ASG-certified 'Year of the Monkey' Stamps in Spink Sale

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Known as “The Gengshen Monkey,” this stamp was issued in 1980 as a zodiac stamp for the Year of Monkey and is among the most beloved of all Chinese postage stamps. As the very first stamp in the Chinese zodiac series released by the People’s Republic of China, it quickly ignited people’s enthusiasm for collecting the series. Five million pieces were issued and the surviving monkey stamps have become highly sought-after collectibles.

The stamp design bears a realistic and charming golden monkey created by famous Chinese artist Huang Yongyu. Huang has said his initial inspiration in creating this monkey was to commemorate Yiwo, a monkey who had lived with Huang and kept him company when he was drawing, bringing Huang joy.

A single example of this stamp, not in a block, graded ASG VF/XF 85 Mint OG (lot 692) is also offered, with an estimate of HKD 5,000 to HKD 6,000 (about $640 to $770).

Other ASG-certified stamp lots in this auction include:

• a China (1897) 1 Dollar Qing Dynasty Red Revenue Stamp graded ASG F/VF 75 Used (lot 842), with an estimate of HKD 7,000 to HKD 9,000 (about $900 to $1,200)
• a set of three China (1878-83) Qing Dynasty Large Dragon Issue stamps (1, 3 and 5 Candareens), each graded ASG F/VF 75 Used (lot 831), with an estimate of HKD 5,000 to HKD 7,000 (about $640 to $900)
• a set of four China (1897) Qing Dynasty Red Revenue Stamps (1, 2, 2 and 4 Cents), each graded ASG F/VF 75 Used (lot 821), with an estimate of HKD 4,000 to HKD 6,000 (about $500 to $770)
• a set of four China (1897) Qing Dynasty Red Revenue Stamps (1, 2, 2 and 4 Cents) graded between ASG F/VF 75 Mint POG and ASG F 70 Mint NOG (lot 822), with an estimate of HKD 4,000 to HKD 6,000 (about $500 to $770)
• a set of four China (1897) Qing Dynasty Red Revenue Stamps (1, 2, 2 and 4 Cents) each graded ASG F/VF 75 Used (lot 823), with an estimate of HKD 4,000 to HKD 6,000 (about $500 to $770)
• a set of four China (1897) Qing Dynasty Red Revenue Stamp (1, 2, 2 and 4 Cents) each graded ASG F/VF 75 Used (lot 824), with an estimate of HKD 4,000 to HKD 6,000 (about $500 to $770)
• a set of three China (1878-83) Qing Dynasty Large Dragon Issues (1, 3 and 5 Candareens), each graded ASG F/VF 75 Used (lot 829), with an estimate of HKD 3,500 to HKD 5,000 (about $450 to $640)
• a set of three China (1878-83) Qing Dynasty Large Dragon Issues (1, 3 and 5 Candareens), each graded ASG F/VF 75 Used (lot 830), with an estimate of HKD 3,500 to HKD 5,000 (about $450 to $640)
• a set of three China (1878-83) Qing Dynasty Large Dragon Issues (1, 3 and 5 Candareens) each graded ASG F/VF 75 Used (lot 835), with an estimate of HKD 3,500 to HKD 5,000 (about $450 to $640)
• a set of three China (1897) Qing Dynasty Red Revenue Stamps (1, 2 and 4 Cents) graded ASG F/VF 75 Used (lot 846), with an estimate of HKD 3,000 to HKD 4,000 (about $380 to $500)

Estimates provided by the auction house.