Sale 72 The Jane and Dan Sten Olsson Collection of Large Dragons Sale 4

China, 1880 (5 June) envelope to St. Marcellin, France (27.7) bearing on reverse Large Dragons thin paper 3ca. red-brown, rough perfs., Setting I, horizontal strip of three [8-9-10] with sheet margin at right, cancelled by Peking seal in blue and additionally tied by matching "I.G. of Customs/Peking" double-ring origin d.s. of "Jun 5 80", "Customs/Tientsin" double-ring transit d.s. of "Jun 7 80" and French "Marseille à Lyon/Special" T.P.O. c.d.s. (26.7), with "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring transit d.s. of "Jun 11 80" alongside, and on front France Peace and Commerce 5c. and 30c., cancelled by large figures "5104" and showing "Shang-hai/Chine" c.d.s. (14.6) adjacent, with St. Marcellin arrival c.d.s. on reverse, envelope opened out for display, patched tear through address panel and small part of reverse not affecting stamps or markings. A very fine and lovely second year envelope sent at an enigmatic rate. Chan 3.
Estimate HK$ 250,000 - 300,000

Expertisation: Signed M. Jamet in pencil
R(oger) Calves guarantee handstam.

Provenance: Giulio Mochi, David Feldman (Zurich), 24.10.1984, lot 40611.

References: James B. Whang, A Comprehensive Illustration on Covers of Chinese Large Dragons (Taipei: Whang's Philatelic Foundation, 1997), pp. 146-148.

According to the "Postal Notification" of 1 November 1879, effective from 15 November, the rate to Europe was 8 candarins, so the envelope was overfranked by 1 candarin. Interestingly, the envelope was addressed to a French Minister Plenipotentiary. Had the envelope contained commercial papers sent via Italy, then 9 candarins would conceivably have been the rate. Nevertheless, this is one of the earliest recorded envelopes franked at 9 candarins, which from 15 November 1882 would become the standard Foreign members country rate.