Ava Auctions 16th Auction - Summer 2026 sale

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China

Malaya Straits Settlements

China

Lot 196

1,000 HKD

Live

Persia to China - Redirected Registered Cover from Hamadan to Shanghai, Then Forwarded to Hong Kong (1919) 10 October 1919, A rare

Persia to China - Redirected Registered Cover from Hamadan to Shanghai, Then Forwarded to Hong Kong (1919) 10 October 1919, A rare registered cover, endorsed American Persian Relief Commission, sent from Hamadan, Persia, addressed initially to Mr. George Daniel, YMCA, Shanghai, and redirected to Hong Kong. Front Side: (1) endorsed manuscript sender: from Saul Peras, A.P.R. Com., Hamadan, Persia, (2) black Persian boxed registration mark: "R/HAMADAN/N 1359", (3) originally addressed to 79 Rue du Consulat, Shanghai, then redirected to Hong Kong, with various forwarding notations and trilingual markings ("China" in French, English, and Chinese), (4) blue Persian annotation and script in Arabic handwriting Reverse Side: (1) franked with Persian provisional handstamped issues of 1919: 1x 6 chahis violet, 2x 3 chahis green (provisional overprints "Provisoire 1919"); (2) postmarked with Persian cancels, Hamadan origin dated (10 X 1919); (3) registered cachets of "REGISTERED G.P.O. HONG-KONG/15 DE 19", Shanghai B.P.O. registration oval cancellation "REGISTERED SHANGHAI B.P.O. / DE 8 19", (4) Shanghai Chinese P.O. c.d.s. Registered mail from interior Persia was relatively scarce, especially addressed to China, and this example demonstrates the use of Persian provisional issues during a transitionary postal phase; multiple postal agencies (Persian, Chinese, British) handled the registered mail item, evidenced by layered postmarks and redirection.由波斯哈馬丹(Hamadan)經上海轉寄至香港之掛號封 1919年10月10-封極具代表性的波斯(伊朗)掛號實寄郵件[American Persian Relief Commission]寄自內陸城市哈馬丹(Hamadan),原址為中國上海,後轉寄至香港。正面特徵:(1)左上角寄件人手寫: “Saul Peras, A. P. R. Com., Hamadan, Persia” 寄往收件人George Daniel 先生,上海亞細亞問訊局(Y.M.C.A.), (2) 蓋有罕見”R/HAMADAN/N 1359” 方框式波斯掛號郵戳。背面特徵:蓋貼三枚1919年臨時加蓋波斯郵票1枚6查希紫色,2枚3查希綠色(加 "Provisoire 1919")蓋清晰波斯日戳,(2)轉運與掛號戰記包括:REGISTERED SHANGHAI BPO DE 8 19. REGISTERED G. P. O. HONG-KONG 15 DE 19. 從波斯內陸地區寄出的掛號郵件本已相當罕見,尤其是寄往中國者更屬少見。此封實寄範例不僅展示了波斯處於郵政過渡時期所使用的臨時加蓋郵票,同時也呈現出多重郵政機構(波斯、中國、英國)共同處理此掛號郵件的流程,從各式轉運郵戳與改址痕跡中可清楚觀察其跨國傳遞與重導經過。

Lot 197

1,000 HKD

Live

Republic of Georgia 格魯吉亞to Tientsin, China via Poti - Registered 1923 13 July 1923, a remarkable early Soviet-era registered cover

Republic of Georgia 格魯吉亞to Tientsin, China via Poti - Registered 1923 13 July 1923, a remarkable early Soviet-era registered cover posted from the rural Georgian locality of Kumari, as evidenced by the clear Cyrillic postmark: "КУМАРИ ТИФЛ. ОКР. ПОчт. КОНТ. / 13.7.23" (Kumari, Tiflis District Postal Control, 13 July 1923) addressed to Mrs. J. J. Gaull, Imperial Hotel, Tientsin, China, The cover bears a Poti registration label (No. 536), showing it was routed through the Black Sea port city of Poti, a regional hub under the Tiflis postal district, franked with a combination of 1922-23 overprinted Soviet Georgia high-denomination stamps, including 3 x 3000 maneti (brown), 4 x 2000 maneti (dark blue) tied by Kumari datestamps; also cancelled with a bold bilingual arrival mark: "TIEN TSIN / 11 AUG 23". This is a rare Soviet Transcaucasia to Tientsin from the early Georgian SSR under Soviet administration.格魯吉亞寄往中國天津——經波季轉運之掛號郵件(1923年) 1923年7月13日,一件極具歷史意義的早期蘇聯時期掛號信件,自喬治亞蘇維埃共和國鄉村地區的庫馬里(Kumari)寄出,郵戳清晰可見俄文「КУМАРИ ТИФЛ. ОКР. почт. конт. / 13.7.23]. 信封貼有註明「第536號」Poti 掛號標籤,顯示此信件經由黑海港口城市波季轉運。波季為當時隸屬第比利斯郵區的重要郵政樞紐。郵資方面貼用1922-23年喬治亞蘇維埃共和國期間發行之高面值附加蓋銘郵票,包括:棕色3000馬內票共3枚,深藍色 2000馬内票共4枚,均蓋有庫馬里日戳銷票,信封背面蓋有醒目的雙語到達戳「TIEN TSIN/11 AUG23」,證實於1923年8月11日送達天津。此件為罕見的蘇維埃外高加索地區格魯吉亞寄往天津的郵件實寄範例,。

Malaya Straits Settlements

China

Malaya Straits Settlements

Lot 533

1,100 HKD

Sold

1929 Singapore (16 May) to Tientsin, f.w. Strait Settlements 12c, tied by Singapore cds. Transit Shanghai (26 May). Arrived Tientsin (30

1929 Singapore (16 May) to Tientsin, f.w. Strait Settlements 12c, tied by Singapore cds. Transit Shanghai (26 May). Arrived Tientsin (30 May) and applied with 2nd print officially resealed label and "Received in broken condition and officially seald by Tientsin post office" horizontal h.s.1929.5.16 新加坡寄天津，貼海峽殖民地12分，銷新加坡日戳。5.26經上海。5.30抵天津，貼第二版民國代封票，鈐“Received in broken condition and officially resealed by Tientsin post office”橫戳。

China

China Russian PO

China Russian PO Cancellations and seals

China

Lot 535

500 HKD

Live

1929 Australia (22 Jun) to Shanghai, f.w. Australian KGV 1-1/2d, tied by Brisbane promotional d.s. In combination with ROC postage due 5c

1929 Australia (22 Jun) to Shanghai, f.w. Australian KGV 1-1/2d, tied by Brisbane promotional d.s. In combination with ROC postage due 5c in pair, tied by Shanghai (11 Jul) arrival cds.1929.6.22 澳洲寄上海，貼澳洲佐治五世1-1/2便士，銷昆士蘭宣傳機戳。加貼民國欠資票5分雙連，銷上海7.11到達戳。

China Russian PO

China Russian PO Cancellations and seals

China Russian PO

Lot 836

1,600 HKD

Sold

1901 Trans-Siberian Raikway TPO (22 Mar) to Customs Kiaochow, f.w. Coat of Arms 3k + 7k, tied by TPO No. 235 cds. Transit TPO No. 186 (23

1901 Trans-Siberian Raikway TPO (22 Mar) to Customs Kiaochow, f.w. Coat of Arms 3k + 7k, tied by TPO No. 235 cds. Transit TPO No. 186 (23 Mar). Further applied with Webb no. 4 Singapore to Hong Kong marine sorter (5 May). Arrived Kiaochow German PO (18 May). Extremely rare marine sorter example via Russian PO.1901.3.22 西伯利亞鐵路火車郵局寄膠州海關，貼軍徽圖3戈比 + 7戈比，銷火車郵局186號日戳。3.23經火車郵局186號。再鈐5.5 Webb 4號新加坡至香港海上分揀日戳。5.18抵膠州海關。經俄局之海上分揀例，稀罕難得。

China Russian PO Cancellations and seals

Lot 893

1,000 HKD

Live

1910 (20 Jun) The Worcestershire Regiment, India to Dairen, f.w. Indian KEVII 1/2a + 1a in pair, tied by Barailly cds. Transit with

1910 (20 Jun) The Worcestershire Regiment, India to Dairen, f.w. Indian KEVII 1/2a + 1a in pair, tied by Barailly cds. Transit with Singapore-Hong Kong marine sorter (16 Jul), Shanghai Chinese PO (24 Jul). Example of addressing to Manchuria.1910.6.20 由印度Worcestershire兵團寄大連，貼印度愛德華七世半安娜 + 1安娜雙連，銷Barailly日戳。7.16經新加坡-香港海上分揀。7.24經上海清郵。寄滿洲少見。

New South Wales

China British PO

New South Wales Postal stationery

New South Wales

China British PO

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

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

China Postal stationery

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。

China Postal stationery

Transvaal Postal stationery

China

China Postal stationery

Lot 1004

500 HKD

Live

St. Helena to Germany and China - Boer War POW Postcard Intended for German Naval Forces in Tsingtau 25 July 1900, a 1d red postal

St. Helena to Germany and China - Boer War POW Postcard Intended for German Naval Forces in Tsingtau 25 July 1900, a 1d red postal stationery card of St. Helena, cancelled by a crisp "ST. HELENA /JY 28/00" c.d.s., sent from the Boer War prisoner-of-war camp on the island. The card bears a prominent "CENSOR / PRISONERS OF WAR" cachet and was carried via Southampton, showing a SHIP LETTER / SOUTHAMPTON / 28 AU 00 transit mark. Addressed to Herr David S. Hirsche, on board S.M.S. Gefion, a German naval cruiser, the original delivery address roughly reads "Tsantau in China" (Tsingtau), which was at the time Germany's leased territory and naval stronghold in East Asia. This line was not crossed out, indicating the card was initially intended to reach "Kiel, Germany" and was later added to Berlin, with a final redirection to Tsantau in China. A German arrival mark KIEL / 29.8.00 confirms its arrival in Germany. The handwritten note at the top references the 1st Seebataillon bound for Tientsin, further linking this card to the German intervention in China during the Boxer Rebellion, making it a rare and historically significant example of Boer War POW mail with direct ties to East Asian military operations

Transvaal Postal stationery

China

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。

China

Lot 1017

700 HKD

Sold

Canada to Jesfield, Shanghai, China - 1892-93 Cover with Rare HEADWOOD Cancellation 15 November 1892, a cover addressed to S. E. Smalley

Canada to Jesfield, Shanghai, China - 1892-93 Cover with Rare HEADWOOD Cancellation 15 November 1892, a cover addressed to S. E. Smalley Esq., St. John's College, Jesfield, Shanghai, China, franked with a 5¢ Small Queen (black-grey), tied by a duplex-style cancellation likely reading "HEADWOOD" a possibly undocumented Manitoba postmark, linked to a railway post office near Winnipeg according to research findings. The cover shows clear transit c.d.s. "VANCOUVER B.C. / NO 29/92", U.S. Postal transit via "SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. / DEC 4/1892", arrival at "U.S. POSTAL AGENCY SHANGHAI / JAN 1/93", neatly struck in black on reverse, confirming 1893 New Year's Day delivery. This item showcases an unusual routing from interior Canada to China, passing through British Columbia, California, and the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai. The HEADWOOD cancel, not found in standard Canadian postal listings, suggests either a discontinued early post office or a railway mail booth, adding research interest.

China Japanese PO

China

Hong Kong

China Japanese PO

China

China Japanese PO

Lot 1018

800 HKD

Live

1896 USA (10 Sep) to USS Detroit, Japan, redirected to US Navy Hospital, f.w. Presdiential issue 5c, tied by Harrisburg cds. Transit Tacoma

1896 USA (10 Sep) to USS Detroit, Japan, redirected to US Navy Hospital, f.w. Presdiential issue 5c, tied by Harrisburg cds. Transit Tacoma (15 Sep). Arrived Yokohama (10 Oct). Redirected to IJPO Shanghai (20 Oct) but further redirected to Navy Hospital., alongside with Japanese postage due cachet and 25 CTMS T cachet. Arrived Yokohama (1 Nov) with a slip, stating the unpaid 10s due. Peculiar and interesting.1896.9.10 美國寄日本之美國戰艦Detroit號，改寄美國海軍醫院，貼總統像票5分，銷Harrisburg日戳。9.15經Tacoma。10.10抵橫濱，改寄上海日本客郵局，10.20抵達。再改寄美國海軍醫院，鈐日文欠資直戳及25 CTMS T欠資戳。11.1抵橫濱。貼有憑單指未貼欠資10錢。迂迴有趣。

China

Lot 1535

500 HKD

Live

1858 and 1907 a pair of entire letter and cover from USA to France and Hong Kong. Former rated "8", applied with San Francisco and New York

1858 and 1907 a pair of entire letter and cover from USA to France and Hong Kong. Former rated "8", applied with San Francisco and New York cds. Arrived Reimes. Latter f.w. imperf Washongton 2c in pair. No arrival.1858及1907年一對美國寄法國及香港封。前者鈐郵資“8”，蓋有三藩市、紐約及法國到達戳。後者貼無齒華盛頓票2分雙連。無到達戳。

Hong Kong

Lot 1536

800 HKD

Sold

1858 England (7 Aug) to Royal Engineers, Hong Kong, f.w. QV 6d, tied by Guernsey duplex d.s. Showing "via Southampton" annotation. Transit

1858 England (7 Aug) to Royal Engineers, Hong Kong, f.w. QV 6d, tied by Guernsey duplex d.s. Showing "via Southampton" annotation. Transit London (19 Aug). Arrived Hong Kong (9 Oct) with double-arc cds.1858.8.7 英國寄香港皇家工兵，貼維多利亞女皇像6便士，銷Guernsey雙聯日戳。寫有“via Southampton”。8.19經倫敦。10.9抵香港，鈐雙弧日戳。

Hong Kong

China Province Mandschurei

China Republic of China

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。

China Province Mandschurei

China Republic of China

China Province Mandschurei

Lot 2005

800 HKD

Live

1922 Russia (8 May) to Hulinting, franking reeled off, tied by Ulanbator cds. (month wrongly inserted as Mar) Transit Harbin (11 May).

1922 Russia (8 May) to Hulinting, franking reeled off, tied by Ulanbator cds. (month wrongly inserted as Mar) Transit Harbin (11 May). Arrived Hulinting (16 May). 1922.5.8 俄國寄虎林廳，貼票被撕去，銷烏蘭巴托日戳（月份誤作3月）。5.11經哈爾濱。5.16抵虎林廳。

China Republic of China

Lot 2037

500 HKD

Sold

1932 USA (1 Jan) to Moukden. Picture postcard, f.w. US 1c in pair, tied by Lake Wales wavy line d.s., along with T mark and 10c due mark.

1932 USA (1 Jan) to Moukden. Picture postcard, f.w. US 1c in pair, tied by Lake Wales wavy line d.s., along with T mark and 10c due mark. Arrived Moukden (26 Jan). 1932.1.1 美國寄瀋陽。圖片明信片，貼美國票1分雙連，銷Lake Wales波浪線機戳，旁鈐T章及10分欠資章。1.26抵瀋陽。