HONG KONG.- 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, will be offered.

Louis Mangin, Director of Zurich Asia said: “We are excited to stage this season 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 that can best reflect 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 prized for bringing together most superb examples of this rarity in auction market, including two sheets that achieved strong prices in its February 2011 Hong Kong sale.

Zurich Asia is thrilled to offer this season yet another rare complete sheet of 80 “Golden Monkey” stamps in unmounted mint with full original gum (Estimate: HK$1.1-1.2 million, Lot 1727). Since purchase upon release from the post office, the consignor has it kept immaculately for three decades. 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). This extraordinary example, ideally preserved by its collector for 25 years, is making its debut appearance on the auction market.

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). 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.

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). 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 and are with toned spots or other defacing marks. This excellent consignment stands out with superb condition and no faults.

Imperial China Stamps
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).

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) 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.

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