THE "UNIQUE"(?) BARRED GRID CANCELS ON COVER WITH BLUE "FOOCHOWFOO" BACKSTAMP; Unusual 9th July 1875 env. (filing notes at left of address) to Melbourne (Australia) "Per Somerset S[teamer]", having a very fine blue"A"-code Type B "FOOCHOWFOO" c.d.s. on the side-flap (would open out for display), franked by three Hong Kong 24c greens tied by (apparently deliberately) smudged strikes of an unidentified oval numeral with many bars. This cancellation appears to be unique to this cover on Foochow mail, and it is our view that the stamps had remained uncancelled by accident at Foochow and when this was noticed on arrival in Australia, they were cancelled with a Melbourne numeral (this many barred type is known used in Victoria at this date), and smudged to ensure that there was no question of the letter being thought to have been posted in Australia. Very rare thus and a scarce 72c-rate cover. [Ex Dyer.] PHOTO PHOTO 2

BLUE "F1" CANCEL ON 48c-RATE COVER TO AUSTRALIA "VIA TORRES STRAITS"; 30th Oct. 1875 env. (slight stain and recipient's notes on front clear of stamps and minor edge wear) to Melbourne "Via Torres Straits" franked by a pair of Hong Kong 24c greens tied (through the stamps) by a single very fine blue "F1" numeral (with a matching mostly very fine "A"-code "FOOCHOWFOO" c.d.s. on the side-flap), with red m/s "2/-" Accountancy rate on the front. Very attractive example of the "F1" cancellation. PHOTO

RARE "F1" COVER TO U.S. AT 8c RATE; Attractive 22nd Feb. 1876 env. (closed tear at left of address clear of stamp and marks) to Massachusetts "Via San Francisco", franked by a single Hong Kong 8c orange tied by a light blue "F1" numeral (matching the mostly fine "A"-code "FOOCHOWFOO" c.d.s. on the side-flap), with partly fine red "HONG KONG/C/PAID ALL" c.d.s. beside the stamp, and with a 27th March S.F. transit c.d.s. on the front. Most of the recorded "F1" covers are addressed to Australia; rare thus. PHOTO

COMPLETE 2c-RATE PRINTED MATTER RATE "F1" COVER TO AUSTRALIA; Attractive 29th Nov. 1878 complete 4-page printed "Foochow Weekly Market Report" EL with complete original wrapper with printed "per Mail Steamer....MELBOURNE" address (recipient's numeric annotations impinge somewhat), franked by a Hong Kong 2c brown tied (to wrapper and contents) by a fine black "F1" numeral. Rare thus; very few printed matter rate items of this period have survived from any of the Treaty Ports. Exhibition item. PHOTO

"FOOCHOWFOO" C.D.S. AS CANCELLATION ON 20c-RATE COVER TO G.B. "VIA SUEZ"; 18th June 1887 env. (minor faults at top and opened out for display) to London "Per S.S. Glengarry via Suez", franked by a Hong Kong 10c green pair tied by a very fine single "A"-code Type B c.d.s. Very attractive. PHOTO

FOOCHOW USAGE OF THE SCARCE OUTWARD PART OF THE 4c+4c ON 3c+3c REPLY-CARD; 10th Aug. 1896 commercial usage of the scarce Hong Kong outward portion of the 4c on 3c brown PC (edge faults at right) used to Ireland cancelled by a fine "A"-code "FOOCHOWFOO" c.d.s. Rare Treaty Port usage. PHOTO

COMMERCIAL FOOCHOW USAGE OF THE 4c POSTAL STATIONERY CARD TO G.B.; 26th Sept./5th Oct. 1898 usage of the 4c grey PC (with "VIA BRINDISI & LONDON" deleted; small label at left and tiny fault at right) to Scotland cancelled by a partial "FOOCHOWFOO" c.d.s. The card was written from a Missionary at "Fuk Ning, Fuk Kin, South China" and orders some canvas shoes. PHOTO

COMBINATION USAGE OF A U.S. 2c REPLY CARD WITH HONG KONG 2c(2) CANCELLED IN FOOCHOW; Attractive 3rd Dec. 1901 commercial usage of the US 2c blue "REPLY POSTAL CARD" to Milwaukee (printed address) cancelled in transit by 6th Dec. "SHANGHAI" c.d.s. and by arrival US machine cancel, but posted from Foochow and so correctly franked with additional Hong Kong 2c greens (2) for the 4c rate to a U.P.U. port (compare with the similar ingoing Romanian PC charged 4c extra to Canton, above); the stamps are tied by fine Type E, code "A" "FOOCHOW" c.d.s.'s. Colourful Exhibition Item and rare thus. PHOTO

RARE DTHALI (ADEN) DATESTAMP ON COVER FROM FOOCHOW; Extraordinary 19th Aug. 1905 env. to "G.F. Harkness Esq., M.D., I. Medical Service, Aden", franked by Hong Kong KEVII 4c purple on red tied by a partial very fine "C"-code "FOOCHOW" Type F c.d.s.; there are three backstamps - a part 24th Aug. Victoria (H.K.) 2-ring c.d.s. overlapped by a very fine 14th Sept. "ADEN" c.d.s. and a near very fine rare 15th Sept. "DTHALI" c.d.s. The latter is very rare having only been used during the Boundary Commission period (1903-7), and its use on a Treaty Port cover is truly remarkable. [Ex Hornal & Angus Parker.] PHOTO PHOTO 2

FOOCHOW DATESTAMPS ON MAIL TO FRANCE/G.B./CANADA; 4th June 1900 env. (opened out for display; closed tear with "magic" tape internally) to France with HK QV 10c purple/red tied by a very fine "A"-code "FOOCHOWFOO" c.d.s. with faint "PLAYFAIR/H.B.M./CONSULATE" cachet on the front and uncancelled China 10c green on the reverse; plus 1905/7 trio of envs. to G.B.(2)/Canada with KEVII 4c's all tied by mostly very fine "FOOCHOW" c.d.s.'s (Type F and 2xType I). Useful lot. (4 covers).

"D.29" 12c-RATE COVER TO G.B. VIA FRANCE WITH "S1" TRANSIT CANCELLATION; Spectacular 31st May 1879 env. (slightly roughly opened at top close to stamps) from Hankow addressed to Scotland "Pr. French Mail" (this is the cover Illustrated in Webb; Plate 47 ), franked by Hong Kong 6c lilac (2) tied by very fine strikes of the very rare "D.29" Hankow numeral, overstruck (as usual with the few recorded early D.29 covers) by a very fine black Shanghai "S1" numeral struck in transit. There is a nearly very fine "A"-code Type B "HANKOW" c.d.s. alongside, and there are backstamps of "SHANGHAE" (3rd June), Hong Kong (7th June) and Aberdeen (22nd July). Pearson had only recorded 7 covers, 4 cards and 1 front with the "D.29" cancellation by 1991, and there are very few records of any covers being sold at auction in recent years. Important Exhibition Item being the actual cover selected by Webb for illustration in his definitive 1961 handbook. [Ex Burghard and Ishikawa]. PHOTO

Q.V. 10c-RATE COVER TO G.B. WITH HANKOW DATESTAMP CANCELLATION; 25th Oct. 1894 env. (some edge-wear) to London franked by a Hong Kong 10c purple on red tied by a partly fine "HANKOW" c.d.s. (code unclear), with Shanghai, HK & London backstamps. Pre-1900 Hankow covers are surprisingly rare. PHOTO

CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION REGISTERED POSTCARD TO LUXEMBOURG; 5th May 1898 usage of the China 1c red Postal Stationery PC (light toning but with 3 photo-vignettes of Hankow on the back) registered to Luxemburg and so franked by additional China 10c , 2c & 1c all tied by very fine large 2-ring "HANKOW" Dollar chops, with scarce matching red handstruck "R" alongside; the card was also franked by Hong Kong 10c on 30c grey-green (with scarce widely spaced figures in "10" variety) on the front and 2c red (2) on the reverse, all tied by very fine "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s.'s. Also on the front is a very fine black Shanghai "R" in circle mark and a Luxemburg arrival c.d.s. Very rare and attractive Combination Card. PHOTO

CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER TO GERMANY; Unusual 8th May 1898 env. (minor edge-wear) to Germany franked by China 10c green (on the front) tied by a very fine large 2-ring red-brown "HANKOW" Dollar chops, also having a fine vertical strip of five Hong Kong 2c reds (on the reverse) tied by partly fine "HONG·KONG" c.d.s.'s. There are purple oval firm's cachets - "CARLOWITZ & CO./* HANKOW *" - back and front. Very attractive Combination Cover. PHOTO PHOTO 2

UPRATED Q.V. POSTAL STATIONERY CARD TO G.B. WITH "HANKOW" DATESTAMP CANCELS; Attractive 9th Oct. 1900 commercial usage of the HK 1c green PC (old mount stains on reverse) to G.B. uprated with HK 4c grey tied by a nearly very fine Type Ji "HANKOW/A" c.d.s. Rare thus. PHOTO

CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER REGISTERED TO GERMANY WITH SCARCE 1891 20c SURCHARGE VARIETY; 28th Mar. 1901 env. (opened out for display) registered to Germany franked by China _c (2), 1c (4), and 5c on the front with further 10c on the reverse all tied by small Chinese "HANKOW" c.d.s.'s; also franked by a Hong Kong 1891 surcharge 20c on 30c yellow-green showing large Chinese Character Variety in surcharge (rare on cover) tied by very fine "SHANGHAI/C" c.d.s. There are also very fine Chinese P.O. "R" and Shanghai P.O. "R" in circle marks on the front. Very rare thus and most attractive. PHOTO

THE RARE BOXED "R/HANKOW B.P.O." MARK ON KEVII COVER TO BELGIUM; 13th Feb. 1908 env. (central crease clear of marks & stamp) registered to Brussels "Via Siberia", franked by a single HK KEVII 20c tied by a very fine Type Liii "HANKOW/C" c.d.s. with a very fine boxed "R/HANKOW B.P.O./No. [152]" mark alongside. Scarce destination and usage. PHOTO

KEVII MAIL TO G.B. - DIFFERENT "HANKOW" DATESTAMPS OR FRANKINGS; 1904 PPC with HK 4c purple/red tied by very fine Type Ji c.d.s., 1908 env. (file-notes around address) sent "Via Siberia" with 2c green pair tied by single very fine Type Liii c.d.s., and 1910 PPC with 4c red tied by very fine Type Liii c.d.s. Good trio. (3 covers).

KGV MAIL TO U.S./G.B. - DATESTAMPS WITH RARE INVERTED "C" CODE & NORMAL; 19th May 1913 env. to US "Per [Ship] Russia" franked by HK KGV 4c red (2) & 2c green all tied by two very fine Type Kiii "HANKOW" c.d.s.'s very clearly showing the very rare inverted "C" code (of which Webb only recorded a single example); plus 8th Aug. 1914 PPC to G.B. with HK 4c tied by fine (but overstruck) normal "C"-code Type Kiii "HANKOW" c.d.s. Good pair. (2 covers). PHOTO

HANKOW USAGE OF THE RARE "CHINA" OVERPRINTED HONG KONG REGISTERED ENV. WITH RARE "R/HANKOW B.P.O/No." LABEL; 27th Nov. 1922 usage of the middle-size "CHINA" o.p. HK KGV 10c lilac regd. env. (200x126mm Size H - slightly rough at left, but a commercial usage with a 5th Dec. HK arrival c.d.s.; to the HK PO Accountant General), uprated with a HK "CHINA" o.p. 8c grey, both cancelled by very fine 2-ring "BRITISH POST OFFICE/HANKOW" c.d.s.'s (dated after the official closure of the P.O.; Webb's note suggests that he had not seen this genuine commercial cover of 27th Nov. 1922); having the small Provisional "R" label on the front with a black handstruck "R/HANKOW B.P.O/No.[28]" mark. [Cavendish sold a similar "R" label, but on a plain 1919 cover, in the "Norman Bennett" auction on 25th May 2002 for £977.] Very rare Provisional "R" label and a very rare Stationery Usage. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO

RARE EARLY USAGE OF THE SMALL "HOIHOW" DATESTAMP ON LOCAL 1c CARD TO SHANGHAI; 29th Feb. 1888 (Leap Year Date) usage of the Hong Kong 1c green Postal Stationery PC (toned and very minor wear; commercial message from the Mission at "Kiungchow") to Shanghai, cancelled by a very fine (downwards-facing "C"-code small Type D) "HOIHOW" c.d.s., with very fine HK & Shanghai transit c.d.s.'s on the reverse. Rare thus; a very early date for this Treaty Port. PHOTO

10c-RATE COVER TO G.B. WITH THE SMALL "HOIHOW" DATESTAMP CANCELLATION; 9th Dec. 1889 env. (minor wear) to Bolton franked by Hong Kong 5c blue (2) tied by two mostly very fine Type D "HOIHOW" datestamps with normal "C" code. Rare thus. PHOTO

THE EXCEPTIONAL REGISTERED "SAMAH LAND POST" COVER TO GERMANY WITH HONG KONG FRANKING CANCELLED BY "HOIHOW" DATESTAMPS; Remarkable 4th Sept. 1896 env. (some toning down right hand edge does not detract) addressed to Wilhelmshaven (v. fine 15th Oct. backstamp), franked by an irregular Block of Five Hong Kong 4c slate (some toning at foot of the block), tied by very fine small 8th Sept. "HOIHOW" c.d.s.'s (Type D; normal "C" code), endorsed "Registered" with a very fine rare Hoihow "R" in circle mark; also on the front is a very fine strike of the very rare purple boxed "HAINAN/LAND/POST/SAMAH" marking (Webb Type I) with manuscript "4.9.96" in the centre. This cover was sent from the Samah Land Post to the British P.O. at Hoihow for onward transmission via Hong Kong (11th Sept. backstamp) to Germany. This cover - from the same correspondence as the unregistered Norman Bennett example which was sold by Cavendish on 25th May 2002 for £8,050 - is arguably the most attractive of the few recorded Land Post covers, and is the finer one of only two such Registered Land Post covers of which we are aware. Colourful and Highly Important Exhibition Centre-Piece. With Royal Philatelic Society 1973 Certificate of Genuineness. [Ex Milo D. Rowell]. PHOTO

STAMPLESS LOCAL "HAINAN/LAND/POST/SAMAH" COVER TO HOIHOW WITH BOTH RECTANGULAR & CIRCULAR SAMAH MARKINGS; 1st Sept. 1894 stampless (as usual for local Land Post mail) env. to Hoihow with very fine overlapping lilac boxed "HAINAN/LAND/POST/SAMAH"(unusually without any manuscript date in the centre) and circular 2-ring red "HAI/SAMAH./NAN" marks (Webb Types I and J) at top left, both slightly overstruck by a very fine small "C"-code Type D "HOIHOW" c.d.s. Attractive and rare example of the local service of this Land Post. PHOTO - ABOVE

HOIHOW Q.V. POSTAL STATIONERY USAGES - TO CHILE (!) & AUSTRIA; 1904 usage of the Hong Kong 5c purple env. to Prague with various KEVII adhesives (three do not belong) all cancelled by Type Fi Hoihow c.d.s.'s; plus 1906 usage of the 1c green PC (toned and creased, etc.; additional adhesive removed) addressed to "Valdivia, Chile" (transit marks of HK, New York & Valparaiso on the front) cancelled by very fine Type Fiii Hoihow c.d.s. Very rare pair in spite of faults. (2 covers).

HOIHOW USAGE OF THE RARE LARGE-SIZE Q.V. REGISTERED ENVELOPE; 14th Aug. 1911 usage of the Type 1 Hong Kong 10c lilac regd. env. (286x153mm Size K; some creases clear of stamps but a commercial usage, with fine intact red wax "BRITISH CONSULATE/KIUNGCHOW" seal on the front) sent to Hong Kong (partial c.d.s. on back), uprated with a pair of HK KEVII 12c; all cancelled and tied by mostly very fine Type Hi "C"-code "HOIHOW" c.d.s.'s. Very rare small Treaty Port usage of this registered envelope. PHOTO

RARE INGOING WORLD WAR I FIELD POST OFFICE CARD TO "HOIHOW, HAINAN ISLAND"; Unusual 19th Sept. 1915 usage of the special British Army stampless "FIELD SERVICE POST CARD" with part 2-ring "FIELD POST OFFICE/158" c.d.s. (at Sulva, Turkey at this date) on the front, remarkably addressed to a "Mr. J.D. Cush, Chinese Customs, Hoihow", with a very fine "D"-code Type Hi arrival c.d.s. on the front. Possibly unique destination for such a soldier's card. PHOTO

VERY RARE BOXED "R/HOIHOW B.P.O." REGISTERED MARK ON AMAZING COVER TO BRITISH FORCES IN EGYPT; 10th Aug. 1916 env. (opened out for display and laid down on paper but in fine condition) addressed to a Sergeant with the "276th Railway Company, Royal Engineers, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Egypt, Via SUEZ", franked (on reverse) by Hong Kong KGV 4c+10c tied by very fine "D"-code Type Hi "HOIHOW" c.d.s.'s, with a very fine strike of the rare boxed "R/HOIHOW B.P.O./No.[128]" mark (Webb Type R2, of which he only recorded one example) on the front; on the reverse are skeleton datestamps of the British Army in Egypt ("FIELD POST OFFICE/GM" of Ismailia and "BASE ARMY POST OFFICE/Z" of Cairo). Extraordinary destination and an extremely rare Treaty Port Registered Mark. PHOTO

HOIHOW USAGE OF THE RARE LARGE SIZE HONG KONG "CHINA" OVERPRINT KGV REGISTERED ENVELOPE; 8th Aug. 1917 usage of the large (284x153mm; Size K) "CHINA" o.p. Hong Kong KGV 10c lilac regd. env. (trivial marks and very minor wear; with interesting original letter enclosed) to California, uprated with HK "CHINA" o.p. 10c blue (3) & 4c red, all tied by very fine Type Hi "D"-code "HOIHOW" c.d.s.'s, with a very fine strike of the rare boxed "R/HOIHOW B.P.O/No.[28]" mark (Webb Type R2; he only recorded one example) on the front. Exceptional item; very rare usage of very rare Postal Stationery, with a very rare Registered Mail marking. PHOTO

THE VERY RARE CIRCULAR DATESTAMP; 1880 5c on 18c Lilac centrally cancelled by "KIUNGCHOW" c.d.s. (WebbType B) of "SP 3 80", usual centring to lower left and a few slightly blunt perfs. at top, very fine and rare, only 15 examples recorded in the Webb Scarcity Guide. SG.Z556. [Ex Dyer]. PHOTO

THE VERY RARE (UNIQUE?) ON-COVER USAGE OF THE "REGISTERED"-REMOVED "KIUNG-CHOW" OVAL DATESTAMP CANCELLATION ON 1c CARD TO HONG KONG; Very fine commercial 22nd Sept. 1884 usage of the Hong Kong 1c green Postal Stationery Postcard to Hong Kong (ref. circulars and cigars) cancelled by a fine strike of the very rare oval "KIUNG-CHOW" datestamp (Webb Type C11; with inverted "A" code and inverted "22" beside correctly struck "SP", but without year date), having a second partly very fine strike on the reverse. The oval datestamp cancellation has been overstruck by a very fine 25th Sept. Hong Kong arrival c.d.s. Webb and Pearson had never recorded an example of this oval mark (known only on stamps and only dated for a few months in 1884/5) on a cover, and this is still the only one of two covers recorded that originates from Kiung Chow (the other was struck as an arrival mark on an ingoing item). One of the Great Rarities of Hong Kong Treaty Ports Philately. [With Sept. 2000 Royal Philatelic Society Certificate of Genuineness.] PHOTO

THE FAMOUS 10c PAIR WITH FINE RARE OVAL DATESTAMP CANCELLATION; 1884 10c Green, two examples rejoined in vertical pair with practically complete strike of oval "A/KIUNG-CHOW" d.s. (Webb Type C) of "9AU 84".; superlative strike, a few faults/small defects. A stunning and probably unique piece and a remarkable achievement to have joined these two partial cancellations together to form the original franking; the top stamp is Ex Ishikawa. Only ten examples of the oval d.s. with Registered removed recorded in the Webb Scarcity Guide, of which this is believed to be the earliest. R.P.S.L. Certificate of Genuineness (2002). SG.37a. PHOTO

SAMAH LAND POST COVER TO WHAMPOA WITH "CUSTOMS/KIUNGCHOW" C.D.S. AS WELL AS BOXED AND CIRCULAR "HAINAN/SAMAH" MARKS; Attractive 22nd Aug. 1894 env. (opened out for display) sent from Hainan to "Whampoa" franked by a Hong Kong 5c blue (small paper adherence at left) tied by a very fine 31st Aug. "HONG·KONG" transit c.d.s., having very fine black boxed "HAINAN/LAND/POST/SAMAH" and circular "HAI/SAMAH./NAN" marks (Webb Types I & J) nicely placed on the front. In addition there is a partly fine large 2-ring 25th Aug. "CUSTOMS/KIUNGCHOW" c.d.s. on the reverse along with a very fine "*"-code "CANTON" transit c.d.s. Very rare thus; an exceptional combination of marks from three different postal systems, and very eye-catching. Exhibition item of Major Importance and great appeal. PHOTO

LIU KING TAU OVAL DATESTAMPS AS CANCELLATION & ARRIVAL MARK ON EASTWARD-BOUND RACE-AROUND-THE-WORLD CARD VIA U.S.A. & G.B.; Amazing 15th March 1900 usage of the China 1c red Postal Stationery PC (overall toning but attractive) initially addressed (by Major Starr) to a friend in New York, uprated with a Hong Kong QV 4c slate tied by a very fine blue double-oval "LIU KUNG TAU/* POST OFFICE *" datestamp (Webb Type A). The card was redirected with a US 2c (tied by a NY duplex of 2nd May) to Starr's wife in England, who promptly redirected it back to Liu Kung Tau with a GB 1d lilac (tied by a Parkstone duplex of 11th May), where it eventually arrived via Hong Kong (7th June) receiving a very fine blue 14th June double oval "LIU KUNG TAU/* POST OFFICE *" arrival d.s. on the reverse. This card made it Round the World in 91 Days! This is the card illustrated by Webb (Plate 78). Fabulous Exhibition item; and see the following lot! [Ex Starr & Pearson.] PHOTO PHOTO 2

LIU KUNG TAU OVAL DATESTAMP ON WESTWARD-BOUND RACE-AROUND-THE-WORLD CARD VIA G.B. & THE U.S.; Equally amazing 15th March 1900 usage (matching the previous lot) of the China 1c red Postal Stationery PC (overall toning and faults along top edge but still very attractive) initially addressed (by Major Starr) to his wife in England, uprated with a Hong Kong QV 4c slate tied by a very fine blue double-oval "LIU KUNG TAU/* POST OFFICE *" datestamp (Webb Type A). The card was redirected with a GB 1d lilac (tied by a Parkstone duplex of 29th April) to a friend in New York, who promptly redirected it back to Liu Kung Tau with a US 2c (tied by a NY duplex of 10th May), where it eventually arrived via the "U.S. POSTAL AGENCY SHANGHAI" (13th June; partly fine c.d.s. on reverse) and the Chinese P.O. in Shanghai (13th June backstamp). It presumably reached Liu Kung Tau a few days later (and so a couple of days slower than the card in the previous lot). Fascinating Round-the-World item and a very rare Treaty Port Cancellation; the ideal matching item to the card in the previous lot. It took Richard Chan 10 years to bring the pair back together again; it remains to be seen if they will stay together after this auction! [This card was illustrated on the front cover of the Robson Lowe P.H. Auction catalogue of 7th Sept. 1982. Ex Starr.] PHOTO PHOTO 2

RARE REGISTERED ENVELOPE USED FROM LIU KUNG TAU & REDIRECTED IN G.B. WITH G.B. KEVII 3d STAMP ; Unusual 5th Aug. 1904 usage of the small Hong Kong KEVII 10c lilac regd. env. (150x94mm Size G; somewhat worn and creased) from a British sailor on "H.M.S. Amphitrite, China", sent to England uprated with HK KEVII 4c purple/red (4; one scuffed) all tied/cancelled by very fine "C"-code "LIU.KUNG.TAU" c.d.s.'s (Webb Type B; scarce on cover), with a rare unrecorded black Liu Kung Tau "R" in circle mark (crease) on the front. The letter was redirected within G.B. and most exceptionally has a G.B. KEVII 3d purple/yellow on the front, tied by a partly fine "BUSHEY HEATH" c.d.s. Webb only recorded one registered item from this P.O. (dated 1911); very rare in any condition. [Ex Angus Parker.] PHOTO

KEVII FRANKINGS WITH LIU KUNG TAU DATESTAMPS; 1904/5 pair of PPC's (some staining) to G.B. franked by HK 4c or 2c pair tied by near fine and fine "A"-code Type B "LIU.KUNG.TAU" c.d.s.'s; plus attractive 3rd Sept. 1908 PPC (real photo of the Fleet) from "H.M.S. Kent" to G.B. "via Siberia" with a HK 4c red tied by a very fine large Type C "LIU-KUNG-TAU" c.d.s. with an unusually very fine 2-ring "CHEFOO/C/BRITISH P.O." transit c.d.s. nearby. Good trio. (3 cards).

THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE WITH THE OVAL DATESTAMP CANCELLATION; 1901 Piece bearing 10c purple on red irregular block of twenty-nine cancelled by oval "LIU KUNG TAU/POST OFFICE" d.s. (Webb Type A) of "13 AUG 1901" in violet; some creasing and slight surface or perf. faults. Nevertheless in an excellent state of preservation for what is the largest recorded multiple with this cancellation. Illustrated in Webb plate 78. SG.38. PHOTO

EARLY FORERUNNER COVER FROM "NINGPO" AT 4c RATE TO HONG KONG; 7th Dec. 1865 EL (some reinforced folds but attractive) from "Ningpo" (ref. the latest opium & food prices) to Hong Kong franked by a Hong Kong 8c orange, neatly tied by a fine blue "B62" numeral matching the mostly very fine "C"-code blue "HONG-KONG" c.d.s. on the top flap, with a small red crayon "4" beside the stamp. Very few Ningpo covers prior to the introduction of its postal marks (from 1870 or so) have been recorded; there were only 50 foreigners at the port by 1860. Rare thus and a very good Page One for any Ningpo collection. PHOTO PHOTO 2

EXTRAORDINARY "N1" COVER WITH "INSUFFICIENTLY PAID/FOR BRINDISI ROUTE/DEFICIENT POSTAGE/d3" MARK CAUSED BY THE OUTBREAK OF THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR; Spectacular 5th Sept. 1870 env. (minor faults) to Kent "Via Marseilles" posted before the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War and so franked by a Hong Kong 30c vermilion (oxidised) and 2c brown both tied by mostly very fine rare blue "N1" numerals with a very fine matching "A"-code small blue "NINGPO" c.d.s. (Type B) on the reverse. However, the Marseille route had been closed by the War by the time this letter reached Europe and so it has a very fine strike of the rare boxed London "INSUFFICIENTLY PAID/FOR BRINDISI ROUTE/DEFICIENT POSTAGE/d3" mark across the address, plus Hong Kong (12th Sept.) and London (31st Oct.) backstamps. This is a breathtaking Treaty Ports cover (far superior to the similar slightly later cover from this same correspondence that Cavendish sold in the Valerie Gordon-Smith Collection on 22nd April 1995) and a Major Exhibition Item for Hong Kong, Prussian War, Indian Mails and Postage Dues collectors. Illustrated in Webb (Plate 62). [Ex Burghard & Ishikawa] PHOTO PHOTO 2

EXTRAORDINARY "CUSTOMS/NINGPO" COVER WITH SCARCE HONG KONG 16c YELLOW CANCELLED BY BOTH BLUE "N1" AND BLACK "S1" CANCELS; Attractive 28th Nov. 1877 env. (minor flap tears on reverse and light toning in places affecting a few perfs of the adhesive) to Berlin "via Brindisi" franked by a Hong Kong 16c yellow (scarce on any cover and rare from a Treaty Port ), tied by a very fine black "N1" numeral overstruck by a superb Shanghai "S1" in black, with a very fine blue "A/NINGPO" Type B c.d.s. On the reverse are superb black 2-ring "CUSTOMS/+ NINGPO +" (28th Nov.) and superb black "C/SHANGHAE" (29th Nov.) c.d.s.'s, along with Brindisi and Berlin datestamps. Webb & Pearson only recorded seven blue N1 covers and this is believed to be the only example recorded not addressed to G.B. This is only one of two recorded examples of the "CUSTOMS/+ NINGPO +" datestamps on covers sent prior to the introduction of the Large Dragon stamps; the other was sent in 1876 to Shanghai, so this is the only such cover sent abroad from the Customs Post. This is a Highly Important and very spectacular Chinese Customs and Treaty Ports Exhibition Item. PHOTO PHOTO 2

NINGPO USAGE OF THE 3c POSTAL STATIONERY CARD TO U.S. VIA "I.J.P.A./SHANGHAI"; 20th Sept. 1888 usage of the Hong Kong 3c brown PC (toned and somewhat battered) to Chicago cancelled by a poor black "C/NINGPO" c.d.s. with a second fine strike alongside, routed via the Japanese Mails and so with a very fine scarce Japanese P.O. "I.J.P.A./SHANGHAI" c.d.s. and superb red-brown "YOKOHAMA/POST" c.d.s. on the front. British P.O. "SHANGHAE" and "SAN FRANCISCO" transit c.d.s.'s on the reverse. Rare routing. PHOTO

NINGPO C.D.S. CANCELLATION ON 10c-RATE COVER TO THE U.S. VIA HONG KONG; 27th Feb. 1890 env. (tiny fault at bottom right) to Philadelphia franked by Hong Kong 10c green tied by a fine Type B "C/NINGPO" c.d.s. with a second strike on the front, having partly overstruck but clear "SHANGHAE/C" and "HONG-KONG/C" c.d.s.'s on the back. Attractive and very scarce. PHOTO

UNDERPAID NINGPO COVER WITH "T" MARK TO GERMANY; 28th May 1891 env. to Germany "p. Mail Packet" franked by Hong Kong QV 2c red & 5c blue (glue mark) tied by light Type B "C/NINGPO" c.d.s.'s, with a further near fine strike on the front along with very fine small "T" in circle and blue crayon "1", "f10.15c" & "25" markings. There are transit c.d.s.'s of "SHANGHAE" (29th May) and "HONG KONG" (2nd June) and a "COBLENZ" arrival c.d.s. (1st July) on the back. It seems that the 7c prepaid was 3c short of the 10c rate, and it is likely that this "T" mark was struck in Hong Kong; Webb (p.145) notes that a similar mark - "not often seen on cover" - was issued to Hong Kong in 1876. Rare and attractive. PHOTO

THE NINGPO "RHOMBOID OF DOTS" CANCELLATION ON 4c ON 3c CARD TO FRANCE; 23rd May 1895 usage of the Hong Kong 4c on 3c brown PC (small corner fault) to France cancelled by both a very fine Rhomboid of Dots (Webb Type C; rated "RRR" on cover) and by a fine Type B "C/NINGPO" c.d.s. with a second strike of the latter nearby; also having a fair 28th May HK transit c.d.s. and a superb octagonal 29th May French Maritime "LIGNE N/PAQ. FR. No.6" d.s. on the front. The real origin of this unusual dotted cancel is still not clear, but examples on cover (and especially on postcards) are very seldom seen. Rare thus. PHOTO

UNRECORDED AND UNIQUE (?) $5 "CONSULAR SERVICE" STAMP POSTALLY USED FROM THE BRITISH P.O. AT NINGPO; 8th Jan. c.1897 front (2 vertical folds clear of stamp) addressed to "Monsieur L.M. Playfair, 3 Rue de la Petit Saussaie, Vitry sur Seine, France", solely franked by a $5 purple & black British "CONSULAR SERVICE" embossed adhesive (imprint no. "6970" and with part pre-cancel of 2-ring "BRITISH [CONSULATE...]" Arms cancel) tied by a very fine Type B "C/NINGPO" c.d.s. in black. Unique (?) Treaty Port Postal Fiscal usage. Webb (pp.23-24) makes it clear that all kinds of high value Fiscal Stamps could be used for postage long after the lower values became disallowed (from 1890). Playfair covers are well known from Ningpo and other Treaty Ports in the 1890s (see previous lot, etc.), and so it seems that this item is entirely genuine. Exceptional item. PHOTO

NINGPO C.D.S. CANCELLATION ON 10c-RATE COVER TO G.B.; 29th April 1897 env. (minor wear; mostly along edges) to Preston franked by Hong Kong 5c blue pair (one torn) tied by very fine Type B "C/NINGPO" c.d.s.'s. Rare. PHOTO

NINGPO/SHANGHAI CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER TO FRANCE; 18th March 1899 env. (minor wear) to France (Playfair correspondence) franked (on the reverse) by China 4c (2) + 2c tied by a single large 2-ring Chinese "NINGPO" d.s. with a near fine similar "SHANGHAI" (19th Mar.) mark alongside; also franked on the front by a Hong Kong 10c purple/red tied by a light "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s. with a very fine red-brown 2-ring "LIGNE N/PAQ. FR. No.8" c.d.s. on the front. Rare and unusual Combination Cover. PHOTO PHOTO 2

RARE REGISTERED COVER FROM NINGPO WITH UNRECORDED (?) RED "R" IN CIRCLE MARKING; Unusual 21st May 1901 env. (some toning and with old hinge-mark on front, clear of stamps) to the Captain of an Italian Ship (the "Stromboli"), c/o the Italian Consul at Shanghai, apparently from another Italian naval ship (having fancy 2-ring "REGIA NAVE/ELBA" cachets on front and reverse); franked by Hong Kong 10c blue (2; slightly faded) tied by two superb Type Ei "NINGPO/C" c.d.s.'s and endorsed "Registered" with a very fine, rare red Ningpo "R" in circle mark (referred to by Webb on p.302, but not specifically recorded by him) alongside. Redirected between Italian Consuls from Shanghai (22nd May & 29th May) to Hong Kong (2nd June) and back to Shanghai (8th June) with relevant transit c.d.s.'s. Registered Mail from Ningpo is rare this early. A remarkable cover. PHOTO

NINGPO USAGE OF THE HONG KONG 4c GREY POSTAL STATIONERY CARD TO G.B. VIA SHANGHAI; Fine 19th Nov. 1901 usage of the 4c PC (message in German and "VIA BRINDISI & LONDON" cancelled) to Nottingham cancelled by a superb "NINGPO/C" Type Ei c.d.s., with a fine "SHANGHAE/C" transit c.d.s. on the front. Rare thus. PHOTO

NINGPO OUTWARD USAGE OF COMPLETE 4c ON 3c + 4c ON 3c REPLY CARD TO U.S.A.; 31st Aug. 1901 usage of the scarce red o.p. 4c on HK 3c brown PC pair (perf. join reinforced inside; minor gum-marks and thinning on reverse of unused Reply half); the outward card cancelled by a superb Type Ei "NINGPO/C" c.d.s. and addressed to Braddock, Pa. (ISA) , and the return half not addressed but with the outward backstamps of "SHANGHAI", "KOBE" and "SAN FRANCISCO". Rare in complete state and exceptional used from a Treaty Port. Exhibition Item. PHOTO

RARE NINGPO REGISTERED POSTCARD SENT TO EUROPE; Very fine and colourful 30th May 1903 usage of the China 1c red Postal Stationery PC (trivial edge-wear) to Germany endorsed "Registered" and franked by Hong Kong QV 2c green (2) and 10c blue as well as KEVII 1c, all tied by superb type Ei "NINGPO/C" c.d.s.'s with a very fine strike of the rare red "R" in circle of Ningpo on the front. Webb had not seen any Ningpo registered marks prior to a single cover of 1922. Very appealing Exhibition item. PHOTO

NINGPO Q.V. 10c SINGLE-FRANKING COVER TO U.S.A. GUN-MAKERS; Attractive 19th Sept. 1903 env. (opened out for display) to "Smith & Wesson, Revolver Manufacturers, USA" franked by a Hong Kong QV 10c blue tied by a superb Type Ei "NINGPO/C" c.d.s. Unusual address; ideal for gun thematic collectors. PHOTO

NINGPO USAGE OF THE KEVII 10c REGISTERED ENVELOPE TO GERMANY WITH THE RARE RED NINGPO "R" IN CIRCLE MARK; 18th Aug. 1904 usage of the scarce Hong Kong 10c lilac regd. env. (151x95mm Size G) to Darmstadt uprated with KEVII 20c (2) all tied & cancelled by very fine Type Ei "NINGPO/C" c.d.s.'s, with a very fine, rare red Ningpo "R" in circle mark on the front. Webb had only recorded one registered cover - dated 1922 - from Ningpo. Rare. PHOTO

NINGPO USAGE OF THE SMALLEST KEVII REGISTERED ENVELOPE; Fine 12th March 1908 commercial usage of the Hong Kong KEVII 10c lilac regd. env. (132x82mm Size F) to London uprated with a KEVII 4c red tied by a very fine large Type F "NINGPO/C" c.d.s. (early date of use), but with no Ningpo registered mark, having a partly very fine scarce Type R4 oval "REGISTERED/PHOTO - PLATE 15 OPPOSITESHANGHAI B.P.O." d.s. on the reverse. Rare thus. PHOTO

NINGPO DATESTAMP VARIETIES ON KEVII FRANKED COVERS; 1909 env to G.B. with Hong Kong KEVII 4c tied by a superb Type F "NINGPO/C" c.d.s. with variety "Sideways C"-code redirected to France with G.B. KEVII 1d+_d. Plus fine 1912 PPC to Shanghai with Hong Kong KEVII 1c tied by v. fine Type F "NINGPO/D" c.d.s. Good pair. (2 covers). PHOTO

INGOING COVER FROM RUSSIA WITH RARE ARRIVAL MARK USAGE OF THE BOXED "PORT EDWARD/WEI-HAI-WEI" DATESTAMP; Remarkable 14th April – 12th June 1905 env. (closed opening tears at top clear of stamp & marks; "TANK STORAGE & CARRIAGE CO. LTD, BAKU, RUSSIA" flap) addressed "via Constantinople" (Russian P.O. c.d.s. on reverse) to "The Hon. J. Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G., Wai-Hei-Wai [sic], China", franked by Russia 10k blue tied by a fine "BAKU" c.d.s.; backstamps include a mostly very fine purple boxed "PORT EDWARD/21 JUN. 1905/WEI-HAI-WEI." d.s. (Webb Type F; not recorded by him as a backstamp) slightly across the red wax seal. Unique thus? PHOTO PHOTO 2

RARE PORT EDWARD USAGE OF Q.V. POSTAL STATIONERY; Attractive 24th June 1906 usage of the Hong Kong 4c red P. Stationery env. (slight toning at top) to Germany, uprated by KEVII 1903 1c purple/brown & 5c green/orange tied by two very fine strikes of the purple boxed "PORT EDWARD/WEI-HAI-WEI" datestamp. Spectacular and rare; Webb noted that QV items with this cancellation (introduced in 1904) are rare. Exhibition item. PHOTO

THE "WEI-HAI-WEI/PORT EDWARD" DATESTAMP ON EARLY PPC; 6th Mar. 1910 real photo PPC from "S.S.Kwayang" to G.B. "Via Siberia" franked by KEVII 4c red tied by a very fine "E"-code Type G c.d.s. Scarce thus.

EARLY INGOING 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER FROM G.B.; 28th Mar./21st May 1857 E to "Shanghae via Marseilles" (noted as received 21st May) franked by G.B. 1d Red, 2d Blue & 6d Lilac all tied by London "10" numerals with a very fine "HONG-KONG" (9th May) transit c.d.s. (crease) on the side-flap. Very early for ingoing stamped mail to a Treaty Port. PHOTO

RARE EARLY COVER TO PRUSSIA WITH LARGE "SHANGHAE" C.D.S. & MATCHING BOXED HONG KONG "PAID"; 20th Oct. 1860 env. (opened out for display) addressed to "Breslau, Prussia via Triest" prepaid 1/- (red crayon) with very rare, fine large red "SHANGHAE" c.d.s. (Webb Type B; less than 12 recorded by him) and red boxed Hong Kong "PAID" (Type 10) on the front, beside v. fine blue handstruck "6" Accountancy Mark; on the reverse are datestamps of Hong Kong (26th Oct.), Breslau (12th Dec,), "HANDZEN/OVERBERG/retour", etc. Rare destination. PHOTO

THE VERY RARE 2-RING "SHANGHAE/PAID/Post Office" MARK ON COVER TO AUSTRALIA; Fine April 1861 env. to Sydney with a mostly very fine strike of the very rare Webb Type 3 2-ring "SHANGHAE/PAID/Post Office" mark (only 6 covers known, whereas 10 covers with the "Crown/PAID" mark are known ) on the front with red crayon "8d" and "4" (twice) on the front; on the reverse are very fine black 10th April "HONG KONG" and "SHIP-LETTER/SYDNEY" c.d.s.'s struck partly over each other. Important Shanghai Exhibition Item. PHOTO

THE SMALL "SHANGHAE/PAID" C.D.S. ON COVER TO U.S. VIA G.B.; 3rd Sept. 1862 env. (overall creasing & edge-wear) to Long Island with a very fine (but partly overstruck) red Type 6 "SHANGHAE/C/PAID" c.d.s. (rated "R" by Pearson) on the front with red crayon "1/8" and "1/7". Also having v. fine 3rd Sept. "SHANGHAE" c.d.s. (Type A) and fine 8th Sept. HK c.d.s. (Type B; reversed "C" code) on the reverse, with faint red "PAID/LONDON" c.d.s. and fine black "BOSTON BR. PKT./5" c.d.s. on the front. Endorsed "5 cents to pay" on the front. Rare thus. PHOTO

THE FAMOUS SHANGHAI "G.B. USED ABROAD" SOLDIER's 1d CONCESSION RATE COVER; 22nd April 1863 env. (roughly opened at top and with overall dusting) sent to London, headed & countersigned for the Soldier's 1d Concession Rate for a "Sergt. Major Thos. Yaxley, Coms.' Staff Corps, China", most remarkably franked by a G.B. 1d Reds "Stars" (stains) tied by a fine "SHANGHAE" c.d.s. (Webb Type A; code "C"), having a second fine strike on the reverse along with very fine Hong Kong (27th Apr.; "AP" inverted) and London (17th June) c.d.s.'s. This is believed still to be the only G.B. 1d Red Concession Rate cover known cancelled at Shanghai; illustrated in Webb, Plate 20. Very rare indeed; an Important and Striking Treaty Port Exhibition Centre-Piece. [Signed by Peter Holcombe.] PHOTO

THE RARE USAGE OF THE "LOCAL POST" C.D.S. AS CANCELLATION ON HONG KONG 8C PAIR; 1862-63 8c Yellow-buff pair cancelled by complete and ideal strike of "SHANGHAE/LOCAL POST/X" c.d.s. of "MY 3 64". Very fine and optimum quality; an exceptionally rare Local Post. Only two pairs and a single were recorded by Webb and another pair (cancelled in blue) was in the Dr. Chow Wei-Lung collection. Illustrated in Webb Plate 73. SG.2. PHOTO

THE VERY FAMOUS 16c-RATE "SUNBURST" COVER TO YOKOHAMA ; 2nd Nov. 1864 Entire addressed to Kniffler & Co. in "Yokohama p. Str. Corea" (noted as received at Yokohama on 9th Nov.), franked by two slightly overlapping Hong Kong 8c (one with fault at bottom right) both tied by two superb strikes of the extremely rare "Sunburst" cancellation (Webb Fig.178) in blue, with a very fine matching blue "SHANGHAI/C" c.d.s. (Type A) nicely placed on the top flap. Webb only recorded three covers bearing stamps cancelled by this most attractive of all Hong Kong/Treaty Ports cancellations; we are still only aware of three other covers being recorded now. This cover was illustrated by Webb; Plate 69.

This is the only double-rate Sunburst cover to have been recorded.

Arguably the "Jewel in the Crown" of any Hong Kong or Treaty Ports Collection, and a stunning Exhibition Item. [Ex Burghard and Ishikawa.]PHOTO

THE "SUNBURST" CANCELLATION ON 4c. GREY PAIR; 1863-71 4c Grey pair cancelled by "Sunburst" in blue, centred to lower right so the few perf. defects at top do not impinge on design, except at right corner; also tiny stain in margin at top. Rare and pleasing multiple. R.P.S.L. Certificate of Genuineness. (2001). SG.9. [Ex Burghard]. PHOTO - ABOVE

THE "SUNBURST" CANCELLATION ON 12c ADHESIVE; 1862-63 12c Pale greenish blue cancelled by "Sunburst" in black, two short perfs. at left. Nevertheless very fine. R.P.S.L. Certificate of Genuineness (2002). SG.3. [Ex Burghard] PHOTO

THE "SHANGAE" WITH "B6(2)" CANCELLATIONS ON 24c. ADHESIVE; 1862-63 24c Green centrally cancelled by "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s. (Webb Type A) of "JA 23 63" and "B62", light corner crease at lower right and tiny split at top. Very early date on adhesives. Illustrated in Webb Plate 68. PHOTO

U.S. POST OFFICE IN SHANGHAI - EXTRAORDINARY STATIONERY CUT-OUT USAGE ON COVER WITH THE VERY RARE OVAL "CHINA AND JAPAN/STEAM SERVICE" MARKING; 17th April [1869] env. (minor creasing and edge-wear do not detract) to San Francisco "[Per Steamer] Costa Rica", franked by U.S. 1868 10c green (two slightly short/folded perfs. at top left) and a very rare postally use cut-out of the U.S. 10c green Postal Stationery envelope, both tied by very fine quartered cork cancels, matching the very fine large "P.O.D.U.S. CON. GENL./SHANGHAI" c.d.s. on the front, with mostly very fine and very rare red oval "CHINA AND JAPAN/STEAM SERVICE" marking nearby. There is a very fine "SANFRANCISCO/CAL." arrival c.d.s. of 18th May on the front. Very rare Trans-Pacific steamer cover and a Unique (?) usage of cut-out Postal Stationery from this U.S. Post Office in China! PHOTO

32c-RATE COVER TO G.B. WITH BLACK "S1" CANCEL, REDIRECTED WITH G.B. 1d RED FROM SCOTLAND; Remarkable and very colourful 26th Aug. 1869 env. (minor edge-wear & very slight speckling of the blue paper in places; stamps showing signs of having been lifted and very neatly reaffixed) to Scotland "Via Marseilles", franked initially with Hong Kong 24c green and 8c orange tied to each other by a superb single "S1" numeral with red manuscript "1/4" nearby, having very fine black "SHANGHAE/A" (Type Bii) and "HONG-KONG/C" c.d.s. 's on the reverse. Upon redirection from Scotland to Ireland a G.B. 1d Red (Plate No. 115; tied by an 18th Oct. "HELENSBURGH/176" duplex) was applied and there is an Irish arrival c.d.s. of 19th Oct. on the reverse. Very rare example of a cover with stamps of both Hong Kong and G.B. Exhibition Item of great character. PHOTO

32c-RATE COVER TO DENMARK "P.D. VIA BRINDISI" WITH BLUE "S1" CANCELS; Colourful 7th Sept. 1873 env. (neatly closed tear across address) to Copenhagen endorsed "Via Brindisi paid right through", franked by Hong Kong 8c orange (4; two with scratch-mark) all tied by two very fine blue "S1" numerals with small red "P.D." (Paid to Destination) mark alongside. The backstamps include a very fine blue "SHANGHAE/A" c.d.s., a HK c.d.s. (11th Sept.) and a "BRINDISI" c.d.s. (24th Oct.). Very rare destination for an S1 cover. PHOTO

24c-RATE 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER TO AUSTRALIA VIA CEYLON; 20th Sept. 1873 env. (minor edge-wear) to Melbourne "Via Galee" franked by Hong Kong 4c grey + 12c blue + 8c orange all tied by two very fine blue "S1" numerals with red manuscript "1/-" alongside; there are very fine c.d.s. backstamps of "SHANGHAE/A" (blue Type Bi), HK (24th Sept.) & Melbourne (17th Nov.). Most attractive 3-colour franking. An Exhibition Item. PHOTO

"INSUFFICIENTLY PREPAID" S1 COVER TO BAVARIA; 5th Sept. 1874 mourning env. to Munich "Via Brindisi" franked by a single Hong Kong 30c mauve tied by a very fine blue "S1" numeral, but with various manuscript charges and a very fine rare Hong Kong "PREPAID-PREPAID___" (Webb Type Mii; few examples known) in blue on the front. Backstamps include c.d.s.'s of Shanghae (blue), HK (9th Sept.) and Brindisi (22nd Oct.). [Ex Perrin; Cavendish 1982.] PHOTO

30c-RATE COVER TO G.B. BY "FRENCH MAIL" WITH BLUE "S1" CANCELS; Colourful 14th Oct. 1875 env. (opened out for display; minor wear and small "magic-tape" reinforcement at bottom left) to England, originally endorsed "Via Southampton" but changed to "[Via] French Mail"; franked by Hong Kong 8c orange (3) and 2c brown (3) all tied by just three very fine blue "S1" numerals. Backstamps include superb "SHANGHAE/A" (blue) and fine "HONG-KONG/A" c.d.s.'s. Most attractive and unusual franking. Exhibition item. PHOTO

"S1" CANCEL ON THE SCARCE HONG KONG 3c ON 16c YELLOW POSTCARD TO GERMANY; 21st Nov. 1879 usage of the scarce red Hong Kong PC with 3c on 16c yellow (slight perf. stains, but with variety short "T" in "CENTS") tied by fine "S1" numeral with very fine matching black "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s. alongside, having HK (26th Nov.) and German (29th Dec.) c.d.s.'s on the reverse. Rare thus. PHOTO

THE RARE HONG KONG 10c ON 16c YELLOW USED ON "S1" COVER TO G.B. "VIA BRINDISI"; 9th June 1880 env. (minor wear and some toning - mostly on reverse) to Devon "via Brindisi", franked by a pair of Hong Kong 10c on 16c yellow (small perf. fault at top left, but very rare on cover especially in a pair, and rare from a Treaty Port) tied by a single very fine black "S1" numeral with a very fine matching "SHANGHAE" c.d.s. alongside. With backstamps of HK (12th June) and Tavistock (25th July). Rare Treaty Ports Exhibition Item - Gurevitch records only 11 covers bearing this stamp. PHOTO

UPRATED USAGE OF THE HONG KONG 1c GREEN CARD TO GERMANY WITH "SHANGHAE" C.D.S. CANCEL; 1st Sept. 1883 commercial usage of the 1c green on buff PC to Leipzig, with an additional HK 2c brown tied by a very fine "SHANGHAE/A" c.d.s. with Leipzig 11th Oct. arrival mark on the front. Rare thus.PHOTO

Similar 31st Dec. 1884 commercial usage of the 1c green PC to Denmark (scarce destination) with additional Hong Kong 2c red tied by a mostly very fine Type Ci (early date as a cancel) c.d.s. with 11th Feb. 1885 Copenhagen arrival c.d.s. on the front. PHOTO

U.S. SHANGHAI POSTAL AGENCY COVER TO U.S. WITH POSTAGE DUE LABEL, ETC.; Attractive 12th Oct. 1889 env. (part flap lost) to New York, being a subscriber's letter (and so unstamped for the Local Post) from the "SHANGHAI/LOCAL POST" (very fine blue 3rd Oct. c.d.s. on back flap), franked by only a US 1888 5c indigo cancelled by a plain black grid cork, having a black manuscript "T" alongside with a near very fine purple oval "U.S. POSTAL AGENCY/12 OCT. 89/SHANGHAI" transit d.s. nearby. On arrival in the U.S., a superb "U.S. CHARGE/TO COLLECT/10 CENTS" mark was applied and there is a US 10c Postage Due stamp tied by a "NEW YORK/P.O" oval also on the front. Remarkable and attractive Shanghai Local Post/U.S.A. Combination Postage Due item. [With 1986 Holcombe Certificate of Genuineness.] PHOTO