HONG KONG.- Zurich Asia, the leading stamp auction house in Asia, will hold from 15-16 March 2014 its next Hong Kong auction at Harbour Plaza Hotel North Point. Over 2,300 lots of philatelic treasures and superb works of art highly coveted by collectors and connoisseurs will be offered. Public preview will take place from 13-14 March.

Leading the sale is an extraordinary 1917 red-band registered cover from Kobdo, Mongolia to Peking (Estimate: HK$1-1.2 million / US$128,205-153,846, Lot 615). On the reverse, it bears deep blue 1909 Russian Arms 10k in single and vertical pair, each tied by very fine circular date stamp of Russian P.O in Mongolia. Other distinguished features include Mongolia censor sealed label and Russian censor chop in violet box. The Kobdo post office was inaugurated in 1913 and closed in 1924. There were previously 4 such recorded covers bearing the Kodbo cancellation. The present lot, the 5th one, is an exciting recent discovery.

Another star lot is an exceedingly rare, unused 1942 Shandong Wartime Post issue (first print) 10 cents yellow stamp with "Seal of D.G. of Posts" in red (Estimate: HK$600,000-800,000/ US$76,923-102,564, Lot 1235). A magnificent showpiece, this precious offering is one of the only two examples in existence and is expected to arouse tremendous interest from collectors.

A further highlight is a block of twelve 1897 Dowager small figures surcharged 2 cents on 2 candarins vertically-imperforated stamps with selvedge on three sides (Estimate: HK$600,000-700,000/ US$76,923-89,743, Lot 279). In mint condition, the present lot features nice deep colour and original gum never hinged. Of particular note, it is the largest recorded multiple of this variety and undoubtedly a great rarity of Chinese philately.

The sale will also offer a 1968 "The Whole Country Is Red" 8 fen stamp in mint condition and fresh surface colour (Estimate: HK$500,000-600,000/ US$64,102-76,923, Lot 1490), one of the most sought after stamps of the People’s Republic of China.

Other crown jewels include:

A complete pane of forty 1897 Dowager Mollerdorf print 6 candarins brown stamps (Estimate: HK$250,000-300,000/ US$32,051-38,462, Lot 261). In exceptional condition with full original gum never hinged, this fresh and rare example is believed to be a unique item.

A 1894 Dowager first print 12 candarins brown-orange stamp with imperforate sheet margin at right, cancelled by "Customs/Chinkiang" circular date stamp (Estimate:HK$250,000-300,000/ US$32,051-38,642, Lot 247). Previously in the private collection of esteemed collector Huang Ming Fang, this is the only example that has been offered in auction in the recent 15 years.

Also from the private collection of Huang Ming Fang is a 1897 Dowager small figures surcharged 30 cents on 24 candarins rose-carmine with imperforate sheet margin at left (Estimate: HK$250,000-300,000/ US$32,051-38,462, Lot 299). Highlighted by "Customs/Shanghai" circular date stamp in blue, the colour on the stamp is intense.

A 1894 Dowager first print 24 candarins rose-carmine stamp with imperforate interpane margin at top (Estimate: HK$200,000-240,000/ US$25,641-30,769, Lot 248). This rare stamp from the collection of Huang Ming Fang features luxuriant colour and fresh mint original gum.

Zurich Asia is also delighted to offer a selection of exceptional works of art in the sale. One of the highlights is Leisure Scene by Fan Zheng (1938-), a superb scroll painting that comes with a certificate of authenticity (Estimate: HK$150,000-200,000/ US$19,231-25,641, Lot 3004).

All the sale items will be on view in Harbour Plaza North Point (665 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong) on 13 and 14 March from 10am-6pm.