Ava Auctions 16th Auction - Summer 2026 sale

Home

Cover

Other countries

China

Search for auction content

Price Range

Price from

Price to

Catalog No.

Catalog

Catalog number

Categories

Search for auction content

Price Range

Price from

Price to

Catalog No.

Catalog

Catalog number

Index

China Pre-philately

China Customs Mail

China

China Pre-philately

China Customs Mail

China Pre-philately

Lot 35

2,000 HKD

Live

Kuang Hsu Year 21 (1895) Ministry of War Yizhan Monthly Report to the Emperor, written in booklet format but used as the same language as

Kuang Hsu Year 21 (1895) Ministry of War Yizhan Monthly Report to the Emperor, written in booklet format but used as the same language as submissions to the emperor.光緒二十一年（1895）兵部月報，以書冊形式書寫但用字與奏表相同。

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

China Customs Mail

China

Lot 58

3,200 HKD

Live

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

4,000 HKD

Live

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

4,000 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 Small Dragon

China Customs Mail

China Dowager

China Small Dragon

China Customs Mail

Lot 62

4,000 HKD

Live

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

Lot 63

3,500 HKD

Live

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

20,000 HKD

Live

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。

China Dowager

China Customs Mail

China Dowager

China Customs Mail

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。

China Customs Mail

Lot 86

7,000 HKD

Live

1895 Customs Wuhu (15 Aug) to USA, f.w. Empress Dowager 3ca in vertical pair on reverse, tied by Customs Wuhu cds. Transit Customs Shanghai

1895 Customs Wuhu (15 Aug) to USA, f.w. Empress Dowager 3ca in vertical pair on reverse, tied by Customs Wuhu cds. Transit Customs Shanghai (17 Aug). In combination with Peace and Commerce issue ovpt. Chine 25c, tied by Shanghai French PO (17 Aug) cds. Transit Yokohama (22 Aug), Victoria (3 Sep). Arrived USA (6 Sep).1895.8.15 蕪湖寄美國，背貼慈壽3分銀直雙連，銷蕪湖海關日戳。8.17經上海海關。加貼和平及商貿神像加蓋Chine 25生丁，銷上海法局10.17日戳。8.22經橫濱，9.3經維多利亞。9.6抵加拿大。

China Dowager

Lot 87

12,000 HKD

Live

1895 Peking (15 Nov) to France. Chinese style cover, f.w. Empress Dowager 1st printing 3ca in strip of 3, tied by Peking Chinese seal,

1895 Peking (15 Nov) to France. Chinese style cover, f.w. Empress Dowager 1st printing 3ca in strip of 3, tied by Peking Chinese seal, matching with I.G. Customs of Peking cds. Transit Customs Shanghai (21 Nov). In combination with French ovpt Chine 25c, tied by Shanghai French PO (22 Nov) cds. Cover opened out for display. With BPA certificate. Tony To Wah Kwan, Covers and Cards of Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharged Issues. Volume One: First Printing Covers and Cards.(Hong.Kong,.2011), p.187.1895.11.15 北京寄法國。中式封，背貼慈壽初版3分銀橫三連，銷北京中文戳記，另鈐北京海關始發日戳。11.21經上海海關。加貼法國客郵加蓋Chine 25生丁，銷上海法局11.12日戳。封剖開以作展示。附BPA證書。關道華《慈禧壽辰票暨其加蓋票信封圖鑑》上冊第187頁。

China Dowager

China Small Dragon

Lot 88

15,000 HKD

Live

1895 Tientsin to USA, f.w. Small Dragon 1c x6 + Empress Dowager 1st printing 1ca + 2ca + 4ca + 5ca on both sides, tied by Tientsin Chinese

1895 Tientsin to USA, f.w. Small Dragon 1c x6 + Empress Dowager 1st printing 1ca + 2ca + 4ca + 5ca on both sides, tied by Tientsin Chinese seal. Transit Customs Shanghai (16 Dec). in combination with Japanese Koban 5s + 10s, tied by IJPO Shanghai cds. Transit Yokohama (28 Dec). Arrived USA (16 Jan). Nice triple preferential rate example. With B.P.A..certificate. 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. 199.1896年天津寄美國，正背貼小龍1分銀x6 + 慈壽初版1分銀+ 2分銀 + 4分銀 + 5分銀，銷天津中文戳記。12.16經上海海關。加貼日本小判5錢 + 10錢，銷上海日局日戳。12.28經橫濱。1.16抵美國。附BPA證書。關道華《慈禧壽辰票暨其加蓋票信封圖鑑》上冊第199頁。

China Dowager

China Small Dragon

Lot 89

14,000 HKD

Live

1896 Peking (7 Jan) to USA, f.w. Empress Dowager 1st printing 3ca in horizontal pair, tied by Peking Chinese seal, matching with I.G.

1896 Peking (7 Jan) to USA, f.w. Empress Dowager 1st printing 3ca in horizontal pair, tied by Peking Chinese seal, matching with I.G. Customs of Peking cds on reverse. Transit Customs Shanghai (20 Jan) In combination with Japapnese Koban 5s, tied by IJPO Shanghai cds (21 Jan) cds. Transit Yokohama (28 Jan), Vancouver (11 Feb). Arrived New York (18 Feb). Example of 6ca preferential rate to USA through Japanese PO. Provenance:Ex- Ellery.Denison, Christie’s Robson Lowe.(Zurich), (Nov) 1998, lot 1441. Ex- Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby’s and Corinphila (Hong Kong), (Nov) 1999, lot D18. Reference: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.215.1896.1.7 北京寄美國，貼慈壽初版3分銀橫雙連，銷北京漢文戳記，背另鈐北京海關始發日戳。1.20經上海海關。加貼日本小判5錢，銷上海日局1.21日戳。1.28經橫濱，2.11經溫哥華。2.18抵紐約。經日本客郵局寄美國6分銀特惠郵資例子。源流﹕Ellery Denison舊藏（1998年11月蘇黎世佳士得Robson Lowe，拍品號1441）。貝克曼舊藏（1999年11月香港蘇富比及Corinphila，拍品號D18）。參考﹕關道華《慈禧壽辰票暨其加蓋票信封圖鑑》上冊第215頁。

China Small Dragon

Lot 90

12,000 HKD

Live

1896 Tientsin (17 Oct) to England. Newspaper wrapper, f.w. Small Dragon 3ca and Empress Dowager 1ca, cancelled by Tientsin seal, with

1896 Tientsin (17 Oct) to England. Newspaper wrapper, f.w. Small Dragon 3ca and Empress Dowager 1ca, cancelled by Tientsin seal, with Customs Tientsin origin cds on reverse. Transit Shanghai (21 Oct). In combination with French 5c stamp for 25g rate, cancelled by Shanghai French PO cds (23 Oct). No arrival. Outgoing newspaper wrapper with Small Dragon stamp is extremely scarce with only a few exist. 1896.10.17 天津寄英國。報紙包裝紙，貼小龍3分銀 + 慈壽1分銀，銷天津中文戳記，另鈐天津海關始發日戳。10.21經上海海關。加貼法國客郵5生丁合25克印刷品郵資，銷10.23上海法局日戳。寄國外並貼小龍票之印刷品極為難得，存世不過數件。