It appears to be the correct year for this rose is--on William Paul's own authority--1895. In Paul's ad in Gardeners' Chronicle of June 1, 1895, p. 679, he lists it under his "New Roses of 1895," indeed doubly so, as this listing is under a yet larger fonted heading stating "NEW ROSES FOR 1895." Earlier references are to its being exhibited before commercial release.
How is it known that this rose is hardy to zone 4b? That seems unlikely for a China. I don't find it being growing anywhere colder than 5b under the garden tab. It looks very nice; I might try it if I thought it could grow for me in zone 5a.
