Hong Kong – Scott # 71, hinged

Description

Hong Kong Scott #71 (issued 1903) is the 1-cent brown King Edward VII definitive from the De La Rue “Crown and Scroll” issue. This elegant design marked the transition from the long-running Queen Victoria series to the new reign of King Edward VII. The stamp features a finely engraved left-facing portrait of King Edward VII, enclosed within an ornate frame that incorporates symbolic imperial motifs, with “HONG KONG” at the top and “ONE CENT” at the bottom, flanked by Chinese inscriptions denoting the denomination “壹先” (“one cent”).

This unused, hinged example displays rich brown coloration with clear impressions and intact perforations. The gum is lightly hinged, typical of early 20th-century issues. Issued during an era of modernization and growing international trade, this stamp represents Hong Kong’s continuing importance within the British Empire. A handsome early Edwardian issue prized for its crisp engraving and historical context, it serves as an essential addition to any Hong Kong or British Commonwealth collection.