French Military Mail. 1887 (Nov 24) Cover addressed to the Commander of the French Naval Division in Cochinchina, bearing Type Sage 15c blue, tied by "CORR. D. ARMÉES/SHANG-HAI" cds, showing an additional clean strike alongside, a very scare usage; (unpriced in Yvert on cover, €250 off cover). (Image)

French Post Offices. 1904 (May 7) French occupation forces in Tientsin China, cover sent to Marne, France franked with 15c orange tied by French post office in China cds, with Siberia armed forces mark, and manuscript forces occupation in China, arrival to back, interesting and fine cover. (Image)

1864 (May 5) Envelope to Bordeaux, franked by 1862 10c, 20c (top left corner defective) and 40c, each tied by "5104" numerals, with matching "SHANG-HAÏ/BAU FRANÇAIS" cds at left, red entry on front, transit and receiving cds's on back. (Image)

1870 (Jun 9) Cover (upper back flap missing) from Shanghai to Civitavecchia (Papal States), franked by Laureated Empire 40c & 80c, tied by "5104"dotted lozenges with matching "Shang-Hat/Bau Français" cds in centre, backstopped on arrival; some imperfections, but an extremely rare destination; cert. Bottacchi (2016). (Image)

1878 (March 14) Envelope to Mulhouse (then Germany), franked by 1871-75 5c pair and 15c pair, tied by gros chiffres "5104" with matching "SHANG-HAI/CHINE" cds adjacent, red "LIGNE N/PAQ.FR. N°10" cds below, Naples transit and Mulhouse receiver on reverse; a scarce combination to make up the 35c rate; cert. Roumet (2010); (Yvert €1'000 for the 5c on cover); ex Mayer. (Image)

1878 (July 27) Cover to Madrid with red "LEGACIÓN DE ESPAÑA/EN/CHINA" hs, franked by Type Sage 5c with gutter margin at right and 40c, each tied by "5104" lozenge with matching "SHANG-HAI/CHINE" cds adjacent at right, French transits and receiving cds on back, a scarce destination; ex Mayer. (Image)

1890 (June 27) Cover to Luden, franked with Dutch Indies 3c SD stamp, tied by Mavasser cds, with three line "NED: Indie / over / Genua", transit marks and arrival 6 Aug on the reverse, very small envelope in very fine condition; attractive item. (Image)

1896 (Aug 29) Registered cover to Chauny, franked by overprinted Sage 20c and 75c, each tied by "SHANG-HAÏ/CHINE" cds, repeated at left, and "LIGNE N/PAQ. FR. N°3" (4.7) below on the same date, bs on receipt, a very scarce double-rate usage, in delightful condition showing a fresh franking and superb strikes. (Image)

1904 (April 21) French Post Office in China, picture postcard of Peking Temple, sent to Vienna, Austria, franked with a pair of the French China Colony 5c green, tied by the "Chefou-China-Post-France" in violet , with crisp Shanghai transit to front; a fine and attractive example from the French colony in China. (Image)

German Post Offices. 1889 (Dec 27) Cover to Bremen, franked at double rate with 1886-90 20pf pair, tied by "KAISERLICH/DEUTSCHE POSTAGENTUR SHANGHAI" cds, with "E.MEYER & CO TIENTSIN/CHINA." forwarding agent imprint and arrival on reverse, sent during the "Postzweigstelle" period, very fine. (Image)

1890 (July 25) Envelope from German Consulate in Hankow to Düsseldorf, franked by 1890-92 20pf (one corner perf. missing), tied "KAISERLICH/DEUTSCHE POSTAGENTUR SHANGHAI" cds, with receiving cds on back, a scarce forwarded mail from Hankow. (Image)

1890 (Sept 19) Cover from Chefoo to Berlin, bearing marginal 1886-90 10pf vertical pair, tied by "KAISERLICH/DEUTSCHE POSTAGENTUR SHANGHAI" cds, backstamped on arrival, a rare forwarded mail from Chefoo, few tone spots; signed Steuer; ex Mayer. (Image)

1891 (April 7) Cover to Bremen, uncommonly paying the single rate with single and strip of three of 1890-92 5pf, tied by "KAISERLICH / DEUTSCHE POSTAGENTUR SHANGHAI" cds, forwarded by "E. MEYER & CO TIENTSIN/CHINA." with corresponding imprint on back, where also a Bremen cds was struck, a very fine mail from the "Postzweigstelle" Tientsin before the introduction of its own postmark, ex Mayer. (Image)

1891 (Dec 5) Cover to Bremen franked by 1890-92 20pf, neatly tied by "KAISERLICH/DEUTSCHE POSTAGENTUR SHANGHAI" cds, with "E.MEYER & CO TIENTSIN/CHINA." forwarding agent hs as well as arrival on back, a very fine mail from the "Postzweigstelle" Tientsin before the introduction of its own postmark, ex Mayer, cert. Steuer (2012). (Image)

1893 (March 24) Cover to London bearing 1890-94 5pf and 20pf, each in vertical pair, tied by "KAISERLICH/DEUTSCHE POSTAGENTUR SHANGHAI" cds, and additionally 1886-90 10pf which remained uncancelled (except for three perforations at top) and was not accepted for postage as this issue was valid until 31.1.1891, being framed on three sides by blue pencil to highlight the erroneous usage and consequent tax to apply, paid with British "2 1/2/F.B." due marking, framed "T." at top left; two horizontal creases, one affecting the franking at top, a very rare postage due cover in a most unusual combination franking; ex Max J. Mayer. (Image)

1893 (Oct 5) Cover from Chefoo via Shanghai to Ludwigsfelde, bearing 1890-96 10 pf pair, tied by "KAISERLICH/DEUTSCHE POSTAGENTUR SHANGHAI" cds, faint strike of "FORWARDED BY/CHEFOO/H. SIETAS & Co" marking denoting this carriage, scarce, ex Mayer. (Image)

Naval Mail. 1895 (April 4) Cover from the "S.M.S. Irene" at Chefoo sent to Karlsruhe, bearing 1890-96 10pf vertical pair (two slight perf. tone spots), tied by "SHANGHAI" cds's and backstamped on receipt, forwarded privately to Shanghai, rare, ex Mayer. (Image)

1895 (May 22) Cover (slightly reduced on two sides) to Germany, carried at double rate with 1891-94 20 pf vertical pair, tied by "SHANGHAI" cds's, struck on back with "I.G. OF CUSTOMS/PEKING" (22.5), "CUSTOMS/TIENTSIN" (23.5, faint strike) and "CUSTOMS/SHANGHAI" (27.5) cds's, a very scarce combination cover; (ARGE €4'000); ex Mayer. (Image)

1896 (April) Commercial envelope from an iron and steel company (matching cachet also on back) in Hankow to the Krupp in Essen, bearing pair (two stamps with few short perfs.) and two singles of 1892-98 5pf, tied by "SHANGHAI" cds's, arrival on back, a scarce mail forwarded from Hankow; signed Steuer; ex Mayer. (Image)

1899-1900, Group of 5 picture postcards sent to Austria, with 2 from Shanghai bearing "China" 10pf or 5pf+3pf+3pf tied by German P.O. Shanghai cds, and three Norddeutcher Lloyd Bremen ppc's bearing German 10pf or 2pf tied by "DEUTSCHE SEEPOST / ASIATISCHE / HAUPTLINIE" cds, all with Rodaun arrivals, fine.

Japanese Post Offices. 1910 (Jul 22) Incoming picture postcard to South Manchuria sent from Berlin with railway station cancel tying vert. pair of 5pf, card depicting the Royal family, with Japanese Post Office Changchun-S IJPO cds and Dairen IJPO arrival cds, very fine and scarce. (Image)

1922 (07.10) Postal stationery card 4s for use in China + additional franking 4s red with black overprint for use in China postmarked 'TIENTSIN I.J.P.O. 7.10.22' to German Empire (Fürth / Bavaria), slight corner crease at top right otherwise very fine. (Image)

Russian Post Offices. 1900 (Apr 10) Trio of picture postcards bearing "KITAI" Arms frankings with 10k, 5k and 3k+2k+1k (all horiz. laid paper), all tied by Cyrillic "SHANGHAI POCHTOVAYA KONTORA" double circle ds, all with Rodaun arrival ds, a fine trio.