Ava Auctions 16th Auction - Summer 2026 sale

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Transvaal

Cape of Good Hope Postal stationery

Transvaal

Cape of Good Hope Postal stationery

Transvaal

Lot 191

1,000 HKD

Sold

PRETORIA, Z.A.R. (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek) to Canton China 2 May 1898, a long-sized cover addressed to German Imperial Consul Canton

PRETORIA, Z.A.R. (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek) to Canton China 2 May 1898, a long-sized cover addressed to German Imperial Consul Canton China, affixed block of four Z. AFR. REPUBLIEK 2-1/2 d, 1x ½ d, 1x 1-penny, all six stamps were cancelled by three long-sized registered box in black "R/GEREGISTREERD PRETORIA ZA.R./2 ΜΕΙ 98", adjacent to that, cancelled by oval UK registered mark "REGISTERED LONDON/20 MY/98", numeral handstamp "2385", On the reverse side, cancelled by partial HK transit c.d.s. dated JUNE 23, 98. ZA.R. (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek) was formerly known as South African Republic, an independent Boer-ruled republic in Southern Africa during the 19th century. It existed from 1852 to 1902, until it was annexed by the British Empire following the Second Anglo-Boer War. Pretoria is the administrative capital of S.A. today.比勒陀利亞,南非共和國(Z.A. R.)掛號郵品寄往中國廣州 1898年5月2日,一件長格式信封自南非共和國(Z.A. R.,Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek)首都比勒陀利亞寄往中國廣州德意志帝國領事館,貼有南非共和國郵票共六枚:包括一組2-1/2便士四連票,以及各一枚便士與1便士郵票。全部郵票以三枚黑, 色長框掛號戳「R/GEREGISTREERD PRETORIA Z. A. R./2MEI 98」銷戰,旁蓋一枚英國橢圓形掛號戰「REGISTERED LONDON / 20 MY / 98」,以及數字掛號戳 2385. 封背則見香港中轉日戳,日期為1898年6月23日(局部清晰可辨)。南非共和國(Z. A.R.)為19世紀布爾人統治的獨立國家,存在於1852年至1902年。後於第二次布爾戰爭後被英國吞併。比勒陀利亞為該共和國首都,至今仍為南非的行政首都。此件掛號郵品寄自19世紀極為罕見的異國地點,具備相當的郵政與歷史研究價值。

Cape of Good Hope Postal stationery

Lot 192

800 HKD

Sold

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE to Shanghai, China 14 June 1898, a Cape of Good Hope postal stationery envelope addressed to Diercking Esq. c/o Customs

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE to Shanghai, China 14 June 1898, a Cape of Good Hope postal stationery envelope addressed to Diercking Esq. c/o Customs House, Shanghai, China, cancelled the two-pence indicium by "EAST LONDON /JU 14/98" boxed obliterator, On the reverse side, cancelled by transit mark: "DURBAN 16 JU 98”, “COLOMBO / MY 11/98", HK transit c.d.s. "HONG-KONG JY 26/98", China entry port c.d.s. "SHANGHAI / JY 29/98" from the B.P.O. in Shanghai, then taken to "SHANGHAI LOCAL POST / JY 29 / 98", arrival Chinese P.O. with dollar chop "SHANGHAI / 29 JUL 98".1898.6.14 南非好望角郵資封寄上海。

Cape of Good Hope Postal stationery

New South Wales

Lot 193

700 HKD

Sold

Cape of Good Hope to Shanghai China, c/o German Consulate Shanghai 19 June 1898, a Cape of Good Hope one-penny postal stationery envelope,

Cape of Good Hope to Shanghai China, c/o German Consulate Shanghai 19 June 1898, a Cape of Good Hope one-penny postal stationery envelope, uprated by a pair of 1-penny adhesives in red color, cancelled by Mr P. Baum, on board of German vessel, Vasco da Gama, c/o German Consulate, Shanghai China, all cancelled by Cape of Good Hope c.d.s. dated 19 June 1898. On the reverse side, cancelled by "CAPE TOWN / JU 20 ", "DURBAN / B / 25 JU / 98", "COLOMBO/C/JY 15/98", British B.P.O. "SHANHAI / JY 29 / 98". A desirable incoming cover from Cape of Good Hope in the Southern end of Africa.1898.6.19 南非好望角郵資封寄德國駐滬領事館。

New South Wales

China British PO

New South Wales Postal stationery

New South Wales

Lot 912

600 HKD

Sold

SYDNEY, Australia to Shanghai, China 18 May 1872, a cover affixed with Australia 1-shilling adhesive in red, cancelled by Sydney datestamp

SYDNEY, Australia to Shanghai, China 18 May 1872, a cover affixed with Australia 1-shilling adhesive in red, cancelled by Sydney datestamp (MY18/1872), addressed to Mr. John Williams, North China Herald Office, Shanghai, China. On the reverse, the HK transit c.d.s. dated 3 July 1872. On the left side, there is some manuscript writing of Received 9th July 1872. This 1-shilling Australian stamp is Stanley Gibbons SG 171 or SG 175, issued by New South Wales, part of colonial Australia, line engraved. A good use of 1-shilling values from New South Wales which is not commonly used on mail to China, especially pre-UPU, prior to 1875. Some oxidised on the 1-shilling stamp and part of the flap lost.澳洲雪梨(SYDNEY)寄中國上海 1872年5月18日,由澳洲雪梨(SYDNEY)寄往中國上海的一封信封,貼有新南威爾 +(New South Wales)1先令紅色郵票一枚,蓋有SYDNEY / MY 18/1872 圓形日戳,地址為John Williams 先生,North China Herald Office,上海,中國。信封背面蓋有1872年7月3日香港過境戰。信封左側有手寫收件日期: "Received 9th July 1872" 所貼郵票為Stanley Gibbons 編號 SG 171或SG175,由澳洲殖民地新南威爾士發行,雕刻版印製,為高面值郵票之一。此類1先令面值郵票在寄往中國的郵件上不常見,特別是在萬國郵政聯盟(UPU)成立前(1875年之前)。郵票略有氧化情況,信封背部局部封口缺失。

China British PO

New South Wales Postal stationery

China British PO

Lot 913

600 HKD

Sold

Williamstown, Victoria, Australia to Shanghai 12 April 1873, a cover from Williamstown Victoria to Shanghai, affixed with 2x 6-pence

Williamstown, Victoria, Australia to Shanghai 12 April 1873, a cover from Williamstown Victoria to Shanghai, affixed with 2x 6-pence Victoria stamps in blue, cancelled by "WILLIAMSTOWN VICOTRIA/AP 12/73" c.d.s. and numeral cancellation of "11". On the reverse side, cancelled with Australian transit "MELBOURNE AP 12 73", Hong Kong transit c.d.s. "HONG-KONG/JU 3/73", and Shanghai B.P.O. c.d.s. "SHANGHAI/A/JU9/73". Williamstown Victoria is located at southwest of Melbourne and served as Melbourne's first major port and for the earliest postal settlement port as well.澳洲維多利亞省威廉斯鎮寄上海-1873年海外郵路封 1873年4月12日,一封由澳洲**維多利亞省威廉斯鎮(Williamstown, Victoria) **寄往中國上海的信件,貼有維多利亞藍色6便士郵票兩枚,蓋銷清晰圓形日戰 FWILLIAMSTOWN VICTORIA/AP 12/73」及數字「11」的格線銷戳。封背蓋有三個轉運與到達戳記:澳洲墨爾本中轉戰「MELBOURNE / AP 12/73」:香港中轉戳「HONG-KONG / JU 3/73」;上海英國郵局到達戰「SHANGHAI/A/JU 9 73. 威廉斯鎮位於墨爾本市區西南方,為維多利亞州最早的港口與郵政據點之一,在19世紀中期曾作為墨爾本的主要海港,亦為墨爾本的早期國際郵件寄遞功能。

New South Wales Postal stationery

Lot 914

500 HKD

Live

Sydney, Australia to Shanghai, redirected to Saigon 7 July 1893, New South Wales 1-1/2 pence UPU card in blue to Shanghai, and then

Sydney, Australia to Shanghai, redirected to Saigon 7 July 1893, New South Wales 1-1/2 pence UPU card in blue to Shanghai, and then re-directed to Saigon, cancelled by Sydney duplex "SYDNEY/JY 7/93" and barred numeral cancellation On the reverse side, cancelled with 3 transit and arrival c.d.s. "HONG-KONG/A/AU 1/93", Shanghai B.P.O. c.d.s. "SHANGHAI/C/AU 4/93", Saigon French c.d.s. "SAIGON-CENTRAL/24 AOUT 93".澳洲雪梨寄上海後轉寄西貢-1893年新南威爾士萬國郵聯明信片 1893年7月7日,一張新南威爾士發行之1-1/2便士藍色萬國郵聯(UPU)明信片,由澳洲雪梨(Sydney)寄往中國上海,後轉寄至越南西貢(Saigon)。正面蓋有雪梨雙圈日戳「SYDNEY/JY7/93」及格線數字銷戳。背面則蓋有三個清晰的轉運與到達戳記:香港中轉戰「HONG-KONG/A/AU 1/ 93」;上海英國郵局到達戳「SHANGHAI/C/AU4/93」:法屬西貢中央郵局戳記 SAIGON-CENTRAL/24 AOUT 93」。此件為澳洲早期寄亞洲的萬國郵聯明信片,因收件人已離開上海而轉寄至法屬印度支那之西貢,展示了19世紀末國際郵件在亞洲區內的再投遞情況。

Transvaal Postal stationery

New South Wales

Great Britain Queen Victoria

Transvaal Postal stationery

New South Wales

Transvaal Postal stationery

Lot 1005

1,000 HKD

Live

South Africa to Tsingtau Kiautschou, China via German P.O. 3 February 1908, a German PO registered stationery envelope in South Africa (on

South Africa to Tsingtau Kiautschou, China via German P.O. 3 February 1908, a German PO registered stationery envelope in South Africa (on the top part of the cover: AANGETEEKENDE BRIEF: Registered Letter in German) with a printed registered mark of "R ZA.R."addressed to E.W, Volckmann Esq., Tsingtau, Kiautschou, China, On the front side, affixed with a 2-1/2 d King Edward stamp in blue cancelled by a double circled c.d.s. in purple "REGISTERED JOHANNESBURG/-3 FEB 08", together with two boxed registration mark "R/JOHANNESBURG / No.578" in purple color. HK registered c.d.s. "REGISTERED HONG KONG / 20 MR 08", German P.O. arrival c.d.s. "TSINGTAU KIAUTSCHOU /27.3/08". On the reverse side, cancelled by entry port Shanghai bilingual c.d.s. dated 23 MAR 08. A very desirable South Africa registered postal stationery envelope.南非經德國郵局寄往中國膠州灣掛號郵件 1908年2月3日,本件為一封德國郵政格式的掛號郵資信封,於南非使用,信封頂部印有荷蘭語「AANGETEEKENDE BRIEF」(即掛號信,對應德語 Eingeschriebener Brief),並印有紫色「RZAR」掛號標記,寄往:E. W. Volckmann Esq. Tsingtau, Kiautschou, China(寄達地址為德國租借地膠州灣青島)。信封正面貼有英王愛德華藍色2%便士郵票一枚銷以紫色雙圈日戳 “REGISTERED JOHANNESBURG-3 FEB 08 並加蓋兩枚紫色掛號框戳 “R/JOHANNESBURG /No. 578”,途中經香港註冊郵局中轉戰“REGISTERED HONG KONG / 20 MR 08" 德國膠州灣郵局到達戳 “TSINGTAU KIAUTSCHOU / 27.3/08" 此封展示南非早期掛號郵資信封的實寄用途,使用德式格式設計掛號信封,但於英屬南非實際寄出。

New South Wales

Lot 1543

1,300 HKD

Sold

Sydney to Hong Kong in use of QV hexagonal QV stamps 1-shilling & 6-pence 22 October 1862, an entire sent from Sydney to Hong Kong,

Sydney to Hong Kong in use of QV hexagonal QV stamps 1-shilling & 6-pence 22 October 1862, an entire sent from Sydney to Hong Kong, affixed with QV 1-shilling and QV 6-pence in hexagonal six-sided frame (SG 127 or SG127), typo-graphed by Perkins Bacon, cancelled by "SYDNEY/62/OC 22/A". On the reverse side, cancelled by arrival HK c.d.s. "HONG-KONG DE 11 62". Seldom used stamp for the hexagonal QV stamps sent from Australia to Far East.澳洲雪梨寄香港,貼維多利亞六邊形女皇像郵票-1862年郵簡 1862年10月22日,自澳洲雪梨(Sydney)寄往香港之郵簡,貼有維多利亞女皇像六邊形郵票兩枚:1先令與6便士(SG127 或SG127a),由英國 Perkins Bacon 公司凹版印刷。郵票蓋銷「SYDNEY/62/OC 22 / A」四行式日戳,為新南威爾士時期標準格式。封背蓋有清晰**「HONG-KONG / DE 11/62」**之到達戳,顯示本件郵簡歷時約50日抵達香港。澳洲維多利亞六邊形女皇郵票用於寄往遠東地區(如香港)屬於罕見之實寄範例。

Great Britain Queen Victoria

Lot 1544

700 HKD

Sold

Great Britain to Hong Kong - Official Parliamentary Mail by Austen Layard, M.P. 21 July 1865, an official letter endorsed by Austen H.

Great Britain to Hong Kong - Official Parliamentary Mail by Austen Layard, M.P. 21 July 1865, an official letter endorsed by Austen H. Layard, Esq., M.P., bearing a red circular "OFFICIAL PAID / LONDON / JY 21/65" handstamp, and addressed to Hongkong. The reverse side cancelled by Hong-Kong c.d.s. dated 19 September 1865. The letter bears no adhesive postage, as it was carried under official franking privilege only granted to members of Parliament and government officials. A red manuscript "1d" charge is noted at upper right, likely a postage mark credited to Hong Kong as an internal accounting. Black manuscript made to the upper left-hand side: Austen Layard Esq. (1817-1894), who is a celebrated British politician, diplomat, and archaeologist, was serving as Member of Parliament and Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the time. He later served as Ambassador to Spain and the Ottoman Empire. This letter reflects the use of UK official diplomatic or parliamentary channels for overseas communication during the mid-19th century British Empire, and its destination-Hong Kong-underscores Britain's strategic colonial presence in East Asia. Rarely seen.1865.7.21 英國國會議員Austen Layard寄香港之公文已付封。封剖開作展示。

Great Britain Queen Victoria

Gibraltar

Sierra Leone Postage due stamps

Lot 1545

2,000 HKD

Live

1868 London (6 Nov) to Shanghai. Entire letter, sent“via Marseilles”, applied with London Street cds and Houghton, Smith & Co oval

1868 London (6 Nov) to Shanghai. Entire letter, sent“via Marseilles”, applied with London Street cds and Houghton, Smith & Co oval seal. Transit with Webb No. 6 Hong Kong to Shanghae Marine sorter (20/23 Dec).1868.11.6 倫敦寄上海。郵簡，寫有“via Marseilles”，鈐倫敦日戳及Houghton, Smith & Co橢圓形戳記。鈐Webb No. 6香港-上海海上分揀戳（12.20/23）。

Gibraltar

Sierra Leone Postage due stamps

Gibraltar

Lot 1569

800 HKD

Live

Gibraltar to H.M.S. Peacock, redirected to Singapore - Taxed Naval Mail with Multiple Hong Kong Index Codes 14 December 1893, a cover

Gibraltar to H.M.S. Peacock, redirected to Singapore - Taxed Naval Mail with Multiple Hong Kong Index Codes 14 December 1893, a cover addressed to Surgeon D'Arcy Hawley, H.M.S. Peacock, "China", bearing Gibraltar 25c blue adhesive (Spanish currency issue), cancelled by Gibraltar c.d.s. "GIBRALTAR/A/DE 14/93" and barred numeral "2". Front shows boxed "T" handstamp indicating underpayment under UPU rules, with manuscript "1/-" (1 shilling due) and "6" (pence) in blue crayon - the latter representing the amount chargeable to the addressee. The short payment likely stemmed from use of the Spanish currency stamp rather than British-value postage. The destination "China" was later redirected to Singapore, likely following the fleet's movement. Reverse bears three Hong Kong c.d.s. (JA 25/94) with index letters B, C, and D, reflecting multiple internal processing stages at the Hong Kong General Post Office-possibly due to redirection handling at various time slot and postal officers on the date of 25 JAN 1894 to look for appropriate steamer to ship the mail to Singapore at the soonest. A scarce taxed naval cover with postal and maritime interest, combining currency discrepancy, UPU taxation, and rare multiple index strikes.

Sierra Leone Postage due stamps

Lot 1633

600 HKD

Sold

1955 Sierra Leone (15 Sep) to Hong Kong, f.w. Sierra Leone KGVI 1sh3d, tied by Freetown cds. Applied with T mark and f.w. Hong Kong postage

1955 Sierra Leone (15 Sep) to Hong Kong, f.w. Sierra Leone KGVI 1sh3d, tied by Freetown cds. Applied with T mark and f.w. Hong Kong postage due 2c x3 + 8c x3 + 50c on reverse, tied by Hong Kong (24 Sep) arrival cds. Scarce origin.1955.9.15 塞拉利昂寄香港，貼塞拉利昂佐治六世1先令3便士，銷香港日戳。另鈐T章，背貼香港欠資票2仙x3 + 8仙x3 + 50仙，銷香港9.24到達戳。少見之始發地。

New Zealand

Burma

New Zealand

Burma

New Zealand

Lot 2044

2,400 HKD

Sold

1932 New Zealand (18 Jul) to Harbin, returned to sender, f.w. New Zealand 1d x2 + 2d, tied by Rawene cds. Transit Hong Kong (22 Jul),

1932 New Zealand (18 Jul) to Harbin, returned to sender, f.w. New Zealand 1d x2 + 2d, tied by Rawene cds. Transit Hong Kong (22 Jul), Shanghai (26 Aug). Applied with “SERVICE SUSPENDED / RETURN TO SENDER” cachet. Returned to Wellington (28 Sep). Chunghwa Post in Manchuria was suspended since 25 Jul 1932. 1932.7.18 新西蘭寄哈爾濱，退回寄件人，貼新西蘭1便士x2 + 2便士，銷Rawene日戳。7.22經香港，8.26經上海。鈐“SERVICE SUSPENDED / RETURN TO SENDER”橫戳。9.29退回威靈頓。中華郵政於東北的郵局於7月25日停辦。

Burma

Lot 2176

1,600 HKD

Live

1905 and 1906 a pair of incoming and outgoing cover and postcards to/from Yunnan via Burma. One card from Tengyueh to Italy, f.w. Coiling

1905 and 1906 a pair of incoming and outgoing cover and postcards to/from Yunnan via Burma. One card from Tengyueh to Italy, f.w. Coiling Dragon 2c x2. Transit at Sea Post Office. One cover from France to Likiang via Bhamo. 1905及1906年一對經緬甸郵路往來雲南之進出口封片。一件明信片自騰越寄加拿大，貼蟠龍2分x2。經英印海郵中轉。一件信封自法國經八莫進口麗江。

Burma

Burma Cancellations and seals

Lot 2177

1,600 HKD

Live

1905 and 1909 a pair of incoming and outgoing postcards to/from Yunnan via Burma. One from Tengyueh to Canada, f.w. Coiling Dragon 4c. One

1905 and 1909 a pair of incoming and outgoing postcards to/from Yunnan via Burma. One from Tengyueh to Canada, f.w. Coiling Dragon 4c. One from Bhma to Tengyueh, f.w. Indian KEVII issue x4.1905及1909年一對經緬甸郵路往來雲南之進出口明信片。一件自騰越寄加拿大，貼蟠龍4分。一件自八莫寄騰越，貼印度愛德華七世票4枚。

Burma Cancellations and seals

Burma

Burma Cancellations and seals

Lot 2200

22,000 HKD

Sold

1916 (15 Jan) Large official cover from the Viceroy of Yunnanfu to the Governor-General of Burma, Rangoon, f.w. Native Girl surch YUNNANFOU

1916 (15 Jan) Large official cover from the Viceroy of Yunnanfu to the Governor-General of Burma, Rangoon, f.w. Native Girl surch YUNNANFOU with Chinese value x3, tied by Yunnanfu French PO cds, along with R mark. Transit Singapore (2 Feb). Arrived Rangoon (11 Feb). Very scarce usage of ROC official cover via French PO in Yunnan. Using “5th Year” instead of Hunghsien “1st Year” is also interesting as Yunnan was the first province to fight against the Hunghsien Empire. 1916.1.15 大型公文封，由雲南總督寄緬甸總督，貼土女圖加蓋YUNNANFOU連中文面值3枚，銷雲南府法局日戳，旁鈐R章。2.2經新加坡。2.11抵仰光。經雲南法局寄出之民國公文封，十分稀罕難得。同時寫有年份“民國五年”而非（洪憲）元年同樣極具歷史意義。

Burma

Lot 2207

4,200 HKD

Sold

1922 (20 Aug) Large official cover from the Lungling to Burma, f.w. Junk 6c + 8c in strip of 3, tied by Yunnan Lunglingting cds., along

1922 (20 Aug) Large official cover from the Lungling to Burma, f.w. Junk 6c + 8c in strip of 3, tied by Yunnan Lunglingting cds., along with registered mark. Transit Tengyueh (21 Aug), Lashio (2 Sep), Experimental PO R-36 (4 Sep). 1922.8.20 大型公文封自龍陵寄緬甸，貼帆船6分 + 8分三連，銷雲南龍陵廳腰框日戳，旁鈐掛號章。8.21經騰越，9.2經臘戍，9.4經實驗郵局R-36。

Lot 2217

3,000 HKD

Sold

1937 Mangka (18 Jan) to USA via Burma, f.w. SYS 4c + Martyrs 1c, tied by Yunnan Mangka cds. Transit Tengchung (22 Jan). Printed matter rate

1937 Mangka (18 Jan) to USA via Burma, f.w. SYS 4c + Martyrs 1c, tied by Yunnan Mangka cds. Transit Tengchung (22 Jan). Printed matter rate example. 2024 (Nov) AVA Auctions, lot 905. 1937.1.18 猛嘎經緬甸寄美國，貼孫像4分 + 烈士1分，銷雲南猛嘎三格日戳。1.22經騰衝。印刷品郵資例子。2024.11 艾華拍賣，拍品號905。