This 1 cent yellow stamp from the 1897 “Dragon, Jumping Carp, and Flying Goose” issue showcases a traditional Chinese dragon set within a circular medallion. The vivid yellow shade is emblematic of imperial authority and prestige in Chinese culture, echoing the Qing dynasty’s association of yellow with power and divinity. Printed via lithography by the Tsukiji Type Foundry Co. in Japan, this issue represents a transitional period in Chinese philately, bridging late Qing imperial symbolism with modern postal administration. The stamp is lithographed on unwatermarked paper with a variable gauge of perforation and features the denomination prominently at both the top and lower corners. It bears a black postmark from Shanghai (上海), a vital treaty port and hub of East Asian commerce. This design was part of the foundational definitive set for modern Chinese postal issues. Listed under Michel CN-IM 36, Scott CN-IM 87, Yvert et Tellier CN-IM 35, Stanley Gibbons CN-IM 97, and CSS CN-IM 102. Estimate "$8 – 12"