The Hong Kong 'China' Overprints

British Post Offices in China from 1917 - 1930

Setting of the Overprint

The plate of the overprint was compiled from a basic frame of 6 by 2 overprints, which were half a millimeter too small both horizontally and vertically and varied in detail from printing to printing.

Consequently the setting alternates being between 23 ½ and 24 ½ mm apart in each vertical row,

SG 1b 23 and a half apart

SG 7 24 and a half apart

S. G. 20
Block of 2 with Split Overprint
A single sheet of 240 of the 4c carmine-rose SG 20 was reported from Wei Hai Wei in the late 1920's in which the overprint has an upward slant in the top row resulting in the splitting of the overprint between two stamps on the bottom row. This pair is probably from the left of the pane.

SG 20 Split Overprint

S. G. 26-28
Plate Strips proving constant "Thin H" and "Broken C" varieties

In 1927, on the H printing, a variety of the overprint appeared where the left leg of H is noticeably thinned in position N.W. 1-2. To date, this has only been recorded on the H 50c, the I 2c and 4c and the J 25c. This set of plate strips is believed to be the first time that this variety has been found on the $1 and $2 and therefore proves that these are constant surcharge flaws. In addition, position 3 shows a constant broken C on all three denominations, which leads to speculation that this is a
heretofore unreported variety.

SG 28 Broken C Closeup

SG 28 Thin H Broken C

SG 28 Thin H Closeup

SG 29 Broken C Closeup

SG 29 Thin H Broken C

SG 29 Thin H Closeup

SG 30 Broken C Closeup

SG 30 Thin H Broken C

SG 30 Thin H Closeup