China 1897, SG26 – 60th Birthday of the Dowager Empress (Unissued Second Printing from new stones, thin whiter paper)
A rare and desirable unused example of the 1897 2ca dull yellow-green issue commemorating the 60th Birthday of the Dowager Empress.
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From the unissued second printing
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Fresh appearance with no gum, as often found
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A good representative example of this elusive issue
The Dowager Empress stamps were the very first commemorative stamps issued by China. They were issued to celebrate the 60th Birthday of the Dowager Empress, one of the most powerful women in the history of China.
These issues mark the beginning of the Chinese Imperial Post. Sir Robert Hart, knighted in 1882, organised an Imperial Postal Service and the Chinese Imperial Post Office was established by a decree of 20 March 1896. It competed with the Min Chu, which it put out of business.
The second printing of the Dowager Empress stamps were not issued as the printing was made for surcharging in the new currency.
Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £2,000.
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