Ava Auctions 16th Auction - Summer 2026 sale

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Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong

Hongkong Treaty Ports

Hong Kong

Lot 1544

500 HKD

Live

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

China Imperial Post

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.

China Imperial Post

China Russian PO

China Russian PO Cancellations and seals

China Imperial Post

Lot 1935

1,000 HKD

Live

1908 Newchwang (20 May) to Norway via Suez. Picture postcard, f.w. Coiling Dragon 4c, tied by Newchwang bisected biilingual cds. Transit

1908 Newchwang (20 May) to Norway via Suez. Picture postcard, f.w. Coiling Dragon 4c, tied by Newchwang bisected biilingual cds. Transit Shanghai Chinese PO (1 Jun), Shanghai French PO (2 Jun). Example of not taking Siberian route.1908.5.20 牛莊寄挪威。圖片明信片，貼蟠龍4分，銷牛莊半切漢英日戳。6.1經上海清郵，6.2經上海法局。不走西伯利亞郵路的例子。

China Russian PO

China Russian PO Cancellations and seals

China Russian PO

Lot 1938

1,800 HKD

Live

1903 Tientsin (1 Jul) to Norway. Registered cover, f.w. Coiling Dragon 10c, tied by Tientsin bisected bilingual cds. Transit Newchwang (3

1903 Tientsin (1 Jul) to Norway. Registered cover, f.w. Coiling Dragon 10c, tied by Tientsin bisected bilingual cds. Transit Newchwang (3 Jul). In combination with Coat of Arms ovpt. KITAI 10k, tied by Russian FPO No. 13 cds (21 Apr). Arrived Norway (24 Jul). 1903.7.1 天津寄挪威。掛號封，貼蟠龍1角，銷天津半切漢英日戳。7.3經牛莊。加貼軍徽圖加蓋KITAI 10戈比，銷俄軍13局4.21日戳。7.24抵挪威。

China Russian PO Cancellations and seals

Lot 1939

1,800 HKD

Live

1903 Paoting to England, f.w. Coiling Dragon 10c in pair, tied by Paotingfu PO tombstone cancel. Transit Tientsin (10 Jul), Newchwang (15

1903 Paoting to England, f.w. Coiling Dragon 10c in pair, tied by Paotingfu PO tombstone cancel. Transit Tientsin (10 Jul), Newchwang (15 Jul). In combination with Coat of Arms ovpt. KITAI 10k x2, tied by Russian FPO No. 13 (3 Jul) cds. Arrived London (5 Aug). 1903年保定寄英國，貼蟠龍1角雙連，銷保定府郵政局碑形戳。7.10經天津，7.15經牛莊。加貼軍徽圖加蓋KITAI 10戈比x2，銷俄軍13局7.3日戳。8.5抵倫敦。

China

China Province Mandschurei

Japan

China

China Province Mandschurei

China

Lot 1953

1,300 HKD

Live

1905 Liaoyang (4 Dec) to Sweden. CIP 2nd print PSC, uprated by Coiling Dragon 1c in strip of 3, tied by Moukden Liaoyang double-ringed

1905 Liaoyang (4 Dec) to Sweden. CIP 2nd print PSC, uprated by Coiling Dragon 1c in strip of 3, tied by Moukden Liaoyang double-ringed lunar year cds. Transit Newchwang (7 Dec), Shanghai Chinese PO, French PO (20 Dec). Arrived Sweden (27 Jan). Content side with coloured hand-painting. 1905.12.4 遼陽寄瑞典。大清第二版郵資片，加貼蟠龍1分三連，銷奉天瀋陽雙圈干支日戳。12.7經牛莊，再經上海清郵。12.20經上海法局。1.17抵瑞典。內容一面帶彩繪。

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。

Japan

China Republic of China

Japan

Lot 2006

1,000 HKD

Live

1925 Far Eastern Univerity, Vladivostok to Mr. Hu Shih, Peking University. Applied with Chinese Consulate at Vladivostok seal on reverse,

1925 Far Eastern Univerity, Vladivostok to Mr. Hu Shih, Peking University. Applied with Chinese Consulate at Vladivostok seal on reverse, indiciating delivery by diplomatic pouch. F.w. Junk 3c, tied by Suifenho (Jan) cds. Arrived Peking (27 Jan). 1925年海參崴遠東大學寄北京大學胡適，背鈐中國駐海參崴大使館圓戳，可見經外交郵袋送遞。正貼帆船3分，銷綏芬河腰框英漢日戳。1.27抵北京。

China Republic of China

Lot 2015

800 HKD

Live

1922 (14 Aug) Cover posted at Chinese Eastern Railway TPO to Harbin, f.w. Junk 3c on reverse, tied by "Harbin-Kwanchengtze" No. 3 cds.

1922 (14 Aug) Cover posted at Chinese Eastern Railway TPO to Harbin, f.w. Junk 3c on reverse, tied by "Harbin-Kwanchengtze" No. 3 cds. Arrived Harbin (14 Aug).1922.8.14 中東鐵路投遞寄哈爾濱，背貼帆船3分，銷中東“哈寬”三腰框日戳。8.14抵哈爾濱。

Lot 2023

1,000 HKD

Live

1929 Harbin (2 Sep) to Scotland via Canada. Registered cover, f.w. Junk ovpt. Limited For Use in Ki-Hei x10 on reverse, tied by Harbin

1929 Harbin (2 Sep) to Scotland via Canada. Registered cover, f.w. Junk ovpt. Limited For Use in Ki-Hei x10 on reverse, tied by Harbin bilingual cds. Transit Shenyang (3 Sep). Due to Sino-Soviet conlict, mails could not transit at Manchouli between Jul 1929 and Jan 1930. 1929.9.2 哈爾濱經加拿大寄蘇格蘭。掛號封，背貼帆船加蓋限吉黑貼用10枚，銷哈爾濱三格英漢日戳。9.3經瀋陽。由於中東路事件，郵件於1929年7月至1930年1月間未能於滿洲里中轉。

Lot 2025

3,000 HKD

Live

1929 Tientsin (Oct) to Switzerland. Registered cover, f.w. Unification 1c + Reaper 30c, tied by Tientisn bilingual cds. Along with “AT

1929 Tientsin (Oct) to Switzerland. Registered cover, f.w. Unification 1c + Reaper 30c, tied by Tientisn bilingual cds. Along with “AT SENDER’S RISK” bilingual cachet due to Sino-Soviet conflict over Chinese Eastern Railway. Transit Moukden but could not further proceed, redirected to Shanghai. Further transit Kobe (9 Nov). Arrived Basel (28 Nov). Exceptional example of Sino-Soviet conflict.1929.10 天津寄瑞士。掛號封，貼統一1分 + 農穫圖3角，銷天津三格英漢日戳。另鈐“此件由寄件人情願自負責成始行收寄”指示戳。經瀋陽但因中東路事無法繼續送遞。南下改經上海，11.9經神戶。11.28抵瑞士。出類拔萃之中東路事件例子。

China Province Mandschurei

China Republic of China

China Province Mandschurei

China Republic of China

China Province Mandschurei

Lot 2026

1,000 HKD

Live

1929 Tsitsihar (21 Nov) to Switzerland via Japan and Siberia, f.w. Unification and Junk ovpt For Use in Ki-Hei x5 on reverse, tied by

1929 Tsitsihar (21 Nov) to Switzerland via Japan and Siberia, f.w. Unification and Junk ovpt For Use in Ki-Hei x5 on reverse, tied by Tsitsihar bilingual cds. Transit Shenyang (23 Nov). Arrived Switzerland (13 Dec). Due to Sino-Soviet conflict, this cover had to detour at Osaka. 1929.11.21 齊齊哈爾經日本及西伯利亞寄瑞士，背貼統一及帆船加蓋吉黑貼用5枚，銷齊齊哈爾三格英漢日戳。11.23經瀋陽。12.13抵瑞士。由於中東路事件，此信需繞道日本接駁西伯利亞。

China Republic of China

Lot 2027

6,000 HKD

Live

1929 Harbin (Dec 14) to Russia. Censored registered cover, f.w. Junk and Reaper ovpt. Ki-Hei 5c and 20c, tied by Harbin bilingual cds.

1929 Harbin (Dec 14) to Russia. Censored registered cover, f.w. Junk and Reaper ovpt. Ki-Hei 5c and 20c, tied by Harbin bilingual cds. Censored and resealed with “Harbin Martial law HQ Censor” oval mark in violet. Example of Sino-Soviet Conflicht in 1929. 2022 (Nov) John Bull, lot 8152, hammered at HKD$15,000. 1929.12.14 哈爾濱寄俄國。檢查掛號封，背貼帆船加蓋限吉黑貼用5分 + 2角，銷哈爾濱三格英漢日戳。鈐“哈爾濱戒嚴司令部檢查處”紫色橢圓檢查章。1929年中東路事件例子。2022.11 布約翰，拍品號8152，以港幣1萬5千元落鎚。

Lot 2028

3,000 HKD

Live

1930 Tientsin (19 Feb) to France. Registered cover, f.w. Unification 1c + 4c + 10c + Junk 5c in pair, tied by Tientsin bilingual cds. Along

1930 Tientsin (19 Feb) to France. Registered cover, f.w. Unification 1c + 4c + 10c + Junk 5c in pair, tied by Tientsin bilingual cds. Along with “AT SENDER’S RISK” bilingual cachet due to Sino-Soviet conflict over Chinese Eastern Railway. Arrived Fracnce (5 Mar). Exceptional example of Sino-Soviet conflict. 1930.2.19 天津寄法國。掛號封，貼統一1分 + 4分 + 1角 + 帆船5分雙連，銷天津三格英漢日戳。另鈐“此件由寄件人情願自負責成始行收寄”指示戳。3.5抵法國。出類拔萃之中東路事件例子。

China Republic of China

China Province Sinkiang

Lot 2029

3,000 HKD

Live

1930 Shanghai (12 Apr) to Switzerland. Registered cover, f.w. Junk 10c x2 + surch 1c + State Burial 4c, tied by Shanghai bilingual cds.

1930 Shanghai (12 Apr) to Switzerland. Registered cover, f.w. Junk 10c x2 + surch 1c + State Burial 4c, tied by Shanghai bilingual cds. Along with “AT SENDER’S RISK” bilingual cachet due to Sino-Soviet conflict over Chinese Eastern Railway. Arrived Lausanne (28 Apr). Exceptional example of Sino-Soviet conflict. 1930.4.12 上海寄瑞士。掛號封，貼帆船1角x2 + 改值1分 + 國葬4分，銷上海三格英漢日戳。另鈐“由寄件人自負責成”指示戳。4.28抵瑞士。出類拔萃之中東路事件例子。

China Republic of China

China Province Sinkiang

Lot 2033

3,000 HKD

Live

1931 Changchun (1 Dec) to Shenyang, f.w. Junk ovpt. Limited For Use in Ki-Hei 4c, tied by Changchun cds. On reverse with “Japanese

1931 Changchun (1 Dec) to Shenyang, f.w. Junk ovpt. Limited For Use in Ki-Hei 4c, tied by Changchun cds. On reverse with “Japanese Military Police / Changchun” censor mark. Arrived Shenyang (3 Dec). Since the Japanesee occupation of Manchuria, Kwantung Army conducted postal censorship to collect intelligence. Illustration fig 4-12, p.71 in “The 1934 Negotiation of China-Manchukuo Mail Exchange and Related Postal History” by Huei Ching Ho.1931.12.1 長春寄瀋陽，貼帆船加蓋限吉黑貼用4分，銷長春日戳，另鈐長春日本憲兵隊檢查章。12.3抵瀋陽。自日軍佔領東北後，關東軍實施郵政檢查以收集反日情報。何輝慶《1934華滿通郵談判暨相關郵史》第71頁圖四-12原件。

China Province Sinkiang

Lot 2140

3,000 HKD

Live

1931 Dr. Nils Arnbolt, Hotien (15 Aug) to Sweden. Regis- 1932 (20 Feb) Sven Hedin Expedition cover from Yengisar + 1 dropped stamp, tied by

1931 Dr. Nils Arnbolt, Hotien (15 Aug) to Sweden. Regis- 1932 (20 Feb) Sven Hedin Expedition cover from Yengisar + 1 dropped stamp, tied by Hotien SIN bilignual cds. Transit in pair, tied by Sinkiang Yengisar cds. Transit Shufu (18 more scrace than via Tahcheng. Dr. Nils Arnbolt was the Showing "To Sweden via Russia" cachet. Mails via Ierhko- 1931.8.15 Dr. Nils Arnbolt detached.1931.8.15 Dr. Nils Arnbolt自和闐寄瑞典。掛號封，貼帆船加蓋限新省貼用4枚 + 1枚掉票，銷和闐腰框英漢日戳。5.10經依爾克斯塘。經依爾克斯塘與俄交換之郵件遠比經塔城珍罕。Dr. Nils Arnbolt為探險團的天文學家。