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.