First China War. 1841 Entire letters from England to Lt. Charles Tennant, serving on H.M.S "Cornwallis", flagship of the British naval forces in China, from his sisters Lucy or Charlotte in Hampshire (4) or Westmoreland. One letter posted from Basingstoke to "Lieut C.E Tennant R.N, H.M.S Cornwallis, China" and endorsed "via Falmouth" and "via Calcutta", prepaid 1/-, the others simply addressed to "Lieut. Charles Tennant RN" (2) or "Lieut C.E Tennant R.N, H.M.S Cornwallis" (2) and hand carried, one sent by a naval officer, Capt Bruce, another sent on H.M.S "North Star". Also an 1840 letter posted to Tennant in Sevenoaks (stamp removed); 1842 (Sep 7) letter (no envelope) from another officer on the Hospital Ship H.M.S "Minden" en route to join H.M.S "North Star", writing to Tennant to try to secure a position on a better ship; and an 1842 (Sep 20) letter from a fellow officer apologising for not attending the ceremony that day due to fever, and sending regrets to His Excellency (Sir William Parker) for not being able to dine with him, addressed "To Lt Tennant, H.M.S Cornwallis", hand delivered. Tennant served on H.M.S. "Cornwallis" as Flag-Lieutenant to Sir William Parker, assisted in the capture of Amoy, was mentioned in despatches by Sir Hugh Gough for his spirited behaviour in the attack upon the enemy's entrenched camp at Segoan, landed at the taking of Chapoo and Woosung and took a prominent part in the attack on the city of Chin-Kiang-Foo; in September 1842 he was advanced to the rank of Commander for his services in China. The treaty ending the China War was signed on H.M.S "Collingwood" in August 1842. An interesting early correspondence to China. (8). Photo on Page 110. (Image1)

First China War / Malta. 1842 (Jan 14) Entire letter from William Tennant of the 3rd Light Dragoons, written whilst recuperating in Malta after serving in Egypt, to his brother serving on H.M.S "Cornwallis" in China, addressed to "Lieut C.E Tennant, Flag Ship, China Seas", prepaid 6d, with a fine "MALTA / PAID" datestamp. The letter refers to reinforcements sent from England to China, the sending of a Hospital Ship, the "Warspite" staying on the China Station with a 2nd rate Broad Pendant after the war is over, and asks his brother to "tell the Vice-Admiral with my kind rememberances to bear a hand and whack Quang Iy". Also a receipt for £12.14 paid by Major G.A Malcolm on behalf of W. Tennant for expenses in Egypt in June 1841. An exceptional destination from Malta. Photo on Inside Back Cover. (Image1)

1902-67 Mint and used collections of Peoples Republic of China and Taiwan in two S.G. Devon albums, PRC issues including 1962 Stage Art of Mei Lan-fang set used (S.G. 2037/44) and 1964 Bronze Vessels set unmounted (S.G. 2200/07), etc. (2 albums).

Postal Stationery. 1912 Unused K Size "Value Declared" formula registration envelope printed in Chinese and French, headed "LETTRE AVEC VALEUR DECLAREE", upper left corner with lines for the number, declared value and weight, crossed red lines on the front only, reverse with Chinese writing within circles printed (after folding) across the flap and the printers reference "1951·7·12/20,000", a couple of very minor corner creases, otherwise superb. A rare and unusual item, not seen by us before. Photo on Page 110 (Image1)

Jiangsu-Anhui Border Area. 1946 (Apr.) 20c on 5c Blue and 75c on 5c scarlet unused, 1946-47 imperf 25c, 50c, $1, $2, $5 and unissued 75c unused and $10 used, perf 11 25c (2, shades), 50c (2, one marginal, imperf between stamp and margin) and $1 (2, shades) unused, the unused stamps without gum as issued, the scarce used $10 with vertical crease, otherwise fine. S.G. EC275/6, 277/82A, 277/9B, £1,842. (15). Photo on Page 126. (Image1)

Jiangsu-Anhui Border Area. 1946 Cover from Shang Kang to Shanghai franked on the reverse flap by 1946-47 perf 11 50c, arrival c.d.s, the stamp with light creasing caused by the uneven envelope flap, otherwise fine and very scarce on cover. S.G. EC278B, £140 as a stamp. Photo on Page 110. (Image1)

Jiangsu-Anhui Border Area. 1946 Cover from T'ai Hsien to Nan T'ung Hsien franked on reverse flap by 1946-47 perf 11 $1, datestamps of Yii Tung and Ch'i Lin Chen on the front, the stamp with minor glue stains and creasing caused by the uneven envelope flap, otherwise fine and very scarce on cover. S.G. EC279B, £130 as a stamp.

Wei-Hai-Wei - Japanese F.P.O. 1897 First Sino-Japanese War stampless soldiers cover, with Wei-Hai-Wei Military P.O datestamp in black, and an arrival c.d.s of Gifu. Fine and scarce. Photo on Page 110. (Image1)

Wei-Hai-Wei - Japanese F.P.O. 1896 Japan 1sn postcard from Nagano to a solder in China during the First Sino-Japanese War, with Wei-Hai-Wei Military P.O arrival datestamp in red, fine and scarce. Photo on Page 110. (Image1)