Shanghai, 1856 (6 Oct.) entire with part letter (outer sheet) from Shanghai to Valreas, France "Overland mail via Marseille" (29.11) showing very fine complete strike of the "Shanghae Post Office/Crown/Paid" circular h.s. in red (Webb type 1), with "Hong Kong" double-arc d.s. (12.10) and "Paris à Marseille" (30.11) c.d.s. on reverse, rated "20" (décimes), inconsequential slight traces of ink erosion in the address panel mentioned for accuracy, an excellent example of this great rarity of the Treaty Ports and the first postal marking of Shanghai, of which 17 examples are recorded.
Estimate 180,000 - 220,000

Expertisation: Boule certificate (1997).

Carried by P&O Shanghae Shanghai (7.10) to Hong Kong (12.10), Malta Hong Kong (15.10) to Galle (4.11), Nubia Galle to Suez (17.11), Valetta Alexandria (20.11) to Marseille (29.11). Est. HK$180,000-220,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$180,000-220,000