THE SCARCE HONG KONG 7c ON 10c GREEN ON SHANGHAI COVER TO GERMANY; 24th Jan. 1891 env. (commercial flap) to Leipzig franked by the scarce HK 7c on 10c green tied by a very fine Type Cii "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s. Rare single franking of this scarce stamp from a Treaty Port. PHOTO

THE SCARCE HONG KONG 1891 20c ON 30c YELLOWISH GREEN ON REGISTERED COVER TO G.B.; 27th May 1893 env. (minor wrinkling) registered to Colchester (Winch Bros., but from a bank) "Per s.s. Empress of Japan", franked by Hong Kong 5c blue + 10c purple/red and the scarce 20c on 30c yellowish green, (without Chinese surcharge) all tied by fine "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s.'s. The 20c on 30c is also tied by a very fine scarce Shanghai "R" in circle mark (Webb Type R2). Rare Treaty Port usage of this scarce 1891 Surcharge on an early Registered item from Shanghai. PHOTO

"KIUKIANG CUSTOMS/MAIL MATTER" COVER WITH HONG KONG 5c TIED BY BRITISH P.O. "SHANGHAE" C.D.S.; Unusual 4th Apr. 1894 env. (opened out for display) to Diercking at Kowloon, with a very fine red oval "KIUKIANG CUSTOMS/MAIL MATTER" mark on the front beneath a Hong Kong 5c blue (lifted to reveal the Customs mark and put back slightly out of position), tied by a fine "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s.; having partly fine 30th March red 2-ring "CUSTOMS/+ KIUKIANG +" and blue 1st April "CUSTOMS/* SHANGHAI *" c.d.s.'s on the flaps. Very rare Combination Cover. [Ex Adolphous Diercking]. PHOTO

RARE REGISTERED "CUSTOMS/SHANGHAI" COVER TO LAPPA WITH H.K. FRANKING TIED BY "SHANGHAE" C.D.S.'s; 9th March 1894 env. "Registered" to the Customs at Lappa, franked by no less than nine Hong Kong 5c blue (some faults in places) tied by nearly fine "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s.'s, with a very fine matching black "R" in circle (Shanghai Webb Type R2) on the front; there is also a partly fine rare red 2-ring "CHINA/R/SHANGHAI" mark of the Customs Post on the front, and a very fine supporting 2-ring blue "CUSTOMS/* SHANGHAI *" c.d.s. on the back with HK and Macau transit c.d.s.'s. Rare Combination Registered Chinese Customs/British P.O. cover. PHOTO

20c-RATE Q.V. FRANKING C.D.S.-CANCELLED COVER TO G.B.; 16th May 1900 env. to London franked by two pairs of the Hong Kong 5c blue all tied by near fine "SHANGHAE/C" c.d.s's with London 18th June arrival c.d.s. on the reverse.

SHANGHAI USAGE OF UPRATED QV 4c POSTAL STATIONERY ENV. TO GERMANY; 20th May 1901 usage of the 4c red env. (closed tear and repair at top barely detract) to Dusseldorf, uprated by Hong Kong 2c green (3) all tied by fine Type Gii "SHANGHAI/C" c.d.s.'s. Rare Treaty Port usage. PHOTO

CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER FROM KIUKIANG VIA SHANGHAI WITH "C.I.M." SECURITY MARKING; 14th/20th Aug. 1902 env. (several creases affecting both stamps, and repaired at top behind stamps, but not unattractive) to Scotland franked by China 1c and HK 4c both tied by a mysterious (unrecorded by Webb) purple "C.I.M." (Chinese Imperial Mail/Missions ??) security marking; the China 1c also tied by a very fine bilingual "KIUKIANG" c.d.s. and both stamps tied by a fine Type Hi "SHANGHAI/C" c.d.s. (year-date missing). Unusual Combination Cover. PHOTO

LATE USE OF 1891 SURCHARGE 20c ON 30c ON COVER REGISTERED TO G.B.; 24th July 1901 env. regd. to London franked by a Hong Kong 20c on 30c grey-green with local Chinese character surcharge (perf. stains), tied by a partly fine "SHANGHAI" c.d.s. with a matching near fine Shanghai "R" in circle mark on the front. Scarce (though late) commercial single-franking of the 1891 surcharge.

Q.V. 4c AND 1c POSTAL STATIONERY ENVS. LOCALLY USED IN SHANGHAI; Attractive 26th Sept. 1901 & 6th Jan. 1904 usages of the Hong Kong 1c orange & 4c red envs. respectively; cancelled by superb and near fine Type Hi "SHANGHAI/C" c.d.s.'s. Rare thus. (2 covers). [Both ex Dyer.] PHOTO PHOTO 2

"BUY WAR BONDS....SHANGHAI" COVER, ETC.; Aug./Oct. 1918 env. (battered edges) from G.B. (KGV 2_d on reverse) to Shanghai "Via Canada" with very fine "BUY WAR BONDS/THROUGH/CHINA & JAPAN/WAR SAVINGS ASSOCIATION/SHANGHAI." publicity slogan (apparently not recorded by Webb for Shanghai, but we have recorded at least one other) on the front; plus 1907 env. to Canada with HK 4c tied by v. fine "SHANGHAI/B.P.O." c.d.s. with fair oval "CONSULAT GENERAL DE CANADE" cachet on the back. (2 covers).

RARE UNRECORDED "SHANGHAI·B·P.O/MONEY ORDER OFFICE" C.D.S. ON P.O. O.H.M.S. LOCAL STAMPLESS COVER; Unusual 27th Feb. 1911 stampless env. (printed "O.H.M.S." heading and "British Post Office/Shanghai" imprint on the front, having a mostly very fine strike of the rare "SHANGHAI·B·P.O/MONEY ORDER OFFICE" c.d.s. (Webb Type M; Proof Book in 1907, but not recorded used by Webb or Pearson) on the front, addressed to "Geo H. Macy & Co., Sh[angh]ai". Rare addition to the record; Treaty Port Money Order Office material is very rare. PHOTO

COMMERCIAL COVER REGISTERED TO G.B. WITH OVAL & BOXED MARKS; 8th Oct. 1914env. to London with KEVII 4c (2) and KGV 4c (3) - unusual combination franking - all tied by partly fine "REGISTERED/SHANGHAI B.P.O." oval datestamps with a near very fine boxed "R/SHANGHAI B.P.O." mark alongside. Scarce thus. PHOTO

THE UNUSUAL "S'HAI FORWARD" MARKING ON 2c-RATE COVER TO CHINA; Small native c.1918 env. to Peking with uncancelled Hong Kong KGV 2c on the reverse, beside Peking arrival c.d.s., having a nearly very fine large "S'HAI FORWARD" marking on the address side. The meaning of this rare mark is still not clear; we have only recorded two examples to date. PHOTO

"U.S. POS. SERVICE SHANGHAI/CHINA" DUPLEX ON COVER TO U.S.A.; 7th Dec. 1921 env. (minor faults; printed commercial address) from "Nanking" to Portland (Maine) franked by a US "SHANGHAI/4c/CHINA" o.p. 2c red tied by a partly fine strike of this scarce duplex. Good commercial cover.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED (?) COVER FROM SWATOW - TO U.S.A. WITH BOXED HONG KONG "PAID", ETC.; Very attractive 9th April 1864 env. (with complete interesting contents from J.C.A. Wingate headed "Swatow", ref. the writer's voyage to China, his arrival as the new American Consul in Swatow, comment on the Civil War and Lincoln, description of the port and shipping; "...during the past year the value of merchandise imported and exported in foreign vessels having exceeded $10,000,000 in value. But the fear of capture by Rebel Privateers...has diminished the number of American vessels trading here.") addressed to New Hampshire "Overland via Southampton". There are very fine red Hong Kong boxed "PAID" (Webb Type 10), London c.d.s., crayon "1/10_", London c.d.s. (2nd June), "21/CENTS" and "BOSTON AM. PKT./24 PAID" on the front, with a fine 11th April blue "HONG KONG/C" c.d.s. on the reverse. Webb notes (p.323) that "No covers emanating from Swatow are known before Dec. 1865" and no postmark is recorded until Nov. 1866; so this is the earliest known Swatow cover by some 18 months. Rare transatlantic usage and a most colourful Exhibition item with historical and descriptive contents. PHOTO

THE RARE OVAL "CHINA AND JAPAN/STEAM SERVICE" MARK ON EARLY SWATOW COVER TO U.S.A.; 10th Nov. 1868 env. (with two letters with mention of Swatow but not 100% certainly associated with this env.) to New Hampshire "Per Pacific Mail" franked by Hong Kong 8c pair cancelled by fine "B62" numerals and tied by a very fine red oval "CHINA AND JAPAN/+ STEAM SERVICE +" marking, having a mostly fine "A/SWATOW" c.d.s. (Type B; early usage) and v. fine red San Francisco transit c.d.s. (23rd Dec.) on the reverse. Only a handful of these Steam Service marks are known on Hong Kong mail and they are even rarer on Treaty Port covers; this is thought to be the only example known on a Swatow cover. Important and Attractive Exhibition Item. PHOTO

EARLY INGOING "BLACK JACK" COVER FROM THE U.S. "VIA PACIFIC MAIL" TO SWATOW; Attractive 8th Feb. 1869 env. to Wingate at Swatow "By Pacific Mail" from "BRISTOL/N.H." (blue c.d.s. on front) franked by US 1862-6 2c "Black Jack", 1867 Embossed Grill 2c "Black Jack" and 3c (2), all cancelled or tied by fine blue Bristol "target" cancels and by a whisker of the fine 5th April San Francisco transit c.d.s., having a very fine 9th May Hong Kong c.d.s. and faint "A/SWATOW" arrival c.d.s. on the reverse. Spectacular and rare franking and destination. PHOTO

BLUE "A/SWATOW" DATESTAMP ON TRANSPACIFIC 8c-RATE COVER TO U.S.A.; 7th July 1870 env. to New Hampshire franked by Hong Kong 8c (blunt corner) tied by a partly fine Hong Kong "B62" numeral with a very fine Type B blue "A/SWATOW" c.d.s. on the flap along with very fine 8th July Hong Kong and near fine red 13th Aug. San Francisco c.d.s.'s, with a very fine red "HONG KONG/PAID ALL" c.d.s. on the front with red ink "4" mark. Rare and attractive. PHOTO

THE RARE "S2" CANCEL IN BLUE ON 8c-RATE COVER TO U.S.A.; 12th April 1876 env. to New Hampshire "Via San Francisco" franked by Hong Kong 4c grey pair cancelled by a single very fine Type Ai "S2" numeral IN BLUE (only six covers recorded with the S2 mark in this colour), with a very fine Type B "A/SWATOW" c.d.s. on the flap and a near fine red small "HONG KONG/PAID ALL" c.d.s. on the front with a 20th May San Francisco c.d.s. One of the most elusive of all Treaty Port Cancellations on cover. Exhibition Quality. [With Holcombe 1986 Certificate of Genuineness.] PHOTO

SWATOW FIRM's CACHET ON 12c-RATE COVER TO GERMANY; 7th Nov. 1877 env. (reduced at left) to Darmstadt franked by Hong Kong 6c lilac (2) tied by very fine "B62" numerals with fair 8th Nov. HK c.d.s. alongside, having an oval "DIRCKS & Co./7 NOV. 77/SWATOW" cachet on the flap beside Brindisi (13th Dec.) c.d.s. and Apenrade (17th Dec.)arrival c.d.s. Unusual early cover from Swatow posted from Hong Kong. PHOTO - PHOTO PHOTO 2

3c ON 16c YELLOW ON FORMULA POSTCARD TO SHANGHAI WITH BLACK "S2" CANCEL; 9th May 1879 usage of the 3c on 16c (short "T" in "CENTS" variety) on Hong Kong red formula PC (overall toning, with mount marks on reverse), tied by mostly very fine black Type Ai "S2" numeral with a very fine matching Type B "A/SWATOW" c.d.s. ("7" of "79" omitted) alongside. Very rare Swatow usage of this elusive card. [With 1984 R.P.S. Certificate of Genuineness.] PHOTO

THE RARE HONG KONG 5c ON 18c LILAC ON SINGLE-FRANKING 5c-RATE "S2" COVER TO HONG KONG ; Attractive 26th Aug. 1880 env. to Hong Kong "Per S.S.Namva" franked by the elusive 5c on 16c (rare on any cover and especially rare on a Treaty Port cover ) tied by Type A1 black "S2" numeral with a very fine matching Type B "A/SWATOW" c.d.s. alongside, having a very fine 27th Aug. Hong Kong arrival c.d.s. on the back. Important Exhibition Item - Gurevitch records 20 covers bearing this adhesive. [Ex Hopkins, Rose-Hutchinson and Ishikawa] PHOTO

BLACK S2 CANCEL ON 10c-RATE COVER TO FOOCHOW; c.1882 env. to Wingate at Foochow "Per Namure", franked by Hong Kong 5c blue marginal pair cancelled by a mostly very fine black Type Ai "S2" numeral, with a mostly fine matching "A/SWATOW/OC24/82(?)" c.d.s. alongside. There are no other datestamps. Rare inter-port 10c-rate "S2" cover. PHOTO

SWATOW USAGE OF THE HONG KONG 3c BROWN POSTCARD TO G.B.; Fine 1st Nov. 1885 commercial usage of the 3c PC to London cancelled by a partly fine Type B "A/SWATOW" c.d.s. with a very fine 3rd Nov. HK transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Scarce Treaty Port Postal Stationery usage.PHOTO

"DATE ABOVE" SWATOW C.D.S. CANCEL ON UPRATED SCARCE "ONE/CENT" OVERPRINTED 3c BROWN POSTCARD TO U.S.; 9th Feb. 1888 commercial usage of the scarce Hong Kong "ONE/CENT" o.p. 3c brown PC (corner faults and overall toning) to Philadelphia "Via San Francisco", uprated with a Hong Kong 2c red tied by a very fine (though slightly overstruck by US arrival c.d.s.) "FE 9/SWATOW/88" Type D c.d.s. Exceptional usage of this distinctive datestamp (Webb only recorded two examples on cover/card). Doubly rare item. PHOTO

"DATE ABOVE" SWATOW DATESTAMP ON 3c CARD TO G.B.; 18th April 1889 usage of the Hong Kong 3c brown PC (dated 15th April from "Ng Kang Phu") to Scotland cancelled by a light distinctive Type D Swatow c.d.s. of which Webb only recorded two examples on cover/card. Attractive and rare commercial usage. PHOTO

SWATOW USAGE OF THE HONG KONG 1c GREEN CARD TO SHANGHAI; 3rd March 1890 commercial usage of the 1c PC (overall toning; from "Chao Chowfu") cancelled by a mostly fine small Type C "SWATOW/A" c.d.s., with a very fine 8th March "SHANGHAE/C" arrival c.d.s. on the reverse. Scarce local Treaty Port usage. PHOTO

SWATOW USAGE OF THE HONG KONG 3c BROWN CARD TO DENMARK VIA FRENCH PAQUEBOT; Unusual and fine 13th Nov. 1890 commercial usage of the 3c brown PC to Copenhagen cancelled by a mostly fine scarce Type E "*/SWATOW" c.d.s. with a fine "LIGNE N/PAQ.FR. No.6" octagonal d.s. alongside, having a 14th Nov. HK transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare thus. [Ex Angus Parker.] PHOTO

RARE "SWATOW CUSTOMS/MAIL MATTER" MARKING ON 10c-RATE COVER TO G.B.; 29th Nov. 1890 env. (slight stains and closed tears but attractive) to Eton, franked by Hong Kong 10c green just tied by poor "B62" numeral and a whisker of the fine red oval-framed "SWATOW CUSTOMS/MAIL MATTER" mark alongside (denoting that the mail was free of internal Chinese postal charges, being from the Customs staff themselves), with a matching red partial 2-ring "CUSTOMS/[SWATOW]" c.d.s. on the reverse and a part 30th Nov. Hong Kong c.d.s. on the front. Rare Combination of Chinese Customs Post and P.O. handling. PHOTO

SWATOW USAGE OF THE 1c GREEN POSTCARD UPRATED WITH 2c TO G.B.; 31st Dec. 1890 commercial usage of the Hong Kong 1c green PC (small spike-hole clear of address at left does not detract) to London with HK 2c red tied by a very fine Type E "SWATOW/*" c.d.s., having a very fine 1st Jan. 1891 "HONG-KONG/A" transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Scarce thus. PHOTO

"DATE ABOVE" SWATOW DATESTAMP ON UPRATED 1c GREEN CARD TO G.B.; 3rd April 1891 commercial usage of the Hong Kong 1c green PC (slight dusting & central bend clear of stamps & mark) to Scotland from "Ng Kang Phu"; uprated with a Hong Kong 2c red tied by a fine rare Type D "AP 3/SWATOW/91" c.d.s. Very rare usage of this datestamp of which Webb only recorded two examples on cover/card. PHOTO

RARE SWATOW USAGE OF THE 1898 10c ON 30c OVERPRINT ON COVER TO FRANCE; 12th Apr. 1899 env. (Playfair purple cachet at left) to France franked by an 1898 10c on 30c grey-green with small Chinese character, tied by a light Type E "SWATOW/*" c.d.s., with mostly fine HK and French c.d.s.'s on the reverse. Rare Treaty Port usage of this elusive overprint on cover; believed to be the only recorded example on cover from Swatow. PHOTO

Similar 7th Aug. 1899 env. to France but with the 10c purple/red tied by a mostly fine Type E "*/SWATOW" c.d.s., and with an uncancelled China 10c on the reverse. Rare thus.

REGISTERED COVER TO FRANCE WITH RED "R" & SWATOW DOLLAR CHOP C.D.S.; 30th Nov. 1897 env. (closed opening tears along top, small fault in centre of address and central fold barely detract) to France (addressed to a French soldier) endorsed "Registered", franked by a Hong Kong 30c grey (with full marginal selvedge at left), tied by very fine red-brown 2-ring bilingual "SWATOW" Dollar Chop c.d.s. and by a fair Hong Kong transit c.d.s.; with a very fine large red Swatow "R" and partial red 2-ring "MODANE A PARIS" French railway c.d.s. on the front. Attractive and Rare Exhibition Item. PHOTO

"NOT CALLED FOR" UPRATED 1c POSTCARD AT 5c-RATE TO CANADA ; 28th May 1900 usage of the 1c green Hong Kong PC to Winnipeg, uprated with HK 2c red (2) tied by poor "SWATOW/A" c.d.s.'s and by a very fine Canadian "NOT.CALLED.FOR" mark, having a fine purple "DEAD LETTER BRANCH/CANADA" c.d.s. (30th Aug.) on the reverse. Rare and attractive thus. PHOTO

REGISTERED UPRATED 2c GREEN ENVELOPE TO PERSIA WITH SWATOW "R" IN CIRCLE MARK, ETC.; 23rd July 1901 usage of the 2c green env. (slight creasing and wear but very attractive) to "Sultanabad, Persia" uprated with Hong Kong 10c blue and 2c green (4), all tied by mostly very fine Type E "SWATOW/*" c.d.s.'s, with a very fine scarce black Swatow "R" in circle mark and the "anonymous" oval mark of the Aden-Bombay Sea P.O. on the front. There is a very fine red embossed wafer seal of the German Consul "in Swatow" on the reverse, with c.d.s.'s of "BOUSHIR", etc. Rare thus. Exhibition Item. PHOTO

DUTCH CONSULATE IN SWATOW COVER TO U.S.A., ETC.; Unusual long 14th Mar. 1911 O.H.B.M.S. env. (slightly reduced at each end, opened up for display and with creasing around stamps) with "H.B.M. Consulate SWATOW" imprint, sent to Milwaukee franked by HK KEVII 4c+6c tied by a single superb strike of the Type Giii "SWATOW/A" c.d.s.; on the reverse is a very fine fancy oval "NEDERLANDSCH CONSULATE/SWATOW" cachet. Plus 1908 PPC to USA with KEVII 4c tied by fine Type Fi "SWATOW/C" c.d.s. (2 covers). PHOTO

SWATOW USAGE OF THE KGV HONG KONG 10c LILAC REGISTERED ENVELOPE; 6th Dec. 1916 usage of the Type G reg. env. (150x95 mm) to G.B. uprated with KGV 2c & 10c (2) tied by fine Type Hii "SWATOW/A" c.d.s.'s, with very light strike of the black boxed ""R/SWATOW:B.P.O./No.[241]" mark (Webb recorded one 1919 example and said it "must be extremely rare") on the front. Fine and rare. PHOTO

RARE SWATOW USAGE OF THE "CHINA" OVERPRINT LONG REGD. ENV. UPRATED TO G.B.; Attractive 18th April 1922 usage of the long Hong Kong 10c lilac regd. env. (225x101 mm Size H2) o.p. "CHINA", uprated to G.B. with Hong Kong "CHINA" o.p.1c+4c+10c all tied by partly fine 2-ring Type I "BRITISH POST OFFICE/SWATOW" c.d.s.'s, with a very fine strike of the very rare black boxed "R/SWATOW.B.P.O/No.[81]" mark (Webb says this mark "must be extremely rare" and only recorded a single example) on the front. Excellent commercial usage of this rare envelope with rare Swatow "R" mark. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO

RED BOXED "R/TIENTSIN B.P.O./No.[5645]" MARK ON COVER TO GERMANY; Colourful philatelic 30th Apr. 1908 usage of the Hong Kong KEVII 2c green env. to Berlin franked by KEVII 1c+2c+4c+5c+6c all tied by mostly fine "TIENTSIN/BR. P.O." Type B c.d.s.'s, with a very fine red boxed "R" mark (Type Rii) on the front. Attractive and rare thus. PHOTO

OTHER KEVII TIENTSIN COVERS + REGISTERED RECEIPT; 1908 PPC to Belgium with 4c, 1913 usage of the HK 1c green PC to Germany, and Apr. 1913 env. (stamp removed) regd. to Germany with 10c pair and fair red boxed "R TIENTSIN B.P.O/No." mark; all cancelled by very fine Type B "TIENTSIN/BR. P.O." c.d.s.'s. Also the original Regd. Receipt for the 1913 cover (some staining) with the same c.d.s. The Receipt is rare. (4 items).

TAMSUI - EARLY POSTCARD POSTED FROM HONG KONG TO GERMANY; 1st March 1886 usage of the Hong Kong 3c brown PC (vertical crease in centre) to Braunschweig from "Tamsui" (message and address in German, written in pencil), cancelled by a mostly fine 6th March 1886 "HONG·KONG/A" c.d.s. Rare early item from Taiwan; only a handful of items have been recorded dated prior to 1890. PHOTO PHOTO 2

THE "TAMSUI/TAIWAN/JAPAN" DATESTAMP STRUCK IN TRANSIT ON AMOY COVER TO G.B.; 18th Nov. 1913 env. to G.B. "Via Siberia" franked by Hong Kong KGV 4c red tied by a very fine "AMOY/A" c.d.s., having a mostly very fine strike of the rare "TAMSUI/TAIWAN/JAPAN" c.d.s. (Webb Type C) struck in transit on the front, with a partial "...JI/JAPAN" transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare routing for Amoy mail. PHOTO

HIOGO - VERY EARLY COVER TO G.B. VIA HONG KONG (48c-RATE) WITH 3-COLOUR FRANKING; Dec. 1870 env. (minor edge-wear) to Greenwich "Via Southampton" from "Hiogo, Japan" (writer's note at bottom left of address), franked by Hong Kong 1863-70 4c (scarce perf. 12_; 2 - one scissor-cut at top & bottom, the other with a few short perfs. at top; Gurevitch records only 9 covers or part covers bearing this stamp), 8c (2; some perf. faults) and 24c (fault at foot), all just tied by mostly fine to very fine "B62" numerals or the red manuscript "2/-" rating; with a mostly fine 25th Dec. Hong Kong c.d.s. and a very fine red 11th Feb. 1871 London c.d.s. on the reverse. Very rare; believed to be the second earliest known cover with Hong Kong franking from Hiogo; sent 8 years before the unique D30 front illustrated in Webb. Important Exhibition Item. [Ex Ishikawa.] PHOTO

KANAGAWA - RARE HONG KONG "GB/1F224/10" DIAMOND ACCOUNTANCY MARK ON EARLY COVER TO BELGIUM; 23rd Aug. 1864 prestamp EL (minor creasing) from "Kanagawa" to Brussels "via Marseilles", with a fine strike of this rare Diamond-framed blue Accountancy Marking (Webb Type G; struck in Hong Kong) on the front as well as a very fine blue oval "DE CONINGH & Co./JAPAN/KANAGAWA" firm's cachet (filing crease) on the front, with black "10"arrival charge and red 2-ring "POSS.ANG. V SUEZ/A MARSEILLE A" French entry-mark. On the reverse are very fine blue "HONG-KONG/C" (8th Sept.) and Brussels (26th Oct.) c.d.s.'s. Rare destination for so early a British P.O. in Japan cover (presumably sent from the postal agency not far away at Yokohama) and a rare Accountancy Marking. PHOTO

YOKOHAMA - THE LARGEST RECORDED "Y1" MULTIPLE, THE 2c BLOCK OF FIFTEEN; 1863-71 2c Brown wing margin block of fifteen (3 x 5), each stamp cancelled by "Y1" barred obliterator in blue and four stamps sharing "HONG KONG/C" transit c.d.s. of "FE 11 74". Glorious appearance, top left stamp has perfs. in wing margin trimmed, some slight creasing and staining mainly between stamps. The largest recorded multiple and a magnificent exhibition item. R.P.S.L. Certificate of Genuineness. (1965). SG.8a. [Ex Ishikawa]. PHOTO

NAGASAKI - THE VERY RARE "N2" CANCELLATION; 1863-71 30c Mauve cancelled by "N2" barred obliterator in blue. Very fine and exceptionally sharp strike. R.P.S.L. Certificate of Genuineness. [Ex Captain Bishop]. PHOTO

NAGASAKI - THE RARE BILINGUAL "PAQUEBOT" MARK ON HONG KONG KEVII COVER TO U.S. CANCELLED AT NAGASAKI; Long commercial 11th Oct. 1912 env. (247x120 mm; slightly reduced at left & minor creasing) to San Francisco "Per S.S. Chiyo Maru" franked by Hong Kong KEVII 4c red (2) & 20c green & purple, tied by very fine Japanese "NAGASAKI/JAPAN" c.d.s.'s, with a partly fine strike of the rare Nagasaki "PAQUEBOT" mark nearby. Rare thus. PHOTO

YOKOHAMA - REMARKABLE EARLY INGOING COVER FROM ITALY; 12th Dec. 1867 EL (light toning and some internal faults) from "MILANO" (fair c.d.s. on the front) addressed to "Yokohama, Giappone, via Brindisi", franked by Italy 60c purple and 20c blue tied by a very fine dotted rectangle "17" numeral, with red oval "P-D" and fine British P.O. "ALEXANDRIA" c.d.s. on the front, having fair 6th Feb. 1868 Hong Kong and very fine Type A 20th Feb. "YOKOHAMA" c.d.s.'s on the reverse. Rare thus; an exceptional destination from Italy at this early date. PHOTO

YOKOHAMA- EARLY 32c-RATE COVER TO ITALY VIA "PIROSCAFI/POSTALI/ITALIANI"; Unusual 22nd Aug. 1868 E to Milan "Via Brindisi" with v. fine blue oval "ZIEGLER & Co./YOKOHAMA (JAPAN)" firm's cachet on the front and fine "YOKOHAMA/A" c.d.s. (Webb Type A) on the reverse, franked by Hong Kong 24c & 8c (both with faults) tied by fine blue "B62" numerals matching the "HONG-KONG/C" c.d.s. on the reverse; also with very fine boxed Mediterranean "PIROSCAFI/POSTALI/ITALIANI" and fine British P.O. "ALEXANDRIA" c.d.s. on the front. Very rare destination from the British P.O.'s in Japan. Marvellous matching cover to the previous lot.PHOTO

YOKOHAMA - BLUE "Y1" UNDERPAID 12c-RATE COVER TO ITALY VIA BRINDISI WITH POSTAGE DUE STAMP; Colourful 8th Oct. 1870 E to "Busto Arsizio, Italia Lombardia Via Brindisi" franked by a single Hong Kong 12c blue spectacularly tied by a superb bright blue Type B "Y1" cancel. There is a very fine British P.O. "ALEXANDRIA" c.d.s. (19th Nov.) on the front and several backstamps, incl. a fine blue Type A "YOKOHAMA" c.d.s., but the letter was charged "6" on arrival and so it has an Italian 60c Postage Due label, tied by a very fine 25th Nov. arrival c.d.s. Most attractive Exhibition Item.PHOTO

YOKOHAMA - UNUSUAL 32c-RATE "Y1" COVER TO G.B.; 6th Nov. 1869 env. (minor creasing) to Surrey "Via Marseilles" franked by Hong Kong 2c and 30c (latter oxidised; both with some stained perfs.), tied to each other by a very fine black Type B "Y1" numeral, with superb matching Type A "YOKOHAMA" c.d.s. and 27th Dec. Mitcham arrival c.d.s. on the reverse. Exhibition quality. [Ex Dyer]. PHOTO

YOKOHAMA - UNDERPAID 64c-RATE BLUE "Y1" COVER TO G.B. WITH HONG KONG "INSUFFICIENTLY-PREPAID___", ETC.; 3rd Dec. 1870 env. (some creasing and faults) to London "Via Southampton" franked by Hong Kong 30c (2) & 2c (2) - all originally wrapped round the top of the envelope and so all creased, etc. - charged "6", with a very fine scarce Hong Kong "INSUFFICIENTLY-PREPAID___" mark (Webb Type Mii) in black on the front; but treated as wholly prepaid on arrival in London and the "6" charge cancelled with a London handstruck "dotted zig-zag" mark. There is a very fine blue Type A "YOKOHAMA/A" c.d.s. on the reverse and the sender firm's cachet on the front. Rare in any condition. PHOTO

YOKOHAMA - 30c-RATE SINGLE-FRANKING BLUE "Y1" COVER TO G.B. VIA BRINDISI; 10th July 1871 env. (overall creasing) to London "Via Brindisi", franked by a Hong Kong 30c vermilion (corner fault) tied by a very fine Type B "Y1" numeral, with a matching very fine blue Type A "YOKOHAMA/A" c.d.s. on the reverse beside the oval sender firm's cachet. PHOTO

YOKOHAMA - "Y1" COVER TO G.B. WITH THE RARE 1876/7 28c ON 30c MAUVE; 5th Feb. 1877 env. (minor opening tears just clear of stamp) to London "Via Brindisi", franked by a single 1876/7 28c o.p. on 30c mauve, tied by a fine black Type C "Y1" numeral with a matching very fine Type A "YOKOHAMA/A" c.d.s. on the reverse. A very elusive stamp on cover from Hong Kong itself, but extremely rare used from a Treaty Port. Important Exhibition Item. [Ex Dyer.] PHOTO

PHILIPPINES - EARLIEST RECORDED (BY WEBB) COVER VIA HONG KONG; 13th Aug. 1850 EL (filing creases clear of postmarks and minor flap faults; with two partly printed enclosures) from "Manila" to London "VIA SUEZ" and "Via Marseilles", having a very fine blue 2-ring "MANILA/13/AGo./1850/31 ISs. FILPs. 31" c.d.s. (affected by small hole) on the front with "2/3" postal rate, with a fine 16th Sept. "HONG-KONG" double-arc c.d.s. on the top flap. Webb (p.302) recorded two Manila letters of this same date but none earlier sent via Hong Kong; rare thus. PHOTO

THE FAMOUS 10c DULL MAUVE BLOCK OF TEN WITH BANGKOK US LEGATION & DATESTAMP CANCELS; 1882 10c Dull mauve block of ten (5 x 2) with three impressions of the "US LEGATION/ BANGKOK" circular h.s. and four complete strikes of "BANGKOK" c.d.s of "JY 16 84", lovely colour and exceptional appearance, first stamp has perf. faults at top and fifth stamp has corner crease, a few other minor creases of no consequence, most certainly a unique multiple and one of the key pieces of the British Post Office in Siam. Illustrated in Webb Plate 36. SG.36. [Ex Burghard and Ishikawa]. PHOTO

THE BANGKOK "BRITISH CONSULATE" CANCELLATION; 1880 2c Dull rose cancelled by part strike of "BRITISH CONSULATE/BANGKOK" Royal Arms h.s. Fine for this. SG.28. PHOTO

THE BANGKOK DATESTAMP ON 5c BLUE; 1880 5c Blue cancelled by bold part strike of "BANGKOK" c.d.s. of 1884. Very fine and an exceptional example of this cancellation. SG.29.PHOTO

THE BANGKOK DATESTAMP ON 2c ROSE-LAKE; 1882 2c Rose-lake cancelled by large part complete "BANGKOK" c.d.s. of "JU 19 84", small faults. SG.32. PHOTO

THE BANGKOK "US LEGATION" CANCELLATION WITH "B62"; 1882 10c Dull mauve with part "US LEGATION/BANGKOK" circular h.s. in blue overstruck "B62", light rust and short crease at top. Very unusual. SG.36. PHOTO

EARLY PRESTAMP COVER TO CANTON; 19th Aug. 1834 E (seal-tears reinforced with "magic" tape which needs to be removed) from Joseph Archer at "Macao" (pencil note) and addressed to "William S. Wetmore Esqr., Canton" with spectacular Chinese script endorsement (presumably the address) along the top flap. Exhibition item. PHOTO

THE RARE RED CIRCULAR "Boat OFFICE/10Cents/MACAO" MARK ON PRESTAMP COVER [FROM CANTON?]; c.1835 E to "Mrs. Sturgis, Macao, [per] Str. George", initialled inside by "R. S[turgis]" himself and so presumably from Canton [being from the Sturgis correspondence mentioned by Webb, p.294], having a mostly very fine strike of the large red circular "Boat OFFICE/10 Cents/MACAO" mark (Webb Type 1; light crease) nicely placed on the top flap. PHOTO

THE RARE LARGE OVAL-FRAMED "MACAO/CORº. MARITmo." MARK WITH MATCHING UNRECORDED "40" MARK ON COVER TO PORTUGAL; 15th April 1837 EL (in Portuguese; ref. money) from "Macao" to Lisbon "p. Resolucao" with a very fine strike of the Webb Type 4 oval-framed "MACAO/CORº. MARITmo." mark (filing fold; very few known) nicely placed on the front, along with an UNRECORDED matching small "40" [reis] charge-mark clearly struck in Macao, which has been overstruck by the blue "80"[reis] arrival charge-mark of Lisbon that matches the very fine blue boxed 8th Dec. [1837] "LISBOA" datestamp (filing fold) on the top flap. Very rare Macao cover; Webb had only recorded one example of this oval mark (on an ingoing 1829 letter to Macao in a commercial archive) and Pearson did not note any other covers. The small "40" mark on this cover does not appear to have been recorded before. Important Macao Exhibition Item. [Ex John Sussex.] PHOTO

1st OPIUM WAR PERIOD - "SHIP LETTER" TO G.B. WITH MENTION OF TROOPS & HONG KONG EXPANSION; 22nd Jan. 1841 EL from "Macao" to London "Pr. Foam" with a mostly very fine (though partly overstruck) boxed "NEW ROMNEY/SHIP LETTER" arrival mark on the reverse, charged "1/4" (double weight). The family letter has interesting contents; it is written by a ship's Captain delayed for the last 6 months in Macao. He mentions a box sent along with the letter from one "Chillie" in Amoy (supposedly "curiosities...loot no doubt"), the ship "Mermaid" still being "at Hong Kong with part of the 55th [Regiment] on board", the rapid expansion of Hong Kong itself ("Hong Kong is springing up wonderfully; one side already being studded with houses which seem to have risen by magic."), and ends; "They are doing very little up to the north[war]d just now - the Plenipo[tentiary] is expected here shortly as are more troops, but I think it likely now that they will make some arrangement before the next monsoon". Important historical 1st Opium War period letter from the months leading up to the Capture of Canton. PHOTO PHOTO 2

THE EXTREMELY RARE SMALL CROWNED CIRCLE "PAID/AT/MACAO" MARK - THE EARLIEST RECORDED EXAMPLE - ON HISTORICAL COVER TO G.B.: 14th October 1843 EL (ref. the market for all goods in Canton being poor - originally with an enclosure - part flap lost) from "Macao" to Liverpool "via Marseilles p. Steamer Bentinck" with a very fine strike of the Extremely Rare red Crowned Circle "PAID/AT/MACAO" marking (Webb Type 3) on the front. There is also a fine red Calcutta boxed "INDIA" mark (crease) on the front, matching the partial "CALCUTTA/[STEAM LETTER]" datestamp on the flap, alongside the Feb. 8th [1844] Liverpool octagonal arrival d.s.

This is one the rarest of all Crowned Circle marks.

This cover is additional to the three recorded by Webb/Pearson and it is dated almost a year earlier than the other three examples. The contents refer to the final establishment of the new Treaty Ports; "Sir H. Pottinger went up to the Bogue on the 8th inst. when he had a meeting with the Imperial Commissioner & the exchange of the Supplementary Licence [?] took place. H.M. Steamer Driver goes northwards on the 20th inst., we hear, & takes up the Consuls for Amoy & Shanghai; the Consul for Ningpo will proceed to his port in about a month. No Consul has yet been appointed to Foo Chow Foo". Historical letter and a Highly Important British P.O.'s Abroad and Macao Exhibition Centre-piece. PHOTO

THE RARE 2-RING "BRITISH GOVERNMENT AGENCY OFFICE/MACAO" MARK ON COVER FROM BATAVIA TO CANTON; Unusual 6th-17th June 1844 EL (minor weakening of folds and slight toning) from "Batavia" to Canton "pr. [Ship] Eliza Ann", with a very fine strike of this rare 2-ring marking (Webb Type 2; very few examples known) on the front. This mark is much rarer than the 10c "BOAT OFFICE" mark and is most unusual with this wording, being the forerunner of British P.O.'s Abroad marks. [Ex John Sussex.] PHOTO

THE VERY RARE BLUE-GREEN - AND EARLIEST RECORDED - DOUBLE OVAL "CORREIO/MACAO/* MARITIMO *" MARK ON COVER TO G.B.; 2nd Feb. 1845 EL (minor toning; mostly on flaps) from "Macao" to London with a mostly very fine blue-green Webb Type 5 oval "CORREIO/MACAO/* MARITIMO *" mark (slightly affected by red ink-offset from London arrival d.s.) nicely placed on the front. There is a manuscript "8" (Ship Letter rate) charge on the front and a red 6th Mar. 1846 London arrival c.d.s. on the flap. Webb only records this mark from 30th July 1846, so this example pre-dates that record by almost 18 months; he also only records one example in this colour. One of only two recorded examples in blue-green. Important Macao Exhibition Item. PHOTO

RARE RED DOUBLE OVAL "CORREIO/MACAO/* MARITIMO *" MARK ON EARLY COVER FROM THE PHILIPPINES TO CANTON; 11th March 1847 EL (slightly weak folds and internal/flap staining) from "Manila" to Canton with a mostly very fine strike of the Webb Type 5 oval mark in red (scarce colour) nicely placed on the front with small manuscript "16" charge. Rare thus on a cover from the Philippines and one of only a few recorded examples in red. Exhibition Quality. [With Holcombe expert signature.] PHOTO

THE LARGER 3-LINE "CORREIO/MACAO" DATESTAMP ON COVER FROM THE PHILIPPINES TO CANTON; Attractive 11th June 1848 EL (ref. trade; folds weak in places) from "Manila" to Canton "[per Ship] Aurora" with a very fine strike of the Webb Type 6a "CORREIO/MACAO/17 JUL. 1848." mark nicely placed on the front beside the "16" postal rate. Rare thus. [Ex John Sussex.] PHOTO

THE LARGER 3-LINE "CORREIO/MACAO" DATESTAMP ON PREPAID COVER TO CADIZ "VIA GIBRALTAR" ; 21st April 1849 E from "Macao" to "Cadiz Via Gibraltar", with a very fine Webb Type 6a "CORREIO/MACAO/21 ABR. 1849." mark (light filing fold) nicely placed on the front, beside red crayon "4" and "1/10" marks; also having a very fine boxed Hong Kong "PAID" mark (Type 10) on the front and a fine 23rd April "HONG-KONG" c.d.s. on the top flap. Rare thus. [Ex Burghard]. PHOTO

THE RARE SMALLER 3-LINE "CORREIO/MACAO" DATESTAMP ON COVER FROM THE PHILIPPINES TO CANTON; Fine 11th March 1850 EL from "Manila" to Canton with a very fine Webb Type 6b "CORREIO/MACAO/26 MAR. 1850." datestamp nicely placed on the top flap, with small "16" charge on the front. Rare mark; Webb only recorded 5 examples of this type as opposed to 9 examples of the larger Type 6a datestamp. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO

THE RARE BLACK DOUBLE-OVAL "CORREIO/MACAU/* MARITIMO *" MARK ON COVER FROM AUSTRALIA TO CANTON VIA THE PHILIPPINES; 3rd May 1853 EL from "Melbourne" to Canton by the "[Ship] Arcutria via Manila" (internal note; presumably from Melbourne to Manila) and "Per [Ship] San Lorenzo" (note above address; presumably from Manila to Macau), with a very fine black Webb Type 5 oval "CORREIO/MACAO/* MARITIMO *" mark nicely placed on the front beside a manuscript "16/100" charge. On the top flap there is a very faint red oval mark (the ink has discoloured the paper) which may be the Forwarding Agent Cachet of "AU[GUSTINE HEARD & Co.]" in Manila (??). Exhibition Quality. PHOTO

THE RARE RED BOXED MACAO "P.PAID" MARK ON COVER TO G.B.; Jan. 1856 E (minor faults) to London with a very fine Macao blood-red boxed "P. PAID" mark (crease; Webb Type 7a, 22x8 mm) nicely placed on the front with red manuscript "4d" rate changed to "6d", having a mostly fine 13th Jan. 1856 "HONG-KONG" c.d.s. on the flap. Few examples of this boxed "P.PAID" mark are known. PHOTO

THE EXTREMELY RARE MACAO TYPE 8 DATESTAMP ON COVER TO PORTUGAL VIA EGYPT; 26th/28th July 1861 EL (minor reinforcing of folds etc. in places) from "Macao to Lisbon "Por Alexandria", with a mostly very fine red Webb Type 8 2-ring "MACAO/18" c.d.s. (with the other date numerals inserted in manuscript) on the top flap, very slightly overstruck by the very fine black 25th Sept. "LISBOA" arrival c.d.s. (which in turn matches the superb black "300" arrival charge and very fine boxed "POR ALEXANDRIA" mark on the front).

Webb only recorded a single example of this 2-ring c.d.s. (dated 1853; see his Plate 58).

This - one of only two or three recorded covers with this Type 8 datestamp - therefore bears one of the rarest of Macao markings and is a very attractive cover. Exhibition Quality. [Ex Ishikawa - another example is illustrated in Webb, plate 58, which is ex C. Derek Houston]. PHOTO

THE VERY RARE "PAGO/EM/MACAO" CROWNED CIRCLE IN BLACK ON COVER TO PORTUGAL; Attractive 4th Feb. 1873 EL (few tiny ink-marks and overall toning, with small faults well clear of marks; contents in Portuguese) from "Macao" to Lisbon "por via Suez", having a superb strike of the very rare black "PAGO EM MACAO" Crowned Circle in black (Webb Type A) on the front, with a very fine small "B/MACAO" c.d.s. (Webb Type B; also very rare) nearby.

There is a smudged black Lisbon "60" arrival charge-mark on the front, matching the poor 2-ring March 1873 "LISBOA" d.s. on the reverse.

Webb only recorded seven examples of this very rare Crowned Circle (3 being on the famous high-rate stamped covers); one of the rarest of all Crowned Circles. An Exhibition Item. PHOTO

THE VERY RARE SMALL BRITISH P.O. "B/MACAO" C.D.S. USED AS AN ARRIVAL MARKING; 3rd April 1880 commercial usage of the Hong Kong 1c green on buff Postal Stationery PC to Macao, cancelled by a light "B62" numeral with a very fine "HONG-KONG/C" c.d.s. alongside, as well as a nearly very fine "B/MACAO" c.d.s. (Webb Type B; few examples known other than those on the Crowned Circle covers). Exhibition Quality; one of very few recorded examples of this Type B datestamp on ingoing mail. PHOTO

THE VERY RARE BRITISH P.O. CROWNED CIRCLE MACAO DATESTAMP; 26th Dec. 1881 usage of the Hong Kong 1c green on buff Postcard (printed "MACAO" line of address and "SHANGHAI" on reverse crossed through) to Hong Kong, with a lovely strike of the very rare Webb Type Ci "(Crown)/MACAO/DE 26/81" c.d.s. nicely placed on the front; the stamp was cancelled on arrival with a fine "HONG-KONG/A" c.d.s. of the following day. Webb only recorded one cover with this attractive mark (that was issued by the British P.O. in London on 23rd May 1881) and Pearson notes that 3 covers and this card are still the only ones recorded. With c.1961 article from "the Philatelist" illustrating this card. Superb item with one of the rarest of all Macao markings. [With R.P.S. 1998 Certificate of Genuineness.] PHOTO

THE VERY RARE BRITISH CROWNED CIRCLE MACAO DATESTAMP USED ON PORTUGUESE MACAO "CROWN ISSUE" COVER TO PORTUGAL;

Remarkable and very rare 21st May 1884 commercial env. (some light rust-spots, well clear of c.d.s. and just clear of stamp; small opening tear at top does not detract) to Lisbon, franked by a very rare Portuguese "MACAU" 80r on 100r grey, tied by a fine strike of this rare Webb Type Ci datestamp with a second very fine strike nearby. There is a very fine 3rd July Lisbon arrival c.d.s. on the reverse.

Webb/Pearson only recorded four covers - all with Hong Kong frankings cancelled in Hong Kong - with this mark, and its Crown was removed some time during late 1884. This therefore appears to be the sole recorded example of this rare mark on a Portuguese P.O. cover.

Very few Macao "Crown Issue" covers of any kind exist. Extremely Rare cover and an Exhibition Item of the Highest Calibre. PHOTO

LOCAL PRINTED MATTER RATE COVER WITH PORTUGUESE MACAO 5c TIED BY THE CROWN-REMOVED DATESTAMP; Very attractive 12th June 1888 native red-band cover (with contents printed in Chinese on red paper seeking funds to build a hospital) franked by a Portuguese Macao 1888 Embossed 5r black tied by a fine 2-ring "Crown-removed" Type Ci "MACAO/JU 12/88" c.d.s. with a second very fine strike alongside. Rare Printed Matter Rate cover and very colourful Exhibition Item. PHOTO

PORTUGUESE MACAU 30r GREEN POSTCARD USED TO GERMANY; 6th Dec. 1889 usage of the 30r green on buff PC to Dresden (arrival c.d.s. on the front) cancelled to one side by a very fine Crown-removed 2-ring "MACAO" c.d.s. Scarce and attractive. PHOTO

MACAU 20r RED POSTCARD UPRATED TO SINGAPORE; 30th Sept. 1890 commercial usage of the Macau 20r red on buff PC (minor faults) to Singapore (fine arrival c.d.s. of 8th Oct. on front), uprated with a Portuguese Timor Embossed 1888 10r green (faults) tied by a very fine Webb Type D Portuguese "MACAU" c.d.s. with a second superb strike cancelling the card itself. Attractive and rare thus. PHOTO

HONG KONG STATIONERY CARD CANCELLED IN PORTUGUESE MACAO POST OFFICE; Scarce 30th Mar. 1898 usage of the Hong Kong 1c green on buff PC (small corner fault; with fully printed Piano Tuner advert on reverse) addressed to Macao and cancelled by a fine Webb Type D "MACAU" c.d.s. Rare thus. PHOTO

VASCO DA GAMA SET USED ON COVER REGISTERED TO AUSTRIA; Unusual 15th June 1898 env. ("GOVERNO DE MACAU" printed flap) regd. to Austria franked (back and front) by all eight values of the Macau 1898 Vasco da Gama set, all tied/cancelled by fine to very fine Type D "MACAU" datestamps with a red Macau "CHINA" regd. "R" label (gum stains) on the front. Rare usage. PHOTO PHOTO 2

PORTUGUESE MACAO FRANKINGS CANCELLED IN TRANSIT IN VICTORIA, HONG KONG; 1904 PPC to USA with Portuguese Macau 2r pair tied solely by partly fine 2-ring "VICTORIA/HONG KONG" c.d.s.'s (Paquebot usage?); plus 1905 usage of the Macau 4a on 2a 1898 Vasco da Gama PC to Hong Kong cancelled by both the Macau c.d.s. and the 2-ring Victoria c.d.s. (2 cards).

PORTUGUESE MACAO CARD TO GERMANY WITH "CUSTOMS/LAPPA" TRANSIT C.D.S.; 4th May 1907 PPC to Germany franked by Portuguese King Carlos 1a+3a tied/cancelled by Type D "MACAU" c.d.s.'s with a partly very fine 2-ring "CUSTOMS/LAPPA" c.d.s. (rare) alongside. PHOTO

THE 1911 PROVISIONAL LABELS ON COVER - ONE 2av WITH "CORRIEO" ERROR; Remarkable 12th Aug. 1911 commercial env. (minor creasing and with edge-wear) to the Italian Consul in Shanghai, franked on the reverse by 1911 laid paper 1av and 2av (pair with left hand stamp showing the rare error "Corrieo" for Correio") for the 5 avos rate, with a very fine Type D "MACAU" c.d.s. on the front. The 2av pair with the Error is tied by both a 2-ring "HONG KONG" transit c.d.s. and by the fine "SHANGHAI/B.P.O." arrival c.d.s. Very rare thus; a Great Rarity of 20th Century Macao Philately. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO

1911 PROVISIONAL LABEL ON PRINTED MATTER RATE WRAPPER TO HONG KONG; Scarce 28th Aug. 1911 wrapper with white paper 2av (glue marks) off edge and still applied to part of the printed contents, with fine Type D "MACAU" c.d.s. alongside. Rare thus. PHOTO

1911 PROVISIONALS MULTIPLE FRANKING COVER TO SWATOW; Attractive 17th Aug. 1911 env. addressed to the "I.M. Customs, Swatow" with a very fine Type D "MACAU" c.d.s. on the front, having on the reverse white paper 2av labels (2; one well tied by HK transit c.d.s.) and laid paper 1av for the 5av rate, having additional backstamps of "CUSTOMS/LAPPA" (faint) and "SWATOW" (v. fine Type Fi c.d.s.). Rare thus. PHOTO

1911 PROVISIONAL LABEL USED ON POSTCARD TO HONG KONG; 11th Aug. 1911 PPC (minor toning, crease, etc.) to Hong Kong franked by white paper 1av Provisional, with fine Type D "MACAU" c.d.s. and HK arrival c.d.s. on the front. Scarce 1 avo rate. Plus two off-cover examples; white paper 1av and laid paper 2av. (3 items). PHOTO

1911 PROVISIONAL 1av PAIR ON COVER TO CANTON; 25th Aug. 1911 commercial env. (minor creasing, etc.) to Canton with Provisional laid paper 1av pair (one creased) on the reverse, having fine Type D "MACAU" c.d.s. on the front and Chinese P.O. fine "CANTON" arrival c.d.s. on the reverse. Scarce thus. Plus contemporary memo (on printed paper of the addressees); "The Macao Government being short of Stamps, the annexed was issued; it is valuable if you keep the envelope". (2 items). PHOTO

MACAU 1911 PROVISIONAL BISECT COVER TO HONG KONG VIA "CUSTOMS/LAPPA"; 4th Dec. 1911 env. (flap lost, small corner fault & opened out for display) to Kowloon franked by a diagonal bisect of the 4a red with "2/Avos" overprint tied by fine Type D c.d.s., having a fair HK and very fine scarce 2-ring "CUSTOMS/LAPPA" c.d.s. on the reverse. Scarce thus. PHOTO

Similar 5th Dec. 1911 env. (opened out for display and with glue-marks on reverse) from the same correspondence franked with the "2/Avos" on 4av bisect tied by a fine Type D c.d.s. with v. fine 2-ring "CUSTOMS/LAPPA" c.d.s. on the reverse. PHOTO

THE INTRIGUING & UNRECORDED 1913 CROWN-REMOVED "PAGO/EM/MACAO" CROWN CIRCLE (?) MARK ON STAMPLESS LOCAL COVER; 18th Oct. 1913 env. (manuscript date matching the ink of the address; central vertical crease clear of mark), addressed to "Mr. M. Ricardo, 11 Calcada de St. Miguel, Macau" with no postal markings, except for a mostly very fine black sanserif "PAGO/EM/MACAU" mark. This unrecorded mark closely resembles the very rare 1870-77 Webb Type A Crowned Circle in many ways; it has no Crown and only one ring, but the diameter is the same, and whereas the lettering has no serifs, it is of a very similar size, shape and location within the circle. It appears likely that this letter was part of a bulk-posted group of circulars that had been prepaid in cash (compare Webb's Type X description), and it seems that the marking was a recut version of the old Crowned Circle Marking. Very rare; the only example of this mark that we have recorded. PHOTO