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

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All lots Aftersale lots Sold at auction

China French PO

China Dowager

China German PO Cancellations and seals

China French PO

China Dowager

China French PO

Lot 73

3,600 HKD

Sold

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。

China Dowager

Lot 74

40,000 HKD

Live

1896 Shanghai (15 Dec) to Peking via winter route, f.w. Empress Dowager first print 3ca x2, tied by Customs Shanghai cds. Arrived Peking (4

1896 Shanghai (15 Dec) to Peking via winter route, f.w. Empress Dowager first print 3ca x2, tied by Customs Shanghai cds. Arrived Peking (4 Jan). It is one of the earliest recorded cover carried by the 1896 Winter route. Robert Kong recorded only 5 domestic mail matter covers taking the northbound winter route and it is the 6th one. Also, it an an important example of transition between Customs and Imperial Post as mails dated before 31 Dec 1896 was still subjected to the regulation of the Customs Posts. 2012 (15 Dec) Interasia "Selection from the Huang Ming-Jeng Grand Prix Collection of Imperial China 19th Century Postal History Part 1", lot 159.1896.12.15 上海經冬季郵路寄北京，貼慈壽初版3分銀x2，銷上海海關日戳。1.4抵北京。此為記錄中走1896年冬令郵路之最早郵例。按龔秀彬記錄，向北走冬令郵路之國內公文封僅有五件，此為第六件。另外由於1896年12月1日前之郵件仍遵行海關郵政之規章，故此可謂海關與大清郵政過渡時期之重要例證。2012.12.15 Interasia“黃明正大清郵政史得獎郵集第一部分”，拍品號159。

China German PO Cancellations and seals

China U.S PO

China German PO Cancellations and seals

Lot 75

3,000 HKD

Live

1894 German Consulate Peking (2 Feb) to Germany, applied with I.G. of Customs Peking type A origin cds on reverse. Transit Customs Tientsin

1894 German Consulate Peking (2 Feb) to Germany, applied with I.G. of Customs Peking type A origin cds on reverse. Transit Customs Tientsin (9 Feb), Customs Shanghai (22 Feb) via Winter route. In combination with German Eagle 20pf, tied by Shanghai German postal agency (25 Feb). On reverse with German Consulate seal label.1894.2.2 德國駐京大使館寄德國，背鈐北京海關A型始發日戳。2.9經天津海關，經冬令郵路南下，2.22抵上海海關。加貼德國鷹徽圖20芬尼，銷上海德國郵政代理。背貼德國大使館封口紙。

China U.S PO

China British PO

China U.S PO

Lot 76

2,000 HKD

Sold

1894 US Consulate Tienstin (28 Aug) to USA, applied with Customs Tientsin origin cds on reverse. Transit Customs Shanghai (1 Sep). In

1894 US Consulate Tienstin (28 Aug) to USA, applied with Customs Tientsin origin cds on reverse. Transit Customs Shanghai (1 Sep). In combination with US 5c, tied by USPA Shanghai type IV duplex d.s. Transit San Francisco (4 Oct). Arrived Greeley.1894.8.28 美國駐天津領事館寄美國，背鈐天津海關始發日戳。9.1經上海海關。貼美國票5分，銷上海美國郵政代理IV型雙聯日戳。10.4經三藩市。抵Greeley。

China British PO

Lot 77

4,000 HKD

Live

1896 Customs Canton (4 Feb) to Bulgaria. Hong Kong QV 4c PSC. Indicia unused while bearing Customs Canton origin cds in violet alongside.

1896 Customs Canton (4 Feb) to Bulgaria. Hong Kong QV 4c PSC. Indicia unused while bearing Customs Canton origin cds in violet alongside. Transit French paquebot (5 Feb). Arrived Ruse (24 Feb). Peculiar example without Hong Kong cds. Probably the card went to S.S. Natal straight to avoid late fee. Rare destination. Ex- Steve Chazen. 1896.2.4 廣州海關寄保加利亞。香港維多利亞女皇像4仙郵資片。郵資圖無蓋銷，旁鈐廣州關藍色始發日戳。2.5經法國郵船。2.24抵Ruse。未見香港日戳之奇特例子。可能該片直接送往汽船Natal號以避免遲付費用。少見之目的地。蔡盛舊藏。

Lot 78

3,000 HKD

Live

1896 Amoy (29 Feb) to USA. Cash registered cover, applied with Customs Amoy origin cds on reverse. In combination with Hong Kong QV surch

1896 Amoy (29 Feb) to USA. Cash registered cover, applied with Customs Amoy origin cds on reverse. In combination with Hong Kong QV surch 20c/30c with Chinese character, tied by Hong Kong (Mar) cds, alongside with R mark. Arrived Hartford (4 Apr). 1896.2.29 廈門寄美國。現金掛號封，背面鈐廈門海關始發日戳。正面加貼香港維多利亞女皇像20仙蓋30仙連中文面值，銷香港日戳，旁鈐R章。4.4抵Hartford。

United States Postal stationery

China British PO

United States Postal stationery

China British PO

United States Postal stationery

Lot 79

8,000 HKD

Sold

1893 (9 Aug) US 5c stationery cover to Ningpo, applied with Boston machine d.s., matching cds on reverse. Transit San Francisco (14 Aug),

1893 (9 Aug) US 5c stationery cover to Ningpo, applied with Boston machine d.s., matching cds on reverse. Transit San Francisco (14 Aug), USPA Shanghai (12 Sep), Shanghai LPO (12 Sep). Arrived Customs Ningpo (14 Sep) with cds in red. Spectacular incoming example jointly delivered by US Post, Shanghai local post and Customs Post.1893.8.9 美國2分郵資封寄寧波，銷波士頓機戳，背鈐圓形日戳。8.14經三藩市，9.12經上海美國郵政代理落地。同日交上海工部郵局。9.14抵寧波海關，鈐紅色日戳。由美國客郵、工部郵局及海關郵政合作送遞之出色進口例子。

China British PO

Lot 80

12,000 HKD

Sold

1894 Chefoo (27 Nov) to France. Registered cover, full postage paid by cash and f.w. Small Dragon 5ca for postage between Shanghai LPO and

1894 Chefoo (27 Nov) to France. Registered cover, full postage paid by cash and f.w. Small Dragon 5ca for postage between Shanghai LPO and Customs Post (overpayment as 5ca was registered rate). Applied with Chefoo LPO origin cds on reverse. In combination with Hong Kong QV 5c in pair + surch 20c/30c by Shanghai LPO with "PAID" cachet. Then the cover was handed from Shangnhai LPO to Customs Post with scarce "REGISTERED" horizotnal h.s. Hong Kong stamps tied by Shanghai BPO (30 Nov) cds. Arrived Paris. Extraordinary joint delivery by local post, Customs and British Post. Usage of Small Dragon in this manner is also highly unusual.1894.11.27 煙台寄法國。掛號封，寄件人以現金付全額郵資，再貼小龍5分銀付工部局至海關郵資（5分銀為掛號郵資，故溢貼）。背鈐煙台書信館始發日戳。到上海工部局後加貼香港維多利亞女皇像5仙雙連 + 改值20仙，另見“PAID”橫戳。再由工部郵局交海關郵政，鈐“REGISTERED”橫戳。香港票銷上海英局11.30日戳。抵巴黎。經大清、工部及英國客郵三方聯合投遞之例子，貼小龍票更是精彩難得。

China British PO

China Customs Mail Postal stationery

Lot 81

19,000 HKD

Sold

1896 Shanghai (Jan) to US Consul John Fowler, Ningpo, redirected to Chungking, Hankow and Hong Kong. HSBC Shanghai cover, applied with

1896 Shanghai (Jan) to US Consul John Fowler, Ningpo, redirected to Chungking, Hankow and Hong Kong. HSBC Shanghai cover, applied with Customs Shanghai origin cds in red and Shanghai LPO transit (16 Jan) cds. Arrived US consulate Ningpo (18 Jan) but redirected to Chungking. Then f.w. Chunking LPO 2nd issue 8ca for redirection to Hankow, tied by Chungking LPO bilingual rectangular (1 Feb) d.s. Transit Chugnking LPO Agency at Ichang (4 Feb). Arrived Hankow but redirected to Hong Kong. In combination with Hong Kong QV surch 20c/30c, tied by Hankow BPO cds. Transit Shanghai BPO. Arrived Hong Kong. Spectacular example of joint delivery by Customs, local and British post.1896.1 上海寄美國駐寧波大使John Fowler，先後改寄重慶、漢口及香港。上海匯豐銀行封，鈐上海海關始發紅色日戳。1.16交上海工部郵局。1.18抵美國駐寧波使館，隨後改寄重慶。到達後改寄漢口，貼重慶信局第二版8分銀，銷重慶信局2.1長方形漢英日戳。2.4經重慶信局宜昌分局。到漢口再改寄香港，貼香港維多利亞女皇像改值20仙蓋30仙，銷漢口英局日戳。經上海英局，抵香港。經大清、工部及英國客郵三方聯合投遞之改寄例子，極為精彩難得。

China Customs Mail Postal stationery

Lot 82

1,500 HKD

Sold

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。

Lot 83

5,000 HKD

Sold

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。

Lot 84

2,400 HKD

Sold

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。

China Pre-philately

China Customs Mail Postal stationery

China Pre-philately

China Customs Mail Postal stationery

China Pre-philately

Lot 85

800 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。

China Customs Mail Postal stationery

Lot 86

4,000 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。

China Customs Mail Postal stationery

China Customs Mail

Lot 87

700 HKD

Sold

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。

China Customs Mail

China Customs Mail Postal stationery

China Customs Mail Cancellations and seals

China Customs Mail

Lot 88

2,000 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。

China Customs Mail Postal stationery

China Customs Mail Cancellations and seals

China Customs Mail Postal stationery

Lot 89

1,500 HKD

Sold

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。

China Customs Mail Cancellations and seals

Lot 90

4,000 HKD

Live

2 April 1896, a Ceylon 5 cents QV postal stationery envelope, uprated with 2c green and 6c orange adhesives, all cancelled by barred

2 April 1896, a Ceylon 5 cents QV postal stationery envelope, uprated with 2c green and 6c orange adhesives, all cancelled by barred obliterators with COLOMBO/AP 2/96 c.d.s. Addressed to C.S. Tanank Esq., Imperial Maritime Customs, Shanghai, an officer in the Qing-era Inspectorate General under Sir Robert Hart. Reverse bears full transit and arrival markings:MARINE SORTER/INDEX B/SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG c.d.s. (sea-mail sorting mark)CUSTOMS SHANGHAI / APR 22 96 arrival c.d.s.-I.G. OF CUSTOMS/PEKING / APL 28 96 in blue.A rare commercial postal link from Ceylon to Qing China, showing official mail processed through marine sorter RMS route, with dual customs backstamps-Shanghai and Peking. Scarce and historically significant usage of Ceylon stationery on China-bound official mail.錫蘭5分郵政信封寄清代中國海關-1896年經海上分揀船寄上海。2.4.1896 難得一見之郵品,使用錫蘭維多利亞女王像5分郵政信封,加貼2分綠色及6分橙色郵票補足郵資,全部蓋銷COLOMBO/AP2/96 圓戳與條紋抹銷戳。信件寄往中國上海海關,C. S. Tanank 閣下,其時為清朝海關總稅務司署官員,屬赫德爵士主理之海關體系。背面銷有完整過站與到達郵戳:- 新加坡至香港/MARINE SORTER INDEX B 海運郵袋分揀戳- 上海海關/ CUSTOMS SHANGHAI / APR 2296 到達戳- 總稅務司署/I.G. OF CUSTOMS/PEKING/APL 2896 藍色戳記此件為錫蘭至清代中國海關官信郵件之罕見例證,展現經 RMS 海運郵袋分揀路線及同時蓋有上海與北京兩地海關戳記之官方郵件,具歷史與郵政研究價值。