The Rapp from Switzerland would be auctioning several interesting philatelic items on 22nd May. One of the highlights is a red revenue stamp issued by China in 1897 with an inverted surcharge, which is being offered at a starting bid of 30,000 Swiss francs (almost $29,450). When a postage stamp shipment was delayed, 3¢ red revenue stamps were overprinted with five denominations in two different styles. These overprinted stamps of early China have now become highly desirable among collectors.

The 3¢ red with the $5 surcharge is scarce, but the same stamp with an inverted surcharge is extremely rare. The offered stamp in unused condition has a slightly wet gum and one smaller perforation at the bottom. It was authenticated in 2019 by Martin Eichele of Briefmarkenprufstelle Basel. It has a listed market value of $140,000, but it’s difficult to value this stamp accurately.

Another interesting offering is an off-cover used pair of the 1843 10-centime black-on-yellow-green Geneva Coat of Arms stamp called the “Doppelgenf” or “Double Geneva”. A single stamp of this type was used to pay for local post delivery, while two of them were used to pay for postage inside the canton. There’s a message across the stamp which mentions the double charge. Sometimes, the stamps were cut in the post office in such a way that their positions were interchanged from left to right and vice versa. The explanation at the top was also accordingly rearranged. The used miscut pair has a listed market value of $60,000 and is being offered at a starting bid of $24,540.

Image Courtesy: The Rapp Auctions