Ava Auctions 11th Summer Auction

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All lots Aftersale lots Sold at auction

China Postal stationery

China

China Postal stationery

Lot 113

1,300.00 HKD

Sold

1901 Paoting (30 Mar) to France. ICP 1st Print PSC, uprated by Coiling Dragon 4c, tied by Paoting Dollar cds. Transit Tientsin (1 Apr) and

1901 Paoting (30 Mar) to France. ICP 1st Print PSC, uprated by Coiling Dragon 4c, tied by Paoting Dollar cds. Transit Tientsin (1 Apr) and Shanghai Chinese PO (6 Apr). In combination with French Peace and Commerce issue ovpt. Chine 10c but no French PO cds. Arrived Versailles (11 May). 2008 (Dec) Interasia. 1901.3.30 保定寄法國。大清第一版郵資片，加貼蟠龍4分，銷保定大圓戳。4.1經天津，4.6經上海中國郵局。加貼法國和平及商貿神像加蓋Chine 10生丁但未銷法國客郵局日戳。5.11抵Versailles。2008.12 Interasia。

Lot 116

1,300.00 HKD

Live

1901 Paoting (15 Jun) to Germany. ICP 1st Print PSC, uprated by Coiling Dragon 1/2c in pair + 1c x2 + 2c, tied by Paoting Dollar cds.

1901 Paoting (15 Jun) to Germany. ICP 1st Print PSC, uprated by Coiling Dragon 1/2c in pair + 1c x2 + 2c, tied by Paoting Dollar cds. Transit Shanghai Chinese PO (21 Jun). In combination with French Peace and Commerce issue ovpt. Chine 10c, tied by Shanghai French PO cds. 2005 (Dec) PhilaChina, lot 334. 1901.6.15 保定寄德國。大清第一版郵資片，加貼蟠龍半分雙連 + 1分x2 + 2分，銷保定大圓戳。6.21經上海中國郵局。加貼法國和平及商貿神像加蓋Chine 10生丁，銷上海法局日戳。2005.12 PhilaChina，拍品334。

China

China Pre-philately

China

Lot 1721

4,200.00 HKD

Sold

1840 (3 Aug) entire letter from London to Edmund Moubray Lyons on H.M.S Melville, China; sent “Per Marian” and rated “2/–” in

1840 (3 Aug) entire letter from London to Edmund Moubray Lyons on H.M.S Melville, China; sent “Per Marian” and rated “2/–” in pink ink with PAID postmark, originally sent to Bombay, and then redirected to H.M.S. Melville, China via Calcutta, India. On the flap, a legible handwriting of “Received on December 19th, Chuenpee, 1840”. HMS Melville, a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line, was actively engaged in various operations during the First Opium War in 1840. In December of 1840, she was involved in several key actions along China’s coast. HMS Melville was actively patrolling and engaging in operations in the regions surrounding Chuenpee (or, Chuenpi) near Canton and its vicinity during late 1840 and early 1841. The letter was sent by Lyons’ family, counting the good news of his newborn niece. This piece contains a few comments and information about the opium war and geopolitics at the time, providing insights to the family life of a British military officer. Also, the content indicated that the family of Lyons had a close relations with the royal family as the Queen Victoria was going to be the Godmother of the baby who would be also given the name Victoria. Edmund Moubray Lyons was the second son of Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons. In 1841, he participated in the Battle of the Bogue and the Battle of Canton. He was promoted to Lieutenant afterward. On 7 January 1841, HMS Melville participated in an operation near Anunghouy, where British and Indian forces, along with naval support, landed to attack and destroy the forts at Chuenpee and Tycocktow. Following this, on 21 January 1841, HMS Melville departed from the Bocca Tigris area for Lantao Island. By 26 February 1841, the ship was engaged in operations near Wangtung, entering the western channel and engaging Chinese batteries. Ex Pecival David 1840年8月3日倫敦致H.M.S. Melville艦埃德蒙·莫布雷·萊昂斯信函經”瑪麗安號”寄遞，粉紅墨標註”2/–”郵資及”PAID”戳記，原寄孟買後改道印度加爾各答轉遞中國。封口處清晰手書「1840年12月19日於穿鼻收訖」。74門炮三等戰列艦”梅爾維爾號”於1840年12月在穿鼻附近海域執行任務。此為萊昂斯家族報喜信，透露新生姪女將由維多利亞女王擔任教母並命名為維多利亞。埃德蒙·莫布雷·萊昂斯為埃德蒙·萊昂斯海軍上將次子，1841年參與虎門戰役與廣州戰役後晉升中尉。信中另含鴉片戰爭局勢與地緣政治評述。[來源：珀西瓦爾·大維德爵士珍藏]

China Pre-philately

China

China Pre-philately

Lot 1725

7,000.00 HKD

Sold

Eastern Expedition Letter (arrival in England on 15 February 1841), marked with “LIVERPOOL SHIP LETTER” handstamp, with unpaid

Eastern Expedition Letter (arrival in England on 15 February 1841), marked with “LIVERPOOL SHIP LETTER” handstamp, with unpaid rate “1/4” manuscript. This Eastern Expedition letter was believed to dispatched from Chusan based on the fact that (1) this is an Eastern Expedition mail where it was in China seas in July 1840, and (2) the mail mentioned the writer was in H.M.S. Wellesey which was sent north to Tinghai and Chusan area at that time. Lee Scamp Far East Mail Ship Itineraries – Page 24, Note 17 mentioned the following: “The collection formed by Mr Sussex included the earliest known newspaper wrapper from China. The copy of the “CP” (China Post) which it enclosed was dated 1.8.40. The (steamer) “Kitty”, which left for Singapore and Calcutta on 4.8, was the next ship which the “CP” listed as having departed China for India. Since the “LT” (London Times) of 8.12 reported the arrival of news from China to 4.8, including from Chusan to 18.7, it is clear that mail was carried by the “Kitty”……”. Based on the above, this Eastern Expedition mail might be sent from Chusan on 18 July, and then via HK in a closed bag mail to England. Good opium war mail having “Eastern Expedition” mark the letter. 東方遠征郵件（1841年2月15日抵達英格蘭）此信件蓋有”LIVERPOOL SHIP LETTER”手蓋戳記，並以手寫註明未付郵資”1/4”。根據以下證據，此東方遠征郵件被認為是從舟山發出：(1)作為1840年7月於中國海域的東方遠征郵件；(2)信中提及作者當時所在的H.M.S. Wellesley號正北上定海及舟山地區。 Lee Scamp《遠東郵船航線》第24頁註釋17記載：”薩塞克斯先生收藏中包含已知最早的中國新聞紙封套。內附的《中國郵報》(CP)日期為1840年8月1日。蒸汽船’Kitty’號於8月4日啟程前往新加坡與加爾各答，是《中國郵報》所列下一班離華赴印船隻。由於《倫敦時報》(LT)12月8日報導了截至8月4日的中國消息（含舟山至7月18日的訊息），顯然郵件是由’Kitty’號載運......”。據此推斷，此東方遠征郵件可能於7月18日從舟山發出，經香港以密封郵袋轉運至英格蘭。此為帶有”東方遠征”標記的優質鴉片戰爭郵件。

China Pre-philately

China

Lot 1726

5,600.00 HKD

Sold

1841 (22 Mar) China Expedition Mail on board H.M.S Alligator, An entire letter marked “China Expedition” written by Robert Mckenzie on

1841 (22 Mar) China Expedition Mail on board H.M.S Alligator, An entire letter marked “China Expedition” written by Robert Mckenzie on board H.M.S. Alligator to his wife in Portsmouth; marked “China Expedition” and rated “8” in black ink. On the flap with “SHIP LETTER” cachet and Portsmouth arrival c.d.s (OC 9 1841). This letter was sent by a Boatswain, which is a warrant officer in Royal Navy and responsible for rigging, anchors, sails, maintenance of deck equipment. H.M.S. Alligator was a 28-gun sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy that took part in the early stages of the First Opium War. In 1839, it was stationed near Canton to protect British interests as tensions escalated. In 1840, it joined the British expeditionary force and played a supporting role in operations along the Chinese coast, including the capture of Chusan in July, where it assisted with troop landings and logistics. Before recalled back, H.M.S. Alligator was finally present in British fleet movements toward the Peiho River and Taku area in 1841. 中國遠征郵件，寄自英國戰艦“鰐魚”號 (H.M.S. Alligator)，1841年3月22日這是一封完整的信件，由羅伯特·麥肯齊在H.M.S. Alligator 上寫給他在樸茨茅斯的妻子，信上標記為「中國遠征」，並用黑色墨水標記「8」。信封蓋有「船信」戳記及樸茨茅斯抵達日戳（1841年10月9日）。這封信是由一位名為「Boatswain」（相當於英國皇家海軍的軍官，專責桅杆、錨、帆及甲板設備維護）的人員寄出的。 H.M.S. Alligator 是皇家海軍的一艘28門六級巡防艦，參加了第一次鴉片戰爭的早期階段。1839年，它被駐紮在廣州附近，以保護英國利益，因為當時局勢日益緊張。1840年，它加入了英國遠征軍的行列，並在中國海岸的行動中扮演支援角色，包括7月在定海的攻占行動，協助部隊登陸及物流。在被召回之前，H.M.S Alligator 最後參加了1841年英國艦隊向白河和大沽地區的行動。

China

Lot 1742

2,000.00 HKD

Live

1859 (27 May) Cover from Britain to British Navy HMS Camilla/Retribution at China Seas 27 May 1859, cover from Curzon-St, Britain to naval

1859 (27 May) Cover from Britain to British Navy HMS Camilla/Retribution at China Seas 27 May 1859, cover from Curzon-St, Britain to naval officer Albert Markham at China station who was originally on HMS Camilla, then probably change to onboarding HMS Retribution, matching with pencil mark of [HMS] Retribution. From March 1858, HMS Camilla stationed in Canton River until Feb 1859 when she sailed to Hong Kong. Markham changed to serve HMS Retribution at the time. Markham eventually rose to the rank of admiral at navy force. HMS Camilla was a 16-gun sloop launched in 1847. In Feb 1857 shortly after the outbreak of the Second Opium War, HMS Camilla was sent to China Station staying at various key treaty ports including Canton, Amoy, Foochow, Shanghai and Hong Kong to support British naval military actions until mid 1860. Thereafter, she was assigned to Japan but was lost in a typhoon in 1861. HMS Retribution, 10-gun frigate, East India Station (Shanghai), was involved with the Tai-Ping Rebels up the Yang-tse-kiang River. Route: From Curzon-St via London and Marseilles to naval warships of HMS Retribution which was stationed at China seas at the time. Rate: QV 1 penny, 2 pence and 6 pence each, canceled by London cds (27 MY 59) Marking: Curzon-St despatch cds, London transit cds (27 MY 59) 1859年5月27日英國信封寄往駐中國艦隊 — HMS Camilla / Retribution 寄至皇家海軍軍官 Albert Markham，正值第二次鴉片戰爭中期艦隊調動關鍵時段。本封信於1859年5月27日自英國 Curzon-St. 寄出，收件人為皇家海軍軍官 Albert Hastings Markham，信件原寄至HMS Camilla，信封上後來以鉛筆加註「(HMS) Retribution」，顯示Markham或已轉調至HMS Retribution，符合1859年初Camilla返港後的人事調動。軍事背景與艦隊部署：(1) HMS Camilla 1847年下水之16門火炮戰艦，自1857年起即駐守中國水域，支援第二次鴉片戰爭中的軍事行動，足跡遍及廣州、廈門、福州、上海與香港。1860年後調往日本，並於1861年在颱風中失事沉沒。(2) HMS Retribution 10門火炮的蒸汽動力軍艦，隸屬於東印度艦隊（駐上海），參與太平天國內戰期間沿長江上游巡防與干預行動。歷史意義：此信為寄往英國皇家海軍駐中國艦隊軍官的實寄封，反映戰爭時期海軍人員調動與艦隊部署實況。軍官 Markham 日後晉升為英國皇家海軍上將，其在鴉片戰爭與東亞地區的經歷意義重大。

Lot 1743

3,000.00 HKD

Live

1859 (7 Jun) England to 65th Regiment N.I. at Canton, China A cover of Surgeon Alexander Gibbon correspondence sent to its stationed 65th

1859 (7 Jun) England to 65th Regiment N.I. at Canton, China A cover of Surgeon Alexander Gibbon correspondence sent to its stationed 65th Regiment Native Infantry. The cover was attached with UK stamp 4p x2 and 1p x1 cancelled byt Aberdeen c.d.s. dated June 7, 1859. On the front side, it marked the receiving manuscript on 24 July (1859). This cover, dated 7 June 1859 and addressed to Surgeon Alexander Gibbon of the 65th Regiment of Native Infantry (N.I.) stationed at Canton, captures a critical period between the failed Second Battle of Taku Forts (25–26 June 1859) and the subsequent intensification of Anglo-French military preparations. The 65th Regiment N.I., likely part of the British Indian Army’s reinforcement contingent, was deployed to Southern China as part of the ongoing effort to maintain control over treaty ports and secure strategic positions following earlier successes in Canton. The manuscript arrival mark of 24 July 1859 places this letter’s delivery just weeks after the Allied defeat at Taku, a moment when British command was reorganizing and reinforcing its presence in the region. This correspondence thus reflects the critical military positioning and transcontinental communications that underpinned Britain’s shifting strategy in the lead-up to the decisive 1860 northern campaign. 1859年6月7日英國寄往中國廣州 — 軍醫 Alexander Gibbon 致第65本地步兵團（65th Regiment N.I.）之信封郵票貼有4便士2枚與1便士1枚，蓋有英國亞伯丁（Aberdeen）日戳，信封正面手寫收件時間為1859年7月24日。此封郵件寄至駐中國廣州的第65本地步兵團（65th Regiment of Native Infantry）。寄出時間為1859年6月7日，信件抵達時間為1859年7月24日，正值第二次鴉片戰爭第二次大沽口戰役（1859年6月25日至26日）失敗前後的軍事關鍵期。第65本地步兵團隸屬於英屬印度陸軍體系，極有可能作為英軍駐守華南地區的增援部隊，協助控制包括廣州在內的通商口岸。此信的寄達時間距離聯軍在北方大沽口的失敗僅約一個月，當時英軍正處於重新部署與戰略重整的過渡期。此件郵品除具備戰地郵件實寄的文物價值外，亦體現英國與其殖民地部隊之間在鴉片戰爭期間前線通訊、後勤與軍事動員的實際操作情況，為研究第二次鴉片戰爭戰事演變及駐華英軍結構提供佐證。

Lot 1744

3,000.00 HKD

Live

1859 (25 Oct) Cover from Clifton England to Lieutenant Geoffrey Mairis at the heights of Canton, China – after the Second Battle of Taku

1859 (25 Oct) Cover from Clifton England to Lieutenant Geoffrey Mairis at the heights of Canton, China – after the Second Battle of Taku Forts The Second Battle of Taku Forts.was the most severe failed Anglo-French attempt to seize Taku Forts during the Second Opium War. The failure of the Second Battle of Taku Forts was a blow to both British and French prestige. Both governments were making all necessary military reinforcement and prepared to make another offensive to China again. This cover was sent to Lieutenant Geoffrey Mairis who was serving at the 2™ Battalion Brigade of Royal Marines Light Infantry which happened to station at Canton in the reinforcement period in early 1860. The Letter mentioned about the military reinforcement and related actions: “...... It is said that the French are about to send 18,000 men to China and our force for active operations will be 10,000 at least, and it is said only report that our government contemplates seizing Chusan and some other place kept secret ......” Route: Clifton, Britain to Canton, China via Marseilles Rate: 9d for ¼ oz regular rate from Great Britain to China Marking: 1x 1d, 1 x 2d and 1 x 6d QV stamps all cancelled by Clifton obliterator “959”, Clifton cds (25 OC 1859) , Hong Kong cds (15 Dec 1859) 1859年10月25日英國Clifton寄往中國廣州高地的信封致駐守廣州皇家海軍陸戰隊中尉 Geoffrey Mairis 的來信 —— 第二次大沽口戰役後的軍事重整時期第二次大沽口之戰（1859年）是英法聯軍於第二次鴉片戰爭中嘗試奪取大沽炮台的一場重大失敗，對雙方國家聲望均造成打擊。此信正是在此失敗後不久寄出，反映當時英法政府已著手大規模軍事增援，準備對清朝展開下一輪攻勢。信封寄至駐守廣州的英國皇家海軍陸戰隊第二營中尉 Geoffrey Mairis，信中內容提及：「據說法軍將向中國派遣一萬八千人，我軍也將有至少一萬人投入行動；傳聞我國政府有意佔領舟山以及另一個保密地點……」歷史意義：此信展現了英法聯軍在1859年挫敗後的戰略重組與對中國進一步進軍的準備，為研究第二次鴉片戰爭期間西方軍事部署與遠東郵政通訊提供重要史料依據。

Lot 1748

7,000.00 HKD

Live

1860 (4 Jul) French Expeditionary Force incoming envelope from France to French Expedition War Ship “Le Duperré ” via CEC BAU A field

1860 (4 Jul) French Expeditionary Force incoming envelope from France to French Expedition War Ship “Le Duperré ” via CEC BAU A field office in HK 4 July 1860 – Incoming French Military Mail to Le Duperré, via Corps Expéditionnaire de Chine “BAU A” Hong Kong Rare incoming military envelope sent to Monsieur Alexandre Massin, naval surgeon aboard the French expeditionary warship Le Duperré, care of CEC BAU A field office in Hong Kong during the Second Opium War. • Postage underpaid in France; taxed 30 centimes upon arrival in Hong Kong with red boxed “Affranchissement / Insuffisant” and “30c” due handstamp, consistent with the officer class unpaid rate (50c) less 20c prepaid (In the middle of the cover, it was stamped double-ring “CORPS EXP. CHINE / BAU A” overstruck by a rhomboid cancellation “CECA” adjacent to “30c” rate mark., signaling that the penalty rate was paid at arrival by recipient when arrived). • Struck with scarce “CORPS EXP. CHINE / BAU A” double-circle and rhomboid “CECA” cancellation—only in use in Hong Kong for 7 months (May–Nov 1860). • Le Duperré saw combat at Peiho (Taku Forts) and later served as a hospital ship by December 1860. This is one of very few known incoming covers routed via the short-lived CEC BAU A Hong Kong field post office, with war-time military tax handling. It reflects both the logistical complexity of Franco-British operations in China and the critical role of field post during the final offensive phase of the Second Opium War. 1860年7月4日自法國巴黎寄至法國遠征艦「Le Duperré」之郵封使用「CORPS EXP. CHINE / BAU A」與「CECA」軍郵標記，罕見來函用例本信件寄至駐紮香港的法國遠征軍戰艦「Le Duperré」（1860年參與北方軍事行動，年底轉為醫療艦），由巴黎寄出，收件人為軍醫官Alexandre Massin先生，屬軍官等級。由於只付費20c，但應付為50c軍官郵資，因此抵達時收取30c罰金，蓋有紅色框格「Affranchissement Insuffisant」及「30c」欠資戳。信封中央加蓋**「CORPS EXP. CHINE / BAU A」雙圈戳**，旁蓋菱形「CECA」銷戳，說明本信為戰地郵局BAU A（駐港）收件，並由收件人支付罰資。 • BAU A戰地郵局在港僅設置7個月（1860年5月至11月），此時期的來函郵件極為稀少。 • 此件為極罕見的不足資處理來信（欠資30c由收件人補付），實屬軍郵中少見用例。 • 「Le Duperré」與**第二次鴉片戰爭（1860北伐與佔領北京）**軍事行動息息相關，彰顯法軍參與亞洲戰事之戰地郵政運作。此信封不僅展現當時法軍與清廷戰爭中的後勤與郵政鏈接，亦是短暫駐港戰地郵局運作的直接實物見證，為軍郵與鴉片戰爭歷史研究的珍稀標本。