The 2025 December Auction - Sale 346 (December 13 - December 16, 2025)
Sale 346
- (-) Remove Mizuhara’s Collection of Classic Taiwan Stamps and Postal History filter Mizuhara’s Collection of Classic Taiwan Stamps and Postal History
comprising 30c blue, 50c red, and 100c violet, tied by double-ring “FORMOSAN REPUBLIC / TAINAN” English datestamp dated 1895 SEP 10. Printed in Tainan, this second issue shows finer engraving and whiter, stronger paper than the first issue, produced barely a month before the fall of the Republic. An outstanding and representative issue from the final phase of the short-lived Formosan Republic postal administration, all struck with matching same-date cancellations and exceptionally preserved. An important reference for the study of plate varieties and postal operations of the Republic. Ex Meiso Mizuhara Collection.
comprising 30c blue (3), 50c red (14), and 100c violet (1), together with five contemporary forgeries included for comparison. Several genuine examples bear the “FORMOSAN REPUBLIC / TAINAN” double-ring English datestamp, while others remain unused. All belong to the second issue printed in Tainan, showing finer engraving and whiter, firmer paper than the first issue, produced barely a month before the fall of the Republic, an important emission from the final stage of its postal administration. The five forgeries illustrate period and later imitations, differing notably in line quality and paper texture, offering valuable reference for the study of authenticity and printing techniques of Formosan Republic issues. A well-preserved and comprehensive assemblage of significant philatelic and scholarly importance. Ex Meiso Mizuhara Collection.
comprising single examples of 30c blue, 50c red, and 100c violet, together with two cut pieces bearing complete sets of the third issue, each cancelled by double-ring “FORMOSAN REPUBLIC / TAINAN” English datestamp. Printed in Tainan during the final days of the Republic on thinner native paper with coarser impressions, this third issue represents the last printing before the fall of the regime. The group illustrates the final stage of design, paper, and usage development of the Formosan Republic stamps, an extremely rare and historically important assembly. Ex Meiso Mizuhara Collection.
comprising a marginal block of fifteen on thin paper (Perf 11½, watermark “1011”), a corner block of four on thicker paper (Perf 12, from corner of sheet), and two singles of one unused and one used. This group fully illustrates the evolution of paper, perforation, and plate characteristics of the 30c value from the third issue, reflecting the development and technical variation of the Tainan printings during the final phase of the Republic. An important reference for the study of late Formosan Republic postal printing techniques, finely assembled and well preserved, of outstanding historical and philatelic significance. Mizuhara "Huayou Jijin II" vol. 7, p.273.
comprising two blue-black singles, two green singles and one green corner block of four. The blue-black shade represents a deeper colour variation of the normal blue printing, with strong inking and sharp impression, while the green examples are the famous colour error, believed to have resulted from accidental use of the wrong ink during the final Tainan printing period. All five examples retain sheet margins, printed from the outer positions of the plate with clearly visible layout characteristics. This group displays both blue-black and green colour variations, combining differences in shade, perforation, and plate position, and vividly illustrating the technical and printing distinctions of the Republic’s last postal issue. A well-preserved and comprehensive study of great philatelic and historical importance. Mizuhara "Huayou Jijin II" vol. 7, p.274.
comprising three single stamps and one block of four, all in unused. Printed on thin paper with uneven perforations and vivid red impressions, these represent typical products of the Republic’s final printing phase. Collectively, they illustrate the overprinting characteristics and plate variations of the 50c third issue, providing valuable insight into the printing technique and workmanship flaws of the final Formosan Republic postal period. Illustrated in Mizuhara, The Collection of Chinese Stamps and Postal History, Vol. II, Part 7, p. 275.
comprising two blocks of four (Perf 11½) showing partial foreign watermarks “LOND” and “ING &,” and one horizontal strip of three (Perf 12, narrow setting) cancelled by “FORMOSAN REPUBLIC / TAINAN” double-ring English datestamp. This group combines three key elements: watermarked paper, perforation variations, and a genuine postal usage example, providing valuable evidence of the printing materials and techniques employed during the final phase of the Republic’s postal administration. Finely preserved and well-matched in condition, this assembly offers significant reference for the study of the Formosan Republic’s late printing practices and postal history. Mizuhara "Huayou Jijin II" vol. 7, p.276.
comprising three single stamps and one block of four, all unused. Printed on thin paper with uneven perforations and vivid red impressions, these represent typical products of the Republic’s final printing phase. Collectively, they illustrate the overprinting characteristics and plate variations of the 50c third issue, providing valuable insight into the printing technique and workmanship flaws of the final Formosan Republic postal period. Mizuhara "Huayou Jijin II" vol. 7, p.277.
four singles of the 30c green, one 50c red, one 100c violet (showing partial watermark “...ING”), and one block of four of the 30c bearing the watermark “DORLING ... LOND ...”. The fourth issue was lithographed at the Tainan Printing Office during the final days of the Republic on thicker, more rigid paper than earlier issues, with a straighter tiger’s tail, bolder inscriptions, and more structured design. This issue was printed but never released, as the collapse of the Formosan Republic and subsequent Japanese occupation of Tainan in October 1895 halted its distribution, making it the final, unissued production of the short-lived Republic’s postal system. Most surviving examples of this issue show washed or deteriorated ink, while the present group remains fresh and complete, exhibiting all three denominations and distinct watermark features. An exceptionally rare and significant assembly for the study of the printing methods and unissued issues of the late Formosan Republic. Mizuhara "Huayou Jijin II" vol. 7, p.278.
printed on thin paper with clear impression and wide margins, representing a pre-issue trial printing. Produced at the Tainan Printing Bureau in mid-1895 during preparation for the “Tiger” issue, this early proof was made to test the engraving details and colour quality before official release. Without perforation or overprint, it shows the 50c denomination in its original red design. An extremely rare surviving example from the formative stage of the Formosan Republic postal system, illustrating its experimental printing and approval process. Ex Meiso Mizuhara Collection.
printed on thin native paper with bright, even impressions and wide margins, ungummed and without perforation. Produced at the Tainan Printing Bureau in mid-1895, this represents the first officially issued postage stamp of the Formosan Republic, bearing the “Tiger” design symbolizing national autonomy and the establishment of an independent postal system. The block shows precise alignment and sharp impressions, likely printed during the early stage of plate use when printing quality was at its best. A rare and representative multiple from the first issue of the Republic, well preserved and of exceptional philatelic and historical importance. Ex Meiso Mizuhara Collection.
franked with a complete first issue “Tiger” set of three values (30c, 50c & 100c), tied by clear purple “FORMOSAN REPUBLIC / TAINAN” double-ring English datestamps dated SEP 5, 1895. Addressed to Tientsin in northern China, this cover ranks among the most important surviving examples of external correspondence sent during the final weeks of the Formosan Republic. Despite the imminent collapse of the regime, the Tainan postal bureau remained in operation and continued handling outgoing mail, making such items extremely rare. This cover vividly demonstrates the Republic’s determination to maintain international communication in its final days and serves as a key postal artifact for the study of its postal organization, routing, and rate applications. Ex Meiso Mizuhara Collection.
