Ava Auctions 14th Spring Auction

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All lots Aftersale lots Sold at auction

Great Britain

Great Britain Postage due stamps

China French PO

Great Britain

Great Britain Postage due stamps

Great Britain

Lot 387

1,100 HKD

Sold

1935 (July 4) London to Shanghai "Return to Sender" and “P.T.O.” Cover Sent from South Kensington to Lt. Commdr. A. Yates at the

1935 (July 4) London to Shanghai "Return to Sender" and “P.T.O.” Cover Sent from South Kensington to Lt. Commdr. A. Yates at the Shanghai Club, redirected to the Admiralty, London. Features a GB 1½d Silver Jubilee stamp and a reverse block of 4x 1c Chinese postage due stamps tied by Shanghai cancels. The delivery failure is meticulously documented by three boxed instructional marks: "1ST NOTICE SENT" (Aug 7), "2ND" (Aug 12), and "3RD" (Aug 21). Includes a bilingual "Returned to Sender" wavy line handstamp and a London (Sept 13) arrival mark. A manuscript mark of "P.T.O." (Please Turn Over) was made on the front – this is alerted by postal clerks to direct attention to the extensive markings, Chinese stamps, and redirection instructions on the reverse of the envelope. This cover illustrates the disciplined three-stage notification attempt used by the Chinese Post Office before returning the item to the UK. The combination of British Jubilee commemoratives and Chinese definitive stamps makes it an exceptional piece of inter-postal and military history plus manuscript instructional marking.1935年倫敦寄上海「退回發信人」封，貼英國銀禧紀念郵票寄上海總會海軍少校。背面貼四連支1分帆船票，並完整蓋有 8月7日、12日及21日之三次催領通知戳記。本封詳盡記錄了中國郵政對海軍郵件的死信處理程序，是研究中英軍事郵政史之經典實物。

Great Britain Postage due stamps

Lot 389

700 HKD

Sold

1933 England (24 Oct) to Shanghai, f.w. KGV 1d + 1/2d, tied by London meter stamp. Showing T mark on front. In combination with ROC postage

1933 England (24 Oct) to Shanghai, f.w. KGV 1d + 1/2d, tied by London meter stamp. Showing T mark on front. In combination with ROC postage due issue x13, in total of 20c on reverse, tied by Shanghai (23 Nov) arrival cds. Nice postage due example.1933.10.24 英國寄上海，貼佐治五世1便士 + 半便士，銷倫敦機戳。正鈐T章。背面加貼民國欠資票13枚，合2角，銷上海11.23到達戳。出色之欠資例。

China French PO

Lot 545

2,000 HKD

Live

1945 Yunnan (14 Sep) to France. WWII Red Cross cover by member of Corps Expéditionnaire Français en Extrême-Orient,showing French

1945 Yunnan (14 Sep) to France. WWII Red Cross cover by member of Corps Expéditionnaire Français en Extrême-Orient,showing French military PO origin cds and “TROUPS FRANCAISES / EN CHINE” h.s. With letter sheet content.1945.9.14 雲南寄法國。二戰紅十字會封，由法國遠東遠征軍官兵寄出，鈐法軍軍郵局始發日戳及在華法軍戳記。附信紙內容。

Lot 2001

1,100 HKD

Live

1910-1920 a pair of French surch Chinese and French value 4c/10c PSC, plus a PPC f.w. surch 4c/10c stamp, all from Shanghai to Europe,

1910-1920 a pair of French surch Chinese and French value 4c/10c PSC, plus a PPC f.w. surch 4c/10c stamp, all from Shanghai to Europe, showing surch in small and large figure respectively.1910至1920年一對法國改值中文及法文四仙蓋10生丁郵資片，另附一件貼用四仙蓋10生丁票之圖片明信片，均由上海寄歐洲，分別展示了加蓋小字及大字。

Lot 2004

5,000 HKD

Sold

This is possibly the earliest French missionary letter directly from Pekin to overseas via French international postal system. 1853 (14

This is possibly the earliest French missionary letter directly from Pekin to overseas via French international postal system. 1853 (14 June) a French missionary letter dated June 14, 1853, originating from the village of Ngan Kia Tchouang 安家庄 ( Anjiazhuang ) in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Zhili (modern-day Hebei). The letter is written to Institut d’Afrique in Peking by Father Joseph Martial Mouly 孟振生，當時任北京教區代理主教 . The text identifies the ecclesiastical jurisdiction then managed by the Lazarist (Vincentian) order and begins with the traditional pious invocation “+ J.M.J.” (Jesus, Mary, Joseph). Ngan Kia Tchouang 安家庄 (Anjiazhuang) is a famous Catholic “Christian village” in Hebei province. During the mid-1800s, it served as an important missionary station and refuge for foreign priests and local converts. It was often used as a base for the Bishop or senior missionaries when they were not in Beijing itself. On the reverse side, there is a large official episcopal seal (Bishop’s seal) of Joseph Martial Mouly. The transcription of the Seal reads: “JOS. MART. MOULY EPIS. FESSUL. VIC. AP. TCHELY-SEPT. PEKIN.”, i.e., Joseph Martial Mouly, Bishop of Fussula (His titular see), Vicar Apostolic, North Zhili (Northern Hebei) of Beijing. 1853.6.14 寄北京教區代理主教孟振生，由直隸安家莊寄出。可能為自北京經法國郵政系統寄海外之最早教會信件。

Lot 2005

2,000 HKD

Live

3 July 1855, France sent to Canton, China affixed with a stripe of 4 imperforate 40 centimes orange "Empire Franc" stamp (Napoleon III),

3 July 1855, France sent to Canton, China affixed with a stripe of 4 imperforate 40 centimes orange "Empire Franc" stamp (Napoleon III), cancelled by box type Lozenges, with desptach c.d.s. "3 JUIL 55". On the back side, cancelled by double arc 'CANTON 27 AU 1855", and also double arc "HONG KONG 26 AG 1855". It is rare to have a stripe of 4 imperforate 40c Napoleon III stamps on cover sent to China. Secondly, most of covers sent to Canton will not carry any arrival c.d.s. but this one has a fine use of CANTON double arc c.d.s., and hence, very rare in nature.法國寄往中國廣州 1855年7月3日,自法國寄往中國廣州之信函,貼附罕見的拿破崙三世肖像《帝國法蘭西》橙色40生丁無齒郵票一條四連張,全以方格型點線格“菱形”戰銷。信封正面附有清晰的發信日戳 “3 JUIL 55"。信封背面蓋有「HONG KONG 26 AG 1855」雙圈日戳以及極為罕見之「CANTON 27 AU 1855」雙圈到達日戳。此封信最為珍罕之處,在於兩點:其一,貼用四枚連張無齒40生丁拿破崙三世郵票實寄至中國;其二,多數寄往廣州之信件並無當地到達戳,而本件則保留清晰完整之「CANTON」雙圈到達日戳,尤為難得。

Lot 2006

4,000 HKD

Sold

1856 (5 Sept), an envelope sent from France to Canton China, endorsed “Par Marseilles & Suez”, franked with French Ceres 1 x 20c in

1856 (5 Sept), an envelope sent from France to Canton China, endorsed “Par Marseilles & Suez”, franked with French Ceres 1 x 20c in blue and 1 x 80c in red, tied by star-pointed lozenges cancellation. On the obverse side, cancelled with a blue oval forwarder cachet “B.G. WAINWRIGHT & Co. / 13. R. DU FAUBC MONTMARTRE. / PARIS”, framed “P.P.” in red, rate mark handstamp “1/-”, Paris transit c.d.s. On the reverse, cancelled with Hong-Kong double arc c.d.s (2 Nov 1856). Seldom to see direct mail to Canton in use of French Ceres adhesive. The Arrow Incident broke out in October 1856 opening up the Second Opium War. In Nov 1856, the mail delivery from Hong Kong to Canton was seriously disturbed and often be suspended. Not entirely sure whether this mail could eventually be delivered to Canton at the time.1856.9.5 法國寄廣州，貼20生丁 + 80生丁，銷星形殺手戳。11.2經香港。貼五穀女神像票寄廣州少見。由於亞羅船事件，香港寄廣州之郵政服務大受影響，故此信有否抵達廣州實屬疑問。

Lot 2007

600 HKD

Sold

26 July 1860, a complete entire address to Beussonnet & Co. Shanghae Chine, franked with 2x France Empire-Franc Head 80c in deep red,

26 July 1860, a complete entire address to Beussonnet & Co. Shanghae Chine, franked with 2x France Empire-Franc Head 80c in deep red, cancelled by lozenge diamond obliterators, together with a clear red boxed "P.P." indicating a Pre-Paid mail, and a Paris c.d.s. The reverse side cancelled by HK transit c.d.s. dated 8 September 1860. A very fine use of imperforate 80c France E-F Head stamps with v. wide margins when the mail delivered in the midst of the Second Opium War.1860.7.26 寄上海Beussonnet & Co.，貼拿破崙三世80生丁，銷菱形殺手戳，另見PP章及巴黎日戳。貼用無齒80生丁連寬邊票，難得。

Lot 2008

2,000 HKD

Live

1863 (18 July) a neat outer cover sent from France to Shanghai Chine. On the obverse side, endorsed by “Par Paquetor Francais”, franked

1863 (18 July) a neat outer cover sent from France to Shanghai Chine. On the obverse side, endorsed by “Par Paquetor Francais”, franked with two pairs of 40c French adhesive tied by “2145” diamond lozenges, a red boxed “PD” and a black boxed “PD”. According to Lee Scamp Far East Mail Ship Itineraries, this mail should be carried by French Ligne Ship “PELUSE”, “ALPHEE”, “HYDASPE” to Shanghai. Lee Scamp mentioned on its note 18 (page 4) that MI “HYDASPE” had gone to Whampoa for repairs when arrived in China. The mail might be carried by another substitute French mail service to Shanghai or other British service as an outside mail. That explained why there is no arrival c.d.s. at Shanghai. A first year French ligne packet mail to Shanghai. Very interesting in use of substitute mail service in China.1863.7.18 法國寄上海，正面批注經法國郵船，貼40生丁雙連，銷2145殺手戳。按Scamp記錄，此信由Peluse, Alphee, Hydaspe號寄上海。而Hydaspe號於抵達黃埔後進行維修，由於另一艘英國或法國船送至上海。為法國郵船寄上海之首年例子。

Lot 2009

2,600 HKD

Live

1863 Shanghai (5 Aug) to France, f.w. Napoleon III 10c + 20c + 40c, tied by 5104 obliterator, along with Shanghai French civilian PO

1863 Shanghai (5 Aug) to France, f.w. Napoleon III 10c + 20c + 40c, tied by 5104 obliterator, along with Shanghai French civilian PO Desrousseuax type Ch.1 cds and PD mark. Arrived Paris (26 Sep). Since the French troops left in 1862, the CEC BC1 post was closed. A new public post office was opened in Jan 1863. First year example of this PO. This cover was carried by Ganges, Columbian and Nubia.1863.8.5 上海寄法國，貼拿破崙三世10生丁 + 20生丁 + 40生丁，銷5104菱形殺手戳，旁鈐上海法國民郵局Desrousseaux Ch.1型日戳及PD戳。9.26抵巴黎。法軍於1862年離去，連同CEC BC1郵局亦關閉，故在1863年1月成立了新的公共郵局。此為首年例子，由Ganges、Columbian號和Nubia號送遞。

Lot 2010

2,600 HKD

Live

1863 Shanghai (5 Aug) to France. Entire letter, rated "18" and sent "via Marseilles", applied with Shanghai French civilian PO Desrousseaux

1863 Shanghai (5 Aug) to France. Entire letter, rated "18" and sent "via Marseilles", applied with Shanghai French civilian PO Desrousseaux type Ch.1 cds. Transit Suez (24 Sep) with paquebot cds. Arrived Lyon (25 Sep). Since the French troops left in 1862, the CEC BC1 post was closed. A new public post office was opened in Jan 1863. First year example of this PO. This cover was carried by Ganges, Columbian and Nubia.1863.8.5 上海寄法國。郵簡，寫有“18”郵資及“via Marseilles”，鈐上海法國民郵局Desrousseaux Ch.1型日戳。9.24經蘇伊士，鈐郵船中轉戳。法軍於1862年離去，連同CEC BC1郵局亦關閉，故在1863年1月成立了新的公共郵局。此為首年例子，由Ganges、Columbian號和Nubia號送遞。

Lot 2013

6,000 HKD

Live

1864 (21 Apr) Cover from Shanghai to England, f.w. Napoleon 40c x9 on both sides, tied by 5104 dottedd obliterator, alongside with "COR. D.

1864 (21 Apr) Cover from Shanghai to England, f.w. Napoleon 40c x9 on both sides, tied by 5104 dottedd obliterator, alongside with "COR. D. ARMEE.S" cds. Showing "Via Marseilles" annotation and "PD" marking. The steamship "Hydaspe," replacing the "Impératrice" (damaged at the Port of Wales) on the Suez-Hong Kong route, required the Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes to charter the British steamer "Lotus," which departed Shanghai on April 21, 1864. Arrival in Hong Kong on the 25th, transfer on the 26th to the "Cambodge," and arrival in Suez on May 25. Overland transport to Alexandria and embarkation on the 28th on the "Saïd," arriving in Marseille on June 2. Travel from Paris to Calais on June 3 and distribution in Bideford on June 4. Total transport time: 46 days 1. One of the 3 known French paquebot covers with "5104" + "COR. D. ARMEES" combination 2. Please see pg. 42-43 of "Far East Mail Ship Itineraries Vol 2" by Lee Scamp. 3. Amongst these 3 covers, this is the earliest one.1864.4.21 上海寄英國，貼拿破崙三世40生丁x9，銷5104殺手戳，另見法軍日戳。Imperatrice號受損，故由Hydaspe號替代行走蘇伊士-香港段，並要求租用英國船隻Lotus號接力。Lotus號4月21日離開上海，25日抵香港。郵件轉由Cambodge號送遞，5.15抵蘇伊士。再由陸路至亞歷山大港。為三件同時蓋有5104 + “CORR D ARMESS”戳之信件中日期最早者。詳見Scamp《Far East Mail Ship Itineraries Vol 2》

Lot 2014

26,000 HKD

Sold

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 2015

3,000 HKD

Live

1864 (20 May) an entire outer sheet sent from Shanghai to Paris, franked with a non-standard arrival rate mark “18” (double rate)

1864 (20 May) an entire outer sheet sent from Shanghai to Paris, franked with a non-standard arrival rate mark “18” (double rate) charged locally at arrival, double circled “SHANG-HAI BAU FRANCAIS / 20 MAI 64”, blue double ring oval mark “FIERZ & BACHMANN / SHANGHAI”. A very unusual local rate charge numeral of “18” for French packet mail. The mail was carried by French packet ligne “Hydaspe”, “Donnai”, and “Said”.1864.5.20 上海寄法國，鈐不規範“18”郵資戳，另見上海法局日戳，十分少見難得。

Lot 2017

30,000 HKD

Sold

1864 Paquebot Hydaspe, Shanghai (17 Jul) to France. Entire letter, rated "9" and sent "via Marseilles", applied with very scarce "SHANGHAI

1864 Paquebot Hydaspe, Shanghai (17 Jul) to France. Entire letter, rated "9" and sent "via Marseilles", applied with very scarce "SHANGHAI PAQ FR / HYDASPE" octagonal d.s. (Salles I829). Transit Marseilles (4 Sep). Arrived Paris (6 Sep). Both Desrousseaux and Salles stated that the Shanghai Hydaspe paquebot d.s. is extremely scarce.1864.7.17 經郵船Hydaspe於上海投遞，寄法國。郵簡，寫有郵資“9”及“via Marseilles”，鈐極罕之“SHANGHAI PAQ FR / HYDASPE”八角形日戳（Salles I829）。9.4經馬賽。9.5抵巴黎。Desrousseaux及Salles均指這款上海Hydaspe郵船日戳極為珍罕。

Lot 2018

24,000 HKD

Sold

1865 (25 Oct) Cover from Shanghai to Hamburg, f.w. Napoleon 20c x44 + 20c, in total of 8f90c, tied by 5104 dotted obliterator, alongside

1865 (25 Oct) Cover from Shanghai to Hamburg, f.w. Napoleon 20c x44 + 20c, in total of 8f90c, tied by 5104 dotted obliterator, alongside with Shanghai French PO cds, CHARGE, PD and framed hand filled weight mark. It is the largest block of French 20c used for registered mail. Despite some soiling and stamps with defects, it is an amazing French registered mail from Shanghai French PO. Some adhesives damaged in some way but a very spectacular French P.O. Charge (Registered) item. Provenance: BASLE 3 – The Alex Droar Collection / Robson Lowe Auction, Oct 19741865.10.25 上海寄漢堡，貼拿破崙20生丁x44 + 20生丁，合8法郎90生丁，銷5104殺手戳，另見上海法局日戳。為法國票20生丁用於掛號信上之最大方連。1974年10月BASLE 3 – The Alex Droar Collection / Robson Lowe Auction。

Lot 2019

600 HKD

Sold

16 June 1866, an entire addressed to À l'Amiral Phorner Shang-hai Chine, franked with one 1x EMPIRE-France Head 80c in red, cancelled by a

16 June 1866, an entire addressed to À l'Amiral Phorner Shang-hai Chine, franked with one 1x EMPIRE-France Head 80c in red, cancelled by a fine diamond lozenge numeral "3533" obliterator, together with despatch c.d.s "ST BRIEUG/16 JUIN 66". On the reverse side, cancelled by three French transit c.d.s. and the arrival Shanghai c.d.s. "SHANG-HAI BAU FRANCAIS/3 AOUT 66"1866.6.16 寄上海，貼拿破崙三世80生丁，銷3533菱形殺手戳，另見始發日戳。8.3抵上海法局。

Lot 2020

600 HKD

Live

17 August 1867, an outer cover of entire addressed to MM. Chartron et Monnier, à Shanghai, Chine, franked with a single Empire-Franc Head

17 August 1867, an outer cover of entire addressed to MM. Chartron et Monnier, à Shanghai, Chine, franked with a single Empire-Franc Head 80c in red, cancelled by lozenge "556" numeral obliterator together with a France transit c.d.s. "BOURBONNE-LES-BAINS (50) /17 AOUT 67", the reverse side cancelled by Shanghai arrival c.d.s. "SHANG-HAI/7 OCT 67", indicating the use of French packet line for delivery. Based on L.Scamp, this mail was shipped by Messageries Imperiales Eastward paquebot steamers of Said, Cambodge, Dupleix, Phase to Shanghai. A very fine use of lozenge cancellation from France to Shanghai on French Packet Line.1867.8.17 寄上海MM. Chartron et Monnier，貼80生丁，銷556殺手戳。10.7抵上海，可見經法國郵船送遞。按Scamp資料，此信由法國郵船Said, Cambodge, Dupleix, Phase號寄上海。