STAMPS FOR SALE BY ZURICH ASIA IN HONG KONG

kee@fswmag.com

This top lot of the celebrated 'Golden Monkey' stamps issued only relatively recently in 1980 is expected to fetch up to RM 600,000! Where were you in 1980 and why didn't you buy a few dozen sheets like these so you can retire amid a mountain of cash. Now how we all regret we were monkeying around instead of queuing at the Post Office! But it is not too late, just make sure you buy every single stamp issued from today onwards and hold them for a few decades.


SUPER STAMPS FROM CHINA WILL TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON 13 TILL 15 AUGUST AT THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL IN HONG KONG'S CAUSEWAY BAY DISTRICT AND STAMP COLLECTORS ARE ALREADY BOOKING THEIR FLIGHT AND ROOM IN EXCELSIOR. THE EXCELSIOR IS A GREAT HOTEL WHEN IT COMES TO VALUE FOR MONEY. I STAYED THERE MANY TIMES AND FIND THE ROOMS AND FACILITIES WORTHY OF YOUR CUSTOM.

THE EXCELSIOR IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF CAUSEWAY BAY AND MANY MALAYSIANS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS AREA. SOGO, ONE OF HONG KONG'S BIGGEST AND MOST STUNNING DEPARTMENT STORES IS 5 MINUTES WALK AWAY THOUGH IT MAY TAKE YOU 30 TO 45 MINUTES TO REACH AS YOU ARE BOUND TO BE WAYLAID BY THE ROADSIDE SHOPS AND BOUTIQUES ON THE WAY!

ONCE YOU GET OUT OF EXCELSIOR, TURN LEFT AND YOU IMMEDIATELY ENTER ONE OF HONG KONG'S MOST RITZY AND FUN SHOPPING PRECINTS. THE EXCELSIOR IS OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL GROUP, WORLD FAMOUS FOR ITS STERLING HOTELS AND SERVICES. SO WHILE NOT AS GRAND AS A MANDARIN ORIENTAL, THE EXCELSIOR IS WORTHY OF BEING A MO SIBLING, MORE SO WHEN THE ROOM RATE IS HALF THAT OF MANDARIN ORIENTAL IN CENTRAL!

OH, I ALMOST FORGOT THIS IS ABOUT STAMPS!

WELL, SUFFICE TO SAY I AM STILL IN SHOCK AS I HAD ONE OF THE VALUABLE STAMPS THAT IS BEING OFFERED AT RM 300,000 TO RM 350,000! BUT I CANNOT FIND IT IN MY STAMP ALBUMS! I REMEMBER HAVING IT AS I LIKED THE RED COLOUR AND WAS VERY FOND OF THE 'WORKERS' SERIES AS I WAS A KID AND WAS IMPRESSED BY THE MUSCULAR, BEEFY AND WELL-BUILT MEN AND SMILING WOMEN, ALL WITH ROSY CHEEKS!

THAT STAMP APPEARED IN 1968 SO IT IS A BIT LATE NOW TO GO TO BEIJING POST OFFICE TO BUY.

LIKE THE EXPERTS SAY, A STAMP IS THE SMALLEST, LIGHTEST AND MOST PORTABLE ITEM OF VALUE, SIMILAR TO THE DIAMOND WHICH I PREFER AS A MEDIUM OF INVESTMENT AS A STAMP VERY SADLY CAN BE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED BEYOND REPAIR BY WATER, FIRE, INK, COLORANTS AND CARELESS TREATMENT. A STAMP CAN BE ACCIDENTALLY TORN AND THERE GOES THE VALUE! YOU CAN DROP A DIAMOND ON THE FLOOR AND IT WON'T CRACK AND BEST OF ALL, YOU CAN ENJOY A DIAMOND BY FONDLING, CARESSING AND WEARING IT!

BUT TRY TELLING THIS TO A STAMP COLLECTOR AND HE WILL GLARE AT YOU TILL YOU DISINTEGRATE INTO ATOMS.

I WAS FASCINATED TO READ A COLLECTOR HAD A RARE STAMP WORTH RM 3 MILLION WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD. THEN HIS WORST NIGHTMARE OCCURRED AS A SECOND STAMP WAS DISCOVERED. HE BOUGHT IT FOR RM 3 MILLION (SAME VALUE AS THE ONE HE ALREADY OWNED) AND AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, COOLLY LIT A MATCH AND BURNED IT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. AFTER THE SHOCK AND SCREAMS SUBSIDED, HE EXPLAINED, "WHEN I OWNED THE 2 STAMPS, THEY WERE WORTH RM 6 MILLION. NOW THAT ONE IS DESTROYED, THE REMAINING STAMP IS WORTH RM 8 MILLION OR MORE!"

NOW GO THROUGH YOUR STAMP ALBUMS AND CHECK IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE STAMPS...


ZURICH ASIA TO HOLD IN HONG KONG ITS LARGEST AUCTION OF RARE STAMPS OF IMPERIAL & MODERN CHINA & OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES IN AUGUST 2011

Zurich Asia, the leading stamp auction house in Asia, will be holding its largest sale of Stamps and Postal History of China, Hong Kong, India and other Countries between 13 and 15 August 2011 at The Excelsior in Hong Kong. Over 3,000 lots of rare and fine Chinese and Asian stamps, with an estimated total value of over HK$25 million (RM 13 millio will be offered.

Louis Mangin, Director of Zurich Asia said: “We are excited to stage our largest ever sale in Hong Kong, during which we will present to the market superb philately of historical value and significance. This landmark auction was specially curated to assemble outstanding consignments with exceptional quality and provenance reflecting the taste and passion of Asia’s collectors. In fact, the strong results and record prices we have achieved in our recent Hong Kong sales aptly testify to the robust stamps market in Asia, where the strength and demand of collectors continue to grow. We endeavor to further develop our market here and assemble magnificent pieces for our clients.”

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA STAMPS
The complete sheet of 8 fen “Golden Monkey”, celebrating the 1980 Year of the Monkey, ranks among the highest echelons of philatelic gems that are much desired by discerning collectors. Zurich Asia has been highly applauded for offering the most superb examples for auction, including two sheets that achieved strong prices in its February 2011 Hong Kong sale.

Zurich Asia is thrilled to offer this season another rare complete sheet of 80 “Golden Monkey” stamps in unmounted, mint condition with full original gum (Estimate: HK$1.1-1.2 million, Lot 1727, RM 550,000 to RM 600,000).

This sheet has 80 'Golden Monkey' stamps which don't even look very golden to me and seem more like a chimp than monkey!

Since purchasing the complete sheet upon release from the post office, the consignor has it kept immaculately for three decades by locking it up in some bank vault away from sunlight, bookworms and grubby fingers! He must have been tempted to touch it or sell it through the years but has decided now is the time to cash in. His profit must be nearly 100% as these 80 stamps could not have cost him more than RM 20 or maybe less than RM 10! So whatever price it fetches, he can hightail to Galaxy Casino Macau to double his profits!

Boasting a pristine condition, this centerpiece is expected to draw tremendous interest from collectors. Another unfolded and unmounted example is also offered in the sale (Estimate: HK$1-1.1 million, Lot 1726).

Equally significant is a 1968 “The Whole Country is Red” 8 fen mint stamp with fresh colour, one of the greatest stamps of the People’s Republic of China (Estimate: HK$600,000-700,000, Lot 1624 or RM 300,000 to RM 350,000). This extraordinary example, ideally preserved by its collector for 25 years, is making its debut appearance on the auction market. This is the stamp I used to own and nis now missing! To this day I cannot remember who took it and how it vanished as I did not know the value and I am sure my plebeian friends didn't know either!

I used to have this stamp but can't find it in my stamp album! Or I would be RM 250,000 richer! Now go rummage through your nephew, niece or cousin's albums!


Another noteworthy offering is a 1956 “Views of Peking” 8 fen orange-red stamp, with a background illustrating rays of sunlight (Estimate: HK$450,000-500,000, Lot 1449 RM 225,000 to RM 250,000). Used with three partial strikes of the Zhejiang 56.8 circular-date-stamp, it is however still incredibly fresh with very fine fonts. It is definitely one of the best examples of this stamp on offer. In February 2011, Zurich Asia sold a similar used copy for a world auction record of HK$713,000/US$92,000. So we shall see how much this specimen will fetch in August!

The 8-fen stamp estimated at RM250,000 but could reach a million ringgit!

Collectors will also be delighted to find in the sale an unused 1949 Flying Geese bluish green Dah Tung printed stamp without value, which is still remarkably fine and fresh in colour (Estimate: HK$250,000-300,000, Lot 1001 RM 125,000 to RM 150,000). With only six copies recorded in the hands of private collectors, this stamp is therefore highly sought-after in the market. Many other examples of this stamp have suffered ageing or pockmarked with toned spots or other defacing marks. This excellent consignment stands out with superb condition and no faults.

The 1949 Flying Geese stamps worth RM 150,000.


IMPERIAL CHINA STAMPS
I was not born yet when China was ruled by the Manchu emperors so I would not have any such stamps. Even If I did, I probably would have swopped them as they are not exactly my taste since i like bright colours and garish designs.

BELOW; Leading the Imperial China Stamps section is a rare block of 25 1897 small 1 cent surcharge on 3 cents Red Revenue stamps, bearing sheet number 2754. A very scarce complete pane of 25 large figure surcharged stamps, this crown jewel is in mint condition with full original gum (Estimate: HK$300,000-350,000, Lot 474 RM 150,000 to M 175,000).

A rare block of 25 stamps from 1897 worth RM 175,000


BELOW; Also from the Imperial line-up is a 1897 Imperial Chinese Post Typo Dragon $5 yellow green & rose block with 20 imperforate proof at upper right position (Estimate: HK$200,000-220,000, Lot 590 RM 100,000 to RM 110,000)

This sheet of 20 $5 Dragon stamps is worth RM 110,000


Further highlights in this section include a selection of rare varieties of the same issue of 1894 Empress Dowager 1st print. Only a few copies are held by private collectors for each of them.

BELOW; A vertical pair of imperforate carmine 1894 Empress Dowager 1st printing with 24 candarins, cancelled with two strikes of Peking seal cancel in blue.
Estimate: HK$50,000-55,000/ RM 25,000 to RM 22,500)

These 1894 stamps are estimated at RM 22,500



Lot 351
A horizontal pair of imperforate brown 1894 Empress Dowager 1st printing with 6 candarins. It was once in the private collection of Quintin Tan Kok Tin.
Estimate: HK$35,000-40,000


Lot 345
A vertical pair of imperforate orange-yellow 1894 Empress Dowager 1st print with 3 candarins.
Estimate: HK$ 30,000-35,000

Dr. Lim Eng Kwen’s Collection of People’s Republic of China Postal History


Zurich Asia is proud to present in this sale season Dr. Lim Eng Kwen’s collection of People’s Republic of China Postal History which assembles over 180 magnificent philatelic rarities. The top lot, which is believed to be the largest multiple of the famous “Golden Monkey” on cover, is a decorative envelope sent from the Embassy of the Federation Republic of Germany in Beijing to Federation Republic of Germany (former West Germany) featuring a block of nine 1980 (8 Aug.) “Golden Monkey” 8 fen stamps, tied by Peking 1980.8.8 circular-date-stamp (Estimate: HK$50,000-60,000, Lot 3184). Such rare consignment, with large multiple on cover, is seldom offered in the market.

A great show piece in the collection is a 1968 (13 Nov.) airmail cover sent from Canton to West Germany. It is franked on front with a “Long Live Chairman Mao” 4 fen stamp, “Chairman Mao Support to Anti-American Declaration” 8 fen stamp, “Latest Instructions from Chairman Mao” 8 fen stamp, se-tenant strip of five, “Lin Biao Inscriptions” 8 fen stamp,
“Chairman Mao Goes To Anyuan” 8 fen stamp, “Chairman Mao’s Instructions” 8 fen stamp, “Tiananmen Square” 7th print 1 yuan stamp, “Beijing Buildings” 2 fen & 20 fen stamp (paying total rate of 1.98 Yuan), tied by Guangdong Guangzhou 1968.11.13 circular-date-stamp with transparent tapes sealing the flap on reverse (Estimate: HK$50,000-60,000, Lot 3158).

All the sale items will be on view in The Excelsior Hong Kong on 11 and 12 August. For enquiries, please contact Zurich Asia on +852 2563 8280.
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About Zurich Asia
Zurich Asia is an independent, Hong Kong-based public auction company which has been in operation for over 10 years. The company specialises in Chinese and Asian stamps and postal history and its staff are amongst the most renowned experts in Asia. Zurich Asia organises two auctions per year. Its auctions aim to satisfy the constantly evolving interests of Asian collectors and have achieved strong results. In 2008, it sold the unique block of 6 of the 'small 4 cents surcharge on Red Revenue stamp' for over HK$5 million. In September 2009, an extremely rare 1897 small one dollar surcharge on a 3 cents Red Revenue stamp realized HK$2,587,500 at Zurich Asia, setting a new world auction record for a single Chinese stamp.