Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, will offer stamps of classic China, the People’s Republic of China, Japan and other Asian countries during an April 23 public auction at the Kelleher gallery in Danbury, Conn.

The sale, which consists of more than 400 lots, emphasizes China and “offers a number of attractive Shanghai Large Dragons, solid Dowagers and Red Revenues, Coiling Dragons, Junks, etc.,” Kelleher and Rogers said.

Highlights of the People’s Republic of China offerings include two sets (one mint, one used) of the unissued Russian Revolution 35th Anniversary issue and a complete pane of 50 of the 1967 Thoughts of Chairman Mao stamps with red frames (Scott 939-943).

A featured rarity in the auction is an unused China 1897 small 2¢ on 3¢ Red Revenue stamp with inverted surcharge (Scott 79a).

Kelleher and Rogers describes the stamp as “sound with strong color and bold surcharge on clean paper.”

The stamp possesses original gum that has been hinged. The back of the stamp shows one prominent hinge mark.

Overall, the stamp is “an eye-catching example of this sought-after rarity,” Kelleher and Rogers said.

A sound unused example of the China 1897 small 2¢ on 3¢ Red Revenue stamp with inverted surcharge in very fine condition is valued at $37,500 in the Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840-1940. The value is italicized to indicate an item that trades infrequently in the philatelic marketplace.

Kelleher and Rogers estimates this 2¢ on 3¢ Red Revenue stamp with inverted surcharge at HK$100,000 to HK$140,000 (approximately US$12,775 to US$17,880 in early April) and lists it with an opening bid of HK$50,000 (US$6,387).

The aforementioned 1967 Thoughts of Chairman Mao pane contains 10 se-tenant (side-by-side) strips of five (Scott 943a) and represents for potential bidders what Kelleher and Rogers calls “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” because “only a handful of panes have survived.”

Kelleher and Rogers notes that the pane has never-hinged gum and complete selvage on all four sides. The pane has been folded vertically at the center. All 10 strips of five in the pane have never been folded.

The intact selvage means that there are four imprint strips in the pane, two at the top and two at the bottom.

Kelleher and Rogers estimates this intact pane of 50 of the 1967 Thoughts of Chairman Mao stamps with red frames at HK$100,000 to HK$120,000 (US$12,775 to US$15,330) and offers it with a starting bid of HK$50,000 (US$6,387).

For comparison, a single strip of five in mint, never-hinged condition is valued at $2,000 in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue.

Kelleher and Rogers has prepared a single catalog for the sale of stamps from classic China, the People’s Republic of China, Japan and other Asian countries that is available for viewing and download on the firm’s website. Online bidding options are available on Stamp Auction Network.

For additional information, contact Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, 22 Shelter Rock Lane, Unit 53, Danbury, CT 06810.

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