Hong Kong – Scott # 99, used

Description

Hong Kong – Scott #99 (1904) Used with Perfin

This is the 1904 Thirty Cents Black & Pale Green issue of Hong Kong (Scott #99), featuring King Edward VII and produced by De La Rue & Co. of London. The stamp forms part of the early 20th-century Edwardian definitive series, replacing the earlier Queen Victoria portrait design.

The stamp shows a finely engraved profile of King Edward VII at the center in pale green, framed by a bold black ornamental border with bilingual inscriptions (“HONG KONG” at top and the Chinese equivalent “香港” vertically on the sides). The denomination “30 CENTS” is displayed prominently in a solid rectangular tablet at the base.

This example is particularly notable for its “perfin” (perforated initials) — a security measure used by businesses to prevent employee theft of postage. The small circular holes forming a company or government department monogram add an appealing postal history dimension. The stamp also bears a circular HONG KONG cancel, typical of commercial use during the early Edwardian era.

Technical Details:

• Issue Date: 1904

• Denomination: 30 Cents

• Color: Black & Pale Green

• Watermark: Multiple Crown CA

• Perforation: 14

• Printer: De La Rue & Co., London

• Condition: Used; legible circular cancel, complete perfin, sharp detail and strong color contrast

Historical Context:
The 1903–1911 Edward VII definitives marked a modernization of Hong Kong’s postal identity, symbolizing imperial authority and the colony’s growing importance as a Far Eastern trading port. Perfins were frequently used by large trading firms, banks, and shipping companies, reflecting the commercial vibrancy of turn-of-the-century Hong Kong.