US Offices in China multiple to headline stamp auction at $30,000

US Offices in China multiple to headline stamp auction at $30,000

A 1919 $2 on $1 double surcharge multiple from the US Post Offices in China is to star

A multiple of the 1919 $2 on $1 double surcharge from the US Post Offices in China is to star in an upcoming philatelic auction, to be held October 11-14 in New York.

The stamp error was overlooked due to the office's imminent closure

The $2 stamping error is said to have occurred at the US Postal Agency in Shanghai on New Year's Eve in 1922,just a few hours beforethe office was due to close its doors forever. A doubled surcharge mark of $2 was added to 200 of the $1 stamps yet, due to the imminent closure, this mistake was overlooked.

The 1919 $2 on $1 double surcharge stamp is noted as a condition rarity, with this example a brilliant multiple showing a strong and complete double overprint. The right-hand stamp is in fresh, never-hinged condition and stands as one of only a handful of mint examples to have appeared on the market in decades.

The left-hand stamp is in slightly poorer condition, having been faintly hinged but retaining much of its original gum.The lot isexpected to reach between $20,000 and $30,000.

The finest single example of the stamp in existence sold for $17,925 in 2009 at Heritage Auctions.

Following the 1919 error will be a complete sheet of 100 of the 1873 90c War Department stamps, which is believed to be unique. With all but one of the stamps in pristine condition and some well-centred examples found throughout, the sheetexpected to bring $30,000-40,000.