Ava Auctions 16th Auction - Summer 2026 sale

Home

China

Europe

Asia without 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

All lots Aftersale lots Sold at auction

Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports Covers bulk lot

French Post in China

Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports Covers bulk lot

Hong Kong

Lot 803

1,200 HKD

Sold

1900 Riga to French Legation Peking, redirected to France, f.w. Coat of Arms 1k + 3k. Transit with Singapore-Hong Kong marine sorter (23

1900 Riga to French Legation Peking, redirected to France, f.w. Coat of Arms 1k + 3k. Transit with Singapore-Hong Kong marine sorter (23 Oct), Hong Kong (9 Nov), Shanghai Chinese PO and Russian PO with T&S type 2 cds. T&S stated that this cds was mainly used as transit or arrival marking.1900年里加寄法國駐北京公使館，改寄法國。圖片明信片，貼軍徽圖1戈比 + 3戈比。10.23經新加坡-香港海上分揀，11.9經香港，抵上海清郵及俄局，鈐上海俄局T&S 2型日戳。此戳大多用作中轉或到達戳。

Hongkong Treaty Ports Covers bulk lot

Lot 944

800 HKD

Live

1906-1920 a group of 3 incoing covers to China via USPA Shanghai, Shanghai French PO and German Sea Post respectively.

1906-1920 a group of 3 incoing covers to China via USPA Shanghai, Shanghai French PO and German Sea Post respectively.1906至1920年一組三件經客郵局進口封，分別經上海美國郵政代理、上海法局客郵局及德國海郵經手。

French Post in China

China French PO

French Post in China

Lot 947

800 HKD

Live

1900 (1 Nov) Picture postcard posted on Yokohama French paquebot, f.w. Peace and Commerce ovpt. Chine 10c, tied by “Yokohama A

1900 (1 Nov) Picture postcard posted on Yokohama French paquebot, f.w. Peace and Commerce ovpt. Chine 10c, tied by “Yokohama A Marseilles” No. 6 hexagonal d.s. Arrived France (4 Dec).1900.11.1 圖片明信片，於橫濱之法國郵船寄遞，貼和平及商貿神像加蓋Chine生丁，銷橫濱馬賽郵船6號六角形日戳。12.4抵法國。

China French PO

China French PO Picture postcards

Hong Kong Pre-philately

China French PO

Lot 974

800 HKD

Sold

1936 (14 Feb) Canton-Fort Bayard-Hanoi FFC, addressing to Hong Kong, f.w. Indochina Scenic issues ovpt. KOUANG TCHEOU 30c, tied by Fort

1936 (14 Feb) Canton-Fort Bayard-Hanoi FFC, addressing to Hong Kong, f.w. Indochina Scenic issues ovpt. KOUANG TCHEOU 30c, tied by Fort Bayard type 5 cds., alongside with first flight commemorative seal.1936.2.14 廣州-西營-河內首航封，寄香港，貼安南景物圖加蓋KOUANG TCHEOU 30生丁，銷西營5型日戳，旁鈐首航戳記。

China French PO Picture postcards

Hong Kong Pre-philately

China French PO Picture postcards

Lot 976

600 HKD

Sold

1905 Chungking (15 Aug) to France. Registered PPC, f.w. Navigation and Commerce ovpt. TCHONGKING with Chinese value x2, tied by Chungking

1905 Chungking (15 Aug) to France. Registered PPC, f.w. Navigation and Commerce ovpt. TCHONGKING with Chinese value x2, tied by Chungking French PO cds., alongside with R mark. Transit Hankow French PO (24 Aug). Arrived Francec (3 Oct).1905.8.15 重慶寄法國。掛號圖片明信片，貼航海及商貿神像加蓋TCHONGKING連中文面值十二仙 + 二仙，銷重慶法局日戳，旁鈐R章。8.24經漢口法局。10.3抵法國。

Hong Kong Pre-philately

Lot 1507

12,000 HKD

Sold

1842 China Expedition member C. Frederick, Nanking (12 Sep) to England. Entire letter, sent "Voie Southampton", applied with framed "PACKET

1842 China Expedition member C. Frederick, Nanking (12 Sep) to England. Entire letter, sent "Voie Southampton", applied with framed "PACKET LETTER" cachet and Malta disinfection h.s. Arrived London (10 Dec). This letter was dated after the Treaty of Nanking was signed (29 Aug 1842). The sender was presumably on Sir Henry Pottinger's staff.1842.9.12 由鴉片戰爭之英軍C. Frederick自南京寄英國。郵簡，寫有“voie Southampont”，鈐帶框“PACKET LETTER”橫戳及馬爾他消毒圓戳。12.10抵倫敦。此信日期為簽訂南京條約後。寄件人應為砵甸乍之手下。

Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong Queen Victoria Telegraph stamps

Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong

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。

Hongkong Treaty Ports

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）。

Hong Kong Queen Victoria Telegraph stamps

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Queen Victoria Telegraph stamps

Lot 1563

1,000 HKD

Live

1981 (9 Sep) A letter from the Great Northern Telegraph Co. Denmark to Mr. R Bodily. The content was providing some information about the

1981 (9 Sep) A letter from the Great Northern Telegraph Co. Denmark to Mr. R Bodily. The content was providing some information about the telegraph stamp to Mr. R. Bodily. Historical.1981.9.9 一分由丹麥大北電報公司寄R Bodily之信件，內容提供了有關電報票之資料，極具研究價值。

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Queen Victoria

China Customs Mail

Hong Kong

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.

Hong Kong Queen Victoria

China Customs Mail

Hong Kong Queen Victoria

Lot 1928

11,000 HKD

Sold

1899 Newchwang (3 May) to Denmark, f.w. Coiling Dragon 10c, tied by Newchwang Dollar cds. Transit Shanghai Chinese PO (8 May). In

1899 Newchwang (3 May) to Denmark, f.w. Coiling Dragon 10c, tied by Newchwang Dollar cds. Transit Shanghai Chinese PO (8 May). In combination with Hong Kong QV 10c, tied by Shanghai BPO (8 May) cds and Newchwang IPO cachet. Transit Hong Kong (11 May). Arrived Denmark (12 Jun)1899.5.3 牛莊寄丹麥，貼蟠龍1角，銷牛莊大圓戳。5.8經上海清郵。加貼香港維多利亞女皇像10仙，銷上海英局5.8日戳及牛莊IPO騎縫戳。5.11經香港。6.12抵丹麥。

China Customs Mail

Lot 2160

280,000 HKD

Sold

1898 Szemao (15 Mar) to C.E.Tanant, Customs Wuhu via French Indochina, applied with Customs Szemao origin cds. Transit Customs Mengtzu (25

1898 Szemao (15 Mar) to C.E.Tanant, Customs Wuhu via French Indochina, applied with Customs Szemao origin cds. Transit Customs Mengtzu (25 Mar). In combination with Navigation and Commerce ovpt. Chine 25c, tied by Laokay (31 Mar) cds. Further transit Hanoi (8 Apr), Haiphong (9 Apr), Shanghai (21 Apr) with dollar cds. Arrived Wuhu (23 Apr) with dollar cds in brown. Cover opened out for display. Covers of Customs Szemao are extremely scarce with only 5 examples known. This one dated the second. Ex- Steve Chazen. 1898.3.15 思茅經印支寄蕪湖海關稅務司譚安，鈐思茅海關始發日戳。3.25經蒙自海關。加貼航海及商貿神像加蓋Chine 25生丁，銷3.31老街日戳。4.8經河內，4.9經海防，4.21經上海，鈐大圓戳。4.23抵蕪湖，鈐棕色大圓戳。封剖開以作展示。思茅海關封極為難得，存世僅見五例，此為日期第二早者。蔡盛舊藏。 1. 1897.7.21 思茅關 Customs Szemao → 重慶 Chungking. Rate: 25 ctm. 2. 1898.3.15 思茅關 Customs Szemao → 4.23 蕪湖 Wuhu. Rate: 25 ctm. 3. 1898.9.15 思茅關 Customs Szemao → 倫敦 London. Rate: 25 ctm. Provenance: Steve Chazen (Ava Auctions, 2023.3.11 sales) 4. 1898.12.22 思茅關 Customs Szemao → 2.27 倫敦 Kew Gardens. Rate: 25 ctm. 5. 1899.4.9 思茅關 Customs Szemao → 5.19 北京 Peking. Rate: 75 ctm triple rate.

China Imperial Post

China French PO

China French PO Covers bulk lot

China Imperial Post

China French PO

China Imperial Post

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。

China French PO

Lot 2193

5,000 HKD

Live

1919 Yunnanfu (21 Aug) to Peking. Registered cover, f.w. Native Girl surch YUNNANFOU with Chinese and French value 16c/40c, tied by

1919 Yunnanfu (21 Aug) to Peking. Registered cover, f.w. Native Girl surch YUNNANFOU with Chinese and French value 16c/40c, tied by Yunnanfou French PO cds. Transit Hanoi (24 Aug), Shanghai French PO (13 Sep). Arrived Peking French PO (16 Sep). Cover damaged at bottom right. Rare usage of foreign post for domestic destination.1919.8.21 雲南府寄北京。掛號封，背貼土女圖改值YUNNANFOU連中法文面值1角6分，銷雲南府法局日戳，旁鈐R章。8.24經河內，9.13經上海法局。9.16抵北京法局。封右下角有損。使用外邮寄递内地邮件，少见

China French PO Covers bulk lot

China French PO

China French PO Covers bulk lot

Lot 2194

2,400 HKD

Sold

1900-1910s a group of 7 covers and poscards to/from Mengtsz French PO, all f.w. Native Girl and its ovpt. MONGTSEU issues, showcasing

1900-1910s a group of 7 covers and poscards to/from Mengtsz French PO, all f.w. Native Girl and its ovpt. MONGTSEU issues, showcasing Mengtsz French PO different types of cds and different usages.1900至1910年代一組七件往來蒙自法局之封片，均貼土女圖及其加蓋蒙自地名票，鈐蒙自法局各式日戳，展示了不同郵例。

China French PO

French Post in China

China French PO Cancellations and seals

China French PO

Lot 2197

7,000 HKD

Sold

1902 Mongtze B (Yunnanfu) (3 Aug) to Switzerland, f.w. Navigation and Commerce issue surch YUNNANSEN with Chinese value x5, tied by scarce

1902 Mongtze B (Yunnanfu) (3 Aug) to Switzerland, f.w. Navigation and Commerce issue surch YUNNANSEN with Chinese value x5, tied by scarce Mongtze B French PO cds., along with R mark. Transit Haiphong (29 Aug). Arrived Moudon (10 Oct). With APS certificate. In 1900, Mengtsz and Yunnanfu were still not open to foreigners. French Indochina therefore set up the post offices in Mengtsz and Yunnanfu in the name of "Laokay A" and "Laokay B" respectively to keep a low profile. In 1901, Mengtsz was open to foreigners so "Laokay A" was changed to "Mongtze" while Yunnanfu was changed to "Mongtze B" until 1904 Yunnanfu was also open. According to AVA's record, about 20 covers from Mongtze B exist.1902.8.3 蒙自B（雲南府）寄瑞士。掛號封，貼航海及商貿神像改值YUNNANSEN連中文面值5枚，銷稀罕之蒙自B法局日戳，旁鈐R章。8.29經海防。10.10抵法國。附APS證書。 1900年，蒙自及雲南府尚未對外國人開放，故印支郵政在蒙自及雲南府的郵戳上，分別雋刻地名“老街A”及“老街B”以蒙混過關。到1901年，蒙自對外國人開放，故郵戳可改回“蒙自”，而雲南府則改為“蒙自B”。在1904年雲南府亦相繼開放，始使用正確地名。按艾華記錄，蒙自B寄出之信封存世約20件。 Estimates HK$ 7,000 - HK$ 15,000

French Post in China

China French PO Cancellations and seals

French Post in China

Lot 2199

3,000 HKD

Sold

1909 Yunnanfu (30 Apr) to Shanghai. Double-registered cover, f.w. unovpt. France type 25c + ovpt. CHINE with Chinese value x3 + Native Girl

1909 Yunnanfu (30 Apr) to Shanghai. Double-registered cover, f.w. unovpt. France type 25c + ovpt. CHINE with Chinese value x3 + Native Girl surch YUNNANFOU with Chinese value, tied by Yunnanfou French PO cds., along with AR and R mark. Transit Laokay (10 May), Haiphong (12 May). Arrived Shanghai French PO (20 May). Nice franking. 1909.4.30 雲南府寄上海。雙掛號封，貼未加蓋法蘭西像25生丁 + 改值CHINE 四仙x3 + 土女圖改值YUNNANFOU肆分，銷雲南府法局日戳，旁鈐R章及AR章。5.10經老街，5.12經海防，5.20抵上海法局。貼票漂亮出色。

China French PO 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。