China, Customs Mail Matter/Swatow : 1895 (15 June) "On Service" printed envelope for "Parcel Receipt No. 159" to the Statistical Secretary, Inspectorate General of Customs, Statistical Department, Shanghai (19.6), showing "Swatow Customs/Mail Matter" type 2 oval thimble type h.s., with "Customs/Swatow" double-ring origin d.s. of "Jun 15 1895" and "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring arrival d.s. of "Jun 19 1895" in blue on reverse, very fine and possibly unique example of this enigmatic type of Customs Mail Matter handstamp.
Estimate HK$ 80,000 - 100,000

Provenance: Paul Ke-Shing Chang.

References: Paul Ke-Shing Chang, History of Postal Cancellation of China, Part I (1989), pp. 152, 176. Illustrated.

To date, this is the only recorded example of this Customs Mail Matter handstamp type for Swatow. Most such official envelopes had some indication of handling by the Customs officials on the front during this period, either in the form of a Customs Mail Matter handstamp either on departure or in transit (e.g., that for Ichang applied on reverse of a Chungking mailing), or, as in the case of the Kiungchow envelope, with Hong Kong stamp cancelled in transit outside the Customs Post (similarly for Indochina, except with French P.O. stamps). During early 1897, Imperial Post Offices daters were applied to the front of the envelopes on mail from Hangchow and Nanking. Est. HK$80,000-100,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$80,000-100,000

China, Customs Mail Matter/Kiungchow : 1895 (15 June) "On Service" printed envelope for "Parcel Receipt No. 141" to the Statistical Secretary, Inspectorate General of Customs, Statistical Department, Shanghai (22.6), showing on reverse "Customs/Kiungchow" double-ring origin d.s. of "Jun 15 1895" and bearing on front Hong Kong 5c. applied in transit and cancelled by "Hong Kong/A" c.d.s. (17.6), with "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring arrival d.s. of "Jun 22 1895" in blue on reverse, fine and rare example of this Customs dater.
Estimate HK$ 25,000 - 30,000

Provenance: Paul Ke-Shing Chang.

References: Paul Ke-Shing Chang, History of Postal Cancellation of China, Part I (1989), p. 82.
Customs Dater (1875-1913), Taipei : Philatelic Writers' Club, 2008, p. 99. Illustrated. Est. HK$25,000-30,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$25,000-30,000

China, Imperial Post : 1898 (9 Feb.) registered envelope (embossed "Custom House/Pakhoi" seal on flap) to Canton (15.2) bearing I.C.P. 2c. vertical pair, cancelled by "Pakhoi" dollar dater in brown, and 5c., cancelled by matching "R" unframed h.s., with crisply struck "Canton" arrival dollar dater on reverse, some age spotting, fine and exceptional usage of this scarce dollar dater.
Estimate HK$ 50,000 - 60,000

Provenance: Paul Ke-Shing Chang.

References: Paul Ke-Shing Chang, History of Postal Cancellation of China, Part II (1989), p. 121. Illustrated.

The 9 cents registered domestic double rate (5 cents registration + 2 x 2c. postage). Est. HK$50,000-60,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$50,000-60,000

China, Imperial Post : 1897 (1 Nov.) envelope to Japan (10.11) bearing I.C.P. 10c., cancelled by "Pagoda Anch'ge" dollar dater in brown (oily strike), "Shanghai" transit dollar dater (4.11) in blue (on reverse), in combination with Japan 5s., cancelled by "Shanghai/I.J.P.O." c.d.s. (5.11), with "Kobe/Japan" arrival c.d.s. on reverse, the envelope has a tear to the left of the dollar dater and the top left corner has been torn away and restored with a piece of card, very good to fine strike of this scarce and popular dollar dater.
Estimate HK$ 10,000 - 12,000

The 5 sen (5 cents) preferential rate for mail to Japan and the U.S.A. through the Japanese Post Office had been in effect until the end of September 1897, and on 1 October 1897 was raised to 10 sen (10 cents) for the rate to be standardized with the other foreign post offices. Although the Japanese postage was underpaid by 5 sen on this cover, it was not taxed. There are numerous instances of such an occurrence during this early rate change period. Est. HK$10,000-12,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$10,000-12,000

China, Imperial Post : 1897 (5 Dec.) red-band envelope to Shanghai (15.12) bearing I.C.P. 1c. yellow (2), cancelled by pakua in blue, matching "Woosung" dollar dater, with "Shanghai" arrival dollar dater on reverse, one stamp has light horizontal crease and the envelope a little reduced at left, fine and a very early date for this dollar dater, the earliest recorded being 1 December 1897.
Estimate HK$ 15,000 - 20,000 Est. HK$15,000-20,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$15,000-20,000

China, Imperial Post : 1898 (5 Sept.) envelope to Philadelphia (20.10) via Yokohama (14.9) and San Francisco (16.10), showing "United States Consulate/Fuchau/China" sender's c.d.s. in violet and bearing I.C.P. 5c. pair and 10c. with sheet margin at foot, cancelled by "Foochow" dollar dater (5.9) and pakua, "Shanghai" transit dollar dater (8.9, "S" in "Sep" reversed), in combination with Japan Koban 10s. vertical pair, cancelled by "Shanghai/I.J.P.O." c.d.s. (9.9), with appropriate transit and arrival c.d.s. on reverse, very fine and pleasing double rate franking.
Estimate HK$ 12,000 - 15,000

The 20 cents double rate for mail overseas to U.P.U. countries. Est. HK$12,000-15,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$12,000-15,000

China, Imperial Post : 1898 (Oct.) "C.W. Pruitt, Chefoo, China" corner card envelope to Milledgeville, Georgia (22.11) via Yokohama, showing "Post Office/Tengchowfu" bilingual intaglio circular h.s., "Chefoo" (24.10) and "Shanghai" (28.10) transit dollar daters (on reverse), in combination with Japan Koban 10s., cancelled by "Shanghai/I.J.P.O." c.d.s. (28.10) partly struck over the top of the envelope, which has been roughly opened at right, fine to very fine strike of the Tengchowfu intaglio h.s. to denote payment of postage.
Estimate HK$ 10,000 - 12,000

Provenance: Paul Ke-Shing Chang.

References: Paul Ke-Shing Chang, History of Postal Cancellation of China, Part III (1989), p. 152. Illustrated. Est. HK$10,000-12,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$10,000-12,000

China, Imperial Post : 1900 (8 May) envelope to Perry, Iowa, U.S.A. (9.6) via Shanghai (10.5) and San Francisco (5.6) bearing C.I.P. 10c., cancelled by perfect strike of Anking pakua, matching "Ngankin" bilingual c.d.s. (8.5) alongside, in combination with Japan P.O. overprint 10s., cancelled by "Shanghai/I.J.P.O." c.d.s. (12.5), with appropriate transit and arrival c.d.s. on reverse, manuscript mark a left reduced, nevertheless very fine.
Estimate HK$ 8,000 - 10,000

The Anking pakua has the same symbol as that for Wuhu, the difference being in the measurement, with Anking (16½ x 23mm.) being narrower and longer than Wuhu (18 x 21½mm.). Est. HK$8,000-10,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$8,000-10,000

China, Imperial Post : 1900 (17 Nov.) registered envelope to Berlin, Germany (23.12) bearing on reverse C.I.P. 10c. (2), cancelled by Anking pakua and "R" unframed h.s. respectively, matching "Ngankin" bilingual c.d.s. on front and "Shanghai" bilingual transit c.d.s. (19.11, on reverse), in combination with France "Chine" 50c., cancelled by Shang-hai/Chine" c.d.s. (19.11), with "R" framed h.s. adjacent, the envelope a little roughly opened out for display and light central vertical filing fold clear of stamps, very fine usage with this rare pakua and registration handstamp cancelling the stamps.
Estimate HK$ 15,000 - 20,000

Provenance: Paul Ke-Shing Chang.

References: Paul Ke-Shing Chang, History of Postal Cancellation of China, Part II (1989), p. 43. Illustrated. Est. HK$15,000-20,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$15,000-20,000

China, Imperial Post : 1902 (30 June) double registered red-band envelope to Peking (13.7) via Sutsien, Chinkiang (6.7) and Shanghai (7.7) bearing C.I.P. 5c. pair, cancelled by "Hsuchow Post Office" tombstone d.s. and additionally tied by "Peking" bilingual oval d.s., and 1c., cancelled by "Registered Mail" unframed h.s. with accompanying manuscript "No. 260" adjacent, showing transit and arrival d.s. on front including "Sutsien Post Office" tombstone, the 5c. pair oxidised, fine and appealing registered franking.
Estimate HK$ 15,000 - 20,000

Provenance: Paul Ke-Shing Chang.

References: Paul Ke-Shing Chang, History of Postal Cancellation of China, Part III (1989), p. 125. Illustrated.

The double registered domestic rate of 11 cents (1c. postage + 2 x 5c. registration = 11 cents). Est. HK$15,000-20,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$15,000-20,000

China, Imperial Post : 1902 (14 Aug.) red-band envelope to Yangchow via Weihsien (14.8), Kiaochow, and Shanghai (22.8) bearing C.I.P. 1c. with sheet margin at left, cancelled by "Ankiu" Sun and Moon c.d.s., with the appropriate transit and arrival datestamps on reverse including Weihsien Sun and Moon c.d.s. and "Yangchow" dollar dater with centre blank (no date), the stamp is oxidised and trimmed at upper right from opening of envelope at top, nevertheless a fine usage.
Estimate HK$ 6,000 - 8,000

Provenance: Paul Ke-Shing Chang.

References: Paul Ke-Shing Chang, History of Postal Cancellation of China, Part II (1989), p. 460. Illustrated.

The 1 cent reduced postal rate for domestic postage, which came into effect on 8 April 1902 and was raised back to 2 cents on 1 September 1904. Est. HK$6,000-8,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$6,000-8,000

China, Imperial Post : 1902 (25 Aug.) double registered red-band envelope to Peking (15.9) via Kaifengfu and Paoting (13.9) bearing on reverse C.I.P. ½c. vertical pair, 2c. block of four, single and 5c. vertical pair, cancelled by "Kweiteh Post Office" tombstone d.s. or "R" unframed h.s., showing transit and arrival d.s. including "Kaifengfu Post Office" tombstone adjacent, with manuscript registration "No. 199" and two strikes of "R" unframed h.s. on front, the 5c. oxidised, and one 2c. and 5c. slightly trimmed due to application over edge of envelope, an attractive registered franking.
Estimate HK$ 15,000 - 20,000

Provenance: Paul Ke-Shing Chang.

References: Paul Ke-Shing Chang, History of Postal Cancellation of China, Part III (1989), p. 129. Illustrated.

The total franking of 21 cents represents the domestic single rate, double registration, express and special insurance. Est. HK$15,000-20,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$15,000-20,000

China, Imperial Post : 1902 (23 Nov.) double registered neat red-band envelope to Peking (1.12) bearing on reverse C.I.P. 1c. and 4c. vertical pairs (2) and single, cancelled by "Taiyuanfu Post Office" tombstone d.s., showing "Peking" bilingual oval d.s. adjacent, with "R" native framed registration h.s. and two strikes of "R" unframed h.s. on front, very fine registered franking.
Estimate HK$ 20,000 - 25,000

Provenance: Paul Ke-Shing Chang.

References: Paul Ke-Shing Chang, History of Postal Cancellation of China, Part III (1989), p. 130. Illustrated.

The total franking of 21 cents represents the domestic single rate, double registration, express and special insurance. Est. HK$20,000-25,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$20,000-25,000

China, Imperial Post : 1911 (15 Feb.) envelope to Peking (21.2) bearing on reverse C.I.P. 1c. (3), cancelled by "Sian" non-standard lunar c.d.s., with arrival c.d.s. adjacent, very fine strikes of this distinctive dater for Sian.
Estimate HK$ 6,000 - 8,000 Est. HK$6,000-8,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$6,000-8,000

China, Republic of China : 1912 (30 Sept.) double registered envelope to Hong Kong (12.10) bearing on reverse "Republic of China" Statistical Department overprints 4c. (2) and 5c., cancelled by "Yunnan/Chihtsun" native c.d.s. and C.I.P. 10c. and "Republic of China" Commercial Press overprint 1c., cancelled by Hokow pakua, with "Hokow" bilingual c.d.s. and "Registered/G.P.O. Hong Kong" arrival c.d.s. adjacent, showing on front two strikes of "R" unframed h.s. and "R/Chihtsün/No. 303" framed h.s., very fine and rare usage from Yunnan.
Estimate HK$ 20,000 - 25,000 Est. HK$20,000-25,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$20,000-25,000

China, T.P.O: 1905 (17 Nov.) postcard to St. Dié, France (15.12) via Canton (17.11) and Hong Kong (18.11) bearing C.I.P. 2c. pair (oxidised in places), cancelled by two very fine strikes of "Mail Car No. ?/Canton Samshui" circular h.s.
Estimate HK$ 10,000 - 12,000 Est. HK$10,000-12,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$10,000-12,000

China, T.P.O: 1907 (4 Feb.) postcard (photoreal of Peking Legation Quarter) to Troy, New York via I.J.P.O. (6.2) and Yokohama (14.2) bearing C.I.P. 4c., cancelled by "Peking-Tientsin T.P.O." c.d.s., card has light stain at right and small corner crease at top right, fine to very fine strike.
Estimate HK$ 5,000 - 6,000 Est. HK$5,000-6,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$5,000-6,000

China, T.P.O: 1909 (9 Feb.) red-band envelope to Tientsin bearing on reverse C.I.P. 2c., cancelled by "Imperial Post Chengting-Taiyan" Mail Car" framed h.s. and additionally tied by "Tientsin" bilingual arrival c.d.s., fine to very fine strike of this rare T.P.O. handstamp.
Estimate HK$ 12,000 - 15,000

Provenance: Paul Ke-Shing Chang.

References: Paul Ke-Shing Chang, History of Postal Cancellation of China, Part VII (1989), p. 92. Illustrated. Est. HK$12,000-15,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$12,000-15,000

China, Express Mail : 1910 (June) red-band express envelope from Shanghai to Foochow (9.6), showing "Shanghai" despatch c.d.s. on front, and on reverse bearing fragment of Express Letter stamp (where torn away) and "Foochow" arrival dollar dater of "9 Jun 10", rare usage.
Estimate HK$ 8,000 - 10,000

Provenance: Paul Ke-Shing Chang.

References: Paul Ke-Shing Chang, History of Postal Cancellation of China, Part II (1989), p. 106. Illustrated. Est. HK$8,000-10,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$8,000-10,000

China, Postage Dues : 1907 (14 May) "Harvard Divinity School" corner card U.S. 2c. postal stationery envelope to Foochow (arrival) via Shanghai with "Shanghai China/U.S. Postal Sta. Rec'd." and "Shanghai" bilingual c.d.s. (18.6), and returned to Boston via Washington (6.11), cancelled by "Boston, Mass./Cambridge Station 1" departure duplex, bearing Postage Due First London printing 2c. and 10c., cancelled by c.d.s. and pakua, with "15/T" unframed h.s. adjacent, showing "Returned/Letter Office/10 Sep/07/China" bilingual framed h.s. and "Dead Letter Office/F.D. U.S.A." double-ring d.s. (5.11) in red on reverse and "Return to/Sender" unframed h.s. and "Return to Writer/Collect 6 cts./Dead Letter…/Washington,D.C." pointing finger h.s. in red on front, fine and full of character. Chan D9, D12.
Estimate HK$ 3,000 - 4,000

Provenance: Paul Ke-Shing Chang.

References: Paul Ke-Shing Chang, History of Postal Cancellation of China, Part II (1989), p. 67. Illustrated. Est. HK$3,000-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,000-4,000