KING GEORGE V ISSUES
160 THE STUPENDOUS 50c OLIVE BACK BLOCK OF SIX; 1912-21 Watermark Multiple Crown CA 50c black on blue-green with olive back, block of six (2x3), brilliant colour and superb centring, very fine unused with large part original gum ("partly dried"). One of the few blocks known and a glorious showpiece for this issue. SG.111b. PHOTO £15,000-£20,000
161 THE RARE 1912-21 $10 PURPLE AND BLACK ON RED PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF FOUR; 1912-21 Watermark Multiple Crown CA $10 purple and black on red block of four from the top right corner of the sheet with margin at top showing plate number "1" and requisition number "A32", rich colour, stamps very fine unmounted mint, slight rubbing in top half of sheet margin has caused discolouration there, nevertheless an important and desirable block. SG.116. PHOTO £2,500-£3,000
KING GEORGE VI ISSUES
162 1938-46 1c to $10, the two issues complete comprising twenty-three values plus an additional 1946 $5 shade, perforated "Specimen" mint, the majority unmounted, a few have minor rust. SG.140s-162s, Cat. £2,250+. (24). £600-£800
163 1938-48 Original colours, corner blocks of four comprising lower right 1c brown, 2c grey and 50c reddish purple, each with plate number "1", 10c violet with plate number "7", upper left 15c scarlet (typical toned gum) & 80c carmine each with plate number "1" and 5c green with plate number "2", upper right 8c red-brown, 20c black and 25c blue. Also a 4c orange top marginal block. The 1c, 5c, 15c & 25c mounted on selvedge only, 50c mounted on one stamp, others unmounted. Some gum bends as issued. An excellent selection. (11 blocks). .PHOTO A PHOTO B PHOTO C PHOTO D £150-£200
164 1938 10c bright violet, a lower right corner unmounted mint block of four with plate number "1". Fine. SG. 145, Cat. £200+. PHOTO £100-£140
165 1938 30c yellow-olive, a mint marginal block of four from the top of the sheet, the lower pair unmounted. Some toning (mainly in margin at top). Good colour. SG. 151, Cat. £600+. PHOTO £160-£200
166 THE CELEBRATED 8c IMPERFORATE VERTICAL STRIP OF THREE; 1941 8c Red-brown, imperforate vertical strip of three from the right of the sheet showing Jubilee lines in margin, usual faded colour, good to large margins all round, defect at top where small piece was put back due to rough separation by hand and another similar complete separation between and through 2nd and 3rd stamps (now rejoined). Shortly after the War, an imperforate sheet from what was believed to be the original printing was issued to a Branch office. The sheet was separated by folding and tearing; most of the stamps were used on letters to China to pay the 8 cents rate in effect at the time; however, it is thought that a vertical strip of five and three, perhaps originally a strip of eight, since separated, have survived. One of the great world rarities of the King George VI issues. SG.44a, Cat. £24,000. PHOTO £12,000-£15,000
167 1946-48 Changed colours, corner blocks of four comprising, upper right 25c sage green, lower left 30c blue, lower right $1 red-orange & green with plate number "1", upper left $5 deep yellow-green and violet. Also a lower marginal block of $2 violet & red. The three high values are on chalk surfaced paper. Fine unmounted mint. (5 blocks). £300-£360
168 1947 $10 Reddish violet and blue on chalk-surfaced paper, an upper left corner block of four mounted on selvedge only. Very fresh. SG. 162a, Cat. £720+. PHOTO £300-£360
QUEEN ELIZABETH II ISSUES
169 THE EXTREMELY RARE GLAZED PAPER $10 UNMOUNTED MINT BLOCK OF SIX; 1972 $10 Multicoloured on glazed paper, an unmounted mint block of six from the lower right corner of the sheet. Only available in the Colony and one of the great rarities of the current reign. SG.290d. PHOTO £6,000-£8,000
POSTCARD STAMPS
170 THE RARE SHORT "T" 3c ON 5c ON 18c LILAC ON UNUSED POSTCARD; 1879 (Nov.) "THREE" on 5c on 18c Lilac, variety short "T" in "Cents", deep bright colour, exceptional centring, short perf. at top, on UPU blue on white postcard, very fine unused. RPSL Certificate of Genuineness (2000). SG.P3, Cat. £6,500. PHOTO £3,000-£4,000
171 THE RARE SHORT "T" 3c ON 5c ON 18c LILAC, USED; 1879 (Nov.) "THREE" on 5c on 18c Lilac, variety short "T" in "Cents", with framed h.s. in red and "B62" cancellation, slight rubbing in value tablet at lower left and two shortish perfs. at right, rare used. RPSL Certificate of Genuineness (2000). SG.P3, Cat. £7,500. [Ex Lu]. PHOTO £2,000-£2,400
POSTAL FISCAL AND REVENUE STAMPS
172 1874 Perf. 15_x15 $3 Dull violet block of four, very fresh unused with much characteristic streaky original gum, horizontal creases across lower pair. SG.F2. PHOTO £1,500-£2,000
173 THE RARE 1902 $3 DULL MAUVE BLOCK OF FOUR; 1902 Perf. 14 $3 Dull mauve block of four, fresh and well centred, fine unused with much original gum, light diagonal gum crease at left. SG.F5. [Ex Dyer]. PHOTO £3,000-£3,600
174 THE EXCEPTIONALLY RARE BLUISH PAPER $3 IN A MAGNIFICENT BLOCK OF FOUR; 1902 Perf. 14 $3 Dull mauve on bluish paper, block of four, near perfect centring, very fine unused with practically full original gum, faintest traces of rust on reverse are of no consequence to this fabulous multiple, a rarity in a block SG.F5a. PHOTO £8,000-£10,000
175 THE RARE 1891 $5 ON $10 PURPLE ON RED BLOCK OF FOUR; 1891 $5 on $10 Purple on red, block of four, very fine unused with much original gum. SG.F9. PHOTO £2,000-£2,400
176 1897 $1 on $2 Olive-green (perf 15_x15), block of six (2x3), very fine unused with large part characteristically dried original gum. SG.F10. PHOTO £1,500-£1,800
177 AN IMMACULATE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $1 ON $2 OLIVE-GREEN WITH CHINESE SURCHARGE OMITTED; 1897 $1 on $2 Olive-green (perf. 15_x15), block of four, variety both Chinese handstamps omitted, beautiful rich olive colour, well centred for this, extremely fine and fresh mint, only the slightest trace of a hinge, probably the finest of the few blocks extant with this variety. [Signed Houtzamer]. SG.F10a. PHOTO £12,000-£15,000
178 1897 $1 on $2 Bluish green (perf. 14), block of four, excellent centring, very fine unused with much original gum. SG.F11. [Ex Dyer]. PHOTO £1,500-£2,000
179 THE INCREDIBLY RARE CHINESE SURCHARGE OMITTED VARIETY IN A BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $1 ON $2 DULL BLUISH GREEN; 1897 $1 on $2 Dull bluish green (perf. 14), a brilliant block of four, variety both Chinese handstamps omitted, extremely fine and fresh unused with much original gum. A gem example of this truly rare block of which we record only two other examples (one is reperforated) and far rarer than its olive-green counterpart. SG.F11a. [Ex Dyer]. PHOTO £15,000-£20,000
180 1912 Stamp Duty $100 purple on red, the stunningly beautiful unmounted mint marginal block of eight (4 x 2) from the top of the sheet. Barefoot 105. PHOTO £500-£600
181 1938 "Stamp Duty" 5c Green, block of six from the top left corner of the sheet showing plate number "1", unmounted mint, light rust spots on gum. SG.F12. PHOTO £150-£180
182 1938 "Stamp Duty" 5c Green, interpanneau block of fourteen (7x2), unmounted mint, split along third vertical row of perfs. between stamps. SG.F12. PHOTO £360-£420
STAMP OFFICE AND STAMP DUTY (S.G.S1-S3)
183 1891 2c Carmine overprinted "S.O", 2c carmine overprinted "S.D." and 10c purple on red overprinted "S.O.", very fine unused with large part to much original gum. All with RPSL (2003) or BPA (1981) Certificates of Genuineness. SG.S1-S3, Cat. £2,900. PHOTO £1,500-£2,000
184 1891 2c Carmine overprinted "S.O." amended to "S.D." in manuscript, fine unused. RPSL Certificate of Genuineness (2001). SG.S1 var. PHOTO £400-£500
185 THE VERY RARE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 2c WITH "S.O." OVERPRINT; 1891 2c Carmine overprinted "S.O." block of four, bright colour, well centred, very fine and fresh unused with much original gum. SG.S1.PHOTO £3,600-£4,200
186 THE RARE BLOCK OF SIXTEEN OF THE 2c WITH "S.D." OVERPRINT; 1891 2c Carmine overprinted "S.D." block of sixteen (4x4), very fine and fresh unused without gum, trivial surface scuffs at lower left. SG.S2. PHOTO £2,000-£2,400
187 THE MAGNIFICENT BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 10c WITH STAMP OFFICE OVERPRINT; 1891 10c Purple on red overprinted "S.O." block of four, intense vibrancy as the paper has retained its strong colour, very fine unused with part to much original gum, the top pair has slight adherences. A highly significant multiple. SG.53 [Ex Dyer]. PHOTO £12,000-£15,000
THE POSTAL HISTORY OF HONG KONG.
HONG KONG - MARITIME & INGOING MAIL, 1889-1936
188 GERMAN SEA POST CANCEL ON COVER FROM HONG KONG; 28th Nov. 1889 env. (creases at right well clear of stamp and marks) sent to Hamburg franked by a German 20pf blue tied by a very fine "DEUTSCHE SEEPOST/OST-/ASIATISCHE/HAUPTLINIE/*28 11 b/89" c.d.s., having HK ([2]8th Nov.) and Hamburg (6th Jan. 1890) c.d.s.'s on the reverse. Attractive and rare thus. PHOTO £150-£200
189 SHIP's MAIL WITH GERMAN STAMP CANCELLED IN HONG KONG; 25 May 1898 PPC (corner crease - reinforced with archival tape - barely detracts; view of the S.S. "Preussen" with "salut de Hong Kong" message) sent to Shanghai (the Belgian Consul) franked by German 10pf red tied by a very fine "HONG·KONG/D" c.d.s. with a fine 31st May "SHANGHAI/C" arrival c.d.s. on the picture side. Covers with German stamps cancelled by HK datestamps are seldom seen. PHOTO £100-£140
190 RARE "LLOYD AUSTRIACO/XXXIII" DATESTAMP WITH HONG KONG & JAPAN FRANKINGS; 1898/1899 pair of PPC's from Hong Kong (with HK 4c grey tied by fine "HONG KONG" c.d.s. of 14th Dec. 1898) and Japan (toned 1s blue P. Stat. PC uprated with 3s tied by Kobe c.d.s. of 1st Dec. 1898) both to the same Austrian address and both with fine to very fine blue 19th Jan. 1899 single-ring "LLOYD AUSTRIACO/XXXIII" ("Marquis Bacquehem") c.d.s.'s on the front. [See also next lot.] (2 cards.) PHOTO £200-£260
191 Similar 1st Dec. 1898 PPC to Austria with Japan 4s tied by a fine "KOBE/JAPAN" c.d.s. with a very fine blue 19th Jan. 1899 "LLOYD AUSTRIACO/XXXIII" ("Marquis Bacquehem") c.d.s. on the front. PHOTO £150-£200
192 NORWAY/DENMARK - UNUSUAL DESTINATION FOR MUCH TRAVELLED HONG KONG POSTAL STATIONERY CARD; 8th July 1899 usage of the 4c grey HK PC cancelled with v. fine "HONG·KONG/B" c.d.s. and addressed to Copenhagen (1st? Aug. transit c.d.s.), but redirected to "SANDEFJORD" in Norway (fine 24th Aug. c.d.s.) and then redirected again back to Copenhagen (25th Aug.). Rare thus; few QV PC's are recorded sent from Hong Kong to Norway. PHOTO £100-£140
193 STAMPLESS SOLDIER's COVER WITH "MARINE/SCHIFFPOST" DATESTAMP; 30th Sept. 1900 stampless env. (minor faults/stains) endorsed "Feldpost" (with "HAMBURG-AMERIKA LINIE/HAMBURG" imprint at top left of address) sent to Germany (21st Oct. "DEUTSCH" arrival c.d.s. on reverse) with a mostly very fine "KAIS. DEUTSCHE/MARINE/SCHIFFSPOST/No.68" c.d.s. on the front. From the Boxer Rebellion Period and scarce thus. PHOTO £120-£160
194 INGOING/TRANSIT CARDS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES; 1901 commercial usage of the NSW 1d red PC from Sydney uprated to HK with a NSW _d green with a fine HK arrival c.d.s. alongside; plus small 1905 PPC (toned but an unusual view of the "ZIQ-ZAG, Westerner [Railway] Line, N.S.W.") sent to Japan but only franked by a NSW 1d (tied by a fine "CURLEWIS" c.d.s.) and so with v. fine scarce boxed "AMOUNT TO BE/COLLECTED RS" mark matching a fine Colombo transit c.d.s., with Victoria (HK) transit c.d.s. and shield-shaped "N.S.W./T/5" tax-mark. Good pair. (2 cards). PHOTO £100-£140
195 GERMAN "CHINA" OVERPRINT COMBINED FRANKING WITH HONG KONG ON NAVAL COVER TO GERMANY; 26th July 1906 env. (+ amusing contents from "H.M.S. Teal, Hankow, Puyang Hake") to Stuttgart franked by German "China" o.p. 4c on 10pf red and HK KEVII 4c purple on red both tied by mostly fine 2-ring "VICTORIA/HONG KONG" c.d.s.'s, with 5th Sept. Stuttgart arrival backstamp. Rare mixed franking. PHOTO £120-£160
196 UNRECORDED BOXED "REBUTS" MARK ON RARE P.O. "UNDELIVERED CORRESPONDENCE" O.H.M.S. COVER SENT TO A BRITISH WARSHIP ON "CHINA STATION"; Unusual 12th June 1911 stampless "O.H.M.S." env. (minor faults) with "Undelivered Correspondence" and "FROM RETURNED LETTER OFFICE/GENERAL POST OFFICE,/ HONG KONG" imprints sent to "Arthur, H.M.S. Water Witch, China Station", with a fine 2-ring "HONG-KONG/IV" c.d.s. (early date; Webb Type K) and a matching mostly very fine boxed "REBUTS" mark (apparently not recorded by Webb; similar to his Type U "RETOUR" mark) on the front. This envelope originally returned an undeliverable letter (which had been posted to an address in Kent) back to a sailor on the China Station; rare OHMS item. [Ex Angus Parker.] Plus a large commercial 1920 env. (with contents) addressed in Chinese to Tientsin with Hong Kong KGV 1c brown (4) tied by 2-ring c.d.s.'s. (2 covers). PHOTO £120-£160
197 CORRECT USAGE OF G.B. KEVII 1d REPLY-CARD FROM HONG KONG; Rare 17th April 1914 usage of the 1d Red G.B. KEVII "REPLY" Postal Stationery PC (minor wear) to G.B. cancelled by a very fine 2-ring "HONG-KONG/VI" Type K c.d.s. with similar mostly very fine strikes of the "VII"-code mark back and front. A small Hong Kong "T" in circle mark was initially (wrongly) applied to the front of the card and then cancelled. Rare thus; correct overseas usages of G.B. KEVII Reply cards are seldom seen. PHOTO £120-£160
198 TAIWAN (KEELUNG) DATESTAMP CANCEL WITH PAQUEBOT MARK: 1927 red-band env. franked by Hong Kong KGV 10c blue tied by mostly fine Japanese Keelung c.d.s. (2.9.14), presumably cancelled on arrival from a ship, having a very faint part strike of the large purple boxed "PAQUEBOT" mark alongside. Rare thus. PHOTO £120-£160
199 THE "FROM STEAMER BOX/SWATOW" CANCELLATION; c.1934 env. to Swatow franked by Hong Kong KGV 5c mauve tied by a mostly very fine strike of this scarce bilingual circular mark (Webb Type F; see p.372). Scarce. PHOTO £120-£160
200 THE "FROM STEAMER BOX/CANTON" MARKS - TWO SIZES; c.1934/6 trio of commercial envs. (two red-band envs. with addresses in Chinese; the other to a missionary at Hoihow with HK firm's imprint) all with KGV 5c's (two 5c lilacs & the other a 1935 Jubilee 5c) tied by mostly fine large diameter (2) or very fine small diameter strikes of this scarce bilingual cancellation (Webb Type D). Scarce trio. (3 covers). PHOTO £150-£200
201 Similar trio of c.1934-6 covers all with mostly fine to very fine strikes of the two types of circular Type D "FROM STEAMER BOX/CANTON" marks; the larger type on Chinese red-band env. with KGV 5c lilac and on a pair of KGV 1c browns on env. to Canton; the smaller type on KGV 5c lilac on red-band env. (3 covers). PHOTO £150-£200
202 TAIWAN (KEELUNG)/HONG KONG - OTHER PAQUEBOT MARKS; 1932 env. (addressed in Chinese) franked by HK KGV 10c pale blue (2; one cut when opened at right) tied by very fine rare Keelung "KIIRUN/TAIWAN/JAPAN" c.d.s. with a partly very fine large purple boxed "PAQUEBOT" mark alongside; a rare Taiwan cover. Plus 1924 PPC from "Singapore" with HK 4c red tied by partly fine "PAQUEBOT/POSTED AT SEA/VICTORIA" c.d.s.(Canada). Scarce pair. (2 covers). PHOTO £240-£300
HONG KONG - WORLD WAR II MAIL, 1941-45
203 * THE UNIQUE RETURN RECEIPT CARD FROM HAWAII DETAINED IN HONG KONG: 1941 (26 Sept.) USA P.O. department return receipt card registered from Honolulu, Hawaii via Hong Kong to Likiang, Yunnan with a good boxed violet "DETAINED IN HONG KONG/BY JAPANESE/FROM DECEMBER 1941 TO SEPTEMBER 1945" h.s. Most unusual. PHOTO £800-£1,000
204 * RARE COVER FROM CHINA TO THE UNITED STATES DETAINED IN HONG KONG WITH RARE "HOSTILITIES" LABEL AND EVENTUALLY SENT VIA THE RUSSIAN ROUTE: 1941 (21 Oct.) env. from The Catholic Mission at Wuchow via Hong Kong to USA franked with 25c Sun Yet Sen. The cover left Kwangsi (21 Oct.) only to be detained in Hong Kong and then returned to Canton where a typed "After return from Hong Kong/where it was originally sent/through, and kept for a long/time owing to hostilities,/this letter is now forwarded/via Chungking." label was stuck on the back and tied by a Canton c.d.s. The letter arrived at Chungking on 14 Dec 1942 to be sent on to Tihwa, Sinkiang (1 Feb 1943) and forwarded via Russia to USA where it was censored. At the time this letter was sent communications from Chungking and all the Free China area was blockaded by the Japanese and Nanking Government. The only mail route available was via Tihwa, Sinkiang and Russia for onward transmission. A rare survivor. PHOTO (front) PHOTO (back) £500-£600
205 * COVER DETAINED IN TRANSIT FROM CEYLON TO NEW YORK AT HONG KONG FOR 1778 DAYS: 1941 (15 Nov.) commercial env. from Colombo, Ceylon to New York, franked on reverse with Ceylon 5c x 10 and 25c x 2; arriving at Victoria, Hong Kong on 2 Dec 1941. The cover was detained and a violet boxed "DETAINED IN HONG KONG/BY JAPANESE/FROM DECEMBER 1941 TO SEPTEMBER 1945" h.s. together with boxed "NOT OPENED/BY/CENSOR" struck prior to sending to New York where a "GRAND CENTRAL/ANNEX" duplex of 5 Oct 1945 was applied. The cover has a large censor label at right. Some cover faults consistent with such an item. It is believed that at the liberation some seven bags of mail were discovered intact at the GPO; most items were found to have been posted and cancelled in early December 1941. PHOTO £800-£1,000
206 * VERY RARE DETAINED COVER ORIGINALLY SENT FROM HONG KONG ON THE DAY OF THE JAPANESE INVASION: 1941 (8 Dec.) env. from Hong Kong endorsed "VIA RANGOON" to Sydney redirected to Perth franked with complete Centenary set (less 5c which probably fell off during detention). This remarkable cover was posted from Hong Kong, Kowloon at 7.30am on the 8 Dec.1941, the day the Japanese forces invaded and was immediately sent to Hong Kong (9.30am c.d.s. of Victoria on the reverse) two days prior to the reopening (according to Kwok) of the Japanese P.O. in Kowloon. The cover was sent there and a c.d.s. of 11 February 1942 was applied with the intention of returning it to the sender who was unfortunately in a POW camp! The letter could not be delivered & the boxed violet "DETAINED IN HONG KONG /BY JAPANESE/FROM DECEMBER 1941 TO FEBRUARY 1945" was applied together with boxed "NO SERVICE" in blue and framed "RETOUR". After the war the cover was sent on to Sydney and forwarded to Perth. Some cover creasing but a rare item. PHOTO £1,200-£1,500
JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF HONG KONG
207 * RARE "POSTAGE PAID" HANDSTAMPS ON FORMULAR ENVELOPE TO CHINA: c.1942 Formular envelope used to Shanghai with clear double ring violet "HONG KONG OFFICE/POSTAGE FULLY PAID" and single ring "HONG KONG OFFICE/POSTAGE DULY PAID MAIL" h.s. A rare cover as these handstamps were only used during shortages of Japanese adhesives (on four occasions for a total of 76 days). Yang JPP1, JPP2/Kwok types 1 & 2. PHOTO £850-£1,000
208 * RARE USE OF JAPANESE CENSOR LABEL ON COVER TO SHANGHAI: 1942 (20 Feb) env. from Hong Kong to Shanghai franked with 4s tied by Hong Kong c.d.s. The cover also bears a fine Japanese censor label wrapped around at right. Some cover faults at back but a scarce use of the censor label which was seldom used except in the early part of the occupation. PHOTO £240-£300
209 * COVER FROM YAUMATI TO MACAO: 1942 (23 Feb) envelope from Yaumati to Macau franked with 10s vertical pair tied by fine strikes of the Yaumati c.d.s. with Canton machine cancellation below, the reverse with Kowloon transit and Macao arrival c.d.s.'s. PHOTO £550-£700
210 * THE RARE "POSTAGE PAID" HANDSTAMPS IN CHINESE AND JAPANESE ON COVER TO FATSHAN: 1942 (April) env. from Hong Kong via Canton to Fatshan without adhesives but with violet double ring "Hong Kong Post Office/Postage Fully Paid" and single ring "Hong Kong Office/Special Charge for Postage Paid" h.s. Fine and very few examples recorded. (Yang JPP1, JPP2/Kwok types 1 & 2). These emergency h.s. were used on four occasions when there was a shortage of Japanese adhesives. The total period of use was 76 days, however the cover above was used during the eight day shortage from 14 to 21 April 1942. PHOTO £850-£1,000
211 * RARE PRISONER OF WAR COVER TO INDIA: 1942 (27 June) env. from "Mrs L.N. Winfield, Stanley Internment Camp, Hong Kong/Block 13 room?? Indian Quarters" to her husband/son Cpt. R.F. Winfield, Calcutta, India redirected to the Tactical School, Poona and again to Bombay; franked with 50c Mt Fuji tied by a superb Hong Kong c.d.s.; it also bears a censor label tied by violet "Crown/PASSED/DHA/3" violet h.s. and on reverse has a "DHA/64" h.s. A rare item to an overseas destination. The route was probably Hong Kong-Kweilin-Kunming , then by USAF transportation over the Himalayas to India. Officially there were only two occasions when POW mail was sent to overseas destinations other than Macao. PHOTO £1,000-£1,200
212 * COVER FROM KOWLOON TO SWATOW: 1942 (3 Sept) from Kowloon to Swatow franked with 5s Admiral Togo tied by a crisp c.d.s. and (on reverse) a clear "SWATOW" arrival c.d.s. The cover is a little toned and roughly opened. PHOTO £140-£180
213 * FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREATER EAST ASIA WAR CHOP ON COVER TO MACAO: 1942 (8 Dec) Env to Macao franked with Japanese 1s, 2s, 4s, 5s, 10s, 20s, 30s & 50s cancelled with three very fine strikes of the special illustrated First Anniversary of the Greater Asia War chop. Scarce. Kwok fig. 18. PHOTO £260-£320
214 * FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF INVASION CARD TO MACAO: 1942 (17 Dec) usage of the 10s postcard to Macao cancelled with a good First Anniversary of the Invasion Hong Kong cancellation. PHOTO £200-£260
215 * COVER FROM KOWLOON TONG BEARING AN ADHESIVE WHICH WAS NOT OBLITERATED ON ARRIVAL BY THE CHINESE P.O. 1942 (19 Dec) env. from Kowloon Tong to the Catholic Mission in Kwangsi bearing 5s Admiral Togo cancelled by the despatch c.d.s., with small portion of censor label at left and (on reverse) "CANTON" and Kweilin c.d.s. This cover is most unusual; the usual practice of the Chinese authorities was almost to obliterate the adhesive with black ink. This is the first example that we have seen which escaped this treatment. The Kowloon Tong cancellation is scarce partly because it was the last to re-open and also because it was situated opposite to the Kowloon Tong City Garden Club which was occupied by the Japanese F.P.O. that locals would avoid. (LP vol. 100 p275 T. Kwok.). PHOTO £800-£1,000
216 * RARE REGISTERED COVER FROM SHEUNGWAN TO CANTON: 1943 (22 June) commercial printed env (vertical crease near edge at right) registered to Canton, franked on reverse with 2s and 5s (pair and single) tied by neat strikes of the Western Market c.d.s. with registration label (No 174) and boxed h.s. alongside; the front with "CANTON" c.d.s. and boxed "107". A rare cover. PHOTO £2,400-£3,000
217 * COVER FROM YUEN LONG - KOWLOON P. O.: 1943 (12 Aug) red band env. (with contents) franked with 1s & 4s tied by the Yuen Long c.d.s. There is no arrival c.d.s. The cover has one flap torn away but the appearance of the address side is fine. PHOTO £400-£500
218 * JAPANESE MILITARY POSTCARD WITH TWO SIGNIFICANT DATE CANCELLATIONS: 1943 (11 Nov.) Japanese military postcard franked with 7s pair and cancelled on 11 Nov 1943 which was 24th anniversary of WWI armistice day, the card also bears a single 4s with c.d.s. of 25 Dec 1944 c.d.s., the third anniversary of the surrender of Hong Kong. Philatelic but scarce. PHOTO £100-£140
219 * COVER FROM SHAMSHUIPO TO MACAO: 1945 (2 May?) env. from Shamshuipo to Macao franked with 1945 3y on 2s General Nogi tied by the despatch c.d.s. with arrival c.d.s. on reverse. The adhesive is damaged at left and the cover soiled. The majority of mail we have recorded from this scarce branch office appears to have been badly handled resulting in staining. PHOTO £300-£400
220 * A REMARKABLE REGISTERED HONG KONG - CANTON - HONG KONG COVER :- RETURNED AFTER THE SURRENDER: 1945 (30 July) env. registered from Hong Kong to Canton (3 Aug) returned to Canton Branch P.O. (8 Aug) thence to Canton P.O. (11 Aug) and finally back to Hong Kong (25 Aug), franked with 1945 occupation 3y on 2s & 5y on 5s both tied by Hong Kong c.d.s. with a registration label (No 231) alongside. All transit h.s. are present inc. bilingual violet "PARTI" and "RETOUR" and boxed "RETOUR" in black. This is a late cover handled by the Japanese P.O. as the Japanese Government surrendered to the Allied Army on 15 Aug 1945. PHOTO £400-£500
221 * LAST DAY OF JAPANESE POST OFFICE CARD: 1945 (31 August) 1.50y on 2s stationery card used locally in Hong Kong franked with 1945 surcharge set tied by fine 31 Aug 1945 c.d.s. which was the last day of the Japanese P.O. in Hong Kong. Some minor foxing at edge and around 5y. Last Day covers are scarce as nobody was aware that the BMA were going to close the offices. PHOTO £400-£500
222 * THE RESEARCH COLLECTION WITH BLOCKS, CANCELLATIONS, ETC.; The fine mint or unused (214) and used (158) collection of Japanese stamps, being corresponding values which were supplied to Hong Kong, including 1937-45 _s to 10y blocks of four and coil stamps’ _s to 14s vertical pairs mint, 1945-46 imperf. values (16) to 10y unused, and Revenues (17) with the rare Stamp Duty imperf. 100y (the only such issued by Japan during the Japanese Occupation) and Japan used in Hong Kong during the Occupation replete with blocks of four with a fine range of cancellations including Kowloon City, Kowloontong, Sai Ying Pun, Shuen Shui Po, Shueng Wan, Stanley, Wanchai, Yau Ma Ti, and Yuen Long; also De Luz cover bearing various values (8) cancelled Tai Po. £500-£600
223 PIECES AND ADHESIVES WITH JAPANESE POST OFFICE C.D.S. : 1941-45 group of pieces (21) and adhesives (27) with a variety of Japanese P.O. cancels inc. values to 50s; the majority are Hong Kong but a few smaller offices are represented. Mostly fine complete or part strikes. (48 items). £100-£140
1945 STAMPS OF JAPAN SURCHARGED FOR USE BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
224 1.50y on 1s to 5.00y on 5s, very fine mint. SG.J1-3, Cat. £889. PHOTO £240-£300
225 1.50y on 1s (one stamp mounted) to 5.00y on 5s (marginal) blocks of four, very fine unmounted mint. The top value has RPSL Certificate of Genuineness (1982). SG.J1-3, Cat. £2,756+. PHOTO £1,500-£2,000
226 THE RARE MISPLACED SURCHARGES IN BLOCKS OF FOUR; 1.50y on 1s with surcharge misplaced downwards into margin, 3.00y on 2s with surcharge to right, and 5.00y on 5s with surcharge dramatically misplaced to right resulting in portions of two surcharges on each stamp, in blocks of four mint, the first is mounted (reinforced) and the top two values are unmounted. A very rare and appealing set. SG.J1-3, Yang J21-23a. PHOTO £3,000-£4,000
227 3.00y on 2s Scarlet, a complete sheet of one hundred (10x10), [6] and [4] have broken top left Chinese character, [51] has broken top right and lower horizontal row of Chinese characters broken, and [63-64] has horizontal row of characters shifted to right, unmounted mint, usual gum creasing. SG.J2, Yang J22b, c. PHOTO £500-£600
228 5.00y on 5s Claret vertical pair from the lower left corner of the sheet, variety surcharge dramatically misplaced to top left resulting in upper stamp showing portions of four surcharges and lower stamp portions of two surcharges, very fine mint, top stamp is unmounted. A spectacular variety. BPA Certificate of Genuineness (1982). SG.J3 var., Yang 23a. PHOTO £1,500-£2,000
229 1.50y on 1s to 5.00y on 5s, fine used. SG.J1-3, Cat. £170. £50-£60
230 1,50y on 1s to 5.00y on 5s on piece, tied by Wantsai c.d.s. (20.4.16), the day of issue, peripheral gum staining. SG.J1-3, Cat. £170+. £100-£120
231 1.50y on 1s to 5.00y on 5s, blocks of four centrally cancelled by Yau Ma Ti c.d.s., very fine. SG.J1-3. £160-£200
232 1.50y on 1s to 5.00y on 5s blocks of four, fine used. SG.J1-3. £150-£180
233 3.00y on 2s Scarlet, block of four cancelled by Wanchai c.d.s. of 20.8.31, one day later than the last day for Wanchai recorded by Webb. SG.J2. £60-£80
THE POSTAL HISTORY OF THE TREATY PORTS, 1809-1922 (THE SECOND AND FINAL PART OF THIS SPECTACULAR COLLECTION)
AMOY POSTAL HISTORY, 1842-1922
234 THE EARLIEST RECORDED COVER FROM AMOY - CAMPAIGN LETTER SENT UNDER COVER TO LONDON & POSTED WITH G.B. 1d RED; Remarkable 30th Nov. 1842 EL (worn folds but complete and attractive) from "Koolongsoo" (headed thus inside and also with this place and the date of sending clearly endorsed beside the address on the front) to "Jersey", sent outside the mails (by favour of a naval Captain?) to London and posted there, and so with a G.B. 1d Red imperf. (3_ margins) tied by a very fine London Number "6" in Maltese Cross, with London (18th April 1843) and "JERSEY" (19th April 1843) datestamps on the top flap. Long interesting letter from the addressee's husband, a junior officer with the British Expeditionary Force, en route from Chusan; "We, the left wing, left Chusan on the 16th of Novbr., after being a fortnight on board, and arrived at Kolungsoo on the 22nd of November...Kolungsoo is off Amoy and we are situated on the Western side; it appears a very healthy place, but...Amoy as far as I have heard, is a very large and dirty city, the Residence of a Viceroy. There is very few Chinese here; whole villages have been destroyed and laid waste, by whom I do not know...". Rare and Important Campaign Letter from the closing stages of the 1st Opium War, written only three months after the opening of the Treaty Ports to Britain under the Treaty of Nanking on 29th Aug. 1842. Dated more than three years before the earliest Amoy cover recorded by Webb (p.248). [Ex Ishikawa, 1980, lot 447]. PHOTO £1,500-£2,000
235 RARE PRESTAMP USAGE OF THE "AMOY/PAID" DATESTAMP; 10th Nov. 1860 env. (some wrinkling along top and at right) to Scotland "via Southampton", having a mostly fine red "AMOY/A/NO 10/60/PAID" c.d.s. (Webb 106; rarer on prestamp covers than on those with HK stamps) on the front, along with red crayon "6" and "5" and a very fine red boxed Hong Kong "PAID" transit mark (supported by a fine encircled 12th Nov. "HONG KONG" c.d.s. on the reverse). Webb only recorded eight prestamp examples of this "AMOY/PAID" mark, and only a further six had been recorded by 1991. [Ex Ishikawa, 1980; lot 448]. PHOTO £1,200-£1,500
236 RARE 18c LILAC PAIR ON "AMOY" COVER TO U.S.A. VIA EUROPE; 29th July 1870 env. (minor wrinkling) to New York "Via Marseilles", franked by a horizontal pair of the scarce 1863-71 18c lilac (wmk. CC; cat. £1800 each as a single on ordinary cover from Hong Kong; very much rarer from Amoy) cancelled by fine "B62" numerals and just tied by the very fine red "LONDON/PAID" transit c.d.s. (19th Sept.); there is a very fine black "AMOY/A/JY 29/70" c.d.s. on the flap with a very fine "HONG·KONG" c.d.s. of 31st July nearby. Important Exhibition Item. [Ex Roosevelt, 1946 - cachet on reverse]. PHOTO £1,500-£2,000
237 BLUE C.D.S. WITH SINGLE 8c ORANGE FRANKING CANCELLED "B62", TO HONG KONG; 23rd May 1872 E (minor ink mark below address) to Hong Kong "per [Ship] Sunshine", franked by Hong Kong 8c orange tied by a very fine "B62" numeral, with a red ink "4" alongside, and having a fine blue "AMOY/A" c.d.s. on the flap slightly overstruck by the 25th May HK arrival c.d.s. There is also a very fine blue oval "AMOY" firm's cachet on the front. Attractive. PHOTO £240-£300
238 THE UNIQUE "D27" COVER TO SINGAPORE WITH THE OTHERWISE UNRECORDED RED "REGISTERED/AMOY" OVAL DATESTAMP & THE RARE RED OVAL "REGISTERED/HONG-KONG" DATESTAMP; Remarkable and Spectacular 20th Aug. 1877 env. (minor toning/creasing and some ink-etching; but with complete "SHORT, SHORT & CO." printed flap, and with original contents:- a neatly folded Chinese EL with red chops, concerning a Chinese estate in Singapore, with the matching contemporary translation) addressed to "Singapore Per First opportunity, Registered". Franked by Hong Kong 8c orange & 12c blue, each tied by a very fine grey-black "D.27" numeral; also having a very fine red oval "REGISTERED/AU 20/77/AMOY" datestamp (Webb Ri) nicely placed beside the address, and a similar very fine red oval "REGISTERED/HONG-KONG" transit datestamp (Webb Rii; "rare" & this example 20 days later than recorded) on the reverse. Webb only recorded a single part strike of the "REGISTERED/AMOY" oval datestamp on a loose undated adhesive; this example remains the only one known on cover as far as we know. [It sold for £10,912 in a Christies' auction, 2nd Nov. 1994.] Arguably the most important of all Amoy covers and one of the "Greats" of Treaty Port Philately. PHOTO (front) PHOTO (back) £10,000-£12,000
239 UNIQUE (?) "D27" COVER WITH THE RARE 16c ON 18c LILAC SURCHARGE; 11th July 1877 env. (minor parts of two flaps lost) to Scotland "via Brindisi" franked by an 1876 "16/cents." o.p. 18c lilac tied by a fine strike of the rare "D.27" numeral, with a very fine small "A/AMOY" c.d.s. (Webb E) alongside, having partial Hong Kong and Thurso transit c.d.s.'s on the reverse. Very few "D.27" covers have been recorded (several of those recorded by Webb are in fact fronts, including both those that he illustrates on Plate 33), and this is thought to be the only recorded usage of this rare 16c surcharge on a D.27 cover; indeed the 16c surcharge is rare used on any Treaty Port cover. Important Exhibition Item which realised £ 4,500 in 1984. [Ex Dyer]. With RPSL Certificate of Genuineness (1990). PHOTO £5,000-£6,000
240 "A1" 32c-RATE COVER TO FRANCE WITH RARE 16c YELLOW FRANKING; Remarkable 10th July 1878 env. (very minor wrinkling) to Bordeaux "By first mail", franked by two slightly overlapping examples of the scarce 1877 16c yellow (rare used in the Treaty Ports), tied to each other by a single very fine "A1" numeral and also tied to the cover by a poor red French 2-ring "POSS. ANG. V. BRIND." c.d.s., with a very fine uncoded "AMOY" c.d.s. (Webb E) alongside. There is a very fine 12th July "HONG-KONG" transit c.d.s. on the back flap. Colourful and very rare thus; very few covers with the 16c Yellow used from Treaty Ports are known, and the use of two examples is truly exceptional. Important Exhibition Item. PHOTO £4,000-£5,000
1-80
81-159
160-240
241-320
321-400
401-438