Hong Kong – Scott # 109, used

Description

Hong Kong – Scott #109 (1912) Used

This is the 1912 One Cent Violet-Brown issue of Hong Kong (Scott #109), featuring King George V. Issued shortly after his ascension to the throne, it inaugurated the new King George V definitive series, replacing the Edward VII designs.

The design features a finely engraved side portrait of King George V facing left, set within an ornate frame that includes bilingual inscriptions (“HONG KONG” across the top and “香港” vertically along the sides). The denomination “1 CENT” appears in English and numerically at the bottom corners, balanced by geometric corner ornaments.

Printed by De La Rue & Co., the stamp exemplifies their characteristic precision and craftsmanship, with a deep violet-brown hue giving the portrait depth and richness. This example is used, showing a light circular postal cancellation that leaves the king’s portrait mostly unobscured.

Technical Details:

• Issue Date: 1912

• Denomination: 1 Cent

• Color: Violet-Brown

• Watermark: Multiple Crown CA

• Perforation: 14

• Printer: De La Rue & Co., London

• Condition: Used; light cancel, sharp image, solid perforations

Historical Context:
When King George V ascended to the throne, new definitives were ordered for all British colonies. In Hong Kong, this series reflected the modernization of postal operations and continued British imperial iconography. The low-value 1¢ stamp was commonly used for postcards and printed matter, making it one of the most frequently circulated issues of its era.