Ava Auctions 12th Autumn Auction

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Hongkong Treaty Ports

Lot 1831

3,400.00 HKD

Sold

First Opium War – The Opium Trade Opium Clipper Ship Water Witch: 1836 (11 July, and 5 August) two letters of account written on board

First Opium War – The Opium Trade Opium Clipper Ship Water Witch: 1836 (11 July, and 5 August) two letters of account written on board the ‘Water Witch’ at Cumsingoon Island to Edward Crooke in Canton; there are no postal markings with Chinese ink characters “局碌”on the flap; there is the usual light horizontal filing fold. Very Good mails from Cumsingmoon. The 5 August letter mentioned the following opium related incident: “ …… was also dismasted and buffeted onshore about 30 miles to the West of Macao and was totally lost with upwards of 400 Chests of Opium. A Portuguese gentleman who went round to Bombay in her and 110 or 120 other people were drowned. The house of Mr. S. Beale was on board and arrived in Macao the morning before yesterday. No sooner had they landed than the Chinese began to plunder them ……” Water-Witch opium clipper barque built in 1831 at Kidderpore, Calcutta. An interesting letter which illustrates the opium business at that time, the old boats, anchored near the island, acted as warehouses where the opium was loaded onto smaller boats to be smuggled into Canton and other ports. Cumsingmoon is the prominent water gateway of Canton River for the smugglers to privately ship opium chests into Whampoa during 1830s at the beginning of opium smuggling period. A very nice group of opium trade related materials. 鴉片煙快速大飛艇“Water Witch水之女巫號 ”: 1836年7-8月寄廣州Edward Crooke, 此信函寫於金星門 (位處廣州河入口位置) 鴉片走私船Water Witch 送到廣州. 金星門位處廣州河入口位置. 是1830年代鴉片走私船集散之地, 於此地䣃貨在該島附近停泊的舊船上(充當倉庫之用), 再將鴉片装上較小之快艇, 之後再走私駛往廣州, 黄埔等港口; 此信函内容提及1836 年7-8月走私商走私鴉片煙; 不幸的是船被風吹打至岸邊，在距澳門以西約三十英里的地方觸礁，全船一百一十至一百二十人一同罹難連同四百多箱鴉片一併完全喪失。

Lot 1832

3,200.00 HKD

Sold

A group of 7 letter sheets and 1 authorisation letter in the First Opium War periods. One un-sent out letter from Silverlock dated 16 April

A group of 7 letter sheets and 1 authorisation letter in the First Opium War periods. One un-sent out letter from Silverlock dated 16 April 1842, plus two additional letter sheets, and one more Gladstone correspondence letter sheet; all are about the states of trade geopolitical tensions between China and UK at the time. In addition, one more authorization sheet to authenticate the signing authority of John Silverlock to his representative British companies dated 31 December 1842. On top of the above, there are two sheets about the Opium War situations These two stated clearly the military build-up at the beginning of the First Opium War before launching attack to Canton River and further to Chusan period. Letter sheet dated 30 March 1840: “…… Her Majesty’s Ship ‘Druid’ 44 guns commanded by Capt. Lord John Churchill arrived here on the night of the 24th inst., also he is the senior retakes the command from Capt. Smith of the ‘Volage’, he will not, it is understood, commence any hostile proceedings against the Chinese till the arrival of the squadron from India which is expected here the first week in May – the place is perfectly quiet, the Chinese much alarmed at the appearance of the Ship of War ….. “ Letter sheet 6 Jan 1841: “ ...... came down from the fleet with despatches for India. Without delay, it is understood to tow up the men of the 26th & 49th Regiments, just arrived from Chusan via Manila, – those for service to join the force now before the Bogue. Nothing official has been made public, but the general belief is that until Wednesday 7 June is given, the Chinese to amend their terms. Otherwise Capt. Elliot, despairing of diplomacy alone bringing about a settlement, will leave the matter in Commodore Bremer’s hands. Some accounts state that this transfer has actually already taken place …… “

Lot 1833

4,000.00 HKD

Sold

A group of 3 letters around in 1840s around First Opium War period. All three sent from Macao to United Kingdom. One letter cover dated 19

A group of 3 letters around in 1840s around First Opium War period. All three sent from Macao to United Kingdom. One letter cover dated 19 June 1840, with a black handstamp of “SHIP LETTER”, manuscript rate mark of “8(d)” on the front side. On the reverse, cancelled by Liverpool arrival c.d.s. date 18 Nov 1840 in red. Two complete entire letters of Gladstone & Co. dated 13 Dec 1843, transited to UK via Bombay forward Shinner & Co in manuscript, arrival datestamp on 8 March. The letters mentioned the normalization of trade business albeit some tensions remained between the two countries after the end of First Opium War. Turner & Co is also an active UK merchant which often involved opium trading during the First Opium War.

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Lot 1834

3,800.00 HKD

Sold

1841 (Nov 24), from Macao to London, First Opium War letter written after the end of the Second Battle of Chusan and the Battle of Chinhai.

1841 (Nov 24), from Macao to London, First Opium War letter written after the end of the Second Battle of Chusan and the Battle of Chinhai. A very good letter to have described the military developments following the Second Battle of Chusan. The letter described the following: “…… I send you yesterday paper containing an account of the proceedings in the North which are now at a standstill for want of reinforcements on a more vigorous and destructive system of warfare than has hitherto been practiced in China. I cannot understand why we can’t treat these [exactly] Chinese like any other enemy. Having carried in the towns they take, only fritters away the forces in the most wretched way, whereas if they would only burn & pillage a few cities the enemy would see the necessity for coming forward with [terms]. The Army has all the will but his hands are tied by the feebleness and vacillating measures in the Cabinet at home. Until minds were changed, no doubt and union in their hands, England ought not to require such blood sacrifices as the Government pretends of the troops. – As I always thought, and appears from accounts received this morning from India, that throwing away the lawfulness of the [Treaties], the Chinese had at last thrown off the mask, and anticipated by the Celestial Majesty, is about to involve us in a war……” This letter has suggested that the military operations in Northern China at the time have stalled. The writer criticized the restrained British strategy so far, arguing that a harsher, more destructive approach would have compelled quicker Chinese submission. The writer advocated burning or pillaging cities to force negotiations instead of dispersing troops. The writer further blamed the weakness and indecision in the British Cabinet for prolonging the conflict and causing unnecessary losses. After the Second Battle of Chusan in Oct 1841, a critical military move by the British forces in the First Opium War is to shift their strategy and embarked on a decisive course of military actions to re-take, reoccupy Chusan. That formed a base making the British to eventually move from Chusan into Nanking to end the First Opium War.

Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong

Lot 1838

5,000.00 HKD

Sold

Outgoing letter in the use of Indian Ship Letter Rate (from March to Sept 1845) 1845 (March 2), a good cover in 1/2 ounce sent from Hong

Outgoing letter in the use of Indian Ship Letter Rate (from March to Sept 1845) 1845 (March 2), a good cover in 1/2 ounce sent from Hong Kong to England addressed to Foreign Office London, showing a very scarce 4-pence quarter ounce Indian Ship Letter rate, which charged for only 7 months from March to Sept 1845. This special rate applied to letters carried by private ship between India and China in 1845 as announced by British Post Office (please refer to Mr. D.L. Davies in HK Study Circle Journal 269 for further details related to the subject of Indian Ship Letter rate). On the reverse, cancelled by HK despatch c.d.s. (2 Mar), and arrival c.d.s. in London (5 June). The letter was carried by “Anonyma” to Bombay (20 Apr) and then the first voyage of the private ship “Queen” from Bombay to Aden (11 May) across Indian sea. On the obverse, in the upper right-hand corner, a set of manuscript rate marks “1(s)/5(d) plus 10(d) = 2(s)/3(d)” was deleted. A new manuscript rate of “2(s)/7(d)” written in the middle of the cover. Since the 4d Red Seas Ship Letter Rate was newly implemented in March 1845, the above first rate mark of “2/3” was then crossed out and amended to pay “2/7” by adding the newly implemented 4d Red Seas Ship Letter rate. Believed to be the earliest outgoing cover carrying the very short usage of 4d Indian Ship rate to private ship letter. Ex- Peter Shek.

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Lot 1841

2,200.00 HKD

Sold

1846 (Dec 16), a letter sent from New York to Canton China, addressed to Mess. Augustine Heard & Co., Canton, endorsed at its lower

1846 (Dec 16), a letter sent from New York to Canton China, addressed to Mess. Augustine Heard & Co., Canton, endorsed at its lower left-hand corner “Sea Witch”. On the reverse, cancelled by a red forwarder mark “FORWARDED BY / NEW YORK / GOODHUE & CO.”, together with a manuscript writing of “Ans. to receipt of letter of 21 July (1846)”. The clipper ship Sea Witch was one of the most celebrated American clippers during 1840-50s, and a symbol of the “China Trade” era. Built in 1846 by Smith & Dimon in New York for the firm Howland & Aspinwall, she was specifically designed to speed on the New York-China route. This mail was connected to the golden age of American clipper ships and to the intensified competition of China trade after the First Opium War. This mail is believed in the first year of Clipper Sea Witch trip to Canton.

Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong

Lot 1842

4,600.00 HKD

Sold

1847 (Mar 21), a letter sent from the USA to Canton, with a very fine frame of “POSTAGE PAID TO DESTINATION BY HARNDEN & Co. of

1847 (Mar 21), a letter sent from the USA to Canton, with a very fine frame of “POSTAGE PAID TO DESTINATION BY HARNDEN & Co. of LIVERPOOL” in black, sender’s directive “Overland mail” and “via Ceylon”, red “PAID/H & Co.” in flag shape, arriving Liverpool, then via Alexandria, Suez, Aden and Hong Kong, large red “ADEN B.P.P. Paid (officer signature)” in circle handstamp. On the reverse, a red oval forwarder mark “FORWARDED BY / HARNDEN & CO. BOSTON”, Hong Kong backstamp (15 June 1847), very fine, very scarce Harnden cover to China, the Aden marking is rare on Harnden covers. A very fine and rare forwarder mail from the USA to China with twice forwarded letter to Canton.

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Lot 1851

3,000.00 HKD

Sold

1849 (Jan 2), “Sea Witch” Clipper’s Record-Setting Voyage to China and Back. Blue folded letter datelined Canton January 2, 1849,

1849 (Jan 2), “Sea Witch” Clipper’s Record-Setting Voyage to China and Back. Blue folded letter datelined Canton January 2, 1849, from Paul S. Forbes to Dr. Ruschenberger (naval surgeon and author), Philadelphia, sender’s directive “Sea Witch”” and carried on the return trip of the Sea Witch’s record around-the-world voyage to New York via the Cape of Good Hope, arriving at the port of New York on March 25, 1850, red “New-York Ship 7cts Mar. 26” (1850) integral-rate circular datestamp, neat receipt docketing, interesting content regarding legal matters with comment “Old Sen is more polite and accommodating to the Americans under the influence of our new policy...” Very Fine. CARRIED ON THE SEA WITCH ON ITS RETURN TRIP FROM CHINA IN 1849—THIS AROUND-THEWORLD TRIP SET THE RECORD FOR A SAILING SHIP. Note: The “Sea Witch” was a famous American clipper ship that achieved the around-the-world record for sailing vessels on the voyage that carried this letter from China to the U.S.A.

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong

Lot 1852

2,000.00 HKD

Sold

1849 (March) A double forwarders’ opened out cover sent from Hong Kong to New York, addressed to “Mrs. Annie Ward, care of James

1849 (March) A double forwarders’ opened out cover sent from Hong Kong to New York, addressed to “Mrs. Annie Ward, care of James Herring Esq., Howard house, Corner of Broadway & Howard St.,, New York”, an arrival c.d.s. “NEW-YORK MAY 14/ 2 (cts)”. On the reverse, cancelled by a red oval forwarder mark in HK “FORWARDED BY RAWLE DRINKER & CO. / HONG KONG”, and a blue oval forwarder mark from London “LEMUEL GODDARD / LONDON”, together with a small pencil mark of “1849. According to the US Philatelic Classics Society references and Simpson-Alexander’s listings, the device of circular NEW-YORK / 2 (cts) C.D.S. was introduced from 1851 and remained in use into early 1860s. The date of May 14 matched with the bi-monthly itinerary of Cunard Line in May 1851. Based on this, the use of the above New York 2 cts C.D.S. is in the first year’s usage.

Hong Kong

Lot 1870

3,000.00 HKD

Live

1857 (AU 24) an entire wrapper full of characters addressed to Mess. Ygnacio & Nicente Cagigao CADIZ. On the obverse, cancelled by a

1857 (AU 24) an entire wrapper full of characters addressed to Mess. Ygnacio & Nicente Cagigao CADIZ. On the obverse, cancelled by a very fine small crown “PAID AT HONG-KONG” (Webb type 9), Spanish local postage mark “8 R”, a Spanish handstamp “ESTRANGERO CADIZ” in blue color, and a manuscript rate in red crayon “1/10”. On the reverse, cancelled by a double-arc datestamp “HONG KONG / 24 AU / 57”, an oval forwarder mark “FORWARDED BY / LYALL STILL & Co / HONG KONG” and a local handstamp in blue green “MP”. A highly good quality entire for the use of small crown HONG-KONG PAID. In very good conditions.

Lot 1874

200.00 HKD

Live

1912 Canton (Jan) to USA. Picture postcard, f.w. Canton BPO Webb type Eii index B cds. 1912.1

Lot 1875

300.00 HKD

Live

1917 Canton (May) to India. WWI censor cover, f.w. Hong Kong KGV 2c x2, tied by Canton BPO cds. Transit Hong Kong (28 May). Censored and

1917 Canton (May) to India. WWI censor cover, f.w. Hong Kong KGV 2c x2, tied by Canton BPO cds. Transit Hong Kong (28 May). Censored and resealed Arrived India (14 Jun). 1917.5 廣州寄印度。一戰檢查封，貼香港佐治五世2仙x2，銷廣州英局日戳。5.28經香港。檢查並重封。6.14抵印度。

China German PO

China British PO

China German PO

China British PO

China German PO

Lot 1883

1,000.00 HKD

Live

1906 Canton (27 Aug ) to Switzerland. Germania surch China 4c PSC, tied by Canton German PO type 5 cds. Transit Hong Kong (28 Mar). Arrived

1906 Canton (27 Aug ) to Switzerland. Germania surch China 4c PSC, tied by Canton German PO type 5 cds. Transit Hong Kong (28 Mar). Arrived Zurich (25 Apr). It is the first type of cds used by Canton German PO. 1906.8.27 廣州寄瑞士。日耳曼尼亞改值China 4分郵資片，銷廣州德局5型日戳。3.28經香港。4.25抵蘇黎世。此為廣州德局首款日戳。

China British PO

Lot 1900

4,400.00 HKD

Sold

1902 Canton (23 May) to USA, f.w. Coiling Dragon 10c + 20c, in total of 30c double-registered rate, tied by Canton bisected bilingual cds.

1902 Canton (23 May) to USA, f.w. Coiling Dragon 10c + 20c, in total of 30c double-registered rate, tied by Canton bisected bilingual cds. In combination with Hong Kong QV 30c, tied by Webb Canton type 2 IPO tie-print and Hong Kong GPO (24 May) cds. On front with RR mark. Arrived San Francisco (27 Jun). With toning spots. 1902.5.23 廣州寄美國，背貼蟠龍1角 + 2角，合3角雙掛號郵資，銷廣州半切漢英日戳。加貼香港維多利亞女皇像30仙，銷Webb廣州2型IPO騎縫戳及香港總局5.24日戳。正鈐RR章。6.27抵三藩市。帶黃點。

China British PO

China Republic of China Cancellations and seals

Lot 1901

1,700.00 HKD

Sold

902 Canton (Jun) to USA, f.w. Coiling Dragon 10c, tied by Canton bisected bilingual cds. In combination with Hong Kong QV 10c, tied by Webb

902 Canton (Jun) to USA, f.w. Coiling Dragon 10c, tied by Canton bisected bilingual cds. In combination with Hong Kong QV 10c, tied by Webb Canton type 2 IPO tie-print and Victoria cds. On reverse with Minchu vertical seal. 1902.6 廣州寄美國，貼蟠龍1角，銷廣州半切漢英日戳。加貼香港維多利亞女皇像10仙，銷Webb廣州2型IPO騎縫戳及維多利亞日戳。背面鈐民信局直戳。

China Republic of China Cancellations and seals

China Republic of China

Hong Kong

China Republic of China Cancellations and seals

Lot 1914

1,600.00 HKD

Live

1916 Hong Kong (21 Jan) to Canton. Red band cover, f.w. Hong Kong KGV 2c, tied by Hong Kong Registered cds. Arrived Canton Chinese PO with

1916 Hong Kong (21 Jan) to Canton. Red band cover, f.w. Hong Kong KGV 2c, tied by Hong Kong Registered cds. Arrived Canton Chinese PO with cds dated “(Hunghsien) 1st Year, 22 Jan). Exceptional Hunghsien Empire example. 1916.1.21 香港寄廣州。紅條封，貼香港佐治五世2仙，銷香港掛號日戳。1.22抵廣州中國郵局，鈐“元年一月廿二”腰框英漢日戳。出色之洪憲時期例子。

China Republic of China

Hong Kong

China Republic of China

Lot 1925

300.00 HKD

Live

1918 Canton (23 Nov) to Hong Kong. Red band cover, f.w. Junk 2c on reverse for printed matter rate, tied by Canton bilingual cds. Arrived

1918 Canton (23 Nov) to Hong Kong. Red band cover, f.w. Junk 2c on reverse for printed matter rate, tied by Canton bilingual cds. Arrived Hong Kong Western Branch (24 Nov). 1918.11.23 廣州寄香港。紅條封，背貼帆船2分合印刷品郵資，銷廣州腰框英漢日戳。11.24抵香港西分局。

Hong Kong

Lot 1932

4,000.00 HKD

Sold

1915 Hong Kong (16 Nov) to Canton. Red band cover, f.w. Hong Kong KGV 2c on reverse, tied by Western Branch Webb type D cds. On front with

1915 Hong Kong (16 Nov) to Canton. Red band cover, f.w. Hong Kong KGV 2c on reverse, tied by Western Branch Webb type D cds. On front with Fook-Kee postal agent circular seal. With original letter. Cover opened at top. With insect hole. 1915.11.16 香港寄廣州。紅條封，背貼香港佐治五世2仙，銷西分局Webb D型日戳。正鈐四邑輪船公司福記輪渡郵政代理圓戳。附原信。封頂打開，帶蟲洞。