Hong Kong, Not Censored in Hong Kong : 1941 (7 Mar.) airmail envelope from San, French Sudan to Kowloon (17.4) via Lyon (16.3; and Canton (10.4) bearing French Sudan 50c., 2fr. (2) and 5fr. showing local and Palestine censor tapes at left, with "Buy/Bombers" h.s. (Proud HS11; a very early date), a very fine cover from an unusual origin with plenty of character sent via unoccupied France, Palestine and Canton.
Estimate 1,200 - 1,500

This section represents principally the remarkable collection of Hong Kong World War II civil censorship formed by the late Michael Mead and served as the basis for his expansive article on the subject in the January 2017 Hong Kong Study Circle Journal (No. 380, pp. 1-17). References to censor handstamp and tape types are per his article, which contains extensive scarcity charts (including of the individual censor numbers), and the Civil Censorship Group. The collection lots are particularly noteworthy for the broad range of frankings and usages and careful examination will be rewarded. The transit mails often include additional non-Hong Kong censorship. Additional lots from the collection are found in the immediately following Japanese Occupation section, as well in China and Malaya Covers elsewhere in the auction. A number of the covers from the collection were featured in the Mead article. Est. HK$1,200-1,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,500

Hong Kong, Not Censored in Hong Kong : 1939-41 selection of envelopes and cards from Hong Kong to mainly overseas that were not subject to censorship in Hong Kong (and thus without Hong Kong censor markings or tapes) or in transit, showing a range of frankings and destinations, with registered, airmail and printed-matter usages, including 1939 (1 Sept.) 25c. envelope to California (the date of World War II outbreak), 1940 2c. K.G.VI stationery card to Shanghai, 1940 "Returned for Postage" envelope and 1940 envelopes from Stanley and Kowloon Tong to U.S.A (approx. 35).
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000 Est. HK$3,000-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,000-4,000

Hong Kong, Type 2 Censor h.s.: 1939-40 envelopes (5) showing "Passed by/Censor/Hong Kong" violet circular h.s. (with numbers "2" and "5") including 1939 incoming airmail envelope from Switzerland bearing 30c. + Air 20c. (4), 1940 10c. (2) + 5c. envelope to U.S.A. also showing type 2 Hong Kong censor tape (scarce combination of two Hong Kong censors), 15c. envelope to Khartoum, Sudan, envelope from the Philippines to Amsterdam also showing Dutch censor tape, the Sudan and Philippines covers are illustrated in the Mead article.
Estimate 1,200 - 1,500 Est. HK$1,200-1,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,500

Hong Kong, Type 3 Censor h.s.: 1940 (23 July) envelope from Kulangsu (Amoy) to Hong Kong (25.7) bearing Dr. Sun Yat-sen 5c. (2) showing "T" in circle h.s. and "Passed/Censor/Hong Kong" green censor h.s. adjacent, with Hong Kong 10c. Due applied on reverse.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000 Est. HK$1,500-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,500-2,000

Hong Kong, Type 3 Censor h.s.: 1940 envelopes and cards principally from outside Hong Kong and transiting to a second destination, with many airmail, but also including some Hong Kong origins, showing a range "Passed/Censor/Hong Kong" h.s. numbers (including scarce "3" and "15"), with an array of origins and frankings including U.S.A. (with two to Palestine), Netherlands Indies, India, China, Indochina, Australia and Ceylon, with most also showing non-Hong Kong censorship (approx. 40).
Estimate 5,000 - 6,000 Est. HK$5,000-6,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$5,000-6,000

Hong Kong, Type 3 Censor h.s.: 1940 envelopes principally from outside Hong Kong and transiting to a second destination, with many airmail, but also including some Hong Kong incoming and outgoing mail, showing a range "Passed/Censor/Hong Kong" h.s. numbers (including scarce "3" and "11"), with an array of origins and frankings including U.S.A. (with two to Palestine), Netherlands Indies, India, China, Indochina, Australia, Strait Settlements and Ceylon, with most also showing non-Hong Kong censorship (approx. 40).
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000 Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

Hong Kong, Type 4 Censor h.s.: 1940 consignee's oversize envelope to London, bearing K.G.VI 25c. (Req. Z) and 15c., tied by "Passed/Censor/Hong Kong/3" violet h.s., sent by sea mail via Portugal and reposted at Lisbon to London by airmail to arrive ahead of the consignment with Portugal 5e. (8) tied by Lisbon airmail octagonal d.s. (20.9), faults, an attractive and unusual usage with very scarce censor number for this handstamp. Property of Another Vendor.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000 Est. HK$1,500-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,500-2,000

Hong Kong, Type 4 Censor h.s.: 1940 envelope ("Asiatic Petroleum/Swatow" imprint on flap) and card from Kwangtung to Switzerland bearing Dr. Sun Yat-sen values, the first (roughly opened at left) with the adhesive cancelled by "Passed/Censor/Hong Kong/3" violet h.s. and the second showing "Passed/Censor/Hong Kong/2" violet h.s, two very scarce censor numbers, originating in China (with the card illustrated in the Mead article).
Estimate 1,200 - 1,500 Est. HK$1,200-1,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,500

Hong Kong, Type 4 Censor h.s.: 1940 envelopes from Hong Kong (3, including to Japan and Sweden) and transiting Hong Kong (4) from Belgium (to Manila), U.S.A. (to Calcutta), Netherlands Indies (to U.S.A.) and Ceylon (to Hong Kong and redirected to Shanghai) showing "Passed/Censor/Hong Kong" type 4 violet h.s. numbers (including very scarce "6" and "17"), a very interesting group of this surprisingly relatively scarce handstamp type (7).
Estimate 1,000 - 1,200 Est. HK$1,000-1,200 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,000-1,200

Hong Kong, Type 4 Censor h.s.: 1940 envelopes transiting Hong Kong (7, all airmail) from U.S.A. (to Australia, India (2) and Papua), France (to Yokohama), India (to U.S.A.) and Switzerland (to Shanghai), along with K.G.VI 25c. envelope to Manila, all showing "Passed/Censor/Hong Kong" type 4 violet h.s. numbers (including again "6" and "17"), another very interesting group of this scarce handstamp type (8).
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000 Est. HK$1,500-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,500-2,000

Hong Kong, Type 5 Censor h.s.: 1941 (19 May) K.G.VI 25c. registered stationery envelope, size H from the Postmaster General to New York (15-16.6) bearing Centenary 5c. (2) and 25c. (2) showing "Passed/Censor/10" h.s. in red, fine and very scarce censor number for this type handstamp. Yang 58.
Estimate 1,200 - 1,500 Est. HK$1,200-1,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,500

Hong Kong, Type 5 Censor h.s.: 1940-41 envelopes transiting or originating in Hong Kong (as well as one incoming envelope from U.S.A.), mainly airmail, showing "Passed/Censor" h.s. in violet or green, including scarce numbers "3", "7" (2), "9", "19", "20", Guam Hong Kong-destination (2), registered airmail envelope to U.S.A. showing large "LR" h.s. on reverse, and Southern Rhodesia-Shanghai airmail usage, a fine range of frankings and colourful usages (29).
Estimate 5,000 - 6,000 Est. HK$5,000-6,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$5,000-6,000

Hong Kong, Type 5 Censor h.s.: 1940-41 envelopes (mainly airmail) and cards transiting or originating in Hong Kong, showing "Passed/Censor" h.s. in violet or green, including scarce numbers "6", "8", "13" (from Cheung Chau), "14", "20" (2, in violet and green) and London-Shanghai and Chungking-New York envelopes, with a few with "A.V.2" markings, another fine and attractive assembly, complementing the previous lot (26).
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000 Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

Hong Kong, Censor Tapes : 1939-40 envelopes (5, three airmail) showing type 2 censor tapes in black, comprising K.G.VI 5c. "Netherlands Consulate" envelope to Macau, redirected to Shanghai, incoming airmail envelopes (2, one registered) from Switzerland, Dr. Sun Yat-sen 25c. (2) envelope from Fukien to Florida, and airmail envelope from Manila to Switzerland bearing six values, fine and attractive selection of these scarce tapes.
Estimate 1,200 - 1,500 Est. HK$1,200-1,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,500

Hong Kong, Censor Tapes : 1940 (17 June) registered airmail envelope from San Francisco to Saigon (12.7) bearing U.S.A. Prexie 5c., 15c. (2) and 50c., with type 3 censor tape in black, showing very scarce green small "TR" h.s. on reverse, fine.
Estimate 1,200 - 1,500 Est. HK$1,200-1,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,500

Hong Kong, Censor Tapes : 1940 (29 Nov.) registered airmail envelope from New York to Jerusalem, Palestine (3.1.41) via San Francisco (30.11), Hong Kong (14.12) and Haifa (2.1) bearing U.S.A. 13c. Harrison and Prexie values showing type 4 censor tape in red, with very rare "Censor's Office/Hong Kong" wax seals applied over, "TR" h.s. on reverse and light Palestine censor h.s. on front, fine, one of the highlights of the collection.
Estimate 2,500 - 3,000 Est. HK$2,500-3,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,500-3,000

Hong Kong, Censor Tapes : 1941 (Feb.) registered airmail long envelope from Colombo to New York (11.3) via Hong Kong (20.2) and Honolulu (6.3) bearing Ceylon K.G.VI 20c., 2r. (2) and 5r. (4) showing type 4 censor tape in red at right and Hong Kong "Officially Sealed" label (type 15) at left, fine and scarce usage with the Officially Sealed label.
Estimate 1,800 - 2,200 Est. HK$1,800-2,200 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,800-2,200

Hong Kong, Censor Tapes : 1940-41 envelopes (3), comprising 1940 K.G.VI 25c. envelope to Manila and returned to Hong Kong showing type 3 censor tape in black and "Passed/Censor/Hong Kong/9" violet type 3 censor h.s., rare combination of Hong Kong censor tape and handstamp; 1940 airmail envelope from Bahrain to U.S.A. bearing K.G.VI "Bahrain" 3a.6p., 8a. and 2r. showing the type 3 violet censor h.s. (again no. 9) with "Passed by Censor/Bahrain" framed h.s.; and 1941 registered incoming envelope from Macau bearing San Gabriel 1a. and 30a. with type 4 censor tape in black and small "LR" violet h.s. on reverse; faults but a scarce and interesting trio.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000 Est. HK$1,500-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,500-2,000

Hong Kong, Censor Tapes : 1940-41 magnificent collection of envelopes showing Hong Kong censor tapes, including type 3 in black and red, type 4 in black, red and blue, and type 5 in black and red, with outgoing, incoming and transit mail and a wide array of origins, destinations and frankings, with many also showing non-Hong Kong censorship, including 1940 envelope from Norway with German censor tape to Bangkok, redirected to Hong Kong, a few outgoing registered envelopes showing scarce "LR" h.s., a fascinating assembly worth careful examination (approx. 60).
Estimate 8,000 - 10,000 Est. HK$8,000-10,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$8,000-10,000

Hong Kong, "Not Opened by Censor" h.s.: 1941 (15 Aug.) airmail envelope from Nanning to Hong Kong (22.8) via Kweilin (18.8) bearing (on front and reverse) Dr. Sun Yat-sen 20c. and 10c. on 25c. and Martyr 1c. (3), showing "Not Opened/by/Censor" violet h.s., redirected from Hong Kong (30.8) to England "via San Francisco" with Centenary 5c. and 15c. cancelled by "Hong Kong/Tai-Po" double-ring c.d.s., fine and scarce combination franking through this small branch office.
Estimate 1,200 - 1,500 Est. HK$1,200-1,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,500

Hong Kong, "Not Opened by Censor" h.s.: 1940-41 extensive study of the "Not Opened/by/Censor" handstamps showing various types, as well as the overprint in violet, blue and green, with a vast array of usages and frankings, mainly outgoing usages but also including incoming and transit mail, with airmail, registered and printed-matter usages, as well as "A.V.2" and "LR" markings and some branch offices, with a number of usages from China (including Chungking-New Zealand) as well as "British War Organization Fund" label usage and envelope to St. Lucia, a wonderful opportunity for the study of this important aspect of Hong Kong censorship (approx. 100 envelopes and cards).
Estimate 5,000 - 6,000 Est. HK$5,000-6,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$5,000-6,000

Hong Kong, Slogan Handstamps and Labels : 1939 (22 Dec.) and 1940 (13 Jan.) printed-matter envelopes, bearing K.G.VI 2c., showing the two types of the "Are You Supporting/the British War/Organization Fund" framed h.s. (HS7 and HS8), both uncensored, the former the earliest recorded date of HS7 and the latter the only recorded date by Proud for HS8, very fine.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,200 Est. HK$1,000-1,200 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,000-1,200

Hong Kong, Slogan Handstamps and Labels : 1940 (12 & 15 July) envelopes to Honolulu and New York showing "British War Organization Fund" red and black label (on reverse on the New York envelope), the former bearing K.G.VI 25c. and the second franked by 25c. postage meter imprint, both without censor markings.
Estimate 1,200 - 1,500 Est. HK$1,200-1,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,500

Hong Kong, Slogan Handstamps and Labels : 1939 (5 Sept.) Great Britain 1½d. stationery envelope to Hong Kong with "Remember/the British War/Fund" framed h.s. (Proud HS5; not censored), together with envelopes (5, one official and one with "HSBC" perfins) showing large "V" red h.s. to U.S.A. (2), Philippines, Canada and the U.K., most with Hong Kong censor tape or "Not Opened/by Censor" violet h.s., few small faults, fine (6).
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000 Est. HK$1,500-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,500-2,000

Hong Kong, Military Censorship : 1940 (May) "On Active Service" envelope to Australia showing on reverse "Passed by Censor/………" red framed h.s. signed and dated "11.9.40" with "Victoria/Hong Kong" c.d.s. (18.5) on front, very unusual censor h.s. on forces cover originating outside Hong Kong. Property of Another Vendor.
Estimate 2,000 - 2,500 Est. HK$2,000-2,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,500