China 1893 (Shanghai) 2ca red-orange, SGM1 Aden stamps Gladstone was a keen antiquarian

Gladstone was a keen antiquarian and amassed a vast library of books over the course of his lifetime

four panes each 16 x 4 with two rows inverted) including 112 vertical tete-beche pairs (of which 48 are interpane)

the date General Clarke received this letter

Following the five week tour

and the first such 'East India' sheet of 320 (any value) that we have ever handled

China 1893 (Shanghai) 2ca red-orange, SGM1 Aden stamps Gladstone was a keen antiquarianChina 1893 (Dec) (Shanghai), Chungking Local Post "Pagoda and Junk" 2ca red orange, perforations 12, SGM1. Block of twenty comprising two complete lower rows of ten, margins largely intact except at lower right. Suffers from some characteristic gum toning, which is apparent on face in places, yet represents above average quality for this issue and surprisingly still retains full original gum across entire block of twenty stamps. This is a very rare