China, 1879 (23 Sept.) envelope bearing on reverse 1878 thin paper 1ca. green with sheet margin at right, 3ca. brown-red with sheet magin at right and 5ca. orange, cancelled by Tientsin small seal type 1, two stamps additionally just tied by matching "Customs/Tientsin" double-ring despatch d.s. of "Sep 23 79" and the 5ca. further tied by "San Francisco Cal./Pd. All" transit c.d.s. (27.10) in red, and on front "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring transit d.s. of "Sep 27 79", over which Japan Koban 5s. brown with marginal imprint has been applied and cancelled by "crossroads" type, showing "I.J. Postal Agency/Shanghai" double-ring d.s. (1.10) and "Yokohama" transit c.d.s. (11.10) adjacent, some reduced ageing of such insignificance to the importance of this cover that it was not mentioned on the two previous occasions when offered at auction. A very fine and astounding franking on an envelope of historical importance. One of the most important Large Dragons covers extant. Chan 1, 2, 3.
Estimate HK$ 1,200,000 - 1,500,000

Provenance: Heinrich Köhler (Wiesbaden), 8-10.10.1988, lot 6388
Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 15.5.1997, lot B79.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED LARGE DRAGON COVER TO THE UNITED STATES, AS WELL AS THE EARLIEST RECORDED LARGE DRAGON - JAPAN COMBINATION.

The 9 candarins rate to the U.S.A., according to the "Postal Notification" of 1 November 1878. The "Postal Notification" of 1 November 1879 reduced the rate to the U.S.A. to 7 candarins effective from 15 November 1879.

This envelope unusually has the Foreign Post Office postage stamp (Japan) applied over the "Customs/Shanghai" date, which has been struck in the top right corner of the envelope. Interestingly, there is one such other envelope known with this similarly unique practice during the same period - lot 466 in the General Sale. Est. HK$1,200,000-1,500,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200,000-1,500,000

China, 1880 (4 Mar.) envelope from Lurgan, Ireland to William Hancock Esq., Imperial Customs, Peking, China "Per First Mail" bearing 2½d. rosy mauve plate 16 horizontal pair, cancelled by "Lurgan/316" duplex, and overlapped by 1878 thin paper 3ca. brown-red, Setting I, vertical pair [1/6] with sheet margin at left, tied by "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring d.s. of "Apl 19 80", with "Hong Kong/A" transit c.d.s. on reverse and manuscript "Revd 25 Apr" arrival endorsement on reverse, negligible traces of ageing on perfs. at top of the Great Britain stamps, very fine and a magnificent cover from this famous correspondence. Chan 2.
Estimate HK$ 400,000 - 500,000

Provenance: Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (London), 13.11.1969, lot 2005
Dr. Warren G. Kauder, Robson Lowe (London), 10.11.1971, lot 44
Giulio Mochi, David Feldman (Geneva), 24.10.1984, lot 40623
Heinrich Köhler (Wiesbaden), 8-11.10.1986, lot 6381
Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 7.11.1996, lot A191.

References: Philip W. Ireland, China. The Large Dragons 1878-1885 (London : Robson Lowe Ltd., 1978), p. xi.
James B. Whang, A Comprehensive Illustration on Covers of Chinese Large Dragons (Taipei: Whang's Philatelic Foundation, 1997), pp. 130-131. Illustrated.

WE RECORD TWENTY-TWO INCOMING COVERS MAILED BETWEEN 1878 AND 1883 AND FRANKED WITH LARGE DRAGON STAMPS TO PAY THE DOMESTIC POSTAGE.

The 5 pence single rate from Great Britain to China and 6 candarins double rate for inland postage from Shanghai to cities in northern China.

Fourteen covers are from the Hancock correspondence, with one originating in Singapore. The other thirteen were sent from Belfast, Harrogate or Lurgan (11). These are addressed to William Hancock at Kiungchow (Hainan), the Inspectorate General of Customs in Shanghai, or the Imperial Customs in Peking. These were mailed between 25 September 1879 and 30 December 1880. Of these thirteen envelopes originating from Great Britain, eleven were mailed at the single overseas rate of 4 pence, 5 pence or 6 pence, and nine were charged inland postage of 3 candarins, while the other two were charged at the double rate of 6 candarins for inland postage. The other two envelopes were mailed from Great Britain at the double rate of 10 pence or 11 pence and both were charged 6 candarins inland postage. Est. HK$400,000-500,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$400,000-500,000

China, 1880 (24 May) neat envelope to Germany bearing on reverse 1878 thin paper 3ca. brown-red and 5ca. yellow-orange, cliché [8] with long stroke of "Dah", cancelled by Tientsin large seal type 2, and the 5ca. additionally tied by "Wiesbaden" arrival c.d.s., matching "Customs/Tientsin" double-ring despatch d.s. of "May 24 80" and "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring transit d.s. of "May 28 80" adjacent, and on front France Peace and Commerce 35c., cancelled by large figures "5104", showing "Shanghai/Chine" c.d.s. (1.6) adjacent and "Ligne N./Paq. Fr. No. 7" c.d.s. (7.6) in blue adjacent, the envelope opened out for display, extremely fine, charming and delightful usage at this short-lived rate. Chan 2, 3c.
Estimate HK$ 400,000 - 500,000

Provenance: Paul Hock, Robson Lowe (Zurich), 19.10.1983, lot 29
"Ming", Corinphila (Zurich), 29.9.1988, lot 4108.

References: James B. Whang, A Comprehensive Illustration on Covers of Chinese Large Dragons (Taipei: Whang's Philatelic Foundation, 1997), pp. 142-143. Illustrated.

The envelope was sent from Gustav Detring, the Commissioner of Customs in Tientsin to his family in Germany.

The 8 candarins single rate to Europe, and for France and Great Britain by routes other than Italy. This rate was in effect from 15 November 1879 until 14 November 1882. Est. HK$400,000-500,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$400,000-500,000

China, 1880 (10 June) envelope to Germany (8.8) redirected internally (9.8) bearing on reverse 1878 thin paper 3ca. brown-red (2) and 5ca. orange (2, one has light creasing from application over flap), cancelled by Peking seal in blue and one 5ca. additionally tied by "Harzburg" arrival c.d.s., matching "I.G. of Customs/Peking" double-ring despatch d.s. of "Jun 10 80" and "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring transit d.s. of "Jun 16 80" adjacent, and on front Hong Kong 1880 Provisional surcharge 10c. on 16c. yellow wing margin pair, cancelled by "S1" barred obliterator, showing "Shanghae/A" c.d.s. (16.6) adjacent, with "Hong Kong" (26.6) and "Brindisi" (5.8) transit c.d.s. and "Halle" initial arrival c.d.s. (8.8) adjacent, the envelope opened out for display and two lines of address neatly inked out, very fine and in the top echelon of the few Hong Kong covers in existence; of the highest exhibition calibre. Chan 2, 3.
Estimate HK$ 750,000 - 900,000

Provenance: Giulio Mochi, David Feldman (Geneva), 24.10.1984, lot 40626
Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 7.11.1996, lot A192.

References: R.N. Gurevitch, Hong Kong, Queen Victoria Postal Adhesives, Vol. 1 (Hong Kong, 2001), p. 155.
James B. Whang, A Comprehensive Illustration on Covers of Chinese Large Dragons (Taipei: Whang's Philatelic Foundation, 1997), pp. 149-150. Illustrated.

ONLY ELEVEN PROPERLY FRANKED LARGE DRAGONS ENVELOPES OR POSTCARDS ARE RECORDED WITH HONG KONG COMBINATIONS.

The 16 candarins double rate to Europe. The 8 candarins rate to Europe was in effect from 15 November 1879 until 14 November 1882. The exception to this was mail to England and France via Italy, which was subject to the 11 candarins premium single rate.

The Hong Kong 1880 Provisional surcharge 10c. on 16c. is a rare stamp on cover. There are less than fifteen covers recorded with this stamp. This is the only Large Dragon-Hong Kong combination recorded with this stamp. Interestingly, there is an 1880 (25 May) usage originating in the Customs Post in Peking to France bearing the 10c. on 16c. cancelled "S1" at Shanghai (Interasia, 26.6.2016, lot 269). Est. HK$750,000-900,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$750,000-900,000

China, 1882 (4 Aug.) red-band envelope from Tientsin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Peking bearing 1882 wide margins 1ca. green and 5ca. yellow-ochre, cancelled by Tientsin large type 2 seal, with "Bo Si Da" framed d.s. (8th Year, 6th Month, 21st Day) on reverse, the 5ca. is wrinkled from the envelope which has a few faults, fine example of this official mail, especially so with the wide margin 5 candarins. Chan 4, 6.
Estimate HK$ 120,000 - 150,000

Provenance: Major James Starr, Sotheby's (London), 11.9.1991, lot 304.

References: James B. Whang, A Comprehensive Illustration on Covers of Chinese Large Dragons (Taipei: Whang's Philatelic Foundation, 1997), pp. 261-262. Illustrated.

The 6 candarins domestic double rate.

There are only approximately thirty or so Chinese language Large Dragons covers recorded. Although there were nine such covers in the Major James Starr collection, which was sold in 1991, this large quantity is not a true reflection of their real scarcity. The vast majority of Chinese language covers were mailed from Tientsin to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Peking, and many also show the "Bo Si Da" framed handstamp for the Tientsin Customs Postal Agency.

The traditional view is that "Bo Si Da" was the Tientsin Customs Postal Agency, which replaced the Hwa Yang Shu Hsin Kuan following its closure in 1882 and absorption by the Customs Post. The "Bo Si Da" also was believed to have been under the direct management of the Tientsin Customs. James B. Whang surmised that the presence of only the "Bo Si Da" chop on this cover and lack of a "Customs/Tientsin" double-ring d.s. demonstrated "the close working relationships that existed between the two postal organizations." However, according to Benjamin Y.K. Hwa, the "Bo Si Da" was simply a lunar dater prepared by the Customs Postal Department for assisting those involved with Chinese mail matter.

This Agency seemed to operate until early 1883, after which Chinese language letters were handled directly by the Customs Post Office. Est. HK$120,000-150,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$120,000-150,000

China, 1882 (8 Aug.) envelope to England bearing on reverse 1882 wide margins 3ca. brown-red, Setting VI or VII, block of six [23-13/5-4/21-14] with sheet margins at top and foot, cancelled by "Customs/Newchwang" double-ring d.s. of "Aug 8 82", additionally tied by part "Cust(oms)/Shang(hai)" double-ring d.s. in red and the block shows a faint impression of the Exeter arrival c.d.s., and on front France Peace and Commerce 25c. bistre on straw pair, cancelled by "Shanghai/Chine" c.d.s. (18.8), with another strike adjacent, the envelope reduced at left, reinforced at folds, with tears and other faults, being a common occurrence on these flimsy envelopes from the Bandinel correspondence, the stamps are very fine. An outstanding franking representing two complete rows of the sheet. Chan 5.
Estimate HK$ 350,000 - 400,000

Provenance: Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (Basel), 26.10.1970, lot 546
L.Y. Woo
Joseph K.C. Wong
Robson Lowe (London), 8.5.1980, lot 43
Giulio Mochi, David Feldman (Geneva), 24.10.1984, lot 40613
Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Sotheby's and Corinphila (Hong Kong), 7.11.1996, lot A196.

References: James B. Whang, A Comprehensive Illustration on Covers of Chinese Large Dragons (Taipei: Whang's Philatelic Foundation, 1997), pp. 262-263. Illustrated.

THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 3 CANDARINS OF ANY SETTING ON COVER. THERE ARE ONLY THREE COVERS RECORDED BEARING 3 CANDARINS BLOCKS OF SIX : 1881 (12 APR.) ENVELOPE FROM PEKING TO MUNICH FROM THE TATTENBACH CORRESPONDENCE BEARING 3 CANDARINS, SETTING III, BLOCK OF SIX (EX OLSSONS, INTERASIA, 1.4.2017, LOT 36); 1881 ENVELOPE FROM PEKING TO HONG KONG BEARING 3 CANDARINS, SETTING III OR IV, BLOCK OF SIX; AND 1882 (8 AUG.) ENVELOPE FROM NEWCHWANG TO ENGLAND BEARING 3 CANDARINS, SETTING VI OR VII, BLOCK OF SIX, THE ABOVE ENVELOPE.

The 18 candarins double rate to Europe.

Possessing sheet margins at both top and foot, this remarkable block of six (2 x 3) comprises the complete third and fourth vertical rows of the sheet and offers irrefutable proof of the reduced sheet format of the 1882 wide margins 3 candarins. Est. HK$350,000-400,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$350,000-400,000

China, 1885 (4 Nov.) envelope to Germany bearing on reverse 1885 thick paper 3ca. vermilion, rough perfs., unknown Setting, horizontal strip of three [10-?-15], bright fresh colour, cancelled by Peking seals in blue and additionally tied by "Weissensee/Berlin" arrival c.d.s., matching "I.G. of Customs/Peking" double-ring despatch d.s. of "Nov 4 85" and "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring transit d.s. of "Nov 16 85" adjacent, and on front France Peace and Commerce 25c. bistre on straw, cancelled by "Shanghai/Chine" c.d.s. (18.11), with another strike alongside, the envelope is opened out for display and has a light horizontal fold at foot well clear of the stamps, very fine and of truly outstanding quality. Chan 11.
Estimate HK$ 300,000 - 400,000

Provenance: C.F. Gordon, Robson Lowe (London), 21.4.1964, lot 47
Sir Percival David, Robson Lowe (Basel), 16.10.1974, lot 1282.

References: James B. Whang, A Comprehensive Illustration on Covers of Chinese Large Dragons (Taipei: Whang's Philatelic Foundation, 1997), pp. 497-498. Illustrated.

The 9 candarins single rate to Europe. Est. HK$300,000-400,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$300,000-400,000