Ava Auctions 14th Spring Auction

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China, French Military Mail

Lot 2014

20,000.00 HKD

Live

1863 (3 March), a neat blue cover sent from Indo-Chine to France, franked with a French Empire 20c tied by Anchor lozenges cancellation

1863 (3 March), a neat blue cover sent from Indo-Chine to France, franked with a French Empire 20c tied by Anchor lozenges cancellation with perfect strikes of red “COL. F. V. SUEZ PAQ. F / DONNAI / 3 MARS 63” French octagonal datestamp and “COR. D. ARMEES INDO-CHINE / 3 MARS 63” double-circle datestamp, sender's directive "Via Suez & Marseille", manuscript "Saigon" likely indicating origin, red framed "PD" handstamp, Marseilles (Apr. 2) and Paris (Apr. 4) backstamps. This Indo-Chine mail was riding on the French Messageries Imperiales paquebots “Donnai”, for which, according to 27.3 “LT”, it is Donnai’s First Voyage sailing from Hong Kong to Egypt via Saigon. The mail was stamped during the course of the French M.I. “Donnai” packet service sailing to Saigon and therefore, the stamp was cancelled by the Anchor lozenges. Earliest known per M.I.: (1) prepaid mail, and (2) COR.D. ARMEES / INDO-CHINE. A very rare mail with both French paquebot DONNAI c.d.s. and Cor. D. Armees c.d.s. A BEAUTIFUL COVER AND ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE "COR. D. ARMEES INDO-CHINE" DATESTAMP STRUCK IN RED. AN IMPORTANT RARITY. Provenance: Illustrated on page 16 of Lee Scamp’s French Mail Paquebot Far East Itineraries1863.3. 印支寄法國，貼20生丁，銷船錨殺手戳，另見清晰之“COL. F. V. SUEZ PAQ. F / DONNAI”日戳、“COR. D. ARMEES INDO-CHINE”日戳。此為最早之Messageries Imperiales預付郵件及“COR. D. ARMEES INDO-CHINE”日戳例子。Donnai號日戳同樣少見。為兩件蓋有“COR. D. ARMEES INDO-CHINE”紅色日戳之存世例子之一。Scamp《French Mail Paquebot Far East Itineraries》第16頁原件。

Lot 2051

1,000.00 HKD

Live

1868 (31 Oct) a cover with letter sheets sent from Singapore to France with a French Ceres 1 x 20c cancelled by anchor diamond lozenges, a

1868 (31 Oct) a cover with letter sheets sent from Singapore to France with a French Ceres 1 x 20c cancelled by anchor diamond lozenges, a double circled “CORR. D. ARM. LIG. FR. M.R. No.3”. On the reverse side, a slew of transit and arrival c.d.s. in France. M. Salles recorded the use of French military c.d.s. “COR” as RR scarcity. Although it is origin from Singapore, the use of military CORR c.d.s. is still rare.1868.10.31 新加坡寄法國，貼20生丁，銷船錨殺手戳，另見法軍郵船3號日戳。Salles記錄此法軍郵船戳十分稀罕。

Lot 2081

2,000.00 HKD

Live

1860 (9 Jan) a very neat cover from France addressed to Toulon, crossed out with Chine written below, franked with a horizontal pair of

1860 (9 Jan) a very neat cover from France addressed to Toulon, crossed out with Chine written below, franked with a horizontal pair of French Empire 10c yellowish brown, large to ample margins, tied by dotted "3094" petit chiffres with "St. Germain-en-Laye 9 Janv 60" circular datestamp on cover to "a Bord du vaisseau le Duperre en partanie pour lade de Toulon", "Toulon" crossed out with "Chine" written below, and a boxed “AFFRANCHISSEMENT/INSUFFISANT” handstamp, backstamped Paris, Toulon and Marseilles (Jan. 12), “CORPS EXP. CHINE BAU CENTRAL / 12 MAI 60” arrival datesamp, manuscript RATE "4" crossed out and re-rated "8", Very Fine. This cover was intended for a sailor on board a ship in Toulon but it had since left for China, by the time it arrived, the Central Bureau had moved to Shanghai, one of the earliest strikes of the Central Bureau base office while operating from Shanghai, predating the earliest use of Central Bureau listed in Desrousseaux’s guidance of 30 May by about two weeks.1860.1.9 法國寄Toulon，改寄中國，貼10生丁雙連，銷3094殺日戳。5.12抵法軍中央郵局。收件人本於Toulon之船上，但已去中國。當時法軍中央郵局已移至上海，此為上海中央郵局之最早例子之一，比Desrousseaux之記錄早兩週。

Lot 2082

3,000.00 HKD

Live

1860 (31 July) an entire letter sent from Chefoo to Rouen, France, endorsed at the top of letter content as “Au camp ou chifoun (Chefoo),

1860 (31 July) an entire letter sent from Chefoo to Rouen, France, endorsed at the top of letter content as “Au camp ou chifoun (Chefoo), le lundi 23 Juillet 1860”, franked with French Ceres large margins, tied by dotted "CECB CL" lozenges cancellation and with “CORPS EXP. CHINE BAU CENTRAL / 31 JUIL 60” circular datestamp, red framed "PD" handstamp with additional "CECB CL" cancel overstruck (means to delete “PD” frame), Paris Sept. 28 transit and Rouen Sept. 28 arrival backstamps, large “30” due handstamp, minor splitting along folds and minor edgewear, still Very Fine This is a very scarce item sent while the French troops were in Chefoo (July/August 1860). The mail was carried to Shanghai where CORPS EXP. CHINE BAU CENTRAL c.d.s. was stamped, originally intended to pay the 20c officers concessionary rate but was rated postage due since it lacked proper military endorsement from its superior officer, and therefore deleted “PD” and 30c was charged to the recipient when arrived in France. Some splits to the letter sheets but an excellent French military base office mail sent from Chefoo.1860.7.31 煙台寄法國，貼五穀女神票，銷“CECB CL”殺手戳，另見法軍中央郵局日戳、PD戳及“30”欠資戳記。法軍當時位於煙台，故經上海中央軍郵局，並於無軍官加簽而判欠資30生丁。

Lot 2083

2,000.00 HKD

Live

1860 (29 August) an entire letter dated line “Chefou 29 Aout 1860” sent to St Brieuc, France, cancelled by “CORP EXP. CHINE BAU

1860 (29 August) an entire letter dated line “Chefou 29 Aout 1860” sent to St Brieuc, France, cancelled by “CORP EXP. CHINE BAU CENTRAL / 3 SEPT 60” circular datestamp. Sender's directive "Voie de Suez", backstamped Marseilles, Paris and St. Brieuc (Nov. 2-3), “5” decimes unpaid due handstamp, cover with minor wrinkling. The Allied forces were marching to Northern China towards the end of August 1860. At the time, it has taken the city Tientsin and on way marching further to Pekin. The mail sent from Chefou where the French troops gathered forces. No base office was available for mail delivery at the height of the Second Opium War, and it was carried down to Shanghai base office for posting out. A very good mail from Chefou Chine.1860.8.29 煙台寄法國，鈐法軍中央郵局日戳。批注經蘇伊士。經馬賽、巴黎，抵St. Brieuc。另見“5”欠資戳記。當時聯軍向華北進發，並於煙台集結。當地無基地郵局，故經上海中轉。

Lot 2084

12,000.00 HKD

Live

1859 (27 Dec) a French military mail sent from France to Amoy, China, franked with French Empire 80c large margins to touching at left,

1859 (27 Dec) a French military mail sent from France to Amoy, China, franked with French Empire 80c large margins to touching at left, tied by "2188" lozenges cancellation with "Moulins-S-Allier 27 Dec. 59" double-circle datestamp on cover addressed to "Monsieur Meplain, aide Commissaire de la Marine imperiale Francaise a bord du Vaisseau pour la Chine (Expedition), Bureau restons au Cap de Bon esperance (afrique)", further noted "si la lettre n'est pas reclamee dans le mois de son arrivee, faire suivre sur la China (flotte francaise)" ("if this letter is not claimed during the month of his arrival, then redirect it to China, care of the French fleet"), sender's directive "Voie de Suez et des Paquebot Britannique", two red framed "PD" handstamps, cover evidently arrived after he left and the Cape of Good Hope address crossed out with "a amoy" added, Paris and Marseilles (Dec. 28) backstamps, "PACKET LETTER MAURITIUS, FE 15, 1860" transit and red “Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, MR 14, 1860” arrival backstamps, further transits in Hong Kong (May 31) where it was transferred to French mails with “Corps Exp. Chine BAU A 31 MAI 60” (in Hong Kong) and “Corps Exp. Chine BAU Central 15 JUIN 60” (in Shanghai) datestamps, cover understandably has some soiling and a few edge tears of little consequence A truly spectacular and well-travelled cover chasing a naval soldier heading towards Amoy, China in the midst of the Second Opium War. After missing him in the Cape of Good Hope, it sailed through Mauritius, then forwarded to Hong Kong and ultimately Shanghai. We presume the sender of this cover was attempting to "beat" the French naval ships on their way to China for the Second Opium War by addressing this cover to the Cape of Good Hope. The cover was sent by British vessels through the Mediterranean, overland via Suez, then onwards to Mauritius and the Cape. The French ships would have travelled via the Cape. When this cover did not arrive in time, it was forwarded by British ships to Hong Kong before transferring over to the French military mails. The use of the Bureau A datestamp in Hong Kong is quite rare, as it was used there only briefly from May to November 1860. It is also a very early strike of the Central Bureau in Shanghai datestamp; this marking is recorded used in Shanghai starting in late May 1860. Provenance: 1. Berkinshaw-Smith Collection – Corinphila Auktionen Zurich, April 2006 2. Published in the article titled “The French Military Post Offices in the Second Opium War (Second Campaign) in France and Colonies Philatelist No.296 (Vol.65, No.2, page 47) April 2009”, by Robert Schneider and Jeffrey S. Schneider 3. Illustrated in Asian Philatelist 2011 (page 68)– The Second Opium War 1857-1860 by Danny Kin Chi Wong, FRPSL1859.12.27 法國軍郵封寄南非，改寄廈門，貼80生丁，銷2188殺手戳。到達好望角後改寄廈門。5.31經法軍A局（香港）。 5.31抵上海法軍郵局。郵路曲折，為趕上收件人之船隻，由經英國郵船送至香港交法軍軍郵系統。而法軍A局日戳於香港使用亦甚少見，僅見於1869年5月至11月，同為上海法軍中央郵局之甚早例子。Berkinshaw-Smith舊藏。

Lot 2085

8,000.00 HKD

Live

1860 (8 August) a cover sent from Constantinople to Captain of the French Frigate Renommee in Shanghai, franked with French Empire 80c in

1860 (8 August) a cover sent from Constantinople to Captain of the French Frigate Renommee in Shanghai, franked with French Empire 80c in large to full margins on each side, applied slightly over top edge, tied by “3707” petit chiffres with "Constantinople, Turquie, 8 Aout. 60" double-circle datestamp on cover to soldier “a bord de la fregate la Renommee a Shanghai”, sender's directive "par Marseilles et Suez", red framed "P.P." handstamp, backstamped Alexandria (French) Aug. 26, Alexandria (British) Sep. 2, Hong Kong Oct. 9, and two strikes of “CORPS EXP. CHINE BAU A / 13 OCT 60” and another BAU Oct. 21 transit backstamps, manuscript due rate markings. This cover was carried by Levant Line Paquebot Cydnus to Marseille, thence via Hydapse of Egypt Line to Alexandria (26 Aug). Transferred to British P.O. in Alexandria (2 Sept) and thence via P&O packet steamer Nemesis to Hong Kong (9 Oct). The Bureau A markings are only recorded in Hong Kong from May to Nov. 29, 1860. A wonderful and very rare incoming cover from Constantinople with the scarce BUREAU A handstamp applied in Hong Kong to a soldier on board the French Frigate Renommee at the height of the Second Opium War. An amazing use of pure French line services before the introduction of formal French packet services after 1862. Provenance: 1. Berkinshaw-Smith Collection – Corinphila Auktionen Zurich, April 2006.1860.8.8 君士坦丁堡寄上海之法軍軍官，正背貼80生丁，銷3707殺手戳及君士坦丁堡日戳。經香港。10.13抵法軍A局。此封由黎凡特郵船Cydnus寄馬賽，再由埃及Hydapse號寄亞歷山大。再由鐵行輪船公司Nemesis號寄香港。法軍A局於香港的例子僅見於1860年5月至11月。為君士坦丁堡進口中國之極罕例子，法軍A局（香港）日戳亦十分難得。收件人為法軍戰艦Renommee號之船員。Berkinshaw-Smith集藏。

Lot 2086

4,000.00 HKD

Live

1860 (25 August) a neat blue cover sent from Chefoo to Lyon from French Military BAU B Office. Desrousseaux records the French Bureau B

1860 (25 August) a neat blue cover sent from Chefoo to Lyon from French Military BAU B Office. Desrousseaux records the French Bureau B datestamp used in Chefoo from June 11 to August, 1860. Bureau B base office was officially moved to Tientsin around October 1860 where it remained there until October 1861, further removed to Saigon then. This mail is supposed the last date usage in Chefoo military base for French troops. Very good French military mail.1860.8.25 煙台法軍郵局寄法國，鈐法軍B局日戳，為煙台法軍之最晚郵例。於同年10月，該局移至天津。

Lot 2087

2,000.00 HKD

Lot retreated

1895 Tientsin (5 Jan) to France. Cover front only, f.w. Peace and Commerce issue ovpt. Chine 15c, tied by "CORR D ARM / LIG N PAQ FR No.

1895 Tientsin (5 Jan) to France. Cover front only, f.w. Peace and Commerce issue ovpt. Chine 15c, tied by "CORR D ARM / LIG N PAQ FR No. 10" cds. 1895.1.5 天津寄法國。僅封面，貼和平及商貿神像加蓋Chine 15生丁，銷"CORR D ARM / LIG N PAQ FR No.10" 日戳。

Lot 2088

2,000.00 HKD

Live

1861 (May 25) a good cover in grey blue color sent from Tientsin to Calain, France, franked with 2 x French Ceres 20c in blue with moderate

1861 (May 25) a good cover in grey blue color sent from Tientsin to Calain, France, franked with 2 x French Ceres 20c in blue with moderate margin, tied by “CECB” lozenges cancellation, boxed “PD” in red, a very fine French military c.d.s. “CORPS EXP. CHINE / BAU B / 25 MAI 61”. On the reverse, a couple of French arrival c.d.s. (20 July). French military base BAU B office has removed from Chefoo to Tientsin since October 1860 till October 1861. A good quality mail showing the footprints of French troops during the Second Opium War.1861.5.25 天津寄法國，貼五穀女神20生丁，銷CEBC殺手戳。另見PD戳及法軍B局日戳。法軍B局於1860年10月自煙台移至天津。為第二次鴉片戰爭之郵例。

Lot 2089

6,000.00 HKD

Live

1861 (15 Oct) a neat cover sent from Tientsin to eventually Saigon, franked with French Empire 40c orange on yellowish with moderate

1861 (15 Oct) a neat cover sent from Tientsin to eventually Saigon, franked with French Empire 40c orange on yellowish with moderate margins to just touching, tied by clear strike of “CECB” petit chiffres with light strike of “CORP EXP. CHINE BAU B / 15 OCT 61” double-circle datestamp on cover to “Monsieur Du Guilio, Capitaine de Vaisseau, Commandeur de la Legion d'honneur, l'er Aide de Camp a M. L'Amiral Charner” and subsequently noted "Saigon", clear strike of "CORPS EXP. CHINE BAU CENTRAL / 24 OCT 61" double-circle datestamp applied in Shanghai transit. The BUREAU B station was located in Tientsin for about one year. Covers are known dated from Nov. 18, 1860, to October 1861. This BUREAU B cover was likely such base office towards its latest use in Tientsin. Covers sent within China are quite rare. Around this time, toward the end of the Second Opium War, French involvement was shifting towards the Indochina theatre. A very rare and late use of the “BUREAU B” d.s. while the base office station was still located in Tientsin for approximately one year. Also unusual as a French military base offices’ internal transfer cover in China, reflecting the rotation of French forces to the Cochin China campaign. Provenance: 1. Published in the article titled “The French Military Post Offices in the Second Opium War (Second Campaign) in France and Colonies Philatelist No.296 (Vol.65, No.2, page 49) April 2009”, by Robert Schneider and Jeffrey S. Schneider1861.10.15 天津寄西貢，貼40生丁，銷CECB殺手戳及法軍B局日戳。10.24抵西貢中央軍郵局。

Lot 2090

6,000.00 HKD

Live

1861 (12 July), an entire sheet sent from Canton to Paris, France, franked with French Empire 20c yellow brown in large margins to just

1861 (12 July), an entire sheet sent from Canton to Paris, France, franked with French Empire 20c yellow brown in large margins to just touching, tied by dotted "CECC" lozenges cancellation and with “CORPS EXP. CHINE BAU C / 12 JUIL 61” circular datestamp, red framed "PD" handstamp, well-struck red "CORPS D'OCCUPATION CANTON, COMMANDANT SUPERIEUR" oval handstamp on back, Lyon a Paris Aug. 26 transit and red Paris Aug. 27 arrival backstamps, stamp slightly soiled. This is the only recorded double circled oval “CORPS D’OCCUPATION CANTON, COMMANDANT SUPERIEUR” used on a cover from the BUREAU C based office cancellation. A unique item from French Canton base office military mail. Desrousseaux states this office was opened around Oct. 1860. While most uses are known from Oct. 1860 to Nov. 1861 when the French left, there are several known in 1862 as well.1861.7.12 廣州寄法國，貼20生丁，銷CECC殺手戳及法軍C局日戳，另見“CORPS D'OCCUPATION CANTON / COMMANDANT SUPERIEUR”圓戳。此為該圓戳出自軍郵C局之孤例。Desrousseaux指此局於1860年10月開幕。

Lot 2091

20,000.00 HKD

Live

1861 (28 August) a neat cover, originated in Macao, sent from Canton to Bruxelles (Brussels), franked with a horizontal pair of French

1861 (28 August) a neat cover, originated in Macao, sent from Canton to Bruxelles (Brussels), franked with a horizontal pair of French Empire 20c, large to ample margins all around, tied by two strikes of "CECC" lozenges cancellation with "Corps Exp. Chine BAU C / 28 AOUT 61" double-circle datestamp on folded letter datelined "Macao le 26 AOUT 1861", addressed to Brussels, Belgium, red framed "PD" handstamp was subsequently crossed out and manuscript “nul” through the pair, red framed “AFFRANCHISSEMENT/INSUFFISENT” handstamp, Marseilles and Brussels (Oct. 17) backstamps, manuscript "6" decimes due marking. A very renowned French military postal history item. The use of such military postage was supposed to be valid for UK and France only. As a result, when it arrived in Brussels, the post officer treated it as insufficient mail (matched the French “AFFRANCHISSEMENT/INSUFFISENT” handstamp), crossed out the two French stamp, marked it as “NUL” by manuscript, together with a postage rate of “6(f)” to be paid by the recipient at Brussels. Provenance: 1. Illustrated in Major Richard Pratt's Imperial China (p. 153). 2. John Sussex Collection– The Opening of China, Christie Auction in Nov 19871861.8.28 澳門書寫，廣州寄出至比利時，貼20生丁雙連，銷CECC殺手戳及在華法軍C局日戳。由於優軍郵資僅可寄至英國法國，故寄比利時被判欠資，為法軍郵政史之大名譽品。Major Richard Pratt《Imperial China》第153頁原件。 1987.11 佳士得“John Sussex Collection– The Opening of China”。

Lot 2092

40,000.00 HKD

Live

1862 (27 May) a marvellous registered military French mail sent from Canton to Paris bearing French Empire 3 x 20c, with good to large

1862 (27 May) a marvellous registered military French mail sent from Canton to Paris bearing French Empire 3 x 20c, with good to large margins, cancelled by “CECC” diamond lozenges, showing “CORPS EXP. CHINE / BAU C” c.d.s., superb and rare matching French registration framed “CECC / POIDS CHARGE numeral box” handstamp struck on the obverse side, while the front also shows framed “PD” h.s. in red, crossed out and instead cancelled by unframe “CHARGE” h.s. in red, further with an instructional mark boxed “AFFRANCHISSEMENT / INSUFFISANT” h.s. in red, taxed “10” (decimes), with 3 French entry marks “POS. ANG. V. SUEZ / MARSEILLE” c.d.s. in red and “PAYS ETR. V. SUEZ / MARSEILLE” c.d.s in both black and red, opened out for display, some defaults in the envelope which is understandable for such a complex mail. A truly magnificent exhibition item of impeccable quality and the utmost appeal amongst all French military registered mails as such. The gem of the collection and undoubtedly one of the most important covers from the French Military Expedition mails. Provenance: (1) John Sussex / The Opening of China – Christie Robson Lowe (Zurich) Nov 1987 (2) Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman – Zurich Asia Nov 2000 (3) The Nostalgia Collection – InterAsia June 20161862.5.27 廣州寄法國掛號軍郵封，貼20生丁x3，銷“CECC”殺手戳，另見法軍C局日戳、“CECC / POIDS CHARGE numeral box”戳記、CHARGE指示戳及欠資戳。此封品相極佳，為在華法軍之一大名譽品，萬勿錯過。貝克曼舊藏。2016.6 Interasia，Nostalgia集藏。1987.11 佳士得“John Sussex Collection– The Opening of China”。

Lot 2093

1,800.00 HKD

Live

1879 France (31 Jan) to cruiser Champlain, Far East Squadron, f.w. Peace and Commerce issue 5c + 15c in pair, tied by Toulon cds. With

1879 France (31 Jan) to cruiser Champlain, Far East Squadron, f.w. Peace and Commerce issue 5c + 15c in pair, tied by Toulon cds. With original letter and Roumet certificate.1879.1.31 法國寄法國遠東艦隊巡洋艦Champlain，貼和平及商貿神像5生丁 + 15生丁，銷Toulon日戳。附原信及Roumet證書。

Lot 2094

1,500.00 HKD

Live

1876-1880 a group of 3 covers posted at French militaary paquebot, f.w. Ceres or Peace and Commerce issue, tied by "COR.D.ARM.LIGNE / PAQ

1876-1880 a group of 3 covers posted at French militaary paquebot, f.w. Ceres or Peace and Commerce issue, tied by "COR.D.ARM.LIGNE / PAQ FR No.5" (Salle I.948) and "CORR.D.ARM / LIG N PAQ FR" cds with no. 9 and 10 respectively (Salle I.949). Example from paquebot no. 10 was by a solider onboard cruiser La Galissonniere. Two with original letter.1876至1880年一組三件於法軍郵船投遞之信封，分別貼五穀女神及和平及商貿神像票，銷“COR.D.ARM.LIGNE / PAQ FR No.5”（Salle I.948）、“CORR.D.ARM / LIG N PAQ FR”9號及10號日戳（Salle I.949）。兩件附原信，當中一件由法軍巡洋艦La Galissonniere船員於香港寄出。

Lot 2095

1,500.00 HKD

Live

1885 French Far East Squadron (11 Jun) to Belgium, bearing French expeditionary Force Ligne N. 6 cds and marine seal. F.w. Peace and

1885 French Far East Squadron (11 Jun) to Belgium, bearing French expeditionary Force Ligne N. 6 cds and marine seal. F.w. Peace and Commerce 25c upon transit at Paris (22 Jul). Arrived Antwerp (23 Jul). This cover was carried by ship Djemnah on its departure from Hong Kong. Extraordinary cover to Belgium with additional franking of French stamp. 1885.6.11 法國遠東艦隊寄比利時，鈐法國遠征軍郵船Ligne N. 6日戳。7.22經巴黎，加貼和平及商務神像25生丁。7.23抵布魯塞爾。此信經由香港出發之 Djemnah 號送遞。加貼法國票寄比利時之珍罕例子。

Lot 2096

1,500.00 HKD

Live

1885 French Far East Squadron (13 Jan) to France, bearing French Expeditionary Force paquebot No. 5 cds and French marine seal. Arrived

1885 French Far East Squadron (13 Jan) to France, bearing French Expeditionary Force paquebot No. 5 cds and French marine seal. Arrived Paris (14 Feb)1885.1.13 法國遠東艦隊寄法國，鈐法國遠征軍郵船日戳及海軍陸戰隊章。2.14抵巴黎。