Ava Auctions 14th Spring Auction - Chinese Customs & Imperial Post

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China French PO Cancellations and seals

China French PO

China French PO Cancellations and seals

China French PO

China French PO Cancellations and seals

Lot 49

200,000.00 HKD

Live

1882. Newchwang (20 Aug) to England. F.w. marginal vertical strip of three 3-ca Large Dragons, cancelled by CUSTOMS NEWCHWANG cds.Transit

1882. Newchwang (20 Aug) to England. F.w. marginal vertical strip of three 3-ca Large Dragons, cancelled by CUSTOMS NEWCHWANG cds.Transit CUSTOMS SHANGHAI (? Aug). Additionally affixed with French 25 ctm stamp cancelled by ‘SHANG-HAI CHINE’ French P.O. cds (25 Aug) with another alongside. French transit (8 Oct), Cheltenham arrival (10 Oct).1882.8.20牛莊寄英國封，貼大龍叁分銀直三連帶邊紙，銷牛莊海關日戳，經上海關。加貼法郵25生丁票一枚，銷上海法國客郵局8.25日戳，10.8經法國，10.10到達英國。

China French PO

Lot 58

7,000.00 HKD

Live

1893 Tientsin (22 Dec) to England, f.w. Small Dragon 3ca on reverse, tied by faint Chinese seal, alongside with Customs Tientsin cds.

1893 Tientsin (22 Dec) to England, f.w. Small Dragon 3ca on reverse, tied by faint Chinese seal, alongside with Customs Tientsin cds. Transit Customs Shanghai (3 Jan). In combination with German numeral stamp 5pf x 4, tied by Shanghai German postal agency (4 Jan) cds. Arrived England (7 Feb). Cover opened out for display.1893.12.22 天津寄英國，背貼小龍3分銀，銷漢文戳記，另鈐天津海關日戳。1.3經上海海日關。另貼德國數目字票5芬尼x4，銷上海德國郵政代理1.4日戳。2.7抵英國。封剖開以作展示。

Lot 60

5,000.00 HKD

Live

1893 Peking (20 Jun) to France, f.w. Small Dragon 3ca on reverse for domestic rate, tied by Peking Chinese seal, alongside with I.G. of

1893 Peking (20 Jun) to France, f.w. Small Dragon 3ca on reverse for domestic rate, tied by Peking Chinese seal, alongside with I.G. of Customs cds. Transit Customs Tientsin (21 Jun), Customs Shanghai (25 Jun). In combination with French issue 15c x 2, tied byy Shanghai French PO (13 Jun) cds. Transit Modane-Paris (5 Aug). Arrived Yssingeaux (Aug). Cover opened at top.1893.6.20 北京寄法國，背貼小龍3分銀單枚付國內郵資，銷北京漢文戳記，旁鈐北京海關日戳。6.21經天津海關，6.25經上海海關。另貼法國票15生丁x2，銷上海法局6.13日戳。8.5經Modane-Paris。8月抵Yssingeaux。封頂打開。

China French PO

Great Britain Postal stationery

Lot 61

20,000.00 HKD

Live

1894 Peking (17 Dec) to France, f.w. Small Dragon 3ca in strip of 3 for 9ca international letter rate, tied by Peking Chinese seal,

1894 Peking (17 Dec) to France, f.w. Small Dragon 3ca in strip of 3 for 9ca international letter rate, tied by Peking Chinese seal, matching with I.G. Customs of Peking cds. Transit Customs Shanghai (1 Jan). In combination with Peace and Commerce issue 25c, tied by Shanghai French PO (4 Jan) cds. Arrived Rhone (Feb).1894.12.17 北京寄法國，貼小龍3分銀直三連，合9分銀國外信函郵資，銷北京中文戳記，背鈐北京海關日戳。1.1經上海海關。加貼和平及商貿神像25生丁，銷上海法局1.4日戳。2月抵Rhone。

China French PO

Great Britain Postal stationery

Lot 73

3,000.00 HKD

Live

1896. Legation of Austria-Hungary in China from Peking (13 Apr) to Austria. Franked with Empress Dowager 9ca stamp, cancelled by Peking

1896. Legation of Austria-Hungary in China from Peking (13 Apr) to Austria. Franked with Empress Dowager 9ca stamp, cancelled by Peking Chinese killer, with Customs Peking and Shanghai (17 Apr) transit on reverse. French 25c stamp cancelled Shang-hai cds (17 Apr). Arrived Klagenfurt (23 May), re-directed to Vienna (25 May).1896.4.13 奧匈帝國駐華公使自北京寄奧國，貼慈壽9分銀，銷北京中文戳記，旁鈐北京關日戳。4.17經上海關。加貼法國客郵25生丁，銷上海法局4.17日戳。5.23抵Klagenfurt，改寄維也納，5.25抵埗。

Great Britain Postal stationery

Lot 82

1,500.00 HKD

Live

London UK to Shanghai China via Shanghai Customs14 April 1882, Great Britain three half pence UPU card upgrated by a green half penny

London UK to Shanghai China via Shanghai Customs14 April 1882, Great Britain three half pence UPU card upgrated by a green half penny stamp, both indicium and stamp were cancelled by duplex obliterators "LOMBARD-ST" and "LS. 14"; on card front side, cancelled by a grey dark "CUSTOMS SHANGHAI / MY 28/82"; on the reverse side, cancelled by transit Hong Kong c.d.s. "HONG-KONG MY 20".UK postal card written French to Imperial Chinese Customs in Shanghai with unusual watery black c.d.s. which is very early for a postal card during large dragon period. Lower end of the card has small tears but it is a desirable item for such early usage of Customs mail on UPU card.倫敦寄上海經上海海關轉遞。1882年4月14日,英國1%便士萬國郵聯(UPU)郵政明信片加貼以便士綠色郵票升值寄出。正面所附印花與附加郵票,均蓋銷倫敦 LOMBARD STREET 雙圈日戰戳(LOMBARD-ST/L. S. 14):正面右侧並蓋有一枚灰黑色「CUSTOMS SHANGHAI / MY 28/82」海關到達戳:背面則顯示經香港中轉日戰「HONG-KONG / MY 20/82」。此件由英國倫敦寄往中國上海總海關(Imperial Chinese Maritime Customs)的明信片,以法文書寫,表明乃發往海關官方機構之通訊。其上海海關戰以帶水痕之灰黑色墨水蓋銷,為1882年大龍郵票期間罕見的早期明信片海關使用實例。卡片下端略有小製痕, 惟不損整體歷史價值。此卡為早期英國郵政明信片至中國海關官方郵件的實例,兼具郵政史、語言與制度演變三重研究價值,誠為海關郵集與大龍時期郵政收藏佳品。

Norway Postal stationery

Great Britain Postal stationery

Great Britain Pre-philately

Norway Postal stationery

Great Britain Postal stationery

Norway Postal stationery

Lot 83

4,000.00 HKD

Live

1887 Norway (25 Feb) to Customs Tientsin, redirected to Foochow. Norwegian 5 ore PSC, uprated by 10 ore, tied by Holmestrand cds. Transit

1887 Norway (25 Feb) to Customs Tientsin, redirected to Foochow. Norwegian 5 ore PSC, uprated by 10 ore, tied by Holmestrand cds. Transit with Singapore-to-Hong Kong marine sorter (10 Mar), Customs Shanghai (10 Apr), Customs Tientsin (15 Apr) but redirected to Foochow via Customs Shanghai again (19 Apr). Very rare incoming example from Norway.1887.2.25 挪威寄天津海關，改寄福州。挪威5歐爾郵資片，加貼10歐爾，銷Holmestrand日戳。3.10經新加坡至香港海上分揀。4.10經上海海關，4.15經天津海關，4.19再經上海海關改寄福州。非常少見難得之挪威進口例。

Great Britain Postal stationery

Lot 84

2,000.00 HKD

Live

London to Tientsin, China via China Customs System. June 1892, half penny imprinted wrapper with upper left-hand corner endorsed as ASONIA

London to Tientsin, China via China Customs System. June 1892, half penny imprinted wrapper with upper left-hand corner endorsed as ASONIA CLOCK COMPANY LONDON E.C., sent to Messers & Meyer & Co., Tientsin, China. The QV half penny indicium cancelled by obliterator "FC 92". Adjacent to it, cancelled by a fine double ringed 'CUSTOMS TIENTSIN/JUL 10/92" in red.倫敦寄中國天津-經中國海關郵政遞送。1892年6月,維多利亞女王半便士郵資信封(wrapper)。本件為英國半便士印刷郵責信封(wrapper),左上角印有寄件人名稱“ASONIA CLOCK COMPANY LONDON E.C.”,寄至中國天津 Messers Meyer & Co.商行。信封右上角之**維多利亞女王半便士印記林由倫敦“FC92”圓形銷戰註銷。旁另加蓋**"CUSTOMS TIENTSIN/JUL 10/92”紅色雙圈到達日戳,表示由中國海關郵政系統負責最終派遞**這是19世紀晚期英國商業印刷品寄往中國內地並由清朝海關郵政系統負責遞送的典型範例。

Great Britain Pre-philately

Italy Postal stationery

Great Britain Pre-philately

Lot 85

800.00 HKD

Live

1893 Britain (31 Oct) to British Legation Peking via Yizhan, f.w. QV 1d for British domestic rate, tied by Nestport duplex d.s. Chinese

1893 Britain (31 Oct) to British Legation Peking via Yizhan, f.w. QV 1d for British domestic rate, tied by Nestport duplex d.s. Chinese domestic rate was not applied as diplomatic mails were delivered via Yizhan. 1521893.10.31 英國經驛站寄英國駐京公使館，貼維多利亞女皇像1便士合英國國內郵資，銷Nestport雙聯日戳。因外交郵件經驛站分揀而免卻中國國內郵資。

Italy Postal stationery

France Postal stationery

Great Britain

Italy Postal stationery

Lot 86

4,000.00 HKD

Live

Italy to Tientsin, China going through China's Customs System24 March 1894, Italian Postal 10-centesimi stationery card despatched

Italy to Tientsin, China going through China's Customs System24 March 1894, Italian Postal 10-centesimi stationery card despatched from Napoli to Tientsin China c/o Imperial Germanial Consulate.On the front side, 10-centesimi indicium cancelled by the boxed obliterator NAPOLI 24 MR 94 c.d.s., blue crayon manuscript "2" and "Tientsin"; cancelled by double ringed "CUSTOMS TIENTSIN/MAY 1/1894" in blue color, 2 marine sorter c.d.s. "SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG /A/AP 16/94", another Tientsin Customs c.d.s. "CUSTOMS TIENTSIN/APR 30/1894" in red color-red color customs c.d.s. refers to incoming to Tientsin, and the blue color customs c.d.s. refers to dispatch out to re-direct to Peking Customs.On the reverse side, another marine sorter c.d.s. "SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG/A/AP 16/94" (so three times of marine sorter c.d.s. on the card), Germany Imperial P.O. c.d.s "TIENTSIN/KAISERL. DEUTSCHE POSTAGENTUR 4/5 94", arrival customs c.d.s. "I.G. OF CUSTOMS PEKING/MAY 4/94".A very good Italian postal card illustrating the inter-connections with China's customs system and the use of landing and dispatch TIENTSIN CUSTOMS c.d.s. in different colors.義大利寄中國天津,經中國海關郵政體系1894年3月24日,義大利10分郵資明信片由拿坡里(Napoli)寄往中國天津,收件地址為德國領事館代收。正面所見:印刷郵票面值10分(centesimi)的明信片上,貼印郵資圖案由方框型日戳「NAPOLI 24 MR94」銷戰,並以藍色蠟筆手寫「2」及「Tientsin」;另有林 CUSTOMS TIENTSIN/APR 30/1894」紅色雙圈日戰林,表示郵件抵達天津海關。再加上**「CUSTOMS TIENTSIN/MAY 1/1894」藍色日戳**,表示此信由天津海關轉寄至北京海關。途中經過的船郵戳記為**「SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG/A/AP 16/94」**海運分揀日戳,共出現三次。背面所見:再一次出現**「SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG/A/AP 16/94」海運日戳, 另蓋有德國天津郵局「TIENTSIN/ KAISERL. DEUTSCHE POSTAGENTUR 4/5 94」日戳 **,以及最終送達的**「I.G. OF CUSTOMS PEKING/MAY 4/94」北京海關到達日戳林。此件義大利郵政明信片完整展示了19世紀末國際郵件如何透過中國海關郵政體系遞送,同時具備天津海關紅色抵達觀與藍色轉寄戳的雙色組合,並與德國郵政局及北京海關相互銜接,具有高郵政史價值。

France Postal stationery

Great Britain

France Postal stationery

Lot 87

700.00 HKD

Live

1895 (17 Sep) French Peace and Commerce 10c stationery card to Shanghai, tied by Douai cds., alongside with Edmond Fremy philatelic d.s.

1895 (17 Sep) French Peace and Commerce 10c stationery card to Shanghai, tied by Douai cds., alongside with Edmond Fremy philatelic d.s. Transit Shanghai French PO (24 Oct). Arrived Customs Shanghai (24 Oct).1895.9.17 法國和平及商貿神像10生丁郵資片寄上海，銷Douai日戳，旁鈐Edmond Fremy集郵日戳。10.24上海法局落地。10.24抵上海海關。

Great Britain

Lot 88

2,000.00 HKD

Live

1896 Britain (13 Feb) to Amoy and redirected. British 1d PSC, tied by Norwich duplex d.s. Transit Hong Kong (21 Mar), Amoy BPO (24 Mar).

1896 Britain (13 Feb) to Amoy and redirected. British 1d PSC, tied by Norwich duplex d.s. Transit Hong Kong (21 Mar), Amoy BPO (24 Mar). Arrived Customs Amoy (24 Mar) with cds in red. Redirected via Customs Shanghai (29 Mar). Despite the faint strike, it is very rare to see Customs Amoy cds on incoming mail.1896.2.13 英國寄廈門，隨後改寄。英國1便士郵資片，銷Norwich雙聯日戳。3.21經香港，3.24經廈門英局，同日交廈門海關，鈐紅色日戳。3.29經上海海關改寄。雖郵戳較淺，但進口郵件上見廈門海關日戳者甚為少見。

Hungary Postal stationery

Netherlands Postal stationery

Austria Postal stationery

Hungary Postal stationery

Netherlands Postal stationery

Hungary Postal stationery

Lot 89

1,500.00 HKD

Live

Austria-Hungary to China - Postal Card via Hungarian Royal Post. 12 JUL 1896, Austria-Hungary UPU 2 krajczár UPU card uprated by3

Austria-Hungary to China - Postal Card via Hungarian Royal Post. 12 JUL 1896, Austria-Hungary UPU 2 krajczár UPU card uprated by3 krajczár blue adhesive, sent from Sepsiszentgyörgy, Austria-Hungary (today Sfântu Gheorghe, Romania) to Shanghai, China, both tied by a clear SEPSISZENTGYÖRGY 33/7 96 c.d.s. Addressed to Monsieur R.A. de Villers, Inspector General of Customs, Imperial Maritime Customs, Shanghai. Reverse bears a light blue SHANGHAI CUSTOMS c.d.s. dated OCT 10, 1896, confirming arrival and handling by the Chinese Imperial Customs Post. Beautiful multicolor vignette depicting Herkulesfürdő (now Băile Herculane, Romania) on the reverse, with handwritten German message. This card illustrates an early postal communication between Hungary and Qing Imperial Post Office in China, addressed to a senior figure of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs R.A. de Villers, a known official under Sir Robert Hart. The application of the Shanghai Customs postmark in light blue adds significant rarity and philatelic value, particularly for collectors of China's foreign mail period and early Customs postal markings. Usage and survivals to Customs mails are scarce.匈牙利寄中國上海海關。12.07.1896,此為1896年匈牙利寄中國清末上海的彩繪明信片,寄往中國海關總稽查 R. A. de Villers 閣下。正面使用2克拉采匈牙利明信片加貼3克拉采藍色郵票補資,全數以SEPSISZENTGYÖRGY 戳記銷蓋。背面圖像為著名溫泉勝地 Herkulesfürdő (今日羅馬尼亞),並蓋有1896年10月10日上海海關淡藍色抵達戳,比較早期的奥匈帝國入口海關用途。罕少。

Netherlands Postal stationery

Lot 91

4,000.00 HKD

Live

1882 Netherlands (13 May) to Dutch Minister Peking. Dutch 2-1/2c PSC, uprated by 10c, tied by Hague cds. Transit with Singapore-To-Hong

1882 Netherlands (13 May) to Dutch Minister Peking. Dutch 2-1/2c PSC, uprated by 10c, tied by Hague cds. Transit with Singapore-To-Hong Kong marine sorter (17 Jun), Customs Tientsin (1 Jul). On address side with framed "PAID" cachet to indicate that Chinese domestic rate paid. Rare early example of this PAID cachet, not to mention applied on incoming mail. With Holcombe certificate.1882.5.13 荷蘭寄荷蘭駐北京公使。荷蘭2-1/2分郵資片，加貼10分，銷海牙日戳。6.17經新加坡至香港海上分揀，7.1經天津海關，地址一面鈐帶框PAID橫戳，代表國內郵資已付。為此PAID橫戳之較早例子，用於進口郵件上更是出色。附Holcombe證書。

Austria Postal stationery

Netherlands Postal stationery

Austria Postal stationery

Lot 93

15,000.00 HKD

Live

1891 Austria (28 Mar) to Peking. Austrian 2k PSC, uprated by 1k + 5k, tied by Ambulant Post No. 4 cds. Showing "Via Suez" annotation.

1891 Austria (28 Mar) to Peking. Austrian 2k PSC, uprated by 1k + 5k, tied by Ambulant Post No. 4 cds. Showing "Via Suez" annotation. Transit Hong Kong (6 May). Transit Customs Tientsin (16 May) with "TO PAY" horizontal cachet in blue for Chinese domestic rate. Paul K S Chang recorded this type of "To Pay" cachet on Tientsin postmark proof but did not record any example on cover. Incoming examples from Austria are also scarce. In 2024 (Jul), AVA offered an incoming postcard from Austria to Peking with same type of To Pay mark in red was hammered at HKD$56,000 (lot 355).1891.3.28 奧國寄北京。奧國2k郵資片，加貼1k + 5k，銷行動郵局4號日戳。寫有“Via Suez”批示。5.6經香港。5.16經天津海關，旁鈐天津“TO PAY”藍色補資橫戳。張愷升於天津郵務戳樣中得悉此戳，但未見實寄封片。奧國進口中國十分稀罕少見。2024年7月艾華夏拍，一件鈐相同紅色TO PAY橫戳之奧國寄北京片以港幣56,000元拍出（拍品號355）。

Netherlands Postal stationery

China French PO Cancellations and seals

China French PO Postal stationery

Netherlands Postal stationery

Lot 94

5,000.00 HKD

Live

1893 Netherlands (12 Sep) to Dutch Minister Peking. Dutch 2-1/2c PSC, uprated by 2-1/2c, tied by Hague cds. Transit Marseilles (14 Sep),

1893 Netherlands (12 Sep) to Dutch Minister Peking. Dutch 2-1/2c PSC, uprated by 2-1/2c, tied by Hague cds. Transit Marseilles (14 Sep), Shanghai French PO (22 Oct), Customs Shanghai (22 Oct) with framed "TO PAY" cachet in red on address side for domestic rate. Arrived Customs Peking (29 Oct). Scarce incoming example from Netherlands.1893.9.12 荷蘭寄荷蘭駐京公使。荷蘭2-1/2分郵資片，加貼2-1/2分，銷海牙日戳。9.14經馬賽，10.22經上海法局，10.22經上海海關，正鈐“TO PAY”紅色橫戳補資。10.29抵北京海關。非常少見難得之荷蘭進口例。

China French PO Cancellations and seals

China French PO Postal stationery

China French PO Cancellations and seals

Lot 97

15,000.00 HKD

Live

1896 (29 Dec.) registered cover front only, to France via Shanghai, showing “Chinese Imperial Post Office/ Peking/ Postage Paid”

1896 (29 Dec.) registered cover front only, to France via Shanghai, showing “Chinese Imperial Post Office/ Peking/ Postage Paid” triple-ring bilingual h.s. in blue, matching “I.G. of Customs/Peking” double-ring origin d.s and ‘registered’ handstamp; also bearing France “Chine” 1f cancelled by “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. (15.1.97) with ‘R’ handstamp. Transit Ligne N (16.1). Front only, Berteaux correspondence, nevertheless very early date for this first postage paid handstamp of the Imperial Chinese Post.1896.12.29掛號封封面，自北京寄法國，鈐 “信力已付” 三圈圓戳、北京海關始發日戳及REGISTERED橫戳。加貼法國客郵1法郎，銷1.15上海法局日戳，另見R章。1.16經郵船N線。Berteaux書信。乃“信力已付”三圈圓戳之極早例子。

China French PO Postal stationery

Lot 111

12,000.00 HKD

Live

1897 Chefoo (29 Sep) to Germany. French ovpt. 10c PSC, f.w. Empress Dowager surch large figure narrow spaced 2c/2ca, tied by Chefoo Dollar

1897 Chefoo (29 Sep) to Germany. French ovpt. 10c PSC, f.w. Empress Dowager surch large figure narrow spaced 2c/2ca, tied by Chefoo Dollar cds. Transit Shanghai (1 Oct) with dollar cds. Indicia tied by Shanghai French PO (2 Oct) cds. Arrived Hamburg. 1897.9.29 煙台寄德國。法國加蓋Chine 10生丁郵資片，貼慈壽加蓋大字短距2分蓋2分銀，銷煙台大圓戳。10.1經上海，鈐大圓戳。郵資圖銷上海法局10.2日戳。抵漢堡。