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RARE USAGE OF THE HONG KONG 10c BLUE P. STATIONERY ENVELOPE TO SYRIA, ETC.; 18 Mar. 1904 usage of the HK QV 10c Blue Postal Stationery env. (vertical fold does not detract) endorsed "via Suez" to "Chemin de fer Damas-Hama, Beyrouth, Syrie" cancelled by a mainly fine "SHANGHAI/C" c.d.s. with backstamps of Colombo, Suez, Port Said & Beirut; rare destination. Plus pair of 1903 letters (one with env.; privately carried) from Shanghai to Bombay regarding the Opium trade. (3 items) PHOTO - see page no. £100
| SHANGHAI - CHINA COMBINATION COVERS, 1899-1904 | |
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INGOING CHINA/G.B. COMBINATION COVER HANDLED BY "SHANGHAI/LOCAL POST"; Fine 10 Mar. 1899 mourning env. from Battersea to "Dr. W. Knappe, H.I.M. Consul General, German Consulate, Shanghai, China" franked by GB 1d Lilacs (2) + 1/2d Vermilion for the U.P.U. 21/2d rate but having mainly fine "HONG.KONG" (11 Apr.) and very fine 2-ring "SHANGHAI/LOCAL POST" (15 Apr.) backstamp c.d.s.'s and so it was handed over to the Chinese Imperial Post from which a 1c local charge was due, hence there is a China 1c Orange on the front tied (minutely; at the top of the stamp) by the Shanghai "121,111" barred Pa-Kua obilterator. Very few ingoing G.B./China Combination Covers are known. Exhibition Item. PHOTO - see page no. £400
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION CARD WITH SHANGHAI TIE-PRINT SENT FROM SHANGHAI TO U.S.A.; Colourful 3 June 1899 usage of the China 1c Red Postal Stationery PC (corner creases) to Illinois uprated with China 2c Red + 1c Orange (for the 4c PC rate) tied by a very fine Shanghai barred Pa-Kua cancel with Hong Kong 2c Red Vertical Pair tied by a very fine boxed Shanghai "I.P.O." tie-print and by very fine "SHANGHAI/C" c.d.s.'s (10 June) with 2-ring v. fine "SHANGHAI/LOCAL POST" c.d.s. and US arrival Duplex on the imprinted stamp. Unusual and attractive usage to America. PHOTO - see page no. £240
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER WITH PEKING TIE-PRINT SENT VIA SHANGHAI TO BELGIUM; Rare 19 June 1899 env. (minor opening tears; fancy red embossed Belgian Legation wafer seal) to Charleroy (redirected at no charge to London; 1 Aug. backstamp) with China 5c Pale Red Pair (on reverse) tied by superb Chinese bilingual "PEKING" c.d.s. with Hong Kong 5c Blue Pair (on the front) tied by a very fine tiny boxed Peking "I.P.O." tie-print and by mainly very fine "SHANGHAI/C" c.d.s.'s (26 June) with Shanghai, Hong Kong and Belgian backstamps. Rare and attractive usage to Belgium. PHOTO - see page no. £260
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER WITH CHUNGKING TIE-PRINT SENT VIA SHANGHAI TO G.B.; Rare 7 Sept. 1899 env. (minor edge wear) to Suffolk (redirected at no charge to London; 26 Sept. backstamp) with China 10c Green tied by mainly very fine Chinese bilingual "CHUNGKING" c.d.s. with Hong Kong 10c Purple on Red (on the front) tied by a very fine rare unframed tiny Chungking "I P.O." tie-print (Webb Type 1, but showing two full stops) and by mainly very fine "SHANGHAI/C" c.d.s.'s (18 Aug.) with Chinese Shanghai backstamp. Rare and attractive usage; Chungking was the only P.O. to use an Unframed tie-print. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER WITH SHANGHAI TIE-PRINT SENT TO GERMANY; 29/31 Oct. 1899 PPC (view of Shanghai war memorial) to Kiel with China 4c Brown tied by fine Shanghai Pa-Kua cancel with Hong Kong 2c Red Pair with fine boxed Shanghai "I.P.O." tie-print and tied by mainly fine "SHANGHAI" c.d.s. (31 Oct.) with "SHANGHAI/LOCAL POST", Hong Kong and Kiel transit marks all on the address-side. Attractive. PHOTO - see page no. £200
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER WITH PEKING OVAL DATESTAMPS SENT VIA SHANGHAI TO AUSTRIA; Rare 20/26 Mar. 1901 usage of the China 1c Red PC (hand-coloured comic drawing on reverse; minor toning) to Pola uprated with China 2c Red + 1/2c Brown (2) all tied/cancelled by mainly very fine bilingual double-oval "PEKING" datestamps with Hong Kong 2c Red Pair (over the imprinted stamp and cancel) just tied by a large part "SHANGHAI/C" c.d.s. (3 Apr.) with French "LIGNE N/PAQ. FR. No.7" (overstruck), Shanghai and Pola datestamps on the front. Rare and attractive usage to Austria. PHOTO - see page no. £260
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER WITH CHUNGKING & SHANGHAI C.D.S.'s TO G.B.; 14 Oct. 1901 env. (minor toning) to Hull (v. fine "HULL/N.W." 2 Dec. backstamp) with China 5c Pale Red + 1c Orange + 2c Red Pair all tied by mainly very fine Chinese bilingual "CHUNGKING" c.d.s.'s alongside Hong Kong 10c Blue tied by a partly very fine "SHANGHAI/C" c.d.s. (27 Oct.) with Shanghai & Victoria (Hong Kong) backstamps. Attractive. PHOTO - see page no. £240
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER WITH CHINKIANG & SHANGHAI C.D.S.'s TO G.B.; 10 Nov. 1901 env. to Banbury (v. fine 17 Dec. backstamp) with China 10c Green (on reverse) tied by mainly very fine Chinese bilingual "CHINKIANG" c.d.s. (a second very fine strike on the front) and Hong Kong 10c Blue (on the front) tied by a mainly very fine "SHANGHAI/C" c.d.s. (11 Nov.). Attractive. PHOTO - see page no. £200
| SWATOW | |
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EARLY INGOING "BLACK JACK" COVER FROM THE U.S. "VIA PACIFIC MAIL" TO SWATOW; Attractive 8 Feb. 1869 env. to Wingate at Swatow "By Pacific Mail" from "BRISTOL/N.H." (blue c.d.s. on front) franked by US 1862-6 2c "Black Jack", 1867 Embossed Grill 2c "Black Jack" and 3c (2), all cancelled or tied by fine blue Bristol "target" cancels and by a whisker of the fine 5th April San Francisco transit c.d.s., having a very fine 9 May Hong Kong c.d.s. and faint "A/SWATOW" arrival c.d.s. (14 July) on the reverse. Spectacular and rare franking and destination. [Ex Cavendish Richard Chan auction, Mar. 2003, lot 257; realised £920.] Plus fine 5 July 1899 commercial usage of the complete US 2c+2c Blue Postal Stationery Reply PC (used outwards only) from "ST. LOUIS" (machine cancel) to "Swatow" (with mainly fine "SWATOW/x" arrival c.d.s. on the reverse. (2 items) PHOTO - see page no. £750
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THE VERY RARE "S2" CANCEL IN BLUE ON 8c-RATE (4c GREY PAIR) TRANS-PACIFIC COVER TO U.S.A.; 12 April 1876 env. to New Hampshire "Via San Francisco" franked by Hong Kong 4c grey pair cancelled by a single very fine Type Ai "S2" numeral IN BLUE (only six covers recorded with the S2 mark in this colour), with a very fine Type B "A/SWATOW" c.d.s. on the flap and a near fine red small "HONG KONG/PAID ALL" c.d.s. on the front with a 20th May San Francisco c.d.s. One of the most elusive of all Treaty Port Cancellations on cover. Exhibition Quality. [With copy of Holcombe 1986 Certificate of Genuineness.] [Ex Cavendish Richard Chan auction, Mar. 2003, lot 259; realised £2,300.] PHOTO - see page no. £2,000
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VERY RARE "DATE ABOVE" SWATOW DATESTAMP ON 3c BROWN POSTCARD TO G.B.; 14 Mar. 1892 usage of the 3c Brown Hong Kong Postal Stationery PC (light speckling) to Reading cancelled by a very fine strike of the rare "Date Above" variety of the Swatow c.d.s.; "MR 14/SWATOW/92" (Webb Type D) with Hong Kong transit c.d.s. (15 Mar.) on the front. Webb only recorded two examples of this unusual datestamp on cover or card, but we have now recorded four, including this example and the next lot (all on Postcards). [The card in Cavendish's Richard Chan auction, Mar. 2003, lot 271, realised £483.] PHOTO - see page no. £300
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VERY RARE "DATE ABOVE" SWATOW DATESTAMP ON 1c GREEN POSTCARD TO SHANGHAI; Very fine 4 Mar. 1893 commercial usage of the 1c Green Hong Kong Postal Stationery PC to Shanghai cancelled by a mainly very fine rare "Date Above" variety of the Swatow c.d.s.; "MR 4/SWATOW/93" (Webb Type D) with "SHANGHAE" arrival c.d.s. (8 Mar.) on the reverse. Webb only recorded two examples of this unusual datestamp on cover or card, but we have now recorded four, including this example and the previous lot (all on Postcards). [The card in Cavendish's Richard Chan auction, Mar. 2003, lot 271, realised £483.] PHOTO - see page no. £300
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION WRAPPER WITH PRINTED CONTENTS WITH TYPE 1 SWATOW TIE-PRINT TO GERMANY; 10 May 1899 red-band wrapper (tied to its original Chinese printed contents) to Baden with China 1/2c Brown (2 different issues) + 1c Orange-Yellow all tied by very fine large 2-ring Chinese bilingual "SWATOW" c.d.s.'s, also with Hong Kong 2c Red tied by very fine boxed Swatow "I.P.O." tie-print (Webb Type 1) and by a partly fine "HONG KONG" c.d.s. (11 May). Attractive and rare survival of a Combination franked newspaper-rate item. PHOTO - see page no. £400
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER REGISTERED WITH HONG KONG 20c ON 30c SURCHARGE TO GERMANY; 9 Feb. 1901 env. registered to Stuttgart with China 10c Green Pair tied (on reverse) by very fine Chinese bilingual "SWATOW" c.d.s. with scarce Hong Kong 20c on 30c Grey-Green surcharge (on the front) tied (by clear indentation) by partial "HONG KONG" c.d.s. (11 Feb.) with rare very fine red boxed "R/SWATOW I.P.O/No. [B116]" mark alongside and a Stuttgart arrival backstamp. Exceptional usage of this stamp on a Combination cover along with a rare Registered marking. Exhibition Quality. [Copy of RPS 1998 cert. wrongly stating that the HK stamp was not tied, but correctly stating that the cover was genuine.] PHOTO - see page no. £300
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER AT PRINTED MATTER RATE EX HSING-NING WITH SWATOW TIE-PRINT SENT TO SWITZERLAND; Remarkable 2/3 July 1904 env. at "printed matter" rate to Luzern with China 4c Brown + 2c Red (on the front; treble rate) tied by very fine all-Chinese Hsing-Ning c.d.s. with Hong Kong QV 2c Dull Green + KEVII 4c Purple on Red both tied both by mainly very fine boxed Swatow sanserif "I.P.O." tie-print (Web Type iv) and by partly fine "VICTORIA/HONG KONG" 2-ring c.d.s.'s with very fine bilingual Chinese "SWATOW" c.d.s. on the reverse and a very fine French maritime 2-ring "LIGNE/PAQ. FR. No.2" c.d.s. on the front. There are also spectaular Chinese private marks in green or red on front and back. Exhibition Quality and a very rare rate and place of origin. PHOTO - see page no. £360
| TIENTSIN | |
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2nd OPIUM WAR - PAIR OF LETTERS FROM BRITISH SHIPS "OFF PEI-HO" BLOCKADING TIENTSIN WITH NEWS OF TREATY, ETC.; 29 Apr. & 5 July 1858 pair of envs. sent ship-to-ship from "[H.M.S.] Calcutta off the Pei-Ho, Gulf of Pechili" or "[H.M.S.] Bellisle off Pei-ho" to Capt. Cochrane on "H.M.S. Niger" (the first addressed to the ship at "Singapore" from fellow-Captains with great detail of the gathering of the Allied Fleet to put pressure on the Chinese for a Peace Treaty, and then written just a few days after the "Treaty of Tientsin" was concluded. Long and interesting contents include; "[29 April] We arrived here on the 24th...8 of us; 7 French, 3 American and 1 Rusco. In a week we shall have 'Fury' and 5 more boats...I fear we are in for a China War, The Chinese sent an Ambassy to Canton, on which we came North, and a if a Plenipo[tentiary]. is not sent here by the 1 May we are to take the Forts at the mouth of the River and go up to Tiensin. I rather think these forts will be the hardest nut we have yet had to crack...they have been working...night & day cutting ditches , erecting mud embrasures, sand bag Batteries &c...". Plus "[5 July] The Treaty was signed on the evening of the 27th June...but this unfortunate White Cloud Mountain affair, or something else, has caused the Emperor to hang backing talifying it...Some hundreds of French Marines arrived some time ago, and were immediately sent up to Tien-tsin and the 59th and the Marine Artillery arrived a few days ago and were sent up the River this morning...after all it is the Enfield against the Bow & Arrow. The Procession to the signing of the Treaty was a most higglety pigglety affair...the Great Men got seated under the dais...as officers drank their tea they pocketed the cup...P.S. Troops all returned; ratification of Treaty reached Lord Elgin on morning of 4th [July]..." Rare first-hand description of the signing of the Treaty of Tientsin and the blockade. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £300
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER WITH BLUE "TIENTSIN" C.D.S. & SHANGHAI PA-KUA, ETC. TO CANARY IS.; 17 May 1898 env. ("IMPERIAL CHINESE RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION" imprint on front; opened out for display) to G.B. with China 10c Green Dragon (on reverse) tied by fine Shanghai barred Pa-Kua cancel with matching very fine large 2-ring bilingual "SHANGHAI" c.d.s. alongside and also with Hong Kong 10c Purple on Red (on the front) tied by a very fine small "SHANGHAI" c.d.s. with mainly very fine 2-ring blue "TIENTSIN" c.d.s. ("CUSTOMS" removed type) alongside; redirected to "H.M.S. Dido, Las Palmas, Canary Islands". Most unusual combination of markings, franking and destination. Exhibition Item. PHOTO - see page no. £240
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER WITH TIENTSIN PA-KUA SENT VIA SHANGHAI TO "CHANNEL SQUADRON"; 4 Oct. 1898 env. to "H.M.S. Arrogant, Channel Squadron" with China 10c Green tied by large part barred Tientsin Pa-Kua cancel with large Chinese bilingual "TIENTSIN" 2-ring c.d.s. alongside, also with Hong Kong 10c Purple on Red just tied by a part small "[SHA]NGHAI" c.d.s., also having a large mainly fine Chinese 2-ring "SHANGHAI" c.d.s. (8 Oct.) on the reverse. Unusual destination and attractive. PHOTO - see page no. £240
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER WITH BLUE "TIENTSIN" C.D.S. & MATCHING BLUE PA-KUA, ETC.; 6 Mar. 1899 env. (opened out for display) to G.B. with China 10c Green Dragon (on reverse) tied by very fine BLUE Tientsin barred Pa-Kua cancel with matching very fine 2-ring blue "TIENTSIN" c.d.s. ("CUSTOMS" removed type) on the front beside Hong Kong 10c Purple on Red tied by a partly fine small "SHANGHAI" c.d.s., also having a partly fine large 2-ring bilingual "SHANGHAI" c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare blue Pa-Kua cover. PHOTO - see page no. £260
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER TO PHILIPPINES WITH BLUE "TIENTSIN" C.D.S. & BLUE BOXED TIE-PRINT; Commercial 26 Apr. 1899 env. to "Manila" with China 10c Green Dragon (on reverse) tied by mainly very fine BLUE Tientsin barred Pa-Kua cancel with matching fine 2-ring blue "TIENTSIN" c.d.s. ("CUSTOMS" removed type) on the front beside Hong Kong 10c Purple on Red tied by a very fine rare BLUE small boxed Tientsin "I.P.O." tie-print (Webb Type 1; very early usage) and by a mainly fine small "SHANGHAI" c.d.s., also having a very fine small Chinese bilingual "SHANGHAI" c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare blue "I.P.O." Tie-print cover. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION CARD WITH PAOTING 2-RING & PEKING OVAL DATESTAMPS TO FRANCE; 17 Feb. 1901 usage of the China 1c Red Postal Stationery PC (corner creases) to Paris uprated with China 4c Brown tied by a very fine large "PAOTING" Chinese 2-ring bilingual c.d.s. with Hong Kong 2c Red Pair alongside (over a second Paoting c.d.s.) tied by a partly "SHANGHAI" c.d.s. (1 Mar.), also having mainly very fine Chinese "PEKING" (27 Feb.), "TIENTSIN" & "SHANGHAI" d.s.'s all on the front. Spectacular card from this small Chinese P.O. PHOTO - see page no. £240
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER TO G.B. WITH TIENTSIN PA-KUA CANCELS; Commercial 15 May 1901 env. (opened out for display; small closed tears and small corner/edge repairs hardly detract) with original contents on "THE CHINA TIMES" headed notepaper (ref. hiring printing staff, etc.) to G.B. with spectacular franking of China 1/2c Brown (Pair + Block of Ten - latter folded over edge) + 1c Orange (Vertical Strip of Four) all (on reverse) tied by very fine Tientsin barred Pa-Kua cancels with matching very fine small Chinese bilingual "TIENTSIN" c.d.s. on the front beside Hong Kong 5c Blue Pair tied by a partly fine small "SHANGHAI" c.d.s. Unusual franking for the 10c rate. Exhibition Item. PHOTO - see page no. £300
| YOKOHAMA | |
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EARLY INGOING COVER FROM ITALIAN STATES VIA BRINDISI & BRITISH P.O. IN EGYPT; 12 Dec. 1867 EL (light toning and some minor internal faults) from "MILANO" (fair c.d.s. on the front) addressed to "Yokohama, Giappone, via Brindisi", franked by Italy 60c Purple and 20c Blue both tied by a single very fine dotted rectangle "17" numeral, with red oval "P-D" and fine British P.O. "ALEXANDRIA" c.d.s. on the front, having mainly fine 1868 Hong Kong (6 Feb.) and very fine black Type A "YOKOHAMA" (20 Feb.) c.d.s.'s on the reverse, beside a very fine 2-ring "BRINDISI" transit c.d.s. Rare thus; the Brindisi route was only started officially for Far East mail from 1869. An exceptional destination from Italy at this early date. [Ex Richard Chan, Cavendish Mar. 2003, lot 289; realised £276.] PHOTO - see page no. £240
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YOKOHAMA - EARLY 32c-RATE COVER TO ITALY VIA EGYPT & "PIROSCAFI/POSTALI/ITALIANI"; Unusual 22 Aug. 1868 E to Milan "Via Brindisi" with v. fine blue oval "ZIEGLER & Co./YOKOHAMA (JAPAN)" firm's cachet on the front and fine "YOKOHAMA/A" c.d.s. (Webb Type A) on the reverse, franked by Hong Kong 24c & 8c (both with faults) tied by fine blue-black "B62" Numerals matching the "HONG-KONG/C" c.d.s. (2 Sept.) on the reverse; also with very fine boxed Mediterranean "PIROSCAFI/POSTALI/ITALIANI" and fine British P.O. "ALEXANDRIA" c.d.s. (10 Oct.) on the front. Very rare destination from the British P.O.'s in Japan. Marvellous matching cover to the previous lot. [Ex Richard Chan, Cavendish Mar. 2003, lot 290; realised £460.] PHOTO - see page no. £400
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INGOING 1s-3d RATE COVER FROM G.B. "VIA BRINDISI" & HONG-KONG; Attractive 30 June 1871 mourning env. to a British Officer at "Yokohama, Japan" routed "Via Brindisi" franked for the 1s-3d full rate (no concession for Officers at this date) by GB 1/- Green (pl.5) & 3d Rose-Red (pl.6) each tied by a very fine scarce tall "641" Ringwood Numeral; backstamps include a black "HONG-KONG" (7 Aug.) and a very fine blue British P.O. "YOKOHAMA/A" (16 Aug.). Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £140
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RARE BLUE "Y1" NUMERAL COVER AT 8c RATE TO HONG KONG; Attractive 12 Feb. 1872 E (Yokohama firm's blue double-oval cachet on the front; some reinforced folds and small ink-etched hole at foot of address) from Yokohama to Hong Kong "P[er]. [Ship] Aden" with Hong Kong 8c Orange single-franking tied by a very fine blue tall "Y1" Numeral with a very fine matching British P.O. "YOKOHAMA/A" c.d.s. on the flap beside a very fine black Hong Kong arrival c.d.s. (19 Feb.). [The similar 8c cover in Cavendish's Sept. 2007 auction, lot 683, realised £750.] Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £500
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INGOING MAIL TO TOKYO ("YEDO") - G.B. 1/- GREEN COVER VIA "SINGAPORE TO/HONG KONG/MARINE SORTER" (BLUE C.D.S.); 3 May 1875 env. (flap tears) to "Yedo [= Tokyo], Japan" with G.B. 1/- Green (pl.11; cut wing-margin at left) tied by a superb "OBAN/273" Duplex with a mainly fine single-arc "BUNESSAN" village c.d.s. (Island of Mull) nicely placed on the side flap alongside a mainly very fine rare blue 2-ring "HONG KONG/SINGAPORE TO/HONG KONG/MARINE SORTER" c.d.s. ("JU/18 21/75") with a very fine blue British P.O. "YOKOHAMA" c.d.s. (26 June). [The similar 1874 cover from the same correspondence but with a black Marine Sorter c.d.s. in Cavendish's Sept. 2012 auction, lot 856, realised £500.] Rare places of origin and destination with a rare blue Marine Sorter marking (see next lot). PHOTO - see page no. £400
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INGOING MAIL TO TOKYO ("YEDO") - G.B. 1/- GREEN COVER VIA "SINGAPORE TO/HONG KONG/MARINE SORTER"; 3 Oct. 1875 env. (minor wrinkling & flap tears) to "Yedo [= Tokyo], Japan" with G.B. 1/- Green (pl.9; corner crease) tied by a mainly very fine "OBAN/273" Duplex with a very fine single-arc "BUNESSAN" village c.d.s. (Island of Mull) nicely placed on the side flap alongside a mainly very fine rare 2-ring "HONG KONG/SINGAPORE TO/HONG KONG/MARINE SORTER" c.d.s. ("NO/23 26/[74]") with a partly very fine blue British P.O. "YOKOHAMA" c.d.s. (8 Dec.). [The similar 1874 cover from the same correspondence in Cavendish's Sept. 2012 auction, lot 856, realised £500.] PHOTO - see page no. £300
| HONG KONG DURING THE 1st OPIUM WAR, 1839-42
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RARE PRE-OPIUM WAR COVER FROM "HONG KONG" TO G.B. VIA INDIA (F.A.C.), EGYPT & FRANCE; 18 Oct. 1839 E (filing folds) from "Bibby Adam & Co., Hong Kong" (filing note) to Huth & Co. in London initially endorsed "P [Ship] Sultana via Calcutta", this then crossed out and replaced by manuscript "P. Zenobia Str. via Suez & Marseilles", with matching note "Received at Bombay 23rd December 1839" on the top flap beside a very fine double-oval "FORWARDED BY/BOMBAY/EDMOND BIBBY & Co." (filing crease); with red oval-framed Bombay "INDIA" (crease) on the front, charged "6/2" with a faint "LONDON" arrival c.d.s. (13 Feb.) on the top flap. One of the earliest covers actually sent from Hong Kong that we have recorded, sent during the build-up of the British Fleet at Hong Kong before it moved on to blockade the Chinese mainland. Pre-1840 covers from the island are very seldom seen. [With copy of 2001 RPS cert.] Exhibition Item. Page. £500
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RARE PRE-OPIUM WAR COVER FROM HONG KONG TO G.B. BY DIRECT NAMED SHIP; 1 Nov. 1839 E from "Jardine M & Co." to Rothschild & Sons in London endorsed "P [Ship] Copeland" charged "8" with a partial red London arrival c.d.s. (15 Mar.) on the top flap beside a mainly very fine black "SHIP LETTER/DOVER" (Rob.S12; only known for 1839/40 and seldom seen); the Copeland is recorded as having sailed from Hong Kong on 2 Nov. 1839 and she arrived off the Downs on 16 Mar. 1840 after a direct voyage [with pcopy of relevant newspaper cutting]. One of the earliest covers actually sent from Hong Kong that we have recorded, sent during the build-up of the British Fleet at Hong Kong before it moved on to blockade the Chinese mainland. Pre-1840 covers from the island are very seldom seen. PHOTO - see page no. £400
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NEWS OF A NAVAL BATTLE FROM A RECENT EVACUEE FROM MACAO - "RYDE/INDIA LETTER" FROM "HONG KONG" TO G.B.; Very fine 8 Nov. 1839 EL (folds to show internal heading alongside address-panel) from "Hong Kong on board the Earl of Clare" to Chichester (Sliverlock correspondence) "Per [Ship] Pekoe" charged "6" and then "1/4" with a mainly very fine rare black "RYDE/INDIA LETTER" nicely placed on the front. The long and fascinating contents (typed transcript) is written by a British merchant just arrived from Macao from which he has been hurriedly evacuated after a major naval battle with the Chinese; "Since my last, from Macao, war has been going on...When the frigates got near to the Bogue, Capt. Smith, the Commander, sent a letter to the Commissioner demanding the withdrawal of the chop threatening the destruction of the British Fleet...the answer was insulting...Meanwhile the War Junks were drawn out on the number of 27; they were cautioned bot to approach the Frigates; regardless of this friendly advice they still cam nearer; when the Frigates commenced firing, a sort of engagement took place. One Junk was sunk, four destroyed, many disabled and one fire ship blew up...The [Chinese] Vice-Admiral is killed and between 400 and 500 men; on the English side not one man was hurt...the whole of the 27 Junks would have been destroyed...The Frigates returned to Macao the same night (Sunday last), their boats were sent on shore for all the English to come away. Great was the confusion...My companion and myself left on Monday morning at noon...We got to the Hannah of Calcutta and arrived here on Tuesday night...the Captain is preparing a cabin below...This is a large ship, 900 tons...The Chinese have been very busy the last few days building forts and at the landing place close to the place where we used to go for a walk...it is now dangerous to go on shore; two parties have been attacked...They occasionally fire in the direction of the shipping which is of course returned with interest...Whilst I am writing, I hear one of the Officers of the Volage...saying they are going again to the Bogue...The Opium smuggling still goes on; the price is enormously high...The party who sent up the 'Thomas Coutts' to Whampoa has been the cause of all these new difficulties..." Important eye-witness accounts of the Evacuation of Macao and the British Occupation of Hong Kong along with the news of the Battle off Canton. Pre-1840 covers from Hong Kong are seldom seen. PHOTO - see page no. £1,500
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NEWS OF UNREST ON HONG KONG ISLAND WITH BOMBARDMENT OF BRITISH FLEET THERE, ETC.; 12 Nov. 1839 EL (folds to show internal heading alongside address-panel) from a British merchant at "Hong Kong" on board a ship that was about to move to "Tongkoo" to London "Per [Ship] John Horton" charged "8" on arrival with a mainly fine "LIVERPOOL/SHIP LETTER" (crease) on the top flap beside a fine red London c.d.s. (24 Apr. 1840). The contents include details of the problems the British ships were having at Hong Kong; "As we anticipated, the merchant Fleet here will move to Tongkoo, having been enjoined by Capt. Elliot to do so. The 'Volage' left here yesterday, and the 'Hyacinth' leaves tomorrow. The 'Hyacinth' will be followed by the majority of the Fleet tomorrow. Last night the Chinese kept up a brisk cannonade against the shipping; from the new Batteries ...No injury had been done however as all th ships are anchored out of the range of the Guns..." Rare up-to-date insight into the outbreak of hostilities in Hong Kong itself. Pre-1840 letters from Hong Kong are seldom seen. PHOTO - see page no. £750
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EVACUEE MERCHANT's COVER FROM "TOONG KOO BAY OFF CANTON ON BOARD THE HEROICA" TO G.B.; Fine 17 Jan. 1840 EL (folds to show internal heading alongside address-panel) from a British merchant exiled from the Chinese mainland to a British ship anchored in "Toong Koo Bay off Canton; on board the Heroica" to Yorkshire "P[er Ship] Tapley" charged "8" with a very fine framed step-type "PENZANCE/SHIP LETTER" on the top flap beside a London transit c.d.s. (4 June) with news of dwindling trade and increasing conflict, following the evacuation of the merchants from Hong Kong Island to a safer anchorage, having significant contents; "...the British merchants are now divided between this anchorage and Macao, having since their leaving Canton continues to do a moderate business with Canton thro' American Agents, sending up goods per Foreign Flags...At this moment however, trans-shipped British goods cannot be sent up without risk of Confiscation...". Rare insight into this critical stage of the growing conflict. PHOTO - see page no. £500
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RIVER LETTER FROM AN EVACUATED MERCHANT AT "TONG KOO" TO A U.S. MERCHANT AT CANTON; Fine 2 Feb. 1840 EL (folds to show internal heading alongside address-panel) from a British merchant evacuated to "Tong Koo" (at the mouth of the Canton River not far from Hong Kong itself) carried privately by River Boat "To S. Weir Lewis Esq., Canton" who was an American merchant and so not subject to the restrictions and problems that beset the British at this early stage of the First Opium War. The writer gives detailed instructions about the trans-shipment of his goods to an American ship to enable them to be off-loaded at Canton. Clear evidence that the embargo was not effective! PHOTO - see page no. £300
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MAIL FROM REINFORCEMENTS EN ROUTE FROM INDIA TO HONG KING - WITH BOXED RED "SINGAPORE/Paid" MARK; 6 May 1842 EL (folds to show internal heading alongside address-panel; closed tear affects address) from "On board the Transport 'Pekin' in Singapore Harbour" from an Officer with the reinforcements sent from India to Hong Kong, having a mainly very fine red boxed "SINGAPORE/Paid" d.s. on the top flap (endorsed "Paid to Bombay" on the front), endorsed "Per Calcutta & via Falmouth" charged "1/-" with a very fine Bombay oval-framed red "INDIA" on the front and a London arrival c.d.s. (10 Aug.) on the flap. The contents (full typed transcript) include descriptions of the voyage, the ship and of Singapore itself (visit to Governor, the Hotel etc.) and "Tomorrow morning we are off again to Hong Kong in Canton River, whence we are told we are to go to Chusan and then to Pekin...It was to us a novel sight a fleet of 50 sail in this harbour...". Shanghai was to fall on 19 June and the Treaty of Nanking was signed on 29 August. PHOTO - see page no. £300
| HONG KONG - MAIL OF THE LATER 1840s. | |
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NEWS OF RATIFICATION OF TREATY OF NANKING & OPENING OF THE "NEW PORTS" IN COVER FROM "VICTORIA" TO G.B.; 25 Aug. 1843 EL (folds to show internal heading alongside address-panel) from "Victoria, Hong Kong" to Yorkshire endorsed (inside) "Per [Ship] Petrel to Bombay" and "Via Marseilles" with a mainly very fine large double-oval "FORWARDED BY/BOMBAY/W&T EDMONDS & Co." cachet on the top flap overlapped by a red London transit c.d.s. (5 Dec.), also with mainly very fine red oval-framed Bombay "INDIA" on the front and charged "1/10" and then "2/3". The contents includes; "Our last was dated the 29 April...since that time the Treaties have been exchanged and the tariff od duties arranged...Already goods have been sent to Canton and sold on the New System...The Hongists will continue to exercise great power in Canton as far as the Foreign trade is concerned...The New Ports on the N.E. Coast [the new Treaty Ports] are, it is expected, to be opened next month to Foreign trade. We hope there will soon be a chop out from the Emperor on the subject. In the mean time business is doing to some extent at Amoy & Chusan...P.S. Our chief establishment in China is now at Hong Kong." Fascinating comment on the gradual implementation of the terms of the Treaty that ended the 1st Opium War. Plus an Oct. 1843 print of HK Harbour from the Illustrated London News. PHOTO - see above. £300
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EARLY COVER FROM HONG KONG TO FRANCE VIA INDIA & G.B. - FROM THE FLAGSHIP "H.M.S. AGINCOURT"; 15 Dec. 1842 small env. (with contents; minor ink-etching - from the 'Bruce' correspondence) headed from "[H.M.S.]Agincourt, Hong Kong" addressed to Ireland and posted there redirected to "Paris"; carried by a naval friend "Captain Brooke" on a ship to G.B. via "Bombay"; charged "10[decimes] with Coleraine, Dublin & London backstamps and a faint Paris c.d.s. on the front; one of the earliest known covers from Hong Kong to France. The contents give great detail of this famous ship's crew and mentions a man saved from drowning incl.; "Sir W[illiam] Parker [British C-in-C in the 1st Opium War] is now fairly gone from the China seas; we sailed with the Cornwallis on Monday last, and left her the next day...steering for Manila, while we returned to Hong Kong where we are likely to remain till September...Sir Henry Pottinger is well..." Bruce was present at the hand-over of Hong Kong and in charge of the British flagship there. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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HONG KONG "ARMS" MARK ON COVER TO FRANCE VIA INDIA & IRELAND; Unusual 2 Jan. 1844 EL (three sheets; "No.43") from Captain Bruce "[On board] Agincourt" to Ireland and then redirected to "Paris" with a mostly very fine strike of the rare red oval "HONG KONG POST OFFICE" Arms mark nicely placed on the front clear of other marks with a Calcutta red boxed "INDIA" nearby. On the reverse the boxed black "CALCUTTA/SHIP LETTER/Bearing" d.s. was struck in error and crossed out, with a light red strike of the correct boxed "CALCUTTA/STEAM LETTER/Paid" d.s. alongside - a rare combination. The letter, from a man who was present at the signing of the Treaty and subsequently took the Chinese (silver bullion) war repararations back to England, notes that "Sickness has altogether ceased among our crew...Lord Saltoun has not yet returned from Manila..." Rare Hong Kong 'Arms' cover to France. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £2,000
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EARLY COVER FROM HONG KONG TO FRANCE POSTED IN G.B. - FROM THE FLAGSHIP "[H.M.S.] AGINCOURT"; 15 Feb. 1844 EL (folds to show the internal heading alongside the address-panel; from the 'Bruce' correspondence) headed from "[H.M.S.]Agincourt at Hong Kong" addressed to Paris and taken by private means back to Europe and posted prepaid "10[d]" from London with London/Boulogne d.s.'s on the front with red oval-framed "P-D"; a very early cover from Hong Kong to France. The contents give great detail of this famous ship's crew and mentions a man who had shot himself through both hands. Plus a 31 Jan. 1844 EL from the same correspondence without wrapper. Bruce was present at the hand-over of Hong Kong and in charge of the British flagship there. (2 items) PHOTO - see page no. £300
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EARLY COVER FROM HONG KONG TO FRANCE POSTED IN G.B. - FROM THE FLAGSHIP "[H.M.S.] AGINCOURT"; 22 Feb. 1844 EL (folds to show the internal heading alongside the address-panel; from the 'Bruce' correspondence - with 3 minute wafer seals inside and sealed with a fourth) headed from "[H.M.S.]Agincourt at Hong Kong" addressed to Paris and taken by private means back to Europe and posted prepaid "10[d]" from London with London/Boulogne d.s.'s on the front with red oval-framed "P-D"; a very early cover from Hong Kong to France. The contents describes a visit "onshore" where he chatted with his friend the very first Governor of Hong Kong; "...with Sir Henry [Pottinger] talking to him of Lady P. and his daughter; he does not mean to go home (or rather cannot) until a successor arrives...let my Agent know where to forward your letters; I now write through his care; J. Petty Muspratt Esqr., Abchurch Lane, London." Bruce was present at the hand-over of Hong Kong and in charge of the British flagship there. Rare mail to France via a London Agent. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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EARLY COVER FROM HONG KONG TO FRANCE POSTED IN G.B. - FROM THE FLAGSHIP "[H.M.S.] AGINCOURT"; 7 Mar. 1844 EL (folds to show the internal heading alongside the address-panel; from the 'Bruce' correspondence - sealed with a minute wafer seal) headed from "[H.M.S.]Agincourt Hong Kong" addressed to Paris and taken by private means back to Europe and posted prepaid "10[d]" from London with London/Boulogne d.s.'s on the front with red oval-framed "P-D"; a very early cover from Hong Kong to France. The contents describe visiting an "American frigate" with his friend the British Navy's C-in-C in the Far East at the time "Sir Thos. [Cochrane]". Plus 8 further 1844 ELs (interesting contents that would surely reward transcription) from this correspondence all from Bruce on HMS Agincourt at "Hong Kong" and all carried by private means to France, etc. Bruce was present at the hand-over of Hong Kong and in charge of the British flagship there. Rare mail to France via a London Agent. (9 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £360
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THE BALANCE OF THE "BRUCE" CORRESPONDENCE - LETTERS SENT AFTER BRUCE's RETURN TO G.B.; 1845-77 covers incl. 1845 Irish "BELLAGHY" EL with mention of Troubles in Fermanagh, 1845 EL from Capt. Bruce in London to Germany, lovely Pictorial 1846 letter-sheet of Boulogne from the Captain to Ireland, 1847/8 pair of Coleraine village marks, 1849 EL from Florence to Malta with Corfu marks and oval "G. GRANT/MALTA" F.A.C., 1851 EL with mention of the Great Exhibition, 1853 red boxed London "PACKET LETTER", few 1860/77 GB Admiralty OHMS envs., etc. Plus "London May 6 [18]40" poem from the Captain to his daughter; "Since worse than plain, They've made the penny-cover, Then use a stamp, But make it damp, Or you'll be charged twice over. A Rover in clover." Great variety! (15 covers + 1 poem.) PHOTO - see page no. £300
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UNUSUAL 10/- RATE "SHIP LETTER" TO G.B. BY NAMED SHIP VIA BOMBAY & SOUTHAMPTON, ETC.; 7 June 1845 EL (in German) from "Hong Kong" to London endorsed "Per [Ship] Sir Herbt. Compton via Bombay via Southampton" charged the very high rate of "10/-" in spite of having a mainly fine London "SHIP LETTER" mark on the front, but the red oval-framed Bombay "INDIA" on the front and the faint boxed "BOMBAY/SHIP LETTER/Bearing" d.s. on the flap (seal tears) indicate a Packet Rate treatment. Further research required... One of the highest 1840s rates from Hong Kong that we have noted. Plus toned 3 Mar. 1849 EL (weak folds) from HK to Bombay "P. [Ship] Poppy via Calcutta" with boxed "CALCUTTA/SHIP LETTER" d.s. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £200
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RARE DOUBLE-FRAMED "TOO LATE" MARK ON COVER TO G.B. BY NAMED SHIP; 29 Dec. 1847 EL from "HONG-KONG" (v. fine c.d.s. on reverse) to London charged "1/-" although endorsed "Consignees" and "[Ship] Pekin & Overland" with a very fine rare double-framed Hong Kong "TOO LATE" (Webb Type AAi; filing fold) nicely placed on the front. This Too Late mark has only been recorded for 1847/8. [The similar cover in Cavendish's Sept. 2004 Bennett auction, lot 366, realised £500. This cover illustrated in HKSC Journal April 2004, p.12.] PHOTO - see above. £300
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RARE BOXED "Postage Paid/By Bush & Co" RIVER MAIL MARK ON COVER TO CANTON; Very fine 24 Feb. 1848 E from "Bush & Co., Hong Kong" to Canton with a mainly very fine black boxed "Postage Paid/By Bush & Co" on the lower flap beside a fine Chinese annotation that reads "Now sealed. Sent on 24th.". This seems to be a similar mark to the 1845/46 oval WESTERN/LINE/BOAT" which was probably also used by Bush & Co., and is only known used on HK to Canton mail the Hong Kong Forwarding Agents. Few known. PHOTO - see page no. £400
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SCARCE MEDIUM-SIZE "PAID/AT/HONG-KONG" CROWNED CIRCLE ON COVER TO FRANCE; 29 Nov. 1848 EL (in Italian) from Hong Kong to Paris "Via Marseille" prepaid "1/-" with a mainly very fine red 2-ring "PAID/AT/HONG-KONG" (slight wrinkle) nicely placed on the front with a fine red 2-ring "INDES ORIENT/MARSEILLE" c.d.s. alongside and a very fine double arc HK backstamp. This is the scarcest of the three HK Crowned Circle types. PHOTO - see page no. £240
| HONG KONG -THE 1850s & THE 2nd OPIUM WAR | |
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PREPAID & UNPAID PAIR OF COVERS TO G.B. AT "1/-" (CROWNED CIRCLE) OR "4/6" RATES; 19 Aug. 1850 EL (signed "Jardine Matheson & Co.") to Scotland "Via Marseilles" charged "4/6", plus 29 Apr. 1851 E prepaid to London "Via Southampton" with red "1/-" rate and poor Medium size 2-ring "PAID/AT/HONG-KONG" Crowned Circle signed on the address side by "G. Victoria" (George Smith) the first Bishop of Victoria Hong Kong. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £150
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CROWNED CIRCLE (3rd TYPE) ON 1s-5d RATE COVER SENT DIRECTLY TO SPAIN "VIA MALTA"; 13/14 Oct. 1855 EL from HK to "Port ST. Mary's, Cadiz" endorsed "Pr. [Steamer] Ganges via Malta" with red "1/5" rate beside a mainly fine small red sanserif "PAID/AT/HONG KONG" Crowned Circle (type 3) on the front with a large blue handstruck "4R" arrival charge-mark (crease) alongside, having a very fine HK double-arc c.d.s. on the top flap with unusual "140 C/1855" date. Spectacular direct mail to Spain. PHOTO - see page no. £240
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DOUBLE-ARC C.D.S. VARIETIES ON 1s-4d OR 1/- RATE COVERS TO G.B. VIA FRANCE; 1856/7 env. (opened out) or E to GB "Via Marseilles" charged "1/4" or "1/-" with very fine double-arc "HONG-KONG" backstamps showing double-day and day-before-month varieties; "9AU9/1856" or "23JU/1857". Good pair. (2 covers) £140
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