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From India: 1943 (19 Oct.) stampless letter from Calcutta to Sub. Lieut. Roger Lamble, sent "British Prisoner of War" with Indian censor handstamp, circular "societie de la croix rouge du japon/tokio" in red, "c/o prisoner of war/information bureau/tokyo." in violet, boxed Prisoner of War handstamp in purple with Matsuda seal; the reverse with Darjeeling transit and pencil "2/10/44" being the delivery date; wheel seal at left and with original contents. Attractive. Tett fig. 4-2-22. Photo HK$1,500-2,000
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From U.K.: 1942 (3 July) stampless envelope to Sub. Lieut R.D. Lamble, North Point Camp bearing North Shields machine cancellation and marked "Prisoners of War Post" with British censor label at left. Bears a fair strike of Hong Kong Furyo Shuyosho with small Hasegawa seal in red and "5736.N" in red crayon, indicating Camp N, the British officers' camp in Argyle Street. With the original letter. Rare. Tett fig. 4-2-6. Photo HK$3,000-4,000
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ββ 1942 (19 July) stampless envelope to S.N. Hancock with Plymouth slogan cancellation and marked "prisoners of war post" with British censor seal at left and bearing boxed prisoner of war handstamp in blue with small Niimori seal in red. Marked "2554/S" in red crayon for Camp S and endorsed on the reverse as received. Good. Tett fig. 4-7-43. Photo HK$1,000-1,500
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From U.K.: 1942 (c.) stampless envelope to Capt. George Simon at Fort Davis and marked "prisoner-of-war" and "please forward to camp". The envelope is without postal marking but sent from German occupied Jersey with German censor seal and handstamps code "b" (allocated to Bordeaux) on the reverse. Redirected to "Try P.O.W." suggests that this may have been initially directed to the civilian camp. With Hong Kong Prisoner of War Camp handstamp in blue with large Hasegawa seal in red, "N" in red crayon for Camp N in Argyle Street and other manuscript notation. An interesting and rare cover. Tett fig. 4-2-7. Photo HK$4,000-6,000
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ββ 1942 (6 Nov.) stampless envelope to Capt. Mathers of 2/14 Punjab Regt. bearing Maidstone Kent machine cancellation and British censor seal at left with faint Hong Kong Prisoner of War Camp handstamp in blue with Kawauchi seal in red and pencil "Recd 14/7/44" plus large "N" in blue crayon for Argyle Street Camp. With the original letter indicating that it was hoped the letter would arrive by Christmas, but taking another eighteen months. Tett fig. 4-2-14. Photo HK$1,500-2,000
For other Mathers correspondence, see lots 2077, 2144 and 2152
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ββ 1942 (17 Nov.) stampless envelope to Driver Boughey, Royal Engineers, Kowloon, sent "Prisoners of War Post" with Bognor Regis machine cancellation and British censor seal at left. Marked "HQ#262" in pencil (Headquarters Camp) and with a fair strike of Tokyo Prisoner of War handstamp in carmine-rose with Ichimura seal alongside and pencil "O". With the original letter from his mother bearing Tokyo handstamp and seal. Tett fig. 4-2-11. Photo HK$1,200-1,500
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ββ 1943 (24 Oct.) stampless envelope to Leiut. Davis, c/o Fleet Mail Officer, Hong Kong, sent "Prisoner of War Post" with Rhyl machine cancellation, British censor seal
at left and with Hong Kong Prisoner of War censor handstamp in purple with
large Hasegawa seal, "N" in red crayon and pencil "Rcd 10/4/45". Good to fine. Tett fig. 4-2-23. Photo HK$1,500-2,000
Lieutenant Davis was the Second Officer on the gunboat H.M.S. 'Cicala' which was sunk in the battle for Hong Kong
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ββ 1944 (22 Mar.) stampless envelope to Gunner Coxhead of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Force bearing London machine cancellation, British censor seal and addressed to Zentsuji No 2 Camp in Japan with the camp censor handstamp in blue; tear at top and a few peripheral faults. Tett fig. 4-2-35 HK$1,000-1,500
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ββ 1944 (5 July) stampless, opened-out envelope to W. Scotcher by "Prisoner of War Post" bearing Bristol machine cancellation and British censor seal at left, manuscript "N" in red crayon and a good strike of Prisoner of War censor handstamp in purple with large Hasegawa seal. Good. Tett fig. 4-2-29. Photo HK$1,500-2,000
For intercamp mail to W. Scotcher, see lot 2143
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From Macao: 1942 (6 Nov.) envelope to Alberto Remedios, Prisoners of War Camp "S" with note "Written in English", bearing Macao 5a. on 7a. strip of four tied by Macau despatch hexagonal datestamp with red censored handstamp alongside with small Hasegawa seal in red. A very scarce cover from Macao. Tett fig. 4-2-14. Photo HK$3,000-4,000
Alberto Remedios served with the HKVDC, thus he was sent to the P.O.W. camp at Shamshuipo
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ββ 1943 (11 Oct.) another envelope to Alberto Rememdios in Camp "S" bearing 'Portugal' 20a. tied by the despatch datestamp and bearing a good strike of Hong Kong Prisoner of War Camp handstamp in violet-blue with small Hasegawa seal; some soiling. Photo HK$4,000-5,000
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ββ 1944 (18 Nov.) envelope to Capt. Jose Rodrigues bearing 'Portugal' 20a. tied by the despatch hexagon and with a good strike of Hong Kong Prisoner of War handstamp in purple with large Hasegawa seal, with crayon notation "Red 21/4/45". Good to fine. Photo HK$4,000-5,000
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ββ 1945 (28 July) Macao Red Cross card serial "1664" also to Capt. Jose Rodrigues at Camp "N" bearing a fine strike of the Macau despatch hexagon, double-circle Macao Red Cross handstamp in mauve applied on each side, with the associated boxed Furyo Yubin handstamp (prisoner of war post), Hong Kong Prisoner of War handstamp in violet-blue with large Hasegawa seal. The reverse with "Rcd Aug 10/45". A typewritten message from his wife. Exceptionally fresh and fine. A rare and desirable card. Tett fig. 4-2-30. Yang JWM3. Photo HK$8,000-10,000
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From H.K.: 1942 (14 Oct.) Japan 2s. stationery card to Sgt. Turner, Camp S (Shamshuipo), cancelled by Hong Kong c.d.s. and bears a good strike of Ken'etsuzumi censored handstamp in red with small Hasegawa seal in red. The message has been completely obliterated by purple ink, though it is possible to read most of it; with vertical fold and pin holes. Tatty but very unusual. Tett fig. 4-2-8. Photo HK$1,000-1,200
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ββ 1942 (30 Dec.) Japan 2s. stationery card to Pvt. G. Yaholkovaski of the H.K.V.D.C. in Shamshuipo Camp, typewritten in violet and bearing Kowloon despatch c.d.s. Hong Kong Prisoner of War handstamp in red with small Hasegawa seal and pencil date "16.4.43". Fine and unusual. Tett fig. 4-2-16. Photo HK$3,000-4,000
The H.K.V.D.C. included 30 Russians
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ββ 1943 (21 Apr.) Japan 2s. stationery card to Henry Corra in Camp S bearing Kowloon despatch c.d.s. with a fine strike of Prisoner of War Camp censor with Niimori seal
in blue; fine. Not typed (written in block capitals) and not stating the language. Tett fig. 4-2-20. Photo HK$2,500-3,000
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ββ 1943 (27 Aug.) Japanese 2s. stationery card cancelled by Kowloon c.d.s., to Nicholas Halfter, Prisoner of War Camp "S", with Prisoner of War Camp censor handstamp with Niimori seal and "Received 8th Sept 1943" in red crayon; vertical fold. Photo HK$2,000-2,500
For a 1943 letter addressed to the Govenor, Sir Mark Young, see lot 2379
| P.O.W. Mail - Camp 'S', Shamshuipo (Other Ranks) | |
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1942 (22 Aug.) ambulance envelope from Edwin Soden to his wife in Australia. The envelope with "service des prisonniers de guerre" and sent registered to Bondai, marked "gone to England" and redirected to "Care Imperial Army Paymaster Canberra", a group of backstamps with Sydney (1.12.43), Bondai Beach (1.12) and Canberra (4.12) and manuscript "1st Letter Home. Note written 22 Aug 1942 Hong Kong". Also photocopies of the original letter and a letter from the War Office Welfare stating that Sgt. Soden of 1 Middx. Rgt. is posted as missing (as were all the army personnel serving in Hong Kong). Unusual. Tett fig. 4-3-8. Photo HK$1,500-2,000
Mrs Soden had been evacuated, along with the other military personnel wives, to Australia. Soden was later to leave Hong Kong for Japan on the 'Lisbon Maru'
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1942 (c.) type 1 printed card from John Fountain addressed to his family in England bearing British censor handstamp in rose "P.W. 0004" and with Niimori seal in red; tear at left and some soiling. The message is 94 words, indicating that this is an early card. Photo HK$2,000-2,500
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1942 (c.) type 1 envelope from Barry Deane to South India with Hasegawa seal, Indian censor seal at left and handstamped "DHP/204", the reverse with Coonoor arrival c.d.s. and manuscript "Recd on 29/7/44". With the original letter which has had the date excised and bearing the censor handstamp "DHP/204", matching the handstamp on the cover. Fine and desirable. Tett fig. 4-3-12. Photo HK$3,000-4,000
Note that an earlier letter from the same correspondence was written on 16.6.42 arrived on 28.9.43
For a card from Barry Deane when he had been transferred to Japan, please see lot 2319
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1943 (c.) type 1 card from Albert Clapton to Oxon bearing small Hasegawa seal and
a fine strike of the British censor handstamp "P.W. 1815" in rose. The message is 32 words and the date has been obscured by the censor's ink; vertical folding crease. Tett fig. 4-3-24. Photo HK$1,500-2,000
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1943 (c.) type 1 card from George Rowe to his parents in Manchester, with small Hasegawa seal and British censor handstamp in rose "P.W. 2545", redirected on arrival and with Stockport 8.7.44 machine postmark. The message of 27 words and the date had been scraped off the card. Good. Tett fig. 4-3-23. Photo HK$1,500-2,000
For other correspondence from George Rowe, please see lot 2344
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1944 (c.) type 2 card from William Mayne to his parents in Canada, bearing large Hasegawa seal and Canadian censor handstamp, the message side with Pilot Mound 1945 (8 Feb.) arrival c.d.s. Good to fine. Tett fig. 4-3-27. Photo HK$2,000-2,500
| P.O.W. Mail - Camp 'N', Argyle Street (British Officers) | |
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1942 (late) type 1 envelope from W. Sprague to Penzance with British censor label at left covering large Niimori seal, readdressed on arrival with Penzance 1944 (3 Jan.) c.d.s. Fresh. Tett fig. 4-3-13. Photo HK$2,000-2,500
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1942 (late) type 1 envelope from V. Baukham to his brother in Cairo, small Niimori seal and faint Egyptian censor handstamp on the reverse, manuscript "Fowd: 7.2.44"; light creasing at right, otherwise fresh and fine. An unusual destination. Tett fig. 4-3-15. Photo HK$2,000-3,000
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1943 (c.) type 1 envelope from S.F. Hedgecoe to Cornwall bearing large Niimori seal, British censor seal at left; a little roughly opened. Tett fig. 4-3-14. Photo HK$2,000-2,500
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1943 (c.) type 1 envelope from D.A. Mathers to Calcutta bearing small Hasegawa seal, Indian censor handstamp "DHP/9" and wheel seal at left; Calcutta arrival postmark 1944 (24 July) on the reverse; slightly reduced at foot. Photo HK$2,500-3,000
Some envelopes were resealed by running a cogged wheel near the opening, sealing the envelope
| P.O.W. Mail - Camp 'H', North Point (Canadian Soldiers) | |
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1942 (5 June) type 1 card from George Lamoureux to his parents in Manitoba, bears small Hasegawa seal and Canadian censor handstamp, redirected on arrival with Canada 7c. air added (defective) tied by Ottawa 1943 (10 Sept.) slogan cancellation and with Transcona c.d.s. (11.9) at foot; a label has come off and the card is creased and soiled. The message includes, "Well at last I have a chance to write ...". Scarce mail from this camp. Tett fig. 4-3-5. Photo HK$4,000-6,000
This mail would have been carried on the 'Asama Maru' which left Hong Kong on 30th June. Eventually the mail reached New York on 25th August and was sent on to Ottawa. The camp was quite basic and closed after four months, the officers being transferred to Argyle Street and the men to Shamshuipo. Each letter from this mailing was numbered by the Canadian Post Office or the censor, this card is numbered "942"
| P.O.W. Mail - Camp 'I', Ma Tau Chung (Indian Soldiers) | |
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1942 (28 May) type 1 card from Bhagwan Singh to his brother in India, bears Terada censor seal, circular U.S. censor handstamp in purple "41" and Indian censor handstamp "DHP/9" and the associated violet handstamp and with faint arrival c.d.s. apparently 1942 (8 Dec.). Written from "Indian War Prisoners, Camp I" and there are two items censored. This is from the first mailing and is the same date as the earliest Canadian and British letters. Some creasing and soiling does not detract from this important card being the only example recorded from this camp. Tett fig. 4-3-41. Photo HK$25,000-30,000
This card was carried on the 'Asama Maru' and the 'Gripsholm' to the U.S.A.
Provenance: William Kwan, September 2008
| P.O.W. Mail - Camp 'A', Bowen Road Hospital | |
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Undated type 1 envelope from Miss N. Quin to her parents in Sussex, apparently without the Japanese censor seal, British censor seal at left and without any other markings; three small worm holes, otherwise fresh and fine. Tett fig. 4-3-17. Photo HK$4,000-5,000
The nurse was treated as a P.O.W. and later sent to a civilian camp; this was unusual. It is thought that this letter may have been handed to Mr Zindel, the Swiss representative of the Red Cross, on one of his occasional visits to the camp, though there is no evidence for this
Provenance: Norman Bennett, September 2004
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Undated type 1 envelope from Derek Pratt to Swansea bearing large Niimori seal and British censor seal at left (faults); light vertical bend, otherwise fresh and scarce. Tett fig. 4-3-18. Photo HK$4,000-5,000
Derek Pratt was a member of the Royal Army Medical Corps working at Bowen Road Hospital.
| Civilian Mail - Bowen Road Hospital - Incoming Mail | |
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From Australia: 1943 (12 May) Australian Red Cross Prisoners of War Post envelope addressed to Mrs David Stark, Civilian Internee, Melbourne machine postmark and diamond censor "350" in violet, with censor seal and handstamp across the flap, small Takamatsu seal in red (no camp censor handstamp). Light wear around the edges but still fresh. A very scarce cover to the military hospital. Tett fig. 4-4-24. Photo HK$3,000-4,000
Although addressed to the hospital, by the time this letter was delivered, Mrs Stark was back in Stanley Camp
| Civilian Mail - Stanley Internment Camp - Incoming Mail | |
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From Australia: 1944 (c.) Australian Red Cross Prisoners of War Post envelope addressed to T. Parkinson, Bungalow E4, Stanley with Australian diamond censor "332" with censor seal and handstamp across the flap, with Hong Kong Military Internment Camp censor handstamp with large Hasegawa seal and "M" in red crayon, the reverse with pencil "Received 27th July 1945". Good. Tett fig. 4-4-27. Photo HK$2,500-3,000
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ββ 1945 (9 Mar.) printed Prisoner of War card to John May bearing Sydney machine postmark with Australian diamond "294" censor handstamp in blue, no other markings. Fine and scarce use of this special Australian card. Tett fig. 4-4-44. Photo HK$2,500-3,000
This card was not delivered before the liberation and there is no Japanese censor mark. Probably found in the Japanese censor's office as there is no Return to Sender handstamp
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From Canada: 1942 (30 May) blue envelope bearing Canada 3c. (2) over air mail vignette and tied by despatch c.d.s. from Vancouver and sent by Prisoners of War Post, with Canadian (2) censor seal at left, pencil "Base Post Office Ottawa" and Japanese censor seal at right tied by International Red Cross, Tokyo cachet in violet (scarce on this mail), small Takamatsu seal, "15/34" in red crayon and pencil "Rec: 8 July 1944". A few peripheral faults. A good, early cover which would have been carried on the first 'Gripsholm' exchange. Tett fig. 4-4-5. Photo HK$1,500-2,000
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ββ 1942 (30 Nov.) larger stampless envelope to Mrs Kelvin-Stark bearing a fine Dunnville c.d.s. and sent by Prisoner of War Post, with Canadian censor seal at left, "a-4/14" in red crayon (the block and room number) and Maejima seal ; some peripheral faults. Tett fig. 4-4-17. Photo HK$2,000-2,500
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ββ 1943 (22 Jan.) larger stampless envelope also to Mrs Kelvin-Stark, "Stanley Internment Camp via S.S. Gripsholm Repatriation Ship, c/o Postmaster New York City", with Dunnville machine postmark but the postage stamp has been removed, without Canadian censor and bearing small Takamatsu seal; faults at top and a little soiled. A scarce 'Gripsholm' cover. Tett fig. 4-4-33. Photo HK$3,000-4,000
The 'Gripsholm' made its second voyage on the 2nd September 1943. It is likely that this letter was sent to England to be forwarded from there
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From China: 1942 (?) (7 Oct.) envelope to C.C. Roberts bearing Japanese Occupation of China 8c. (2) tied by Tientsin 14 c.d.s. and showing "Bung 'F'" in blue crayon. Without any censor markings. Tett fig. 4-4-10. Photo HK$2,000-2,500
For other Roberts mail, see lots 2090-91
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ββ 1943 (6 Jan.) envelope to John Harvey bearing Japanese Occupation $1 on 8c. (3) tied by Shanghai c.d.s., blue Par Avion etiquette at left and with Governor General's censor handstamp in blue with Takamatsu seal; some soiling at left. Photo HK$2,000-2,500
For another Harvey card, see lot 2094
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ββ 1943 (11 Jan.) stampless envelope to C.C. Roberts bearing, on the reverse, Sun Yat Sen 8c. (4) tied by Shanghai c.d.s., with Maejima seal and pencil "F". Good. Photo HK$2,000-2,500
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ββ 1943 (15 Apr.) stampless envelope to C.C. Roberts, marked Civilian Internee Mail Postage Free with Shanghai despatch c.d.s. and a good strike of Funyu seal; tear at top and light soiling. Tett fig. 4-4-29. Photo HK$2,000-2,500
Note that the sender, W.C. Bond, was interred in Lunghwa Civilian Assembly Camp in Shanghai in April 1943
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ββ 1943 (15 June) envelope to Alice Anderson bearing 70c. franking tied by Shanghai c.d.s. and with blue Par Avion etiquette, with Maejima seal and traces of a roller cancellation at foot (Canton?); some peripheral faults. Tett fig. 4-4-21. Photo HK$2,000-3,000
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ββ 1943 (Aug.) two covers sent airmail, the first dated (1 Aug.) bearing 70c. franking tied by commemorative datestamp with blue Par Avion etiquette and showing a good strike of Governor General's Camp censor handstamp in blue with Maejima seal; a second airmail envelope bearing Sun Yat Sen 8c. (2) (a third adhesive has been lost) tied by Shanghai c.d.s. (date unclear) with "Bung C" in ink and with very faint Canton roller cancellation with August date. Tett figs. 4-4-22, 23. (2 covers) HK$4,000-4,500
Note the second envelope is addressed to Mrs Guerin, She was killed in January 1945 when bungalow C took a direct hit during a U.S. bombing raid
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From China: 1943 (25 Sept.) China 8c. stationery card to John Harvey from his girlfriend, uprated with 10c. (2) Sun Yat Sen tied by Shanghai c.d.s. and bearing a good strike of Governor General's Department censor handstamp in blue with circular Maejima seal. Fine and an unusual postal stationery card. Tett fig. 4-4-30. Photo HK$3,000-4,000
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ββ 1943 (1 Nov.) envelope from Free China to P. Hamilton bearing Sun Yat Sen $1 tied by Kweilin c.d.s. and bearing a good strike of the Governor General's Department censor handstamp in blue with Maejima seal and pencil "Recd 3/12/43". With the original letter addressed "c/o Refugee Relief Dept., 32 Fung Pei Road, Kweilin". Scarce mail from Kweilin. Tett fig. 4-4-31. Photo HK$6,000-8,000
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ββ 1944 (17 July) stampless envelope to T. Wood which bears and unidentified four-character Prisoner of War Mail, framed Sea Defence Troops censor handstamp in carmine with censor seal, large boxed slogan in Chinese, "U.S. aircrafts continuous bombardment of Canton Hospitals, schools and residences. People in our country should unanimously oppose" and Hong Kong Army Internment Camp censor handstamp in blue-black with Kawauchi seal, Canton transit (23.10) on the reverse along with the date of receipt (26.10). A charismatic and very important cover bearing some very rare markings. Tett fig. 5-14-6. Photo HK$12,000-15,000
For 1943 Communications lettersheet from Shangahi, Lunghwa camp, please see lot 2032
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From India: 1942 (2 Aug.) envelope to Gurcharn Singh "c/o Prisoners of War Information Bureau Tokyo", sealed at left with tape and Indian censor "DHP/9" handstamp, the Sialkot City despatch c.d.s. on the reverse, other notation including received "6/3/43"; slightly reduced at right and a little soiled. No Japanese censor marks. Scarce. Tett fig. 4-4-46. Photo HK$2,500-3,000
Foreign mail to uninterned civilians was treated in the same way as the P.O.W. service
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From U.K.: 1942 (23 June) stampless envelope to the Pengellys bearing Plymouth despatch postmark without date, sent Prisoner of War Post and with British censor seal at left, Maejima seal, "A1/5" in blue crayon and pencil "11/6/43 Received". With the original two page letter from their mother, each page with Japanese censor seal. Fine and one of the earliest items of mail from the U.K. Tett fig. 4-4-6. Photo HK$2,000-2,500
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ββ 1942 (27 June) stampless envelope to George Gerrard bearing South Shields machine postmark, sent Prisoners of War Post, British censor seal at left, Military Internment camp censor handstamp in purple with Sekiguchi seal, pencil notation on the reverse "Recd Friday 27th April 1945" (nearly three years in transit). Tett fig. 4-4-7. Photo HK$2,000-2,500
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ββ 1942 (10 Aug.) stampless envelope to Mackay Wood bearing Manchester machine postmark, sent Prisoners of War Post with British censor seal at left and Takamatsu seal, with "Try Stanley" and "16/31" in blue ink; a little creased at right. Tett fig. 4-4-9. Photo HK$1,800-2,200
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