|
1st OPIUM WAR COMMENT FROM LONDON ABOUT CANTON + LOCAL RIVER LETTER TO CANTON; 24 Jan. 1840 EL from London to Scotland with mainly v. fine scarce red boxed St. James' "Prepaid" mark having good contents from an informed source about proceedings in China; "My fear is that our attack will be too much directed to the neighbourhood of Canton...I wish our thunders would rather be heard northward and as near to Pekin as possible. My fears too are raised lest we should send too few troops and marines...the Tartars to the north are a much more hardy and warlike people..." Plus 23 May 1840 EL (heavy fold through address) from "Macao" carried by river boat to "Canton" without postal marks but with reference in the contents to an urgent letter being sent as "an express". (2 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £140
|
|
|
"INDIA LETTER/PLYMOUTH" MARK IN RED ON COVER TO G.B. WITH NEWS OF THWARTED CHINESE INVASION; 25 Feb. 1840 EL (can be folded with internal heading beside address) to Liverpool "P [Ship] Charles Grant" charged "1/4" with a very fine "INDIA LETTER/PLYMOUTH" on the lower flap having a London arrival c.d.s. (23 June 1840) nearby. The interesting contents give a rare insight into the Chinese threatening Macao; "...there seems now a greater probability of the Chinese allowing the English to remain here peaceably since the Portuguese have taken up their cause more warmly. We allude to the answer lately sent by the Governor of Macao to a chop sent to him by the Chinese, ordering the Portuguese to retire to their Forts, as it was the intention of the Chinese to bring in a body of troops to drive the English away. To this the Governor replied that no Chinese force would be allowed to enter Macao, for any such purpose, and that if the Chinese attempted it, the Forts would fire upon them and the crews of the English Ships of War would be landed to repel the entrance of Chinese troops into Macao..." Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £300
|
|
|
1st OPIUM WAR - REPORTS OF CANTON BLOCKADE & THE "EXPEDITION", ETC. IN "LIVERPOOL/SHIP LETTER" TO G.B.; Fine 18 July 1840 EL from "Macao" to Liverpool "Pr [Ship] Blakely" with v. fine black "LIVERPOOL/SHIP LETTER" on the top flap and matching handstruck "8[d]" arrival charge-mark on the front. The lengthy contents complain of the British Government's seeming incompetence and gives a fascinating update on the progress of the Canton Blockade; "...even should the whole coast of China be sealed by an impenetrable Blockade [the Canton Blockade has started on 28 June] Manila is a port of ready access at all seasons...the Maray [?] is preparing to assume the offensive; he is levying a considerable force for the purpose if attacking either the Men of War now lying [with] the Fleet at Catsingmoon, or the British residents at Macao...absurd edicts and his offer of rewards for the capture of Englishmen dead or alive...even the few Americans who are still in Canton are treated with great insolence...since the arrival of the Expedition, for all the private Junks are merely stopped at the Bogue & allowed to go up the river passage, that entrance of the river not having been attempted to be Blockaded..." Historical letter in fine condition. PHOTO - see page no. £300
|
|
|
1st OPIUM WAR - UPDATE OF NEWS FROM MACAO - IN COVER FROM "SINGAPORE" TO G.B. VIA INDIA AGENTS; Fine 17 Dec. 1840 EL from "Singapore" to London "Pr [Ship] Clown to Calcutta" and then "Overland" with a fair red oval-framed Bombay "INDIA" on the front along with a private firm's framed red "VIA MARSEILLES" which matches the mainly very fine red oval-framed "FORWARDED BY/DIXON, CARTER & Co., BOMBAY" FAC across the join on the reverse, charged "7/-"on arrival. The contents include; "H.M.S. Volage arrived this morning from Macao; Admiral Elliott has resigned Command of the Expedition and his successor Sir Gordon Bremer, with Capt. Elliott, was up at the Bogue carrying on negotiations which appear now likely to brought to a bearing, but whether the Chinese will give in before hostilities are resorted to is uncertain; the probability is they will not." Historical contents. PHOTO - see page no. £150
|
|
|
1st OPIUM WAR - NEWS OF THE OCCUPATION OF CHUSAN, THREATS TO NINGPO, ETC.; Fine 2 Nov. 1840 EL from "Macao" to London "[Per Ship] Louisa Baillie" with a mostly very fine red framed "INDIA LETTER/KINGSBRIDGE" (Rob. In.3; rare in red) nicely placed on the top flap. The contents give a detailed account of the latest developments in the War; "The latest accounts from Chusan, 24th ultimo, state that the Admiral with the principal part of the Fleet, would sail about the 7th or 10th inst. for this station [and] that a more general possession of the island of Chusan would be taken by the establishment of an additional number of military posts...The Chinese still refuse to release Capt. Anstruther and their other prisoners - the [Ship's] Company of the Transport Nile - all of whom remained at Ningpo, but as they were well treated the contemplated attack on that place would not be made..." Fascinating and Important Historical letter. [Ex Cavendish 'Norman Bennett' auction, Sept. 2004, lot 654; realised £1,265.] PHOTO - see page no. £850
|
|
|
1st OPIUM WAR - "NEW ROMNEY/SHIP LETTER" TO G.B. WITH MENTION OF TROOPS & HONG KONG EXPANSION; 22 Jan. 1841 EL (minor wear) from "Macao" to London "Pr. Foam" with a mostly very fine (though partly overstruck) boxed "NEW ROMNEY/SHIP LETTER" arrival mark on the reverse, charged "1/4". The family letter has interesting contents; it is written by a ship's Captain delayed for the last 6 months in Macao. He mentions a box sent along with the letter from one "Chillie" in Amoy (supposedly "curiosities...loot no doubt"), the ship "Mermaid" still being "at Hong Kong with part of the 55th [Regiment] on board", the rapid expansion of Hong Kong itself ("Hong Kong is springing up wonderfully; one side already being studded with houses which seem to have risen by magic."), and ends; "They are doing very little up to the north[war]d just now - the Plenipo[tentiary] is expected here shortly as are more troops, but I think it likely now that they will make some arrangement before the next monsoon". Important historical 1st Opium War period letter from the months leading up to the Capture of Canton. [Ex Richard Chan, Cavendish Mar. 2003, lot 305; realised £506.] PHOTO - see page no. £360
|
|
|
1st OPIUM WAR - IMPORTANT EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE SURRENDER & DESTRUCTION OF THE BOGUE FORTS; 19 Mar. 1841 EL (8 pages; from a British merchant) from "Macao" to Liverpool "p. [Ship] Parrockhall" charged "1/4" with a very fine boxed "INDIA LETTER/ PORTSMOUTH" on the front, having London & Liverpool d.s.'s (both 30 Aug.) on the top flap. The long and fascinating letter describes the chaotic state of trade (Macao smuggling, etc.) during the ongoing battle for control of the Chinese coast. The writer has just returned from a tour of the Pearl River where he watched the military/naval operations: "But who will be fool enough to build in Hong Kong on the faith that it will be kept after Elliot has shown himself such a vacillating & uncertain being?....The first ten days of this month I spent in making an excursion to Whampoa...We had a splendid view of the Bogue forts and saw one of the largest of them blown up...our brave countrymen [are] keeping guard in Wantung which is now an English Garrison...I found a whole fleet of Men of War & transports full of US coats, & all were on the qui vive for Canton on the following morning, but their evil genius the Plenipo[tentiary] interposed; during the night a Chop had been received, & many a curse was directed to the dirty white flag that appeared at the fore of H.M.S. Calliope at early dawn on the morrow. The Quong Chow Foo, or Mayor, of Canton had promised to come on board in the afternoon...I had the good fortune to see his excellency received on deck...I had the pleasure...of being present at the Capture of a Chinese fort...Napier's Fort..." A marvellous letter full of further details of the British successes around Canton and the delaying tactics of the Chinese, etc. Rare and important eye-witness account of the peak of the conflict from an articulate and well-connected merchant bystander. Historical gem. [Ex Cavendish, June 2005, lot 543; realised £2,000.] PHOTO - see page no. £1,500
|
|
|
1st OPIUM WAR PERIOD WINE TRADER's LETTER TO MADEIRA VIA G.B. & INDIA; 7 Oct. 1841 EL from "Macao" to London endorsed "Per Str. Victoria" and "Via Suez & Falmouth" carried by private means to Bombay and posted there with a very fine red oval-framed Bombay "INDIA" on the front, charged "2/-" with a fine London arrival backstamp (19 Jan. 1842); there is a filing note that the letter was received on 3 Feb. 1842, showing that the letter was actually sent on under cover to Madeira. The contents show that trade in Macao was continuing unabated only 6 days after the British took Chusan. PHOTO - see page no. £150
|
|
|
LOCAL RIVER BOAT COVER TO CANTON ENDORSE IN CHINESE VIA U.S. FIRM OF WETMORE & Co.; Fine 13 Sept. 1843 EL (entirely written in pencil; family letter advising of the writer's arrival from New York after a "fine run of 101 days") from "Macao" to "James Ryan, Canton" without postal marks but intriguingly endorsed (in Chinese) to be delivered via the firm of Wetmore & Co. (it seems that they were acting as mail agents in Canton?). Fine calligraphy; similar to the William Wetmore covers in Cavendish's 'Richard Chan' auction, Oct. 2003 - lots 430/431 - one of which had the rare manuscript "20 Cents" Macao Boat Office endorsement. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £200
|
|
|
RARE RED DOUBLE OVAL "CORREIO/MACAO/* MARITIMO *" MARK ON EARLY COVER FROM THE PHILIPPINES TO CANTON; 11 March 1847 EL (slightly weak folds, some reinforcing and internal/flap staining) from "Manila" (listing ships and cargoes) "[Per Ship] Union" (internal annotation) to Canton with a mostly very fine strike of the Webb Type 5 oval "CORREIO/MACAO/* MARITIMO *" mark in red (scarce colour; Frazao "Rare - 5 to 8 items known) nicely placed on the front with small manuscript "16" charge, the "16" of which is repeated in Chinese in the endorsement on the top flap. Rare thus on a cover from the Philippines. Exhibition Quality. [With Holcombe expert signature; ex Richard Chan; Cavendish Mar. 2003, lot 309, realised £2,300.] PHOTO - see page no. £1,600
|
|
|
UNIQUE (?) U.S. NESBITT 3c ENVELOPE USAGE TO MACAO VIA G.B. & HONG KONG; 18 Jan. 1854 usage of the 3c Red U.S. Nesbitt Postal Stationery envelope (some flap faults and hinges on back; address partly erased; possibly to a U.S. Ship with the "North China Expedition"??) from "PHILADELPHIA PA." (v. fine red "PAID" c.d.s. on the front) to "Macao, China" routed "Via Southampton" and having the embossed 3c stamp cancelled in red manuscript matching the "24" alongside (the amount due to G.B.?) with the same ink crossing through the black m/s "45" beside the original red Philadelphia "PAID" mark; there is a mainly very fine large red "NEW YORK/JAN/21/AM. PACKET" c.d.s. on the reverse beside a faint "HONG-KONG" transit c.d.s. (23 March?). Extremely rare usage of this envelope to the Far East. PHOTO - see page no. £300
|
|
|
3s-8d RATE COVER TO GIBRALTAR (FOR SPAIN) WITH "9JU9" HONG-KONG DATESTAMP; Fine 7 June 1855 unpaid EL (in Spanish; internal heading folds to display alongside the address-panel, closed tear in flap) from "Macao" to Jose Matia "care of M. Power Esqr., Gibraltar" charged "3/8" with a very fine sanserif double-arc "HONG-KONG" c.d.s. on the top flap with the unusual 'double day' date "9JU9/1855". Mail from Macao to Gibraltar and/or Spain is seldom seen. PHOTO - see page no. £160
|
|
|
2nd OPIUM WAR - "MACAO FORT" COVERS WITH ACCOUNTS OF CHINESE ATTACKS, ETC.; 4 Apr. & 4 Dec. 1857 pair of envs. (with letters sent from "Macao Fort" or "Actaeon off Macao Fort"; almost complete transcripts included) sent shore-to-ship of ship-to-ship to "Captain Cochrane...H.M.S. Niger" by naval messengers without postal markings but with fascinating details from Capt. Bate, who was the British officer in Command of Macao Fort, of the ongoing battles with the Chinese in the Canton River, incl.; "The firing you heard when off Powder Pt. was on one of 3 nights that they [the Chinese] made such a furious bombardment, and in order to direct the fire of the row-boats of the river, they illumined the face of the Fort by the reflected light from a house they burnt in the immediate vicinity...sending very brilliant light-balls across the river immediately above us...only one man was struck...the rascals have some idea where the Governor lives as several shot struck my steps, and one came partly through the wall..." Rare eye-witness accounts of day-to-day fighting at Macao. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £300
|
|
|
1s-4d RATE PREPAID COVER TO INDIA "PER [SHIP] MALABAR" WITH "HONG KONG/PAID" C.D.S.; June 1859 orange paper env. to Bombay "Per Malabar" from a known correspondence of a Macao Opium dealer with red crayon "1/4" (4d to HK and then 1/- on to India) on the front beside a mainly very fine small red "HONG KONG/PAID" c.d.s. (crease). Attractive cover with an unusual rate. PHOTO - see page no. £140
| NINGPO | |
|
|
THE NINGPO "RHOMBOID OF DOTS" CANCELLATION ON 4c ON 3c BROWN CARD TO G.B.; 29 Apr. 1895 usage of the Hong Kong 4c on 3c brown PC (tiny corner faults) to Scotland cancelled by both a very fine Rhomboid of Dots (Webb Type C; rated "RRR" on cover) and by a fine Type B "C/NINGPO" c.d.s. (2 May) with a second strike of the latter nearby; also having fair 3 May "SHANGHAE" & mainly v. fine 7 May HK transit c.d.s. backstamps. The real origin of this unusual dotted cancel is still not clear, but examples on cover (and especially on postcards) are very seldom seen. The similar May 1895 PC to France and the cover with 5c Pair to GB in Cavendish's 'Richard Chan' auctions realised £2,530 and £3,450 respectively in Mar./Oct. 2003.] Few examples known; Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £2,000
|
|
|
RARE LOCAL USE 1c GREEN POSTCARD TO PAKHOI WITH "C/NINGPO" C.D.S. ALONE; Fine 4 June 1896 commercial usage of the Hong Kong 1c Green Postal Stationery PC from "Ningpo" to "Church Mission, Pakhoi" (ref. undelivered books) cancelled by a mainly very fine straight-name "C/NINGPO" c.d.s. with a further strike (partly affected by small filing note) on the front; there are also "SHANGHAI" (5 June) and "HONG KONG" (9 June) backstamps. Rare and attractive local usage. PHOTO - see page no. £200
|
|
|
CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER TO GERMANY WITH TINY NINGPO BOXED "I.P.O." TIE-PRINT; Attractive 21 Sept. 1899 env. (minor corner stains well clear of stamp & cancels) to Darmstadt with China 10c Green tied by a very fine Chinese bilingual "NINGPO" c.d.s., also having a Hong Kong 10c Purple on Red tied by a very fine tiny Ningpo boxed "I.P.O." tie-print and a mainly fine "SHANGHAI! c.d.s. (22 Sept.). Ningpo tie-print covers are rare. PHOTO - see page no. £240
| PORT EDWARD | |
|
|
RARE QV FRANKED COVER WITH PURPLE BOXED DATESTAMP TO U.S.A.; Fine 9 Feb. 1906 env. (Missionary mail; "AVE MARIA" imprint at top left of address) to Indiana with QV 10c Blue tied by a very fine strike of the rare purple boxed "PORT EDWARD/WEI-HAI-WEI" datestamp with Shanghai & Seattle backstamps. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £500
| SHANGHAI DURING THE 1st OPIUM WAR, 1842. | |
|
|
RARE "EASTERN EXPEDITION" ENDORSED COVER FROM "CHAPOO" (PINGHU NEAR SHANGHAI) TO G.B. VIA INDIA; Very fine 22 May 1842 EL from the Edwards Correspondence written from "Chapoo, China" and addressed to Somerset by "Overland Mail Via Falmouth" clearly endorsed "Eastern Expedition" above the address charged "8[d]" on arrival with several very fine backstamps; red "CALCUTTA/G.P.O./SHIP LETTER" boxed d.s. (16 Aug.), black "CALCUTTA/SHIP LETTER"/Bearing [6]" boxed d.s. (16 Aug.; overstruck by black London "SHIP LETTER") with red London c.d.s. (31 Jan. 1843) alongside. The contents (full typed transcript) - written from a small coastal village near to Shanghai - gives an update of the Campaign in that area; "We landed near this town on the 18th. The town was protected by a range of hills upon which a body of Tartar and Chinese troops were drawn up; most unaccountably they allowed us to land without any opposition, when a few gingals judiciously placed would have annoyed us much...the 18th & 49th on the left drove the enemy before them over the next hills...the Tartars took refuge in a large house, our Lieut. Col. Tomlinson leading. He, I regret to say was killed at the door and all near him severely wounded...they held for nearly 3 hours making a most desperate resistance...It was not till the house was burned down in the greatest part that we entered; we found it full of bodies...The town of Chapoo was easily taken...Our loss has been very great...Very few of the Chinese towns have Tartar garrisons...The place is a large depot of arms...We have also heard that the reinforcements have reached Singapore, and that Lord Ellenborough intends to push this war on as much as possible..." Important and graphic eye-witness account of the British Occupation in the First Opium War. PHOTO - see page no. £1,500
|
|
|
"EASTERN EXPEDITION" COVER - DESCRIBING THE CAPTURE OF SHANGHAI - FROM "WOOSUNG" TO CEYLON VIA INDIA; Very fine 24 June 1842 EL from the Edwards Correspondence written from "At anchor off Woosung, China" and addressed to "Trincomalee, Ceylon" clearly endorsed "Eastern Expedition" above the address and charged "1s/8d" on arrival with mainly very fine black "CALCUTTA/SHIP LETTER"/Bearing [1-1]" boxed d.s. (14 Nov.) backstamp. The contents (full typed transcript) include; "We entered the river, the Yangtsekiang, on the 13th [June] and moved up about 40 miles at daylight on the 16th; the Men of War were towed into position by the steamers. The Chinese...guns...commenced a very steady and good fire. The ships stood on without answering till right abreast of the batteries when a few broadsides sent the Chinese scampering...the 'Cornwallis' wounded in her mizen mast and some of the steamers had their crews wounded...When the Chinese ceased firing, the Marines and small armed men were landed and took the batteries...and we landed to occupy amid dirt and smells...Our poor fellows had to lay in a marsh in stinking hovels and deserted tents...there we remained three days, marching for Shan-hae on the 19th...We, however, arrived before the steamers, which had anchored and [we] found the town deserted...Our quarters in the City of Chin-hae were tolerable but our supplies were short...I got permission to go down in the 'Pluto' for supplies...the 'Pluto' was to return immediately with the Plenipotentiary who had just returned from Hong Kong...I...returned in the 'Pluto' to Shan-hae..." Important contemporary eye-witness account of the Shanghai Campaign, and a rare Expedition endorsement on cover to Ceylon. [The similar Mar. 1842 Koo Lung Soo cover from this correspondence realised £2,300 in Cavendish's 'Norman Bennett' auction, Sept. 2004, lot 550.] PHOTO - see page. £1,500
|
|
|
CAMPAIGN COVER - DESCRIBING THE CAPTURE OF CHINGKIANG - FROM "[H.M.S.] TAMATAVE OFF TCHING-KIANG-FOO" TO INDIA; Fine 30 July 1842 EL (enclosure very fine; address-wrapper with reinforced folds but also complete) written from "[H.M.S. Tamatave off Tching-kiang-foo" to the writer's brother in "Palaveram" (India) endorsed "Pd." on the front and having a mainly very fine red boxed "DINAPORE/Paid" d.s. beside a partial Palaveram arrival d.s. on the top flap (taken by an acquaintance to Calcutta, who then forgot to post it until he was up-country at Dinapore!). The contents (almost complete typed transcript) give a detailed eye-witness account of the recent bloody battle that resulted in the fall of Chinkiang to the British (21 July 1842); "We arrived here on the 20th...marched up the country to attack the entrenched camps of the Tartars...the neat was unendurable...the road was so narrow that we were entirely in single files...the enemy opened fire upon us - it was very heavy and very hot ...I doubled on to the head of our men through the rice fields an up to my knees in water...the man alongside of me was wounded...ran on at a tremendous pace...the balls were flying about and whizzing over our heads...foud ourselves on a sudden close upon the enemy. We now commenced firing on them, charged and routed the fellows with the bayonet, and the battle was over...We were all knocked up and...spewing and cutting away like bricks, I was left in charge of the field of battle with 25 men to protect the sick of the 98th, and oh murder it was dreadful to see them dieing. I buried not a few of them during the night...We lost two guns and 150 killed and wounded...the Tartars fought desperately and they never made so goo a stand...I was never more tired and knocked up..We proceed to Nanking tomorrow or next day where a very large force is assembled to meet us...An Ambassador came down from Peking and was will to meet on any terms but ours...we shall be obliged to get a reinforcement from India before we can march on to Pekin. If we go to Pekin and take it, the Emperor will cut and run to his Tartar dominions. He never will agree to our terms which are so disgraceful to him. The terms are that Amoy, Hong Kong, Chusan and this place Chin-Kiang-Foo are to be made over to us for good..." Astonishingly detailed and graphic first-hand account of this important Battle. PHOTO - see page no. £1,500
|
SHANGHAI - LATER PRESTAMP MAIL, 1844-67 | |
|
|
UNPAID 2s-11d RATE COVER TO U.S.A. VIA HONG KONG, FRANCE & G.B.; 16 Aug. 1852 EL (red collector's mark foolishly applied to the bottom right corner of the address-panel; could be folded under) from "Shanghai" to New York "Via Marseilles" charged "2/11" with a fair "HONG KONG" c.d.s. (24 Aug.) across the join on the reverse, having the rate changed to "70" and then (handstruck"75" on arrival in the US), but also having a very fine red London transit backstamp (15 Oct.) across the join. The contents includes; "We regret to report the total loss of the new American Ship 'Hoogly', 1300 tons, in the Yang tze Kiang River, crew saved..." Scarce early cover to the U.S. PHOTO - see page no. £200
|
|
|
RARE SHANGHAI COVER WITH "SHIP LETTER/VICTORIA HONG KONG" CHARGED "2/2" TO G.B.; 22 Apr. 1853 EL (folds to show internal "Shanghai" heading alongside the address-panel) from "Shanghai" to London "Via Marseilles" charged "2/2" with a mainly fine scarce "SHIP LETTER/VICTORIA HONG KONG" mark (Webb Type B; very scarce on mail from Shanghai - see his comments on p.340) on the front. and a matching fine double-arc "HONG-KONG" c.d.s. (1 May) on the top flap overlapped by the red London arrival c.d.s. (30 July). The similar cover in Cavendish's Sept. 2009 auction, lot 691, realised £632.] Attractive cover. PHOTO - see page no. £300
|
|
|
EARLY LETTERS TO U.S.A. AND TO FRANCE INC. PRINTED "SHANGHAE PRICES CURRENT"; 5 Sept. 1855 EL (printed "SHANGHAE PRICE CURRENT" contents with detailed lists of Exports) to France posted from "HONG-KONG" (v. fine 12th Sept. c.d.s. on reverse) with a mostly fine 2-ring "ANGL./AMB. CALAIS A" transit c.d.s. and a mere "8" [decimes] handstruck arrival charge-mark, which seems to allow nothing for the British postage from Hong Kong to London (9th Nov. c.d.s. on back). There was no French mailboat service to the Far East until 1862. Plus 2nd Oct. 1855 EL (no postal marks) from "Shanghai" to New York endorsed "Pr. [Ship] Kathay", and 4th Dec. 1844 letter (no address wrapper) from "Shanghai" to "Philadelphia" with long manuscript letter listing Imports, etc. Pre-1850 mail is rare and covers of the 1850s are seldom seen; there were only 90 non-Chinese people in Shanghai during the 1840s. Scarce group. (3 items). [All ex Richard Chan, Cavendish Oct. 2003, lot 345; realised £506.] PHOTO - see page no. £300
|
|
|
RARE SHANGHAI COVER WITH "SHIP LETTER/VICTORIA HONG KONG" CHARGED "2/2" TO U.S.; 26 June 1854 EL (folds to show internal "Shanghae" heading alongside the address-panel) from "Shanghae" to New York "Via Marseilles" charged "40" and then "61" with a mainly fine scarce "SHIP LETTER/VICTORIA HONG KONG" mark (Webb Type B; very scarce on mail from Shanghai - see his comments on p.340) on the front. and a matching nearly fine double-arc "HONG-KONG" c.d.s. (scarce "4JY4" date) on the top flap, also having a partly very fine "NEW YORK/BR[?] PKT" arrival c.d.s. (12 Sept.). The similar cover (but to G.B.) in Cavendish's Sept. 2009 auction, lot 691, realised £632.] Rare Transatlantic cover. PHOTO - see page no. £300
|
|
|
RARE DIRECT "[SHIP] ROBIN HOOD CONSIGNEE" COVER TO U.S. ROUND CAPE HORN VIA NEW YORK; Fine 10 Apr. 1858 env. to Boston "[Per Ship] Robin Hood" endorsed "Consignee" from Shanghai (proved by included photo of Bill of Lading for the Robin Hood's voyage direct from Shanghai to New York with a mainly very fine large encircled "NEW-YORK/SHIP/AUG 11/5" 5c arrival charge-mark on the front. There was no concessionary rate for this letter to the US at this date, but it is a most unusual endorsement. [The similar 1858 EL to New York in Cavendish's Richard Chan auction, Oct. 2003, lot 347, realised £460.] PHOTO - see page no. £300
|
|
|
"NEW YORK/AM. PKT." COVER CHARGED "45[c]" VIA FRANCE & G.B.; 24 Apr. 1858 EL (the internal heading folds to display beside the address-panel; red collector's mark foolishly applied to the bottom right corner of the address-panel) from "Shanghae" to New York "Via Marseilles" with a large part fine "HONG-KONG" double-arc c.d.s. (unusual "1 MY" date) on the top flap beside a red London transit c.d.s. (30 June) and with a mainly very fine large "NEW YORK/AM. PKT" c.d.s. (14 July) on the front, charged "45[c]" (h.s.) on arrival with manuscript "24[c]" credit to G.B. for part of the 45c to be collected. Scarce early Transatlantic cover from Shanghai. PHOTO - see page no. £140
|
|
|
"NEW YORK/AM. PKT." COVER CHARGED "45[c]" VIA FRANCE & G.B.; 2 Sept. 1859 EL (the internal heading folds to display beside the address-panel) from "Shanghae" to New York "Via Marseilles" with part small "HONG-KONG" c.d.s. (unusual inverted "C" code) on the top flap beside a red London transit c.d.s. (31 Oct.) and with a mainly very fine large "NEW YORK/AM. PKT" c.d.s. (17 Nov.) on the front, charged "45[c]" (h.s.) on arrival with manuscript "24[c]" credit to G.B. for part of the 45c to be collected. Scarce early Transatlantic cover from Shanghai. PHOTO - see page no. £140
|
|
|
RED BOXED "PAID" MARK ON COVER TO RARE DESTINATION - GERMAN STATES/POLAND VIA G.B. & BELGIUM; Attractive 14 Apr. 1859 env. (slight toning in centre of address) from "Sh[anghai]." (filing note on flap) to "Breslau, Germany via Triest" (in Prussia at that time but later part of Poland) with a mainly very fine scarce red boxed "PAID" on the front and a very fine small "HONG KONG" c.d.s. (sideways "C" code) on the side-flap (opened out for display; partly overstruck) with manuscript "1/-" rate in red but also charged "7" (silbergroschen) in blue on arrival with a red "PAID/LONDON" c.d.s. (13 June) struck in error on the front and cancelled by a very fine special-purposes London "51" Numeral; there are also Aachen (red; 14 June) and "BRESLAU" (15 June) backstamps. Exceptional destination for mail from the Far East. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £400
|
|
|
TAIPING REBELLION - COVER TO U.S. WITH GRAPHIC DETAILS OF THE WAR & SMALL "SHANGHAE/PAID" C.D.S.; 17 May 1862 env. (with contents; Markham correspondence - small opening tear at top does not detract) from "British Consulate, Shanghae" to "Wisconsin, U.S.A." with mainly fine scarce Type 6 "SHANGHAE/C/PAID" c.d.s. (rated "R" by Pearson; slight folds) on the front overstruck by light NY transit c.d.s. beside red crayon "1/7" and "1/8" rates, as well as London (19 July 1862) c.d.s. There is a very fine small "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s. on one flap and a very fine 22 May "HONG KONG" c.d.s. on the other flap. The contents give graphic details of the writer's recent visit to the devastated nearby city of Kahding; "We are gradually driving the Rebels away from this [area we] already have retaken two of their strongholds, the cities of Kahding & Tsingpo, both 25 miles from this. Ningpo has also fallen into our hands...[I] rode out to Kahding last Sunday...the city...is larger round the walls than Shanghae but it is such a state of devastation. Before the Rebels took it, the population was about 200,000; now - including 200 English & French troops left to garrison it - there are not more than 600 souls in the place...I got some pretty & very useful loot...The wall of the city is breached in three places & the interior has the appearance of a battle field; bodies lying about, half exploded shells & roundshot here & there...farms in ruins, the corpses of the owners lying about...Albert was just too late for Ningpo...he returned...the day before yesterday in command of a prize taken at Ningpo; the British ship 'Paragon' caught selling arms to the Rebels..." Graphic and rare eye-witness account of this ongoing bloody conflict. PHOTO - see page no. £400
|
|
|
THE SMALL "SHANGHAE/PAID" C.D.S. ON COVER TO U.S. VIA FRANCE WITH MENTION OF U.S. CIVIL WAR; 1/3 July 1862 EL (Heard correspondence; family letter ref. a recent visit to Manila noting that "I was rather afraid when I first heard of your going there [Port Royal, S. Carolina] that you might be nobbed up by some of the Rebels.") from "Shanghae" to "U.S. America Via Marseilles", with mainly fine scarce Type 6 "SHANGHAE/C/PAID" c.d.s. (rated "R" by Pearson; slight folds) on the front beside red crayon "2/1" and "2/2" rates, as well as London (27 Aug. 1862) and "BOSTON AM. PKT/5" (9 Sept.) c.d.s.'s. There is a mostly fine small "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s. overstruck by a 9 July "HONG KONG" c.d.s. on the top flap. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £300
|
|
|
RED BOXED "PAID" MARK WITH RED "16/CENTS" ON 1s-8d RATE COVER TO U.S. VIA HONG KONG & G.B.; Apr. 1863 env. (slight stains) to USA (Conn.) "Via Southampton" probably originating from Shanghai with mainly very fine red boxed "PAID" on the front (slightly overstruck but clear) beside a red manuscript "1/8" rate with a very fine small "C"-code "HONG KONG" c.d.s. on the flap; also on the front is a red crayon "1/7" (amount due from HK to G.B.) a very fine red h.s. "16/CENTS" Accountancy Mark and a partial "5/N.YORK [AM.? PKT.]" c.d.s. Unusual and late usage of this boxed Paid mark on Transatlantic mail. PHOTO - see page no. £200
|
|
|
RED "SHANGHAE/PAID" C.D.S. WITH RED "16/CENTS" ON 2s/- RATE COVER TO U.S. VIA HONG KONG, FRANCE & G.B.; Fine 3 Sept. 1863 env. to USA (Mass.) "Via Marseilles" with mainly very fine red "SHANGHAE/C/PAID" c.d.s. on the front beside a red crayon "2/-" rate with very fine small "C"-code "SHANGHAE" & "HONG KONG" c.d.s.'s on the flaps; also on the front is a red crayon "1/11" (amount due from HK to G.B.) a mainly very fine red h.s. "16/CENTS" Accountancy Mark and a partial "5/N.YORK [AM.?] PKT." c.d.s. Attractive Transatlantic cover of Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £400
|
|
|
RED "SHANGHAE/PAID" C.D.S. ON 2s/2d RATE COVER TO U.S. VIA HONG KONG, FRANCE & G.B.; Fine 23/24 Nov. 1863 EL to USA (Mass.; Heard correspondence) "Via Marseilles" with mainly very fine red "SHANGHAE/C/PAID" c.d.s. on the front along with red crayon "2/21/2" rate with mainly fine small blue "C"-code "HONG KONG" c.d.s. on the flaps also on the front is a red crayon "2/11/2" (amount due from HK to G.B.) and a fine "BOSTON BR. PKT./5" c.d.s. (27 Jan. 1864). Attractive Transatlantic cover of Exhibition Quality. [Ex Cavendish Richard Chan auction, Oct. 2003, lot 351; realised £622.] PHOTO - see page no. £400
|
|
|
RARE BLUE DIAMOND-FRAMED "GB/1F224/10c" ON COVER TO FRANCE WITH "SHANGHAE/PAID" C.D.S. STRUCK IN ERROR; 8 Feb. 1864 EL from "Shanghai" to Lyons "Via Marseilles" with a faint red (deliberately smudged immediately after being applied) "SHANGHAE/PAID"c.d.s. on the front struck in error along with a very fine blue Hong Kong diamond-framed "GB/1F224/10c" Accountancy Mark (Webb type G) nearby, having a matching blue "HONG KONG/C" c.d.s. (seal tears) on the top flap beside a very fine black "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s. (just across join), with black French "18" [decimes] arrival charge-mark and red Marseilles transit c.d.s. on the front. Possibly a unique Shanghai P.O. error and a fine Accountancy Mark cover. PHOTO - see page no. £400
| SHANGHAI - QV, STAMPED MAIL, 1859-1904 | |
|
|
EARLY INGOING STAMPED COVER FROM G.B. WITH LATE USAGE LARGE "HONG-KONG" C.D.S.; 8 Jan. 1859 EL (printed Prices Current contents) from London to "Shanghae via Marseilles" with GB 1d Red 'Stars' + 4d Rose-Carmine Pair tied by fine "LONDON E.C./77" Duplexes, having a "THROGMORTON ST" UDC and a very fine late usage large "HONG-KONG" transit c.d.s. (27 Feb.; Webb Type 7) on the top flap. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £150
|
|
|
EARLY INGOING STAMPED COVER FROM G.B. WITH MANUSCRIPT "1" ACCOUNTANCY MARK; 26 May 1860 E (same correspondence as previous lot) from London to "Shanghae via Marseilles" with GB 1d Red 'Stars' + 4d Rose-Carmine Pair tied by two exceptionally fine "LONDON E.C./77" Duplexes, having a partly fine small "HONG-KONG" transit c.d.s. (6 July) on the side-flap, and with a manuscript "1" (1d due from G.B. to HK) Accountancy marking on the front. Exhibition Quality & a good pair to the previous lot PHOTO - see page no. £150
|
|
|
SCARCE 8c-RATE COVER WITH BLUE HONG KONG "B62" NUMERAL BY NAMED SHIP; 4 July 1865 E (some reinforced folds; red collector's mark foolishly applied to the bottom right corner of the address-panel) to Hong Kong "Pr. [Ship] Singapore" with a partly very fine blue "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s. on the flap franked by HK 8c Dull Orange tied by a very fine blue "B62" Numeral matching the partly fine small blue "HONG KONG" c.d.s. on the flap, with small red crayon "4" beside the stamp (4d equivalent of the 8c rate). Unusual local 8c rate cover from Shanghai's "B62 period" (1864-68). PHOTO - see page no. £150
|
|
|
16c-RATE COVER TO INDIA "PER [P&O STEAMER] CHINA" WITH BLACK HONG KONG "B62" NUMERALS; 5 Feb. 1868 env. (minor edge/flap faults) from "Shanghai" to Bombay with long contents (from Jardine Matheson ref. Opium trade; annotated inside to be sent "Per Formosa" - JM's own steamer - to HK) with HK 8c Orange + 4c Grey (2) tied by mainly very fine "B62" Numerals matching the partly fine small HK c.d.s. on the reverse. [Plus 4 other letters - no envs. - from this correspondence.] PHOTO - see page no. £240
|
|
|
INGOING STAMPED COVER FROM G.B. AT 1s-4d RATE VIA FRANCE, ETC.; 10 Feb. 1868 env. to "Shanghae, China" routed "Via Marseilles" with GB 4d Vermilion (pl.9) + 1/- Green (pl.4) tied by very fine "LONDON W.C./WC/13" Duplexes , having a mainly very fine black "SHANGHAE/C" arrival c.d.s. (27 Mar.) on the side-flap. Plus part 18 Mar. 1868 E from GB with similar franking but endorsed "Pr French Str. Via Marseilles" with a very fine blue "SHANGHAE/A" c.d.s. on the flap, and a small 1868 paper cutting ref. Officers rates. (3 items) PHOTO - see page no. £150
|
|
|
32c-RATE COVER TO GB VIA FRANCE WITH HONG KONG 2c BROWN + 30c ORANGE & BLACK "B62" NUMERALS; Attractive 9 May 1868 env. (opened out) to Inverness "Via Marseilles" with HK 2c Brown + 30c Orange tied by mainly very fine black "B62" Numerals matching the very fine "HONG-KONG" c.d.s. (13 May) on the reverse beside a very fine larger "SHANGHAE/A" c.d.s. also in black. There is a red crayon "1/4" on the front indicating the sterling equivalent of this 32c franking; a good late example of the Shanghai "B62 Period" (1864-68). [Signed by Peter Holcombe.] PHOTO - see page no. £240
|
|
|
32c-RATE COVER TO GB VIA FRANCE WITH 8c ORANGE + 24c GREEN & EARLIEST KNOWN (?) BLUE "S1" NUMERAL; 24 Nov. 1868 EL (some wrinkling & light toning) to London "Via Marseilles" with HK 8c Orange + 24c Green (corner fault) tied by a single mainly very fine blue "S1" Numeral matching the mainly very fine blue "SHANGHAE/A" c.d.s. on the reverse. There is a red "1/4" on the front indicating the sterling equivalent of this 32c franking. This is an earlier usage of the "S1" Numeral than recorded by Webb. Significant Shanghai cover; it is written by Bower & Co. who Proud notes as the Shanghai firm that wrote to the London P.O. in 1868 and triggered the change to cancelling stamps in Shanghai rather than in Hong Kong (from late in 1868) to avoid pilfering in transit. PHOTO - see page no. £200
|
|
|
32c-RATE COVER TO GB VIA FRANCE WITH 8c ORANGE + 24c GREEN & UNUSUALLY CLEAR BLUE "S1" NUMERAL; Very fine 3 June 1869 EL to London "Via Marseilles" with HK 8c Orange + 24c Green tied by a single very fine blue "S1" Numeral matching the very fine blue "SHANGHAE/A" c.d.s. on the reverse. There is a red "1/4" on the front indicating the sterling equivalent of this 32c franking and a London arrival c.d.s. (26 July). Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £300
|
|
|
36c-RATE COVER TO FRANCE VIA BRINDISI WITH 12c BLUE + 24c GREEN & BLUE "S1" NUMERAL; 7 Sept. 1872 env. (opened out & small repair to flap) to "Montauban, France" with HK 12c Blue + 24c Green (both with wing margins and folded over the edge to avoid obscuring the address) tied by a single mainly very fine blue "S1" Numeral matching the mainly very fine blue "SHANGHAE/A" c.d.s. on the reverse. There is a red "1/6" on the front indicating the sterling equivalent of this 36c franking along with a large part red 2-ring French "POSS. ANGL. BRIND..." c.d.s. and a part red "P.D." mark. Rare destination for an "S1" cover. PHOTO - see page no. £300
|
|
|
30c-RATE SINGLE-FRANKING COVER TO G.B. WITH 30c MAUVE & BLUE "S1" NUMERAL; 10 Feb. 1876 env. (opened out, flap reduced & repairs at top and foot; slight dusting) to London "Via Brindisi" with HK 30c Mauve(corner fault) tied by a single mainly very fine blue "S1" Numeral matching the mainly very fine blue "SHANGHAE/A" c.d.s. on the reverse. There is a red London "PAID" arrival c.d.s. (25 Mar.) on the front. PHOTO - see page no. £150
|
|
|
PRIVATELY CARRIED MAIL TO INDIA + POSTAL STATIONERY CARD USAGES TO LAPPA, ETC.; 1880/81 pair of envs. (with contents) from Shanghai to Bombay without postal marks but with good contents abut Opium trade and an account for gold bars! Plus 31 July 1883 commercial usage of the HK 1c Green PC to HK plus 20 Nov. 1896 4 Mar. 1898 usages of the 4c Grey PCs to Germany or to "I.M. Customs, Lappa, Macao", a.. with mainly fine "SHANGHAE" c.d.s. cancels, the latter with HK & Portuguese "MACAU" transit c.d.s.'s. (2 covers + 3 cards) PHOTO - see page no. £150
|
|
|
TREBLE RATE REGISTERED COVER TO G.B. WITH "R" IN CIRCLE & 10c GREEN STRIP OF FOUR; Long 15 Nov. 1889 env. to London franked by Hong Kong 1884-96 10c green Vertical Strip of Four (rare thus on cover), tied by light to very fine "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s.'s with a very fine matching "R" in circle mark (struck in Shanghai) alongside. There is a partial Hong Kong transit c.d.s. of 18 Nov. on the reverse and London/Gravesend datestamps on the front. Rare early Treaty Port Registered cover and an unusually high rate (3x10c postage + 10c fee). Exhibition quality. [Ex Cavendish Vivien Sussex auction, Mar. 2002, lot 3454; realised £460.] PHOTO - see page no. £150
|
|
|
REGISTERED USAGE OF THE SHANGHAI LOCAL POST 1c BROWN ENVELOPE WITH HK 5c (2)+10c TO GERMANY; Fine 25 Sept. 1894 usage of the 1c Brown "SHANGHAI/MUNICIPALITY" P. Stationery env. (uncancelled) registered to Strasbourg with very fine Shanghai "R" in circle on the front and uprated with Hong Kong 10c Purple on Red + 5c Blue(2) all tied by mainly very fine "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s.'s. Attractive and unusual usage. PHOTO - see page no. £160
|
|
|
ZANZIBAR & CEYLON - EARLY INGOING CARDS INC. "SINGAPORE/TO HONG KONG" C.D.S.; Unusual 4 Sept. 1897 usage of the "ZANZIBAR" o.p. 1a on 10c French Postal Stat. PC to Shanghai cancelled with fine 2-ring "ZANZIBAR" c.d.s. having very fine "ADEN/+" (12 Sept.) and "SINGAPORE/TO HONG KONG" (6 Sept.) c.d.s.'s on the front. Plus 4 Nov. 1903 PPC (of Penang) to Shanghai with Ceylon 6c tied by Colombo c.d.s. with Victoria (HK) & Shanghai c.d.s.'s on the front. Rare pair. (2 cards) PHOTO - see page no. £120
|
|
|
10c-RATE COVERS WITH HK QV FRANKINGS TO NOVA SCOTIA & THE PHILIPPINES; 21 Feb. 1898 env. to Nova Scotia with HK 5c Blue Pair tied by light "SHANGHAI" c.d.s.'s, plus 10 May 1902 env. to "Comdt. U.S. Naval Station, Cavite, P.I." with HK 2c (Pair + single) and 4c tied by mainly very fine "SxHANGHAI/C" c.d.s.'s. Unusual pair. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £150
|
|
