Ava Auctions 12th Autumn Auction

Home

China

Asia without China

Ship mail

Search for auction content

Price Range

Price from

Price to

Catalog No.

Catalog

Catalog number

Categories

Search for auction content

Price Range

Price from

Price to

Catalog No.

Catalog

Catalog number

Index

All lots Aftersale lots Sold at auction

Macao Bulk lot

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong

Macao Bulk lot

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Macao Bulk lot

Lot 1829

6,000.00 HKD

Sold

1836 (Jan 27) Macao to London, endorsed with “p. Sarah” private ship, on the front side, cancelled by a strong inked red color

1836 (Jan 27) Macao to London, endorsed with “p. Sarah” private ship, on the front side, cancelled by a strong inked red color step-type “SHIP LETTER / FALMOUTH”, a manuscript rate charge of “1/8” (1s 8d). On the reverse side, cancelled by two rectangular “INDIA LETTER / FALMOUTH” cancellations in rose red, which are over-strike by to corresponding step-type “SHIP LETTER / FALMOUTH”. The ship letter was incorrectly identified as originated from India but subsequently rectified as being sent from Macao/ China, and hence matching with firstly cancelled by “INDIA LETTER / FALMOUTH” and then over-strike by step-type “SHIP LETTER / FALMOUTH”. Covers originating from Macao were not eligible for the special India letter rates. The first “India Letter” handstamp was likely applied by mistake in Falmouth. Upon arrival in London, a second strike was likely applied. At this point, the error was noticed and all prior strikes were overstruck by the “Ship Letter” marking.

Hongkong Treaty Ports

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.

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.

Hong Kong

China

Hong Kong Postal stationery

Lot 1934

2,200.00 HKD

Sold

1931 (Jul) Red band cover posted at steamer mail box to Sankiang, f.w. Hong Kong KGV 4c, tied by “From Steamer Box” double-ringed cds.

1931 (Jul) Red band cover posted at steamer mail box to Sankiang, f.w. Hong Kong KGV 4c, tied by “From Steamer Box” double-ringed cds. Arrived Sankiang (12 Jul). On reverse with oval Sankiangsi Min Chu seal. With original letter. 1931.7 船上投遞紅條封寄三江，貼香港佐治五世4仙，銷“輪船信箱郵件”雙圈日戳。7.12抵三江。背面鈐“三江西 / 萬華新代理”橢圓形戳記。附原信。

China

Hong Kong Postal stationery

China

Lot 2030

800.00 HKD

Live

1883 (15 Jan) Cover posted at French paquebot Ligne N, Hong Kong to France, f.w. Peace and Commerce issue 15c, tied by Ligne N cds. Arrived

1883 (15 Jan) Cover posted at French paquebot Ligne N, Hong Kong to France, f.w. Peace and Commerce issue 15c, tied by Ligne N cds. Arrived France (Feb). It is carried by paquebot Anadyr. 1883.1.15 在香港經法國郵船N線投遞寄法國，貼和平及商貿神像15生丁，銷N線日戳。2月抵法國。經Anadyr號送遞。

Hong Kong Postal stationery

Lot 2043

700.00 HKD

Sold

1901 (20 Apr) Hong Kong QV 10c registered stationery cover (size G 3-3/4 x 6 inch) to Belgium, uprated by 10c, tied by Hong Kong index D

1901 (20 Apr) Hong Kong QV 10c registered stationery cover (size G 3-3/4 x 6 inch) to Belgium, uprated by 10c, tied by Hong Kong index D cds, alongside with registered label. Transit French paquebot (22 Apr). Arrived Liege (20 May).1901.4.20 香港維多利亞女皇像10仙掛號郵資封（size G 3-3/4 x 6 inch）寄比利時，加貼10仙，銷香港D字日戳，旁貼掛號標籤。4.22經法國郵船。5.20抵Liege。

Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong

Lot 2219

7,000.00 HKD

Sold

1877 Canton (31 Oct) to France, f.w. Hong Kong QV 12c, tied by C1 obliterator in black, alongside with Canton BPO Webb type B cds. Transit

1877 Canton (31 Oct) to France, f.w. Hong Kong QV 12c, tied by C1 obliterator in black, alongside with Canton BPO Webb type B cds. Transit Hong Kong (31 Oct), French paquebot (1 Nov). Arrived Marseilles (5 Dec). Example of 12c per 1/2coz rate wef 1 Apr 1877.1877.10.31 廣州寄法國，貼香港維多利亞女皇像12仙，銷黑色C1殺手戳，旁鈐廣州英局Webb B型日戳。10.31經香港，11.1經法國郵船。12.5抵馬賽。1877年12仙半盎司郵資於1877年4月1日。

Lot 2223

38,000.00 HKD

Sold

1891 Canton (13 Jul) to Switzerland. Hong Kong QV 3c PSC, tied by Canton BPO Webb type C cds with year digit wrongly inserted as "MR".

1891 Canton (13 Jul) to Switzerland. Hong Kong QV 3c PSC, tied by Canton BPO Webb type C cds with year digit wrongly inserted as "MR". Transit French paquebot (15 Jul). Arrived Zurich (16 Aug). One of the 4 covers and postcards with this "MR" variety cds. Ex- D' Almada.1891.7.13 廣州寄瑞士。香港維多利亞女皇像3仙郵資片，銷廣州英局Webb C型日戳，年份誤植為“MR”。7.15經法國郵船。8.16抵蘇黎世。為四件蓋有此“MR”變異日戳之封片之一。D' Almada舊藏。

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Lot 2296

100,000.00 HKD

Sold

1856 Shanghai (6 Oct) to France. Entire letter, rated “1/” and “10”, sent “via Marseilles overland”, applied with extremely

1856 Shanghai (6 Oct) to France. Entire letter, rated “1/” and “10”, sent “via Marseilles overland”, applied with extremely scarce Webb type 1 “SHANGHAE POST OFFICE PAID” crowned circular seal. Transit Hong Kong (12 Oct). Transit French paquebot (30 Nov). Webb recorded 3 examples on cover while Dr. Andrew Cheung recorded fifteen and it is one of the three addressing to France. It is also the 4th one offered by AVA. (The latest census records 18 examples, please see the list below). 17 covers were reported in HKPS 2014 census. However, the earliest only surfaced in Chazen sales of Ava Auction in 2013, bringing the total to 18. Reference: https://dev.hkpsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/large-crown.pdf. Updated in Asian Philatelist 2025.1856.10.6 上海寄法國。郵簡，寫有郵資“1/”、“10”及“via Marseilles overland”，鈐極罕之Webb 1型“SHANGHAE POST OFFICE PAID”大皇冠圓戳。10.12經香港。11.30經法國郵船。Webb記錄之大皇冠封僅有三件，張文德醫生記錄則有十五件（最新更新至十八件，見下表）。此為當中三件寄法國者之一，同時是艾華所曾經手的第四件。香港郵學會2014年記錄有 17 枚實寄封存世，而最早的一件在2023年艾華拍賣中出現，故存世共有18件： 1. 1850 年上海（11 月 29 日）寄往美國紐約（次年 3 月 7 日），途經香港、英國。帶内函。 2. 1851 年上海（10 月）寄往羅切斯特（12 月 21 日），途經南安普敦。帶内函。 3. 1852 年上海寄往孟買，途經香港（1852 年 1 月 29 日），信封背面封蓋缺失。 4. 1853 年上海（7 月）寄往費城的弔唁郵封，“1853 年 10 月 15 日到達”。 5. 1855 年上海（11 月 6 日）寄往巴黎（1856 年 1 月 1 日），正面有香港框式 “PAID”戳記。 6. 1856 年上海（4 月）經馬賽寄往倫敦。信封背面蓋有韋伯 1 型郵戳，封上有香港框式 “PAID” 戳記。 7. 1856 年上海（8 月）經新加坡寄往悉尼（1856 年 12 月 11 日），信封上有香港框式 “PAID”戳記。 8. 1856 年上海經香港（9 月 12 日）寄往南威爾士斯旺西（11 月 3 日）。封上有香港 “PAID” 日戳。 9. 1856 年上海 “經陸路途經馬賽” 寄往法國瓦爾雷阿斯。11 月 30 日到達巴黎。 10. 1856 年上海（10 月 6 日）經馬賽寄往巴黎。 11. 1856 年上海（10 月 6 日）經馬賽寄往法國里昂，蓋裡安通信。 12. 1856 年上海經香港（香港日戳 10 月 12 日）寄往美國南卡羅來納州查爾斯頓。 13. 1856 年上海經香港（香港日戳 10 月 12 日）寄往法國巴黎。 14. 1857 年上海（6 月 20 日）經錫蘭寄往悉尼，信封上有“誤寄至維多利亞州墨爾本” 日戳。 15. 1857 年上海（7 月）經紐約（1857 年 10 月）寄往康涅狄格州紐黑文。 16. 1857 年上海（7 月 28 日）經錫蘭、香港（8 月 5 日日戳）寄往悉尼，10 月 18 日到達悉尼。 17. 1858 年上海（4 月 13 日），寄往英國，正面有香港框式 “PAID” 戳記，途經馬賽，6 月 12 日到倫敦。 18. 1858 年上海（4 月 24 日）經香港寄往伯明翰，信封正面有香港框式 “PAID”（7 月 20 日）戳記。

Hongkong Treaty Ports

German Colonies Kiautschou

Lot 2418

17,000.00 HKD

Sold

1908 Hoihow (6 Jun) to France, f.w. Hong Kong KEVII 20c, tied Hoihow BPO Webb type Hi cdsm, alongside with "HOIHOW B.P.O." boxed registered

1908 Hoihow (6 Jun) to France, f.w. Hong Kong KEVII 20c, tied Hoihow BPO Webb type Hi cdsm, alongside with "HOIHOW B.P.O." boxed registered mark. Transit Hong Kong (9 Jun), French paquebot Ligne N (9 Jun). Arrived Orlean (10 Jul).1908.6.6 海口寄法國，貼香港愛德華七世20仙，銷海口英局Webb Hi型日戳，旁鈐“HOIHOW B.P.O.”長方形掛號章。6.9經香港，同日經法國郵船N線。7.10抵奧爾良。

Hongkong Treaty Ports

German Colonies Kiautschou

Lot 2509

30,000.00 HKD

Sold

1861 (10 Nov) printed circular from Kanagawa to Batavia. Transit Shanghai BPO (7 Dec) with scarce Webb type 4 "Shanghae Paid" index C and

1861 (10 Nov) printed circular from Kanagawa to Batavia. Transit Shanghai BPO (7 Dec) with scarce Webb type 4 "Shanghae Paid" index C and type 5 "Shanghae" index C cds. Further transit Hogn Kong (11 Dec). Showing postage annotations "4" (pence ship letter fee from Kanagawa to Shanghai), "4" (Shanghai to Singapore by P&O) and "25" (Dutch Indies delivery charge). Less than 10 covers with this lcoally made Shanghae paid cds by Proud while predating the record of Webb on these two cds, being the earliest recorded example. It is probably also the earliest known printed matter from Kanagawa. The destination of Dutch East Indies even elevates its rarity. 2011 (5 Sep) Interaia Auctions "The Nostalgia Collection of Hong Kogn and China Printed Mail Matter", lot 2692.1861.11.10 印刷品自神奈川寄巴達維亞。12.7經上海英國客郵局，稀罕之Webb 4型“Shanghae Paid”C字日戳及5型“Shanghae”C字日戳。12.11經香港。寫有多處郵資字樣包括“4”（神奈川至上海船信郵資）、“4”（經鐵行輪船公司自上海寄新加坡郵資）及“25”（荷屬東印度郵資）。Proud記錄中蓋有此上海本地製日戳之信封不過十件，此件日期亦較Webb的記錄更早，故為最早記錄之例子。同時可能為神奈川寄出之最早印刷品。寄荷屬東印度亦錦上添花。2011.9.5 Interasia Auctions “The Nostalgia Collection of Hong Kong and China Printed Mail Matter”，拍品號2692。

German Colonies Kiautschou

Lot 2641

4,000.00 HKD

Live

1905 (31 Feb) German Shanghai-Tientsin Seapost to Chemulpo. Picture postcard, f.w. German Kiaochow 1c x 4, tied by oval "DEUTSCHE SEEPOST /

1905 (31 Feb) German Shanghai-Tientsin Seapost to Chemulpo. Picture postcard, f.w. German Kiaochow 1c x 4, tied by oval "DEUTSCHE SEEPOST / SHANGHAI-TIENTSIN" oval d.s. Trasnit Nagasaki. Scarce example posted at German sea post.1905.2.31 德國海郵上海-天津線寄濟物浦。圖片明信片，貼德佔膠州1分x4，銷橢圓形“DEUTSCHE SEEPOST / SHANGHAI - TIENTSIN”日戳。經長崎。於德國海郵投遞之例子較少見。

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Lot 3042

40,000.00 HKD

Sold

1880 Hankow (4 Oct) to France. Hong Kong QV 3c PSC, tied by extremely scarce D29 obliterator, alongside with Hankow BPO cds. Transit

1880 Hankow (4 Oct) to France. Hong Kong QV 3c PSC, tied by extremely scarce D29 obliterator, alongside with Hankow BPO cds. Transit Shanghai BPO (7 Oct), Hong Kong (10 Oct), French paquebot Ligne N (13 Oct). A fine example of this scarce postmark which is believed to be the earliest example without the additional "S1" obliterator. The 9th out of 15 D29 covers and postcards recorded in "Hankow D29 covers and postcards listing (July 2007)". With BPA certificate, Peter Holcombe signature and certificate. 2005 (10 Mar) Spink London, lot 837, hammered at GBP7,000.1880.10.4 漢口寄法國。香港維多利亞女皇像3仙郵資片，銷極為稀罕難得之D29殺手戳，旁蓋漢口英局日戳。10.7經上海英局，10.10經香港，10.13經法國郵船N線。此戳本已稀罕難得，更應為不帶S1殺手戳之最早例子。附BPA證書、Holcombe簽署及證書。為《Hankow D29 covers and postcards listing (July 2007)》一文記錄的15件D29封片中的第九件。2005.3.10 斯賓克倫敦，拍品號837，落鎚價7000英鎊。

Hong Kong

Lot 4042

2,800.00 HKD

Sold

1890s a pair of covers from Hong Kong to USA, f.w. Hong Kong QV 3rd surch issue 20c/30c and 6th issue 10c respectively, tied by B62

1890s a pair of covers from Hong Kong to USA, f.w. Hong Kong QV 3rd surch issue 20c/30c and 6th issue 10c respectively, tied by B62 obliterator or Hong Kong cds. One cover showing $1 high postage with annotation "Per Steamer Oceanic".1890年代一對香港寄美國僑信，分別貼香港維多利亞女皇像第三次改值20仙蓋30仙及第六組10仙，銷B62殺手戳或香港日戳。當中一件貼票合1元，寫有“Per Steamer Occeanic”批示。