In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria following the Mukden Incident ,in which the Japanese military staged an act of sabotage in order to provide a pretext for war. In 1932, the Japanese formed the puppet state of Manchukuo, with Henry Pu-Yi, the former Emperor of China, as its head of state. Pu-Yi's life was the subject of the Oscar-winning film The Last Emperor.
A set of stamps picturing Pu-Yi and the Liaoyang Pagoda, printed on granite paper, was issued in 1934 (Scott #23-31). The key stamp from this set (and from the complete country, for that matter) is the 15 fen Rose (Scott #30), of which 100,000 were issued. The stamp is frequently sold individually, so not having the accompanying remainder of the set does not detract from its value. Scott values the stamp at $ 450.00 in unused condition and $ 200.00 for used.
Manchukuo stamps are sought after by collectors of both China and Japan. I recommend purchase of Scott #30 in either F-VF or better NH condition or F-VF+ Used.
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