Description: Large Dragon, China, Three Candarins Red, complete gummed sheet of 25 stamps, perfect facsimile of vintage origin. The Chinese Imperial Dragon Stamps ‘A legendary and favourable force used to exorcise evil spirits and provide blessings’. Although China’s first postage stamps were issued in 1865 for the Municipality of Shanghai they were local issues only. The stamps generally accepted as the Chinese empires first were issued by the “Imperial Customs Post” on the 24th July 1878, during the last years of the Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644 -1912). These so-called “Large Dragons” were issued as the Chinese Maritime Customs postal system, developed in large part by the Englishman Robert Hart who took over the handling of mail for the various foreign legations. Some 15 years later the service was opened up to the general public, after a few months this first attempt at a state postal system proved so popular that stamps were issued. This issue consisted 1 Candarin (green), 3 Candarin (red) & 5 Candarin (yellow) values and were printed in Shanghai using typography. They are inscribed “CHINA” in English at the top with Chinese characters on both sides and the numeral denomination at both lower corners together with the word “CANDARIN (S)”at the base. An example of the first type 3ca exists with “3” in front of the “Candarins”, it has been proposed that this is plate wear however we believe that a “3” printers slug was used to plug damage to the plate – whatever the reason collectors are still hunting for another example! During the 7 years of issue a series of different papers, plates & inks were used making these stamps fertile ground for collectors, but all were printed in sheets of 25 with a perf. gauge of 12½. These three different values remained the Chinese empire’s only stamps for 7 years until a new set of three “Small Dragons” were issued in 1885. In 1894 a set of nine different stamps were issued for the Dowager Empress’s 60th Birthday, all but 2 incorporated dragons within the design. On the 1st January 1897 the “Imperial Maritime Customs Service” became the “Imperial Postal Service” which from 16th August of the same year issued stamps inscribed “Imperial Chinese Post”. These events established a national postal service now called “China Post”. This sheet is a perfect vintage facsimile / forgery and as such must be considered. Every sheet has minor wrinkles, blemishes and minor differences in perforations! Payment is to be received within two (2) days. Item will be mailed within 3 business days after payment by registered airmail with tracking number.
Price: 44.98 GBP
Location: Zagreb
End Time: 2024-05-08T15:27:02.000Z
Shipping Cost: 7.5 GBP
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Returns Accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Modified Item: No
