Lot 41304 – 1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate 1, early to intermediate printing, pos. 31, with striking “left dragon’s arm missing” variety.

1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate 1, early to intermediate printing, pos. 31, displaying the striking “left dragon’s arm missing” variety. Clear impression and good balanced margins all around, unused without gum as issued, recorded in Stanley Gibbons as 5b; extremely fine and a choice example of this important variety, which was retouched in an early stage of printing and of which only six examples are recorded in unused condition.