Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
December 2015 Hong Kong Auction - Sess. A-C 8-9 December 2015
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CHINA. 20 & 100 Cents Stamp Sheets, 1999. MINT STATE.
Launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) located in the Gobi desert, the Shenzhou 1 was the first unmanned launch of the Shenzhou spacecraft and marked the beginning of China's ambitious space program in November of 1999. By the fifth launch of the Shenzhou in 2003, the Chinese had successfully placed an astronaut (Yang Liwei) into orbit, a remarkable achievement, having transpired over the course of less than four years. A very limited number of items were carried aboard the spacecraft and subsequently became available as space memorabilia, including this pair of postage stamp sheets, each containing 40 stamps. Denominated in 20 and 100 Cents, these commemorative stamps depict the Shenzhou 1 being launched (20 Cents) and in orbit (100 Cents). These sheet sets are far scarcer than the space memorabilia folders containing just two of the stamps. Only 135 sets of these sheets exist, with the set offered bearing the unique serial number 062. Removed from the capsule upon its return from space under the supervision of the Beijing Notary Public Office of The People's Republic of China, the sheets include a notarized certificate of authenticity. The lot also includes dragon themed wooden pillars with intricately carved dragon's eyes, mouth, scales, beard, horn and claws. The piece nicely combines Chinese culture and aerospace technology into a decorative gift or conversation piece. We expect keen interest in these scarce and historical items when they cross the auction block.
MINT STATE.
Estimate: $20000.00- $30000.00
Launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) located in the Gobi desert, the Shenzhou 1 was the first unmanned launch of the Shenzhou spacecraft and marked the beginning of China's ambitious space program in November of 1999. By the fifth launch of the Shenzhou in 2003, the Chinese had successfully placed an astronaut (Yang Liwei) into orbit, a remarkable achievement, having transpired over the course of less than four years. A very limited number of items were carried aboard the spacecraft and subsequently became available as space memorabilia, including this pair of postage stamp sheets, each containing 40 stamps. Denominated in 20 and 100 Cents, these commemorative stamps depict the Shenzhou 1 being launched (20 Cents) and in orbit (100 Cents). These sheet sets are far scarcer than the space memorabilia folders containing just two of the stamps. Only 135 sets of these sheets exist, with the set offered bearing the unique serial number 062. Removed from the capsule upon its return from space under the supervision of the Beijing Notary Public Office of The People's Republic of China, the sheets include a notarized certificate of authenticity. The lot also includes dragon themed wooden pillars with intricately carved dragon's eyes, mouth, scales, beard, horn and claws. The piece nicely combines Chinese culture and aerospace technology into a decorative gift or conversation piece. We expect keen interest in these scarce and historical items when they cross the auction block.
MINT STATE.
Estimate: $20000.00- $30000.00