1874 $2 Olive-green and $3 dull violet overprinted "SPECIMEN" in small sans-serif capitals (11.7mm x 1.5mm) in red, each affixed to card. very fine and fresh. SG.F1s-2s. PHOTO

1874 $2 Olive-green overprinted "SPECIMEN" diagonally (Samuel Type HK4) unused with part original gum, centred to lower left. SG.F1s. PHOTO

THE RARE 1874 $10 ROSE-CARMINE ON THIN PAPER UNUSED; 1874 $10 Rose-carmine on thin paper, fine unused with much original gum, centred to top as usual. SG.F3 Cat. £7,500. PHOTO

1884-1902 $2 Dull bluish green and $3 dull mauve overprinted "SPECIMEN" (Samuel Type D12), unused with part original gum, slight disturbance, the latter has corner wrinkling at top left. SG.F4s-5s, Cat. £450. PHOTO PHOTO 2

1891 $5 on $10 Purple on red mint overprinted "SPECIMEN" (Samuel Type D12), a few short perfs. at top and 1897 $1 on $2 dull bluish green overprinted "SPECIMEN" (Samuel Type HK4) unused with part original gum, toned. SG. F9s & 11s, Cat. £330. PHOTO PHOTO 2

1891 2c Carmine overprinted "S.O.", 2c. carmine overprinted "S.D." and 10c purple on red overprinted "S.O.", unused with much original gum. Fine to very fine. All with R.P.S.L. Certificates of Genuineness (2002). SG.S1-3, Cat. £2,900. (3). PHOTO

1891 2c Carmine overprinted "S.O." amended to "D" in manuscript, unused without gum. R.P.S.L. Certificate of Genuineness (2002). SG. S1var. PHOTO

BOXED "PAID" MARK ON TRANSIT COVER FROM THE BRITISH MILITARY GARRISON AT CHUSAN TO G.B.; 25th Jan. 1846 EL (family letter) from "Chusan" to London "Via Southampton", with a fine red boxed Type 10 Hong Kong "PAID" mark on the front, beside a red manuscript "1/-" rate and a 25th Apr. London dotted "PAID" arrival c.d.s., having a very fine 26th Feb. "HONG-KONG" c.d.s. on the lower flap. The letter describes the rather dull life of a British Officer with the Garrison at Chusan, busy shooting snipe and deer, while he was part of the military presence near Shanghai following the end of the 1st Opium War. PHOTO

INGOING COVER FROM U.S.A. VIA G.B. - "RETURNED FOR/POSTAGE" 45c-RATE VIA SOUTHAMPTON; Very attractive 15th Jan. 1862 env. (minor edge-wear) to the "Bark Oriental Care American Consul, Hong Kong, China", endorsed "Via Southampton British Mail" and franked initially by U.S. 10c green (3; faults) and 3c tied by light "FORDHAM/N.Y." c.d.s.'s; but returned to sender endorsed "Due 14" beside a red "RETURNED FOR/POSTAGE" mark. It was then re-posted fully prepaid with an additional U.S. 10c & 1c pair (latter with cut edge at right; all placed over the "RETURNED FOR/POSTAGE" mark) all cancelled by manuscript lines and tied by fine "FORDHAM/N.Y." c.d.s. of the next day. The cover then travelled on to H.K. via G.B. with a "LONDON/PAID" c.d.s. on the front plus red h.s. "1d" Accountancy Mark, and a fair 11th April 1862 H.K. arrival c.d.s. on the back. Wonderful 3-colour franking and a rare example of the return of underpaid U.S. overseas mail. [With 1987 Jakubek Certificate.] PHOTO

INGOING MAIL FROM U.S.A. VIA G.B. - $1.14-RATE COVER VIA LONDON & MARSEILLES; Attractive 11th Nov. 1862 E (part content listing ships and cargoes bound for H.K. & Shanghai) from New York to Heard & Co. in H.K., endorsed "Via Marseilles"; franked by U.S. 1861 30c orange (3; two tied) and 1863 24c (straight edge at right and small tear at foot) all cancelled by fine small circular grids with very fine red "N.YORK.BR.PKT./PAID" c.d.s. and London transit c.d.s. on the front as well as very fine red "2" Accountancy Mark. There is a partial 7th Jan. 1863 H.K. arrival c.d.s. on the reverse. Exhibition item. [With Philatelic Foundation Cert., 2002.] PHOTO

20c-RATE COVER TO G.B. "VIA NAPLES" WITH TWO DIFFERENT "TOO LATE" MARKINGS; Unusual 12th Jan. 1886 env. (part back lost with seal and minor stains) to Scotland "Via Naples" franked by H.K. 10c green (2) tied by poor "B62" numerals, with a partly fine scarce "HONG·KONG/TOO LATE" c.d.s. (Webb BB) overstruck by a fine 34x4mm "TOO-LATE" mark (different from Webb AAii and probably struck in transit at Singapore; 19th Jan. 1886 c.d.s. on back). Remarkable "Doubly Too Late" cover. PHOTO

AUSTRIAN LLOYD SHIP's CANCEL ON AUSTRIAN LEVANT LETTER-CARD TO HAMBURG FROM SHANGHAI; 23rd Dec. 1892 usage of the Austrian Levant 10pi grey letter-card (outer edges removed but with genuine message inside headed "S'hai"), cancelled by very fine blue 26th Dec. 1892 "LLOYD AUSTRIACO/XXI" c.d.s., overstruck by a very fine black "B62" numeral with fine 27th Dec. "HONG·KONG" c.d.s. alongside. Probably posted on board the S.S. "Elektra" of the Trieste/Shanghai route. Very rare thus. [Ex "Antonia"]. PHOTO

GERMAN SEA-POST USAGE OF THE HONG KONG 4c POSTAL STATIONERY CARD; Unusual 26th Feb. 1898 usage of the 4c grey H.K. "VIA BRINDISI & LONDON" PC (glue-mounting faults on reverse but with genuine message headed "Hong Kong") to Germany cancelled by a very fine "KAIS. DEUTSCHE/MARINE/SCHIFFSPOST/No.7" c.d.s., with a similar strike tying a German 10pf red on the front. [Ex Dyer.] PHOTO

NORTH BORNEO - "SANDAKAN" C.D.S. CANCEL ON HONG KONG Q.V. 10c ADHESIVE; 1891 10c Purple on red centrally cancelled by "SANDAKAN" c.d.s. of "5 DE 1899". Very fine and rare arrival cancellation. SG.38. PHOTO

LABUAN - MAIL TO THE U.S. VIA HONG KONG; Attractive 31st July 1904 usage of the North Borneo 3c brown PC (remarkably with a faint photo picture printed on the message side - endorsed "Native building at Langkor Estate near the river") to New York with additional "BRITISH/PROTECTORATE" o.p.1c; both cancelled by very fine "KUDAT" c.d.s.'s with fine "LABUAN" c.d.s.'s (3; 2 dates) and a very fine 2-ring "VICTORIA/HONG KONG" transit c.d.s. on the front. Rare early photographic Picture Postcard. PHOTO

KEVII HONG KONG COVERS CANCELLED EN ROUTE IN CANADA & U.S.; Attractive 1905/6 trio of envs./card (one reduced at right) with H.K. KEVII 4c+6c tied by San Francisco oval with fine claret-purple "PAQUEBOT" alongside, 10c (2) tied by Victoria (B. Columbia) oval grids, and 4c tied by Vancouver duplex. Rare trio. (3 covers). PHOTO PHOTO2 PHOTO 3

NORTH BORNEO - INGOING & TRANSIT MAIL; 1924 env. to U.S.A. franked (on the reverse) by a Block of 12 N. Borneo 1c tapirs tied by fine Sandakan c.d.s.'s and a fine H.K. transit c.d.s.; plus 1933 env. regd. to Hong Kong with N. Borneo 4c Block of Five and 3c single tied by very fine scarce "LAHAD DATU/B.N.B." c.d.s.'s with black "R" label of L.D. on the front. Scarce pair. (2 covers). PHOTO PHOTO2 PHOTO 3

BURMA COVER WITH RARE "DETAINED IN HONG KONG/BY JAPANESE" MARKING; Remarkable 3rd Dec. 1941 env. sent from Rangoon to New York with Burma 1r and 1_as tied by c.d.s. with British censor label at left, having a very fine 2-ring "VICTORIA/HONG KONG" c.d.s. on the back; there is a partly very fine strike of the rare black boxed "DETAINED IN HONG KONG/BY JAPANESE/FROM DECEMBER 1941 TO SEPTEMBER 1945" mark (see Webb p.149) on the front. Very rare thus and a late date for surviving ingoing mail; from the three bags of mail that had survived throughout the war in Hong Kong P.O. Important Exhibition item for any Hong Kong, Burma or World War II collection. PHOTO

MILITARY CAMP/INTERNEE MAIL - RARE YAU MA TI (KOWLOON) CANCEL ON INTERNEE CARD TO STANLEY CAMP; Very fine 11th Dec. 1944 usage of the Japan 2s red PC uprated with 1s brown both cancelled by the very rare and very fine Japanese "YAU MA TI" c.d.s., with very fine Kawauchi censor chop on the front; written in English and sent from a "STATELESS GERMAN, 526 KATORI DORI" to two women in "STANLEY CAMP". Very rare thus; few known. PHOTO

FIRST DAY COVER OF THE JAPANESE 1945 SURCHARGES REGISTERED FROM HONG KONG; 16th April 1945 env. sent locally with the surcharges set (1_y on 1s, 3y on 2s & 5y on 5s) tied by very fine c.d.s.'s with the red reg. label nearby. Rare thus and very fine. PHOTO

RARE WANCHAI P.O. REGISTERED COVER WITH JAPANESE SURCHARGE FRANKING; 27th April 1945 commercial red-band env. to Canton franked by Japanese surcharge 3y on 2s and 5y on 5s tied by a single fine Wanchai Japanese c.d.s., with fine Wanchai red regd. label also on the front; there are Canton c.d.s.'s back and front as well as very fine purple boxed Canton bilingual "RETOUR" and "NON RECLAMEE" marks on the front, with a fragment of the Chinese regd. receipt on the back. Very rare thus; few Japanese Occupation registered Wanchai covers have been recorded. PHOTO

END OF JAPANESE OCCUPATION COVER WITH JAPANESE STAMPS CANCELLED & TIED BY "HONG KONG/1945/POSTAGE PAID" OCTAGON; circa Aug. 1945 env. (slightly reduced at left) sent locally franked by Japanese surcharge 2y on 2s and unoverprinted 7s pair all tied by red crayon "X" marks, but the 7s pair also tied by a very fine "HONG KONG/1945/POSTAGE PAID" Liberation octagon. Very rare example of a letter posted as the Japanese Occupation period ended and free local mail delivery commenced under the new administration of Liberated Hong Kong. PHOTO

EARLIEST RECORDED USAGE OF THE LIBERATION "HONG KONG/1945/POSTAGE PAID" OCTAGON ON OFFICIAL BRITISH POWS' THANK-YOU LETTER RETURNED FROM MACAO; 29th Aug. 1945 stampless env. (and contents; a typed circular from the recently released senior allied P.O.W. officers, thanking the addressee for helping POW's to stay alive during the Japanese Occupation) to Macao with a fine "HONG KONG/1945/POSTAGE PAID" octagon (earliest date recorded by Webb) on the front, beside a cancelled "T" mark and fine boxed Macao "RETOUR" and "RETOUR A L'ENVOYEUR/DEVOLVIDO AO REMETTENTE". There are also a v. fine "PARTI" and d.s.'s of Macau and "RETURNED LETTER OFFICE/HONG KONG" on the back. Rare usage and a historical letter. PHOTO

THE VERY RARE BROKEN ARC "HONG-KONG" C.D.S. (WEBB TYPE 12) ON THE EARLIEST RECORDED "AMOY/PAID" COVER; Fine and attractive 18th May 1859 env. to the U.S. "Via Marseilles" prepaid "1/8" in cash, with very fine strikes of the small red "AMOY/A/MY 18/PAID" c.d.s. (Webb 106; earliest known date and variety year-date omitted), boxed red "PAID" of Hong Kong (Webb 10), red "LONDON/PAID" c.d.s. (11th July) and large black "5/N. YORK AM. PKT." arrival-charge c.d.s. Of even greater importance is the very fine strike of the very rare small black "HONG-KONG/MY 20/59" c.d.s. with single arc at foot (Webb type 12, code "C"; he recorded only 4 in 1961 and only two more had been recorded by 1991), nicely placed on the side-flap (which could be opened out for display) on the reverse. Highly Important Exhibition item, being doubly a major rarity; the earliest recorded Amoy mark also having one of only a handful of this very rare Hong Kong datestamp. Unique! [Ex Ishikawa]. PHOTO PHOTO 2

THE "AMOY/PAID" D.S. USED AS CANCELLATION WITH BLUE "B62" ON STAMPED 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER TO U.S.A.; Very attractive 27th Nov. 1865 env. (opened out for display) to New York "Via Southampton", franked by Hong Kong 4c slate, 12c blue & 30c vermilion all tied by mostly fine red "AMOY/A/PAID" c.d.s.'s, overstruck by light to very fine blue-black "B62" numerals (matching the 29th Nov. Hong Kong c.d.s. on the reverse). There is also a very fine red "LONDON/PAID" c.d.s. and matching "21/CENTS" Accountancy Mark on the front. The postal rate was meant to be 45c but no odd number value stamps were available, and so such letters had to be overpaid 1c at the 46c-rate. One of only 16 such "AMOY/PAID" cancelled stamped covers to have been recorded, and surely one of the very best. [Ex Franklin D. Roosevelt & Ishikawa]. PHOTO

AMOY COVER TO HAMBURG WITH HONG KONG FORWARDING AGENTS CACHET, ETC.; 5th Jan. 1866 env. (red oval "PASEDAG & CO/AMOY" device on flap; endorsed as being from Amoy on the front) to Hamburg "pr. Triest" franked by a Hong Kong 24c green (closed tear at top; wing margin) tied by a light blue-black "B62" numeral (matching the 13th Jan. 1866 HK c.d.s. on the reverse), having a fine red oval "FORWARDED BY/WM. PUSTAU & CO./HONG KONG" cachet (known only 1862-7) on the front with various manuscript rates, a very fine blue handstruck "6" charge-mark and a fine oval "2/St. P.A./26 2" datestamp with a Hamburg arrival c.d.s. of 26th June on the reverse. Rare thus and very attractive. PHOTO

54c-RATE COVER TO U.S.A. VIA FRANCE & G.B. WITH "B62" CANCELS; Attractive Aug. 1867 env. (side-flap opened out to show Amoy backstamp) to New York (Culbertson corresp.) "Via Marseilles", franked by H.K. 12c blue pair & 30c vermilion all tied by near fine "B62" numerals but having a mostly fine "AMOY/A" c.d.s. on the side-flap, with a Hong Kong transit c.d.s. nearby; there are very fine red "LONDON/PAID" (28th Sept.) and "BOSTON BR. PKT./24 PAID" (8th Oct.) c.d.s.'s and a very fine red "5/CENTS" Accountancy marking on the front. Fine and colourful Amoy cover. [Ex Yates, 1939.] PHOTO

AMOY "D.27" NUMERAL ON 16c-RATE ITEM TO G.B. "PER FIRST QUICK MAIL"; Attractive 2nd Aug. 1878 front addressed to Scotland "Per first Quick Mail" (see Webb Pl.33 for a very similar front - a third similar front in Cavendish's "Norman Bennett" auction, 25th May 2002, sold for £2,070), franked by HK 12c blue & 4c slate both tied by fine "D.27" numerals with a very fine matching "AMOY/A" c.d.s. alongside. Very few fronts or covers are recorded with the "D.27" cancellation. Exhibition item. [Ex Cavendish's "Perrin" auction, June 1982.] PHOTO

AMOY USAGE OF THE RARE "5/CENTS" ON 18c LILAC POSTAL STATIONERY CARD; 19th Nov. 1879 usage of the 5c on 18c lilac (corner fault) tied to the PC (slight mount faults on reverse) by a nearly fine tall "A1" numeral cancel, with a mostly very fine matching "A/AMOY" c.d.s. alongside; addressed to London with a Christmas/New Year message on the reverse. Very rare and attractive Postal Stationery usage. [Ex Dyer]. PHOTO

UNIQUE (?) AMOY "D.27" USAGE OF THE "3/CENTS" ON 16c YELLOW ON POSTAL STATIONERY CARD TO HOLLAND; 28th Aug. 1879 usage of the rare 3c on 16c tied by fine "D.27" numeral (NOT RECORDED BY WEBB ON ANY POSTCARDS) to the red H.K. Postal Stationery PC (Type P1a; horiz. crease just clear of stamp barely detracts) addressed to Holland; the transit datestamps on the front include a fine "AMOY/A" mark, a red 2-ring "INDO-CHINE/PAQ....." type and a very fine octagonal "POSS. ANGL./PAQ. FR. N No.5" mark. Rare and attractive Exhibition Item; this "D.27" Postcard usage may well be Unique. PHOTO

"A1" CANCEL ON 10c COVER TO G.B. "VIA BRINDISI"; 9th Sept. 1881 env. (some edge wear and some toning of address panel) to Scotland "Via Brindisi" franked by an 1880 10c mauve tied by a light "A1" Amoy numeral with a very fine Type E "A/AMOY" c.d.s. (straight "AMOY") alongside. Scarce thus. PHOTO

THE EXTRAORDINARY AMOY REGISTERED COVER TO GERMANY WITH RED "R" IN CIRCLE AND 30c BLOCK OF FOUR PLUS SINGLE ALL TIED BY "A1" NUMERALS; 13th Dec. 1882 large linen-lined env. (22x18 cms.; some understandable edge-wear does not affect stamps, and with some staining - mostly internal - again not affecting stamps) to Hamburg "Per first mail Registered", franked by 1871 30c mauve Block of Four & Single all tied by very fine (rare thus) "A1" numerals, with a matching superb Type E "A/AMOY" c.d.s. alongside and with a fine rare red Amoy "R" in circle mark nearby. This amazing franking is thought to be unique used from Amoy and is one of very few known Treaty Port covers with a QV Block of Four. Spectacular Exhibition Item of Great Importance. PHOTO

RARE CANCELLATION USAGE OF THE STRAIGHT-LINE AMOY C.D.S. (TYPE E) ON 10c-RATE TRANSPACIFIC COVER TO U.S.A.; 28th Jan. 1887 env. (opened out for display; closed tear at top well clear of stamp and marks) to New Jersey "Via San Fran[cisco]" franked by a 10c green, tied by a very fine Type E "A/AMOY" c.d.s. with a second superb strike alongside. Covers with this type of c.d.s. used as a cancellation are rare. PHOTO

RARE CANCELLATION USAGE OF THE STRAIGHT-LINE AMOY C.D.S. (TYPE E) ON LOCAL 1c-RATE POSTAL STATIONERY CARD; 25th May 1893 usage of the Hong Kong 1c green Postal Stationery PC (small ink-mark at top left barely detracts) to a Missionary Press at Shanghai cancelled by a fine Type E "A/AMOY" c.d.s. The message enquires about a recent order for a diary. Rare thus. PHOTO

"SAVED FROM THE WRECK OF THE WAIRARAPA" COVER FROM AMOY TO NEW ZEALAND; 15th Sept. 1894 env. (understandable overall light creasing but very attractive and with original stamp) to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, franked by a Hong Kong 10c purple on red tied by a mostly fine "AMOY/A" c.d.s. with a very fine light blue "Saved from the wreck of the/WAIRARAPA" cachet alongside, having backstamps of Hong Kong (20th Sept.), Auckland (3rd Nov.) and Napier (7th Nov.). Exceptional Victorian Wreck Cover; the first Treaty Port "Wairarapa" Wreck Cover that we can recall having seen. Exhibition quality. PHOTO

LOCAL AMOY USAGE OF 1c POSTAL STATIONERY CARD WITH "FOOCHOWFOO" ARRIVAL MARK; Most attractive and very fine 21st Apr. 1899 usage of the H.K. 1c green PC (message in some Esperanto-type language) to the "Anglo-Chinese College, Foochow", cancelled by a very fine Type Fii "AMOY/C" c.d.s., with a very fine small Type B "FOOCHOWFOO/A" arrival c.d.s. nicely placed on the front. Exhibition quality. PHOTO

THE VERY RARE 2-RING "H.B.M. POST OFFICE/R/AMOY" MARKING ON KEVII COVER TO NOVA SCOTIA; 29th Jan. 1906 env. (open on 2 sides and with minor creasing) to Halifax (N.S.) franked for the 26c-rate by KEVII 12c pair and 2c all tied by near fine Type H1 "AMOY/A" c.d.s.'s with a 60% strike of the very rare Type Riii 2-ring "H.B.M. POST OFFICE/R/AMOY" mark (only 4 examples known) alongside. Very rare destination and markings. The similar 1907 "Norman Bennett" cover with this rare "R" mark (of which only 4 examples are known) sold at Cavendish (25th May 2002) for £3,680. PHOTO

LATER AMOY POSTCARD/LETTER RATES TO G.B.; 1911/3 PC/env. to G.B. each with KEVII or KGV 4c red tied by a very fine "AMOY/A" c.d.s. (Type Ji and Type Hi respectively); the latter endorsed "Via Siberia". Good pair. (2 cards).

"CHINA" OVERPRINTS COVER REGISTERED FROM AMOY TO TRANSVAAL ; Unusual 26th May 1922 long env. (opened out for display and slightly reduced at foot) registered from "Kulangsu, Amoy" to Pretoria, with a superb rare boxed "R/AMOY:B.P.O./No. [298]" marking on the front; franked back-and-front with Hong Kong KGV "CHINA" overprint 1c brown (10), 2c green & 4c red (2) all tied by fine 2-ring "BRITISH POST OFFICE/AMOY" c.d.s.'s for the 20c rate. Spectacular and rare thus. PHOTO

THE FAMOUS 10c-RATE COVER TO G.B. WITH THE VERY RARE "ANPING/A" DATESTAMP CANCELLING THE STAMP; Most attractive and fine 29th July 1889 env. (crested flap depicting globe, with motto; "SIC TE NON VIDIMUS OLIM") to Bury St. Edmunds from the Taiwanese river port of "Tainan, China" (writer's endorsement beside the address); franked by a Hong Kong 10c green tied by a very fine strike of the very rare "ANPING" c.d.s. with code "A", dated "JY 29/89". Very faint circular violet "HBM/GMH PLAYFAIR/CONSULATE" cachet on the obverse & backstamps of Amoy (30 July), Hong Kong (1 August) and Bury St. Edmunds (3 September). PHOTO

Only four covers have been recorded with this Anping datestamp (one with the stamps merely cancelled in transit in Hong Kong); this example was illustrated in Webb (Plate 35). At least this is one of the most famous of all Hong Kong Treaty Port covers and it is in excellent condition. Supremely Important Exhibition Centre-piece. [Ex Burghard, Riddell and Ishikawa.] PHOTO

RARE 18th CENTURY COVER FROM CANTON TO FRANCE WITH POSTAL MARKS, ETC. ; Remarkable 7th Jan. 1756 EL (minor faults around seal; written in French, with full typed translation) written at "Canton" and addressed to a French merchant in Marseille; the letter was sent by private ship to Holland and posted from there. There is a Forwarding Agent's endorsement on the reverse - "Per address di vos tres humbles servts., Pye & Cruikshank. Amst [erda]m le 16me Aout " - as well as manuscript postal charges both back and front, and there is a partly fine "D'HOLLANDE" French Entry-mark on the front. Very few pre-1800 letters from China have been recorded, and this is a remarkable routing. Excellent "Forerunner" Page One Item for any Treaty Ports Collection. PHOTO

EARLY PRESTAMP COVER TO U.S.A. WITH ARRIVAL SHIP LETTER CHARGE; 30th Nov. 1816 EL headed from "Canton" (folds neatly to show heading beside address-panel) to Philadelphia per "[Ship] London Trader, Capt. Harrison" with a fine purple-red Philadelphia "6" in circle arrival charge for the incoming Ship Letter rate on the front. Very early and rare thus. PHOTO PHOTO 2

EARLY INGOING COVER TO THE U.S. CONSUL IN CANTON WITH HANDSTRUCK CHINESE DELIVERY MARK; 11th Feb. 1836 E from "J. Cryder" (presumably the partner of Morrison Cryder & Co. in London; see details of similar cover from this correspondence) addressed to "William S. Wetmore Esq., Canton, China. Per [Ship] Princess Victoria", having a very fine and spectacular red framed Chinese characters mark (filing fold) on the front, which translates as; "Deliver to No.1 Imperial Hong, the residence of the American Co., [for Mr.] Wetmore". Wetmore was the American Consul at the time and he was in charge of the local distribution of all incoming foreign mail sent to Canton. Rare and attractive private mails mark of Canton. [Ex Ishikawa]. PHOTO

EARLY DOUBLE FORWARDING AGENT COVER TO THE U.S. CONSUL IN CANTON; 1st Nov. 1837 E from "Richard Alsop" (presumably in the U.S., hence the endorsements "Via Liverpool" and "p. [Ship] England" on the front); addressed to "Wm. S. Wetmore Esqre. [the U.S. Consul in Canton at this date; see previous lot], c/o Messrs. Morrison Cryder & Co. [well-known Forwarding Agents], London". On the top flap is a very fine red boxed "Forwarded by/Jos. W. Alsop Jr." Forwarding Agent's Cachet (not recorded by us before, but of a style consistent with other Liverpool F.A.C.'s of the period). Attractive and early ingoing cover to China. PHOTO

SHIP LETTER TO G.B. PER SHIP "JOHN BULL" REF. OPIUM TRADE, PERSIAN WAR, ETC.; 2nd Feb. 1839 EL from "Canton" to London endorsed "[Per Ship] John Bull", charged "1/4" (8d Ship Letter + 8d inland) with a mostly fine step-type "PORTSMOUTH/SHIP LETTER" (crease) on the front. The letter was written just before the trade blockade in Canton that led to the 1st Opium War; it includes comment on the poor state of the Opium trade and the recent news of the Indian declaration of war on Persia.

PRESTAMP COVER TO SWITZERLAND WITH HONG KONG CROWNED CIRCLE; Attractive 28th Mar. 1848 EL (slight toning along top edge clear of all marks; amusing family letter ref. smoking, school and shaving) from "Canton" to Geneva via France, but posted from Hong Kong with a very fine red Type 8 H.K. Crowned Circle on the front, along with various manuscript rates and a red handstruck "5" (Accountancy?) marking. Rare destination and of Exhibition quality. [Ex Ishikawa] PHOTO

INGOING U.S. $1.80-RATE COVER VIA G.B. AND HONG KONG; 25th Sept. 1849 EL (part small flap lost but with contents mentioning politics; "...we have some little misunderstanding with France...with England also we have a question come up in regard to the Mosquito Territory [Nicaragua]...") sent from "New York" to "Canton, China, Per St[eame]r Europa" with a bold red "180" manuscript rate on the front beside the London "PAID" transit c.d.s., having a very fine 20th Dec. "HONG-KONG" transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Unusual prepaid rate. PHOTO

EARLY TRANSPACIFIC SHIP LETTER TO SAN FRANCISCO; 19th Dec. 1851-16th Jan. 1852 EL (contents ref. shipping and advising that "Gold is very low [in price] here at present" and acknowledging the arrival of a shipment bags of Californian gold dust) sent from "Canton" to "San Francisco p. [Ship] Henbury", having a very fine 25th March [1852] "SAN FRANCISCO/Cal." arrival c.d.s. and scarce matching "SHIP/6" clam-shell charge-mark on the front. PHOTO

RED "CANTON/PAID" UNDATED CIRCLE ON COVER TO GUERNSEY; Attractive 20th Apr. 1854 env. (opened out for display; from the Markham correspondence and so possibly originating from Foochow), prepaid (faint red "2/-" and "8") to Guernsey "Via Southampton" with a very fine red "CANTON/PAID" UDC on the front beside a London transit "PAID" d.s. (19th June), with a very fine black "CANTON" c.d.s. on the flap. Rare thus. [Ex Ishikawa]. PHOTO

THE RARE BLUE "CANTON" BACKSTAMP ON "B62" 24c-RATE COVER TO G.B.; 27th Nov. 1872 env. (top flap lost and minor edge-wear) to G.B. "Via Southampton", franked by H.K. 24c green tied by a light "B62" numeral with a very fine bright blue straight-name "A"-code "CANTON" c.d.s. (Type B) on the side-flap (could open out for display). This c.d.s. is very rare in blue, just as the contemporary "C1" numerals are; neither Webb or Pearson record it in this colour, and only one blue "C1" cover was recorded up to 1991 as opposed to 30 black "C1" covers. Rare addition to the record. PHOTO

"C1" CANCEL ON 12c-RATE COVER TO FRANCE; 4th April 1877 EL (minor light stains on front well clear of stamp; contents ref. problems of fluctuating silk prices due to the arrival of Reuters telegrams with ever-changing news of possible European conflicts) to Lyons "Via Marseilles" franked by a single Hong Kong 24c blue tied by a light "C1" numeral in black matching the fine "A/CANTON" c.d.s. alongside. Rare destination for a C1 cover. [With Royal Phil. Soc. 1991 Certificate of Genuineness.] PHOTO

THE VERY RARE OVAL "REGISTERED/CANTON" DATESTAMP ON SPECTACULAR "C1" COVER TO THE U.S.A.; 18th/20th June 1878 env. (split round edges, small faults at top just clear of Regd. mark & stamps (some minor reinforcing of folds/tears), and part flap lost; the contents mention an enclosed "promissary note for $100") endorsed "Per S.S. City of Tokio" and "Registered", addressed to "Huntingdon, Huntingdon Co., Penn[sylvani]a, U.S.A."; franked by Hong Kong 8c orange (2) and 4c slate all tied by remarkably fine "C1" ovals with a light but readily legible strike of the very rare red oval "REGISTERED/CANTON" datestamp (Webb Type 126) on the front. There is also part of the similarly rare red oval "[REGISTERED]/HONG KONG" d.s. (Type Rii) on the back, beside a very fine "SAN FRANCISCO/REGISTERED" transit d.s. One of only two recorded examples of this oval Canton Registered marking, and the only one addressed beyond Hong Kong. Important Exhibition Centre-piece. PHOTO PHOTO 2

"C1" LOCAL 2c-RATE COVER TO HONG KONG; 14th Dec. 1878 env. to the U.S. Consul in Hong Kong franked by a Hong Kong 2c brown tied by a partly fine "C1" numeral with a partly very fine "A/CANTON" c.d.s. (Type B) alongside, having a H.K. backstamp of the same day. Rare local usage. [Signed by Peter Holcombe.] PHOTO

EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAR "C1" STRIKE ON 8c-RATE COVER TO U.S.A.; Attractive 30th May 1879 env. (minor edge wear) to New Jersey "Per O. & O. S.S. Belgic" (from the Craven Correspondence) franked by a Hong Kong 8c orange tied by a remarkably clear "C1" numeral with a very fine matching "A/CANTON" c.d.s. (Type B) alongside; having very fine San Francisco (28th June) & Hong Kong (30th May) transit c.d.s.'s on the reverse. Arguably one of the finest strikes of Canton's "C1" numeral - which is so often faint or unclear - to have been recorded on cover. Exhibition item of quality. [Ex "Antonia"]PHOTO

THE RARE HONG KONG 10c ON 24c OVERPRINT ON "C1" COVER TO U.S.A.; Attractive 9th Oct. 1880 env. to New Jersey (from the Craven Correspondence) franked by the 1880 10c on 24c green (slightly rounded corner at lower left) tied by a light "C1" numeral with a very fine matching "A/CANTON" c.d.s. (Type B) alongside, with a 6th Nov. San Francisco transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare Canton usage of this elusive stamp on cover. Gurevitch records only nine covers bearing this surcharge. [Ex C. Derek Houston]. PHOTO

EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAR "C1" NUMERAL ON 10c-RATE COVER TO U.S.A.; Attractive 4th June 1882 env. ("United States Consulate at Canton, China" imprint at top left of address) to Massachusetts "p. [Ship] City of Peking", franked by a single Hong Kong 1882-3 10c dull mauve tied by a superb (for this) strike of the "C1" numeral with a very fine matching "A/CANTON" c.d.s. (Type B) alongside. Arguably the most attractive of all single-franking "C1" covers; true Exhibition Quality. [Ex "Antonia"]. PHOTO

"C1" NUMERAL ON THE RARE LOCAL "ONE/CENT" OVERPRINTED 4c POSTAL STATIONERY CARD; Very fine 3rd Oct. 1881 usage of the 1c on 4c card (with "VIA BRINDISI & LONDON" deleted in manuscript; missionary usage asking about the availability of metal printing type) to Hong Kong, cancelled by a partly fine "C1" numeral with a very fine matching "A/CANTON" c.d.s. (Type B) alongside. Remarkably fine condition and an exceptional usage of this very scarce card from a Treaty Port. PHOTO

Similar 4th Nov. 1882 usage of the same "ONE/CENT" on 4c overprinted Postal Stationery PC (interesting message ref. a visit to "Lin Chan", much fever at Canton and the bad drought) to Hong Kong (same addressee), but cancelled by the Type B "A/CANTON" c.d.s. alone. Rare and attractive. PHOTO

TYPE B "A/CANTON" C.D.S. ON 20c-RATE COVER TO U.S.A.; 1st Dec. 1886 env. (reduced at left) to Pennsylvania "[Via] San Francisco", franked by a vertical pair of Hong Kong 10c green tied by very fine strikes of the "A/CANTON" c.d.s. Not unattractive. [Ex Dyer.] PHOTO

"CUSTOMS/CANTON" DATESTAMP ON 20c ON 30c SINGLE FRANKING COVER TO GERMANY; Unusual 19th Jun. 1889 env. to Hanover (Diercking correspondence) "Per M. M. Str. Orus" franked by a Hong Kong 20c on 30c orange-red tied by a fine "B62" numeral with a near fine 20th June HK c.d.s. nearby; on the reverse there is a very fine (but overstruck) 19th June 2-ring "CUSTOMS/CANTON" c.d.s. (early date of usage for this Customs mark). Rare thus and very fine. PHOTO

LOCAL 1c GREEN POSTAL STATIONERY PC FROM CANTON TO THE JAPANESE CONSULATE IN HONG KONG; 23rd July 1890 usage of the 1c green PC (pin-holes in centre barely detract; long message written in Japanese) to Hong Kong cancelled by a fine Type B "A/CANTON" c.d.s. Unusual addressee. PHOTO

COMMERCIAL 3c & 4c POSTAL STATIONERY CARD USAGES FROM CANTON TO GERMANY; 25th June 1890 & 24th Feb. 1896 usages of the Hong Kong 3c brown (light staining) and 4c grey ("VIA BRINDISI & LONDON" inscription roughly deleted) PC's; both sent to Germany (Berlin & Leipzig), cancelled by fine "*"-code Type C c.d.s.'s. The latter card (1896) was sent from the "S.S. Hankow" en route from Hong Kong to Canton. Scarce pair. (2 cards). PHOTO PHOTO 2

RARE COMPLETE MATCHED USED PAIR (CANTON-GERMANY AND GERMANY-CANTON) OF THE 4c ON 3c OVERPRINT POSTAL STATIONERY CARDS; 10th June and 29th July 1895 fine usages of the matched outward and return Reply-Paid Hong Kong 4c on 3c brown Postal Stationery PC's (now separated; commercial usages from and to a Berlin Missionary), cancelled by fine "CANTON/*" and "FORDON" datestamps respectively. Very few such complete pairs of Hong Kong Q.V. reply-paid PC's have been recorded; this is especially rare originating from a Treaty Port! PHOTO

MULTIPLE 2c-FRANKING FOR THE 20c-RATE TO U.S.A.; Unusual 1st Oct. 1894 env. (corner fault clear of stamps and minor edge-creasing; part original contents ref. threat of evacuation in case of "trouble between China and France") to New York "[Per] First American Mail", spectacularly franked back-and-front by two strips (one horiz. & one vert.) of Hong Kong 2c reds, all tied by very fine small Type B "A/CANTON" datestamps. Rare thus. PHOTO PHOTO 2

20c ON 30c GREEN SINGLE-FRANKING REGISTERED COVER TO G.B. WITH HANDSTRUCK "STAMPED" MARK; 11th Dec. 1894 mourning env. to London endorsed "Registered", franked by a single 20c on 30c green (glue stains) tied by a near fine small Type B "A/CANTON" c.d.s. and by an unusual very fine black handstruck "STAMPED" mark (private firm's mark?; see Webb p.176), with a fine black "R" in circle of Canton alongside and London arrival marks. Scarce registered item. PHOTO

UNRECORDED OVAL "IMPERIAL POST OFFICE/CANTON" DATESTAMP WITH MANUSCRIPT "4c paid" IN CENTRE, ON INGOING COVER EX RUMANIA; Remarkable 13th/15th April 1897 usage of the Rumania 5b blue P. Stat. PC from "BACAU" (fine 2-ring c.d.s. cancel) addressed to "Canton, Hong Kong, Asia", but with a very fine "T" in circle mark along with fine H.K. (22nd May) and "*/CANTON" (24th May) c.d.s.'s on the front. There is a large manuscript "4" charge across the address (for the extra postage from H.K. to Canton) and it seems that this amount was paid as Postage Due by the addressee, so there is a very fine double-oval 25th May "IMPERIAL POST OFFICE/CANTON" datestamp nearby, which has a red annotation "4c paid" in the centre. Rare Postage Due usage; this oval Canton marking has not been recorded (though similar marks are recorded for Shanghai, Nanking, Hangchow, Wuchow and Chinkiang). Important addition to the record and an amazing country of origin for ingoing mail at this early date. PHOTO

LOCAL USAGE OF THE HONG KONG 1c CARD TO CANTON WITH H.K. C.D.S. DATE-ERROR; Attractive 7th/8th July 1898 usage of the 1c green Hong Kong Postal Stationery PC from Hong Kong to the German Consul in Canton. The card has been cancelled by both very fine "HONG·KONG/D" and "CANTON/*" c.d.s.'s; the former with Date Error "86" for "98", but the Canton c.d.s. correctly dated. Rare thus! PHOTO

UNRECORDED RED BOXED "AR" (AVIS DE RECEPTION) MARK OF CANTON ON COVER TO U.S.A.; 10th July 1900 commercial env. (minor wear at top and foot) to Boston franked by a single Hong Kong Q.V. 20c on 30c green (creased) tied by a very fine "CANTON/B" c.d.s. (Type Dii) with a mostly fine black Canton "R" in circle and a mostly very fine APPARENTLY UNRECORDED octagon-boxed "AR" marking alongside. The latter marking indicated that the sender had filled in a separate P.O. form, sent along with this letter, that was to be duly returned to him from America to Advise him of the safe Receipt of the letter by the addressee. While such marks are mentioned by Webb for Hong Kong, we have found no record of any "AR" marks for any of the Treaty Ports, although we have seen a similar Amoy AR mark on a 1901 cover. Important addition to the record. Exhibition item. PHOTO

UPRATED OUTGOING USAGE OF COMPLETE 1c+1c REPLY CARD TO GERMANY; 27th Jan. 1900 usage of the Hong Kong Q.V. 1c+1c green Postal Stationery PC pair (slight reinforcement of join at each end) to Hamburg "pr French mail S.S. Caledonien" with HK 2c red (2) tied by fair to very fine "CANTON/A" c.d.s.'s (Type Di; scarce code). Scarce thus. PHOTO

Q.V. STAMPED 10c-/4c-RATE COVERS TO U.S./G.B. WITH DIFFERENT CANTON C.D.S.'s; 1902/4 trio of envs. (some stains & faults) to U.S. (2) or G.B. (redirected on arrival) franked by HK 10c blue singles (2; with mostly very fine Type Di and Diii c.d.s.'s, coded "A" - scarce - and "B") or by 2c pair (tied by fine "B"-code Type Dii c.d.s.). Useful trio. (3 covers).

OUTWARD USAGE OF THE SCARCE HONG KONG Q.V. 4c ON 3c BROWN "REPLY" CARD; Commercial 22nd Aug. 1904 usage of the "REPLY" half (that word crossed through) of the 4c on 3c brown PC to Bombay cancelled by a fine "B"-code Type Dii "CANTON" c.d.s. Scarce thus. PHOTO

RARE RED "SINGAPORE TO-HONG·KONG" MARINE SORTER C.D.S. ON INGOING CARD TO CANTON EX CEYLON; 4th May 1905 PPC (small tear at foot) from Colombo with Ceylon KEVII 6c tied by c.d.s. and fine boxed purple "GALLE FACE HOTEL/COLOMBO/CEYLON" cachet, having a very fine "SINGAPORE TO-HONG·KONG/C/13 MY/95" c.d.s. STRUCK IN RED (scarce thus) beside a very fine Type Div "CANTON/A" arrival c.d.s. (scarce code). Rare thus. PHOTO

KEVII SMALL REGISTERED ENV. USAGE TO INDIA WITH BOXED "R/CANTON" MARK; 16th April 1909 usage of the small size KEVII Hong Kong 10c lilac/red regd. env. (some scuffing) to Bombay uprated with a HK KEVII 4c red, both cancelled by very fine "B"-code Type Eii "CANTON" c.d.s.'s, with a mostly fine scarce boxed "R/CANTON [B.P.O.]" mark (earlier than recorded by Webb) on the front. Scarce. PHOTO

BOXED "R/CANTON B.P.O." MARK ON KEVII 20c-RATE COVER TO U.S.A.; 4th Oct. 1909 env. (fault at top right of address; "VICTORIA HOTEL" flap) to New Jersey with a mostly fine boxed "R/CANTON B.P.O." mark and very fine Type Eii "B/CANTON" c.d.s. on the front; franked on the back by Blocks of Four and Six of the HK KEVII 2c green all tied/cancelled by the Canton c.d.s.'s. Scarce thus. PHOTO PHOTO 2

Similar 8th June 1912 env. regd. to Chicago; franked by 10 HK KEVII 2c greens (7 on the front & 3 on the back) all tied by "B"-code Type Eii Canton c.d.s.'s or (those on the back) by Chicago regd. c.d.s., having a fine boxed "R/CANTON B.P.O." mark on the front. Attractive. PHOTO PHOTO 2

OTHER KEVII FRANKED COVERS TO U.S., ETC.; 1905 pair of envs. to US with Type Dv "B/CANTON" c.d.s.'s showing the "5" year-date variety; one with single 4c purple on red, the other a scarce HK 2c green p. stat. env. uprated with 8c grey/purple; plus long 1907 env. to US with 20c tied by v. fine Type Eii "CANTON/B" c.d.s. and 3 others to US/GB with the same c.d.s. cancel. (6 covers).

AUSTRALIAN W.W.I INTERNEE CAMP COVER TO CANTON; Remarkable 1916/7 usage of the printed "PRISONER OF WAR LETTER/FREE" env. (opened out for display) from Australia to "Canton, China", with a superb blue "R. Johnson LIEUT COL/GERMAN CONCENTRATION CAMPS/LIVERPOOL, N.S.W." cachet and light purple "PASSED BY/CENSOR S.D." mark on the front, having a very fine strike of the "CANTON" Type Ei c.d.s. (rare code "A") on the reverse. Exceptional destination for a World War I POW item. PHOTO

"CHINA" OVERPRINT COVER TO U.S. WITH THE SCARCE "A"-CODE TYPE Ei CANTON C.D.S.; Nov. 1921(?) env. (imprint of "Honam, Canton, China" on the front) to Colorado franked by HK o.p. "CHINA" 2c green tied by partly very fine Type Ei "A"-code c.d.s. (noted as "rare" with this code by Webb).

RARE Q.V. FRANKED COVER TO U.S.A.; Attractive 17th March 1903 env. ("A.C. TAYLOR & Co. CHEFOO, NORTH CHINA" imprint at top left) to Seattle (Washington State) franked by HK QV 2c green (3) and 4c red (for the 10c rate),all tied by very fine "B"-code 2-ring "CHEFOO/BRITISH P.O." c.d.s.'s, having Victoria (H.K.) and Seattle backstamps. Few QV Chefoo covers are known because the P.O. was only started in early 1903. Rare thus. PHOTO

KEVII & KGV PERIOD MAIL INC. INGOING PPC FROM SWITZERLAND; Unusual April/May 1906 PPC from Neuhausen with Swiss 5c green having a mostly very fine 2-ring "C"-code "CHEFOO/BRITISH P.O." arrival c.d.s. beside the address; plus 1905 PPC to HK with HK KEVII 1c (faults), 1915 env. to GB with HK KGV 4c and CTO 1914 PPC with HK KGV 2c all tied by the same "C"-code Chefoo 2-ring c.d.s.'s. (4 items).