A remarkable Hong Kong stamp auction is to star an extremely rare vertical pair of the renowned $2 Dr Sun Yat Sen invert on October 13-14.
 The auction house set a world record for the invert with its last sale |
The sale will see over 2,000 lots of stamps and postal history from China, Hong Kong and other countries, and is estimated to realise in excess of $3.2m. The $2 pair is expected as the top lot, with an estimate of $580,000-$645,000.
The 1941 Dr Sun Yat Sen inverted centre is considered one of the rarest stamps from the Republic of China, with just one sheet of 50 stamps featuring the error ever issued. The stamps at auction are an extremely rare vertical pairing - one of just two known to exist - which originate from the collection of the illustrious philatelist Huang Ming Fang.
The pair are in pristine condition with full original gum and have been lightly initialled in pencil by stamp expert Peter Holcombe at the reverse. They are expected to set a new world record when sold.
The current world record for a single Dr Sun Yat Sen invert was set at the auction house's last sale in March, when a fine example with the bottom margin attached sold for $311,000, 20.5% above its pre-sale estimate.
Also featuring in the sale will be a mint condition example of the 1897 Golden Dragon Empress Dowager first printing surcharge, which is one of the rarest stamps from imperial China. One of less than 12 copies in similar condition, it will sell with a $129,000-155,000 estimate.
As of March 2012, the value of China's top 100 collectible stamps is up 46% since the China 100 Stamp Index's inception in 2009, suggesting the auction will see some excellent results.
See the results of this auction here.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a unique block of four 96c olive-bistre stamps from Hong Kong, which is thought to be one of just two multiples, the other being a used pair.
