HONG KONG.- Zurich Asia, the leading stamp auction house in Asia, will hold from 13-14 October 2012 its next sale of Stamps & Postal History of China, Hong Kong and Other Countries at The Excelsior Hong Kong. Over 2,000 lots of philatelic treasures estimated at over HK$25 million will be presented. All offerings will be on view from 11-12 October at The Excelsior Hong Kong.

The star lot is an extremely rare vertical pair of 1941 Dr. Sun Yat Sen inverted center $2 black and blue stamps from the private collection of esteemed collector Mr. Huang Ming Fang (estimate: HK$4.5-5 million, lot 829, illustrated above). With the distinctively inverted central portraits of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, this precious offering is amongst the rarest and most valuable items of Chinese philately. It is one of the only two surviving multiples from the original sheet of 50 stamps with this error. In March 2012, an inverted Dr. Sun stamp was sold for over HK$2.4 million at Zurich Asia, setting the world auction record for any Republic of China stamps. The present lot - in pristine condition with the light penciled initials of stamp expert Peter Holcombe on the reverse of each stamp and full original gum - is expected to arouse even stronger interest from discerning worldwide collectors and set another new auction record.

Another prized offering is a superb mint example of the 1897 “Golden Dragon” Empress Dowager first printing surcharge with large figure 10 cents on 12 candarins brown orange (lot 291). Estimated at HK$1-1.2 million, it is not only the most valuable Dowager surcharged issue, but also one of the rarest Imperial China stamps. In fact, only 300 copies of this stamp have been printed and less than 12 mint copies are known to be in existence.

Zurich Asia sold in August 2011 a complete sheet of 8 fen “Red Monkey” stamps celebrating the 1980 Year of the Monkey stamp for HK$1,437,500, establishing the world auction record for such sheet. In this auction, Zurich Asia is delighted to present two other fabulous and very rare examples of this highly sought-after sheet exemplified by lot 1678 in unfolded condition with full original gum and shiny golden colour (estimate: HK$1-1.1 million, lot 1678).

Also of note is a rare unused 1956 “Views of Peking” 8 fen orange-red stamp depicting Tiananmen Square against the background with rays of sunlight (estimate: HK$400,000-500,000, lot 1418). One of the best examples, this unissued copy has a very fresh surface. Zurich Asia sold a used copy for a world auction record of HK$713,000 in February 2011.

Other crown jewels from the People’s Republic of China section include an unissued 1968 “Great Victory of Cultural Revolution” 8 fen stamp (estimate: HK300,000-400,000, lot 1577), and a rare mint copy of 1968 “The Whole Country is Red” 8 fen stamp with full original gum (estimate: HK$300,000-400,000, lot 1576).

Further highlights of this sale include a selection of Republic of China “Provisional Neutrality” 1912 overprints in black on the Flying Goose of Chinese Imperial Post:

Lot 616
A $2 carmine and yellow stamp with top margin and re-entry variety, cancelled by large strike of FOOCHOW 5 MAR 12 bisected bilingual dater. Only two sheets (96 stamps) were sold to the public, and the present offering is believed to be one of the two extremely rare existing examples. Estimate: HK$110,000-130,000

Lot 684
A $2 carmine and yellow stamp with re-entry variety and a red guarantee chop on the reverse. This is the only recorded copy with this variety in existence amongst the 93 copies sold to the public. Previous owners include Charles Dougan & Beckeman. Estimate: HK$110,000-130,000

Lot 683
A $2 carmine and yellow stamp with left bottom margins, as well as two different guarantee chops in red and Livingston signature in pencil on the reverse. It is the best available example in the world. Previous owners include Ellery Denison & Beckeman. Estimate: HK$60,000-70,000

Lot 617
A $5 green and salmon stamp with top and right margins, bearing very clear offset impression of the overprinted characters variety on the reverse. Only 280 copies were sold to the public and it is the best available example in the world. Previous owners include Ellery Denison & Beckema