Ava Auctions 11th Summer Auction

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China Pre-philately

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China Pre-philately

Lot 1711

7,000.00 HKD

Sold

1836 (29 Jun) Philadelphia, U.S.A. to Canton, China, forwarded by Morrisan Cryder & Co., London The red boxed WETMORE &

1836 (29 Jun) Philadelphia, U.S.A. to Canton, China, forwarded by Morrisan Cryder & Co., London The red boxed WETMORE & CO. [花旗滑摩公司住孖英行頭進] in Canton was usually applied in a U.K. based letter. This is indeed rare to see such Chinese Forwarder agent stamp appeared in a letter sent from Philadelphia, U.SA. to Canton. And even good is the letter is forwarded by “Morrisan Cryder & Co. London” forwarding agent. An early use of forwarding agent letter near the beginning of the First Opium War. 1836年6月29日，美國費城寄往中國廣州，經倫敦Morrisan Cryder & Co.轉遞此信加蓋廣州「花旗滑摩公司住孖英行頭進」紅色方框戳，此類中文轉遞商戳通常見於英國寄出的信件，而此信從美國費城寄出，實屬罕見。更難得的是，信件經倫敦「Morrisan Cryder & Co.」轉遞，為鴉片戰爭初期轉遞商郵件的早期範例。

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]

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。

Lot 1749

3,000.00 HKD

Live

1860 (24 Sep) cover to Captain Canel of Voltigeurs 1st Battalion, 102me Infantry Ligne, Corp Expedition de Chine The cover was sent from

1860 (24 Sep) cover to Captain Canel of Voltigeurs 1st Battalion, 102me Infantry Ligne, Corp Expedition de Chine The cover was sent from Nantes, France to Monsieur Canel, Captain of the 1st Field Battalion of 102 Regiment Infantry of French Expeditionary Force in China. The French 102 Regiment Infantry has participated in the important Third Battle of Taku Forts and Battle of Palikao 八里橋之戰in Aug – Sept 1860, which determined direct penetration to Beijing. At the time of sending this cover, it was right about the time of the Battle of Palikao (21 Sept 1860) and the Imperial forces were defeated by the Anglo-French expeditions, forcing the Imperial Government to sign the Convention of Peking when the cover arrived in China in Nov 1860. Route: Nantes, France to Voltigeurs 1 Battalion 102me Infantry Ligne / Corp Exp. Chine via Marseilles Rate: France Napoleon 20c x 2 canceled by lozange chiffre Marking: Nantes cds (24 Sept 1860), Lyon A Marseilles cds (26 Sept 1860), boxed “PD” in red color 1860年9月24日法國南特寄往中國法軍遠征隊第102步兵團之信封寄至中國參與八里橋戰役及攻入北京的法軍主力部隊軍官 Canel 上尉。此信於1860年9月24日由法國南特（Nantes）寄出，收件人為Canel 上尉，隸屬於法國遠征軍第102步兵團第一野戰營（Voltigeurs）。該部隊為第二次鴉片戰爭期間法軍核心作戰單位，參與了1860年8月的第三次大沽口戰役與9月21日的八里橋戰役（Battle of Palikao），兩役皆為聯軍攻佔北京的關鍵戰事。此信寄出時正值八里橋戰役爆發之際，當信件於11月抵達中國時，清廷已於聯軍壓境下簽署《北京條約》，結束第二次鴉片戰爭。歷史與郵政意義在於（1）此件郵品與第二次鴉片戰爭最關鍵戰役時點同步，直接對應聯軍取勝與清廷議和之重要歷史節點。（2）寄往駐中法軍的實戰部隊軍官（Canel上尉），反映戰時郵政網絡與法軍戰地通訊真實情境。（3）為研究法軍在華軍事部署、作戰節奏與戰地郵件運作的稀有郵品。本封信寄達正值中法英三方重新劃定外交與通商條件之歷史時刻，具高度象徵意義。

Lot 1750

3,000.00 HKD

Live

1860 (9 Oct) an important letter sent from Clifton, Bristol, England to Lieutenant Geoffrey at the Expeditionary Force in North China An

1860 (9 Oct) an important letter sent from Clifton, Bristol, England to Lieutenant Geoffrey at the Expeditionary Force in North China An important letter dated shortly after July 1860, written during the final phase of the Second Opium War. falls at a critical moment in the final phase of the Second Opium War, just days before the climax of the entire campaign. The timing of the letter being dispatched closely precedes the Anglo-French occupation of Peking on 6 Oct., and the infamous burning of the Old Summer Palace on 18-19 October 1860. The letter references chaotic scenes around Peking and Tientsin, with civilians fleeing, peace uncertain, and trade suspended. It captures Allied views on Chinese internal instability — citing 10,000 troops tied down by rebellion — while highlighting logistical and command updates within the British expeditionary force. Mentions of Lord Elgin, Captain Lushington, and others place this within the decisive period just before the fall of Peking and the looting of the Summer Palace on 18-19 October 1860 ... the 29th May too late for the mail that month — the half of the 25th consequently the one but gets it to the investors. The letter content mentioned: “We are in daily expectation now of hearing from China of the expedition, having received your last of the 24 & 25 duly from Taku or Talién Whan Bay on the 5th last ……That the peace also uncertain, and that trade is suspended. The people there are very discontented; that they have but only 9000 against us and 10,000 against the Rebels who are cutting up the Empire. I also expect Lord Elgin will be able to anticipate the address of your actual dispatch of speech — if your actual detachment is split up to 3 companies, Col. L. ought to allow your portion of this to your position & salary …… Captain Lushington is promoted by General Rosecrans, and Walton is put up for promotion …… 1860年9月24日法國南特寄往中國法軍遠征隊第102步兵團之信封寄至中國參與八里橋戰役及攻入北京的法軍主力部隊軍官 Canel 上尉。此信於1860年9月24日由法國南特（Nantes）寄出，收件人為Canel 上尉，隸屬於法國遠征軍第102步兵團第一野戰營（Voltigeurs）。該部隊為第二次鴉片戰爭期間法軍核心作戰單位，參與了1860年8月的第三次大沽口戰役與9月21日的八里橋戰役（Battle of Palikao），兩役皆為聯軍攻佔北京的關鍵戰事。此信寄出時正值八里橋戰役爆發之際，當信件於11月抵達中國時，清廷已於聯軍壓境下簽署《北京條約》，結束第二次鴉片戰爭。歷史與郵政意義在於（1）此件郵品與第二次鴉片戰爭最關鍵戰役時點同步，直接對應聯軍取勝與清廷議和之重要歷史節點。（2）寄往駐中法軍的實戰部隊軍官（Canel上尉），反映戰時郵政網絡與法軍戰地通訊真實情境。（3）為研究法軍在華軍事部署、作戰節奏與戰地郵件運作的稀有郵品。本封信寄達正值中法英三方重新劃定外交與通商條件之歷史時刻，具高度象徵意義。