Ava Auctions 16th Auction - Summer 2026 sale

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All lots Aftersale lots Sold at auction

China Pre-philately

Lot 41

2,500 HKD

Live

Hsuan Tung Year 2 (1911) Viceroy of Fukkien to Ministry of Army, Peking, regarding transfer of officer from heritary to appointed position

Hsuan Tung Year 2 (1911) Viceroy of Fukkien to Ministry of Army, Peking, regarding transfer of officer from heritary to appointed position with relevant resume included.宣統二年（1911）福建總督咨陸軍部文，關於雲騎尉降千總錄用事。

Lot 42

1,000 HKD

Live

Kuang Hsu Year 29 (1903) Ministry of War internal memo regarding dispatch of mail to Viceroy of Szechuan, regarding submission to the

Kuang Hsu Year 29 (1903) Ministry of War internal memo regarding dispatch of mail to Viceroy of Szechuan, regarding submission to the emperor of ethnic officials kacking efforts in suppressing bandits. The ethnic officials in Szechuan were Tibetans and Lolos. 光緒二十九年（1903）兵部武選清吏司致司務廳付片，為匯奏土官承緝不力各案事，馬遞四川總督公文。

Lot 43

5,400 HKD

Sold

Tongzhi Year 1 (1862) Diplomatic mail cover from the Magistrate of Chuanchow to US Consulate Amoy.

Lot 44

2,000 HKD

Live

Hsuan Tung Year 3 (1911) Official cover from Viceroy of Kiangnan-Kiangsi to the Finance Ministry, Peking.

Lot 45

2,500 HKD

Live

Guangxu / Kuang Hsu Year (23) official cover from Shansi Frontier land Reclamation Commissioner from Baotow to the Governor of Shansi,

Guangxu / Kuang Hsu Year (23) official cover from Shansi Frontier land Reclamation Commissioner from Baotow to the Governor of Shansi, Taiyuan. The commissioner was responsible for recruiting poverty-ridden Chinese farmer's to open up Mongolian.光緒二十三年（1897）辦理晉邊屯政招墾興邊分局寄山西巡撫。

Lot 46

2,500 HKD

Live

Guangxu / Kuang Hsu Year 24 (1899) Cover from the bishop of Shanghai to the Magistrate of Shanghai, applied with red seal.

Guangxu / Kuang Hsu Year 24 (1899) Cover from the bishop of Shanghai to the Magistrate of Shanghai, applied with red seal.光緒二十四年（1899）代理江南天主教主教事務寄江南海關分巡蘇松太兵備道，鈐紅印。

China Customs Mail

China

China Customs Mail

China

China Customs Mail

Lot 57

1,000 HKD

Live

1870. Peking to Calcutta. Cover addressed to “Osc. Trefftz Esqr., care of Messrss Schoene, Kilburn & Col, Calcutta.” Original

1870. Peking to Calcutta. Cover addressed to “Osc. Trefftz Esqr., care of Messrss Schoene, Kilburn & Col, Calcutta.” Original letter within in German datelined “Peking den 20th Februar 1870,” written by C. Bismarck, translator of the Prussian Legation in Peking. Customs Post were first introduced in 1866 to handle legation mail. Early mail before postal markings was introduced by Customs Post is scarce.1870. 北京普鲁士使馆寄往印度加尔各答信件，带德文原信，在冬季水路冰封期间的2月20日寄出，使馆对外通信平时能自理，冬季邮路需依赖官府、催生了海关邮政，海关启用邮政戳记之前的使馆信件，十分珍罕。

China

Lot 58

3,200 HKD

Sold

1884 Chinkiang (Jun) to France. Cover front, bearing oval “CHINKIANG CUSTOMS / MAIL MATTER” cachet. F.w. French Peace and Commerce

1884 Chinkiang (Jun) to France. Cover front, bearing oval “CHINKIANG CUSTOMS / MAIL MATTER” cachet. F.w. French Peace and Commerce issue 25c, tied by Shanghai French PO (13 Jun) cds. Arrived France (27 Jul). Nice cancellation.1884.6 鎮江寄法國。殘封封面，鈐橢圓形“CHINKIANG CUSTOMS / MAIL MATTER”戳記。貼法國和平及商貿神像25生丁，銷上海法局6.13日戳。7.27抵法國。戳記出色之早期例子。

China Customs Mail

China Small Dragon

China Customs Mail

Lot 59

8,500 HKD

Live

1889 Canton (11 Jan) to Customs Chaochow. Red band cover, applied with Customs Canton type A cds. On reverse f.w. Hong Kong QV 5c, tied by

1889 Canton (11 Jan) to Customs Chaochow. Red band cover, applied with Customs Canton type A cds. On reverse f.w. Hong Kong QV 5c, tied by B62 obliterator, alongside with Hong Kong (12 Jan) cds. Arrived Swatow. Red band top damaged but the postmark still clear. Illustration fig 3-6, p. 22 in “Customs Dater (1875-1913)”1889.1.11 廣州寄潮州海關。紅條封，鈐廣州海關A型日戳。背貼香港維多利亞女皇像5仙，銷B62殺手戳，旁鈐香港1.12日戳。抵汕頭。紅條上方受損但不影響郵戳。《海關郵戳（1875-1913）》第22頁圖3-6原件。

China Small Dragon

Lot 60

6,500 HKD

Sold

1892 Peking (25 Jan) to England, f.w. Small Dragon 3ca on reverse for domestic rate, tied by Peking Chinese seal, alongside with I.G.

1892 Peking (25 Jan) to England, f.w. Small Dragon 3ca on reverse for domestic rate, tied by Peking Chinese seal, alongside with I.G. Customs of Peking cds. Transit Customs Tientsin (26 Jan) with violet cds. In combination with German Eagle stamp 20pf, tied by Shanghai German postal agency (2 Dec) cds. Arrived Salisbury (21 Mar).1892.1.25 北京寄英國，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。1.26經天津海關，鈐紫色日戳。另貼德國票20芬尼，銷上海德國郵政代理12.2日戳。3.21抵Salisbury。

Lot 61

4,800 HKD

Sold

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。

Lot 62

4,000 HKD

Sold

1894 Chinkiang (21 Jun) to USA, f.w. Small Dragon 1ca + 5ca for USA rate, tied by Customs Chinkiang cds. Transit Customs Shanghai (22 Jun).

1894 Chinkiang (21 Jun) to USA, f.w. Small Dragon 1ca + 5ca for USA rate, tied by Customs Chinkiang cds. Transit Customs Shanghai (22 Jun). In combination with Japanese Koban 5s, tied by IJPO Shanghai (23 Jun) cds. Transit Yokohama with Japanese re-seal label. Transit San Francisco (Jul). Interesting and rare re-sealed example. Fault at reverse right.1894.6.21 鎮江寄美國，貼小龍1分銀 + 5分銀，合寄美國郵資，銷鎮江海關日戳。6.22經上海海關。加貼日本小判5錢，銷上海日局6.23日戳。經橫濱，以日本標籤重封。7月經三藩市。難得之重封例子，封背右側有損。

China Customs Mail

China Dowager

China Customs Mail

China Dowager

China Customs Mail

Lot 63

5,200 HKD

Sold

1895 Tientsin (21 Jan) to France, applied with scarce "TIENTSIN CUSTOMS MAIL MATTER" oval marking on front, matching with Customs Tientsin

1895 Tientsin (21 Jan) to France, applied with scarce "TIENTSIN CUSTOMS MAIL MATTER" oval marking on front, matching with Customs Tientsin origin cds on reverse. Transit Customs Shanghai (4 Feb). In combination with Peace and Commerce issue ovpt. Chine 25c, tied by Shanghai French PO (8 Feb) cds.1895.1.21 天津寄法國，正鈐少見之TIENTSIN CUSTOMS / MAIL MATTER”橢圓形公文戳，背鈐天津海關始發日戳。2.4經上海海關。加貼和平及商貿神像加蓋25生丁，銷上海法局2.8日戳。

China Dowager

Lot 81

60,000 HKD

Live

1894 Tientsin to Constantinople, f.w. Empress Dowager 1st printing 2ca + 4ca + 12ca, tied by Tientsin Chinese seal in blue, along with oval

1894 Tientsin to Constantinople, f.w. Empress Dowager 1st printing 2ca + 4ca + 12ca, tied by Tientsin Chinese seal in blue, along with oval Tientsin type 3 registered h.s. Transit Customs Shanghai (2 Feb). In combination with French ovpt Chine 50c, ,tied by Shanghai French PO (7 Feb) cds. Arrived Constntinople (17 Mar). Cover back partly trimmed. With Peter Holcombe certificate.Provenance: “Ming” (Peter.Holcombe), Corinphila.(Zurich), (Mar) 1988, lot.4832. “Cihangir”, Corinphila Asia (Hong Kong), (Jun) 2000, lot 344. Prize Selections from Rocpex Taipei ‘81.(1982), p.121. Tony To-Wah Kwan,.ed.,.Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume One: First Printing Covers and Cards, p. 223.1894年天津寄君士坦丁堡，貼慈壽初版2分銀 + 4分銀 + 12分銀，銷天津中文藍色戳記，另見天津3型橢圓掛號戳，背鈐天津海關始發日戳。2.2經上海海關。加貼法國客郵加蓋Chine 50生丁，銷上海法局日戳。3.17抵君士坦丁堡。封背部分被裁。附Peter Holcombe證書。源流﹕“Ming”集藏（Peter Holcombe），1998年3月蘇黎世Corinphila，拍品號4832。“Cilhangir”集藏，2000年6月香港Corinphila Asia，拍品號344。《慶祝中華民國建國七十年郵展選粹》第121頁原件。關道華《慈禧壽辰票暨其加蓋票信封圖鑑》上冊第223頁原件。

Lot 82

22,000 HKD

Sold

1894 Spanish Legation Peking (6 Mar) to Philippines, f.w. Empress Dowager 1st printing 4ca + 5ca, tied by Peking Chinese seal, matching

1894 Spanish Legation Peking (6 Mar) to Philippines, f.w. Empress Dowager 1st printing 4ca + 5ca, tied by Peking Chinese seal, matching with Customs Peking cds on reverse. Showing legation seal on front. Transit Customs Shanghai (14 Mar). In combination with Hong Kong QV 10c, tied by Shanghai BPO cds. Transit Hong Kong (19 Mar). Arrived Manila (25 Mar). With BPA certificate. The earlier of the two recorded Dowager covers to Manila.1894.3.6 西班牙駐北京公使館寄菲律賓，貼慈壽初版4分銀 + 5分銀，銷北京中文戳記，背另鈐北京海關始發日戳。正見公使館紫章。3.14經上海海關。加貼香港維多利亞女皇像10仙，銷上海英局日戳。3.19經香港。3.25抵馬尼拉。為兩件寄馬尼拉的慈壽封中較早的一件。附BPA證書。

Lot 83

12,000 HKD

Live

1894 Tientsin (25 Dec) to Peking, f.w. Empress Dowager 1st print 3ca, tied by Tientsin Chinese seal, matching with Customs Tientins origin

1894 Tientsin (25 Dec) to Peking, f.w. Empress Dowager 1st print 3ca, tied by Tientsin Chinese seal, matching with Customs Tientins origin cds on reverse. Arrived Customs Peking (28 Dec). Nice first year usage of Empress Dowager issue. References:Customs Dater (1875-1913), Taipei: Philatelic.Writers’.Club, 2008, p.168-169. Tony To-Wah Kwan, ed., Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume One: First Printing Covers and Cards (Hong Kong 2011), p. 35.1894.12.25 天津寄北京，貼慈壽初版3分銀，銷天津中文戳記，背鈐天津海關始發日戳。12.28抵北京海關。出色之慈壽首年貼用例子。附BPA證書。參考﹕《海關日戳（1875-1913）》第168-169頁。關道華《慈禧壽辰票暨其加蓋票信封圖鑑》上冊第35頁。

Lot 84

15,000 HKD

Live

1895 Chefoo (Jul) to Sweden, f.w. Empress Dowager 1st printing 3ca, tied by Chefoo Chinese seal, matching with Customs Chefoo cds on

1895 Chefoo (Jul) to Sweden, f.w. Empress Dowager 1st printing 3ca, tied by Chefoo Chinese seal, matching with Customs Chefoo cds on reverse. Tranit Customs Shanghai (22 Jul). In combination with German Eagle 20pf, tied by Shanghai German PO cds (26 Jul). The German stamp was affixed by sender himself, hence, an example of relay postage. Tony To-Wah Kwan, ed., Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume One: First Printing Covers and Cards.(Hong.Kong 2011), p.141.1895.7 煙台寄瑞典，貼慈壽初版3分銀，銷煙台漢文戳記，背另鈐煙台海關始發日戳。7.22經上海海關。另貼德國票20芬尼，銷上海德局7.26日戳。德國票為寄件人自貼，接力郵資例子。關道華《慈禧壽辰票暨其加蓋票信封圖鑑》上冊第141頁。

Lot 85

20,000 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。