Sale 78 China and other Asian Countries

China, 1897 Small Surcharge on Dowager 1st printing 5c. on 5ca. dull orange vertical pair, variety imperforate between, rich colour, well centred, cancelled by "Customs/Swatow" double-ring d.s. of "May 17 97", light creasing including neat horizontal crease between stamps and light toning, fine to very fine example of this rare variety. Chan 41c.
Estimate HK$ 40,000 - 50,000

Provenance: Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (London), 12.11.1963, lot 165.

IN TOTAL, THERE ARE LESS THAN A DOZEN EXAMPLES KNOWN OF THIS VARIETY, OF WHICH NINE ARE USED.