Ava Auctions 11th Summer Auction

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China Airmail stamps

China

China Airmail stamps

China

China Airmail stamps

Lot 278

2,200.00 HKD

Sold

Undercover Mail: 1941 Jacky Maeder & Co., Zuruch cover from Lisbon (12 Jul) to Shanghai via Hong Kong. WWII censor airmail cover,

Undercover Mail: 1941 Jacky Maeder & Co., Zuruch cover from Lisbon (12 Jul) to Shanghai via Hong Kong. WWII censor airmail cover, f.w. Portuguese airmail issue x3, tied by Lisbon cds., alongside with registered mark. On reverse showing Lisbon octagonal airmail cds, Hong Kong "AIR TRANSIT / 4" circular seal. Censored and re-sealed. Transit New York (13 Jul). Arrived Shanghai (6 Aug). Probably sent out through neutral country to ensure successful delivery. 1941.7.12 Jacky Maeder & Co.公司經里斯本經香港寄上海。二戰檢查航空封，貼葡國航空票3枚，銷里斯本日戳，旁鈐掛號戳。背面蓋有里斯本八角形航空日戳及香港“AIR TRANSIT / 4”藍色圓戳。檢查並重封。7.13經紐約。8.6抵上海。應是為確保順利送遞而經葡國寄出。有趣難得。

China

Lot 387

12,000.00 HKD

Lot retreated

LOS WURDE ZURÜCKGEZOGEN

China

China Pre-philately

Lot 1279

48,000.00 HKD

Sold

1909 (9 Jan) Chentu to Kathmandu. From the last Nepal Tribute Mission to China, to the Maharaja, on their return journey. Transit Shanghai

1909 (9 Jan) Chentu to Kathmandu. From the last Nepal Tribute Mission to China, to the Maharaja, on their return journey. Transit Shanghai (28 Jan), Tuticorin (16 Feb) to arrive Nepal (Kathmandu, 21 Feb). The Mission enjoyed provisions from yizhan in China and Tibet, but mail route was not yet open, hence the detour of this letter by sea route. Holcombe Certificate 1983. Ex-Chazen. 1909.1.9成都寄往“泥巴爾”，由貢使寄給尼泊爾大君，1.28經上海，2.16經印度Tuticorin，2.21到達加德滿都。貢使享用驛站招待，經四川走陸路回國，但陸路尚未通郵，需走水路才能送達。1983年豪琴證書，蔡盛舊藏。

China Pre-philately

China

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

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

Lot 1733

56,000.00 HKD

Sold

1844 (29 Aug) Chusan, China to Ceylon via Hong Kong • This is believed to be the earliest civil mail from Chusan Island, China for

1844 (29 Aug) Chusan, China to Ceylon via Hong Kong • This is believed to be the earliest civil mail from Chusan Island, China for overseas mail through Hong Kong post office system. • This mail is also the earliest in use of red colour large crown PAID AT HONG-KONG (first type) together with a very fine type-7 dispatch backstamp HONG-KONG double arc c.d.s. in black dated (SE 23 / 1844). • This was probably the earliest inter-port rate used in China to Hong Kong. This Chusan mail carried an inter-port rate of “4” manuscript rate, which stands for 4d charged from Chusan to Hong Kong. Chusan was officially returned from British administration to China in 1842 but some British connection has been maintained since then. Another early Chusan mail sent overseas is referred to Spink Sale January 2022, lot 105 which was dated 25 Dec 1844, four month later than this letter. But that entire letter had only the dispatch backstamp type-7 HK double arc c.d.s. without the use of the rare large crown PAID AT HONG-KONG. 1844年8月29日中國舟山經香港寄出錫蘭 • 此件被認為是舟山最早經由香港民用郵政系統寄往海外之郵件 • 本件同時為最早使用紅色大型皇冠圖「PAID AT HONG-KONG」首型戳（配合極清晰之7型黑色雙弧線香港中轉戳「HONG-KONG / SE 23 / 1844」）之實例 • 此郵資可能為中國境內寄往香港最早採用之埠際郵費。該舟山郵件手寫註明「4」字郵資，代表舟山至香港段收取4便士資費。舟山雖於1842年自英國管治正式歸還中國，然此後仍維持若干英國聯繫另一件較早舟山海外郵件可參見Spink 2022年1月拍賣第105號拍品（1844年12月25日寄出，較本件遲四個月），然該件僅帶7型香港雙弧線中轉戳，未加蓋此珍罕之大型皇冠「PAID AT HONG-KONG」戳記。

China Pre-philately

China

China Pre-philately

China

Lot 1735

3,400.00 HKD

Sold

1853 (24 Feb) Shanghai to New York, USA – Taiping Rebellion Episode The content of the letter refers to the early state of the

1853 (24 Feb) Shanghai to New York, USA – Taiping Rebellion Episode The content of the letter refers to the early state of the Taiping Rebellion in February 1853, right before the time when the rebels took over Nanking as the Heavenly Capital 天京: “… but this season, the movement has been prevented or delayed by fears as to the result of the rebellion …. The impression is gaining ground among the Chinese that the rebels will not risk an attempt upon Nanking 南京, which is strongly garrisoned with some of the best troops of Empire. They (the rebels) are however in possession of Chongsha 長沙 and Honkow 漢口 ….” Route: Shanghai to New York, USA via Marseilles routed British packet Rate: 65 cents for ¼ oz unpaid rate composed of 34c to British Post Office, 10c to French Post Office, 16c for Transatlantic charge, 5c to US inland charge Marking: 65 handstamp rate in black; 60 manuscript rate; 2(s)/6(d) manuscript rate (for charge to British PO); Hong Kong transit cds (10 Mar 1853); London transit cds (28 Apr 1853) Ex Drucker Family Collection (Robert A. Siegel Auction, 2/2003) 1853 年 2 月 24 日上海寄至紐約的信函 – 太平天國起義內容涉及太平天國起義初期與清軍的戰爭及攻克南京（易名天京）前的情況 1852 年 8 月（咸豐二年七月）太平天國攻打長沙，同年 12 月攻下漢陽一帶。1853 年 2 月爆發了「巢湖之戰」，太平軍擊潰清軍。1853 年 3 月爆發「江寧之戰」，太平軍攻克南京，易名天京，清軍兩江總督陣亡。信函所提及的正是上述一段太平天國在其起義初期重要戰事爭奪湖南一帶為其盤據屯兵要點的實紀。 Drucker家族舊藏（2003/2 Siegel）

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。