China (Shanghai) 1866 Antique numerals, ‘candareens' plural 4ca yellow, SG3var.
An attractive and scarce unused example of the 1866 Shanghai Local Post 4 candareens yellow, bearing the printing variety “candareens” plural inscription in antique numerals (printing 42, Livingston 21).
Printed in bright yellow and showing generally good margins all round, this classic early Shanghai issue features the traditional imperial dragon motif within a neat rectangular frame.
A fresh, unused example with strong colour and well-preserved paper quality.
Highly desirable key printing variety and seldom seen in this condition.
Stanley Gibbons catalogue value for the basic stamp, without the rare printing variety is £700.
These iconic Dragon design stamps were the first postage stamps issued in China from the Municipality of Shanghai. As such, they will always be of widespread appeal to Chinese stamp collectors.
Shanghai was opened up as a foreign port in 1843 and the Shanghai Municipality was created in July 1854. Foreign traders in the city were dissatisfied with the high charges charged for postage by the private Chinese postal agencies (Min Chu). This led to the formation of a new postal system under the Municipal Council in July 1863.
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