Shanghai, 1860 (22 Dec.) neat mourning entire letter from Shanghai to Dublin, Ireland (13.2.61) "Via Marseilles" showing rare "Shanghae/Post Office/Paid" double-ring h.s. in red (Webb type 3) with "Paid" framed h.s. in red adjacent, and "Hong Kong/C" c.d.s. (27.12, across the join as is the arrival) on reverse, rated "9" and "8" (after 1d. Colonial credit), some minor splitting along folds, a very fine and rare example of this very important Shanghai mark and an addition to the nine covers recorded by the Hong Kong Philatelic Society, making this the second earliest of the now ten recorded covers (9d. U.K. quarter-ounce rate via Marseille).
Estimate HK$ 100,000 - 120,000

Carried by P&O Formosa Shanghai (23.12) to Hong Kong (26.12), Ottawa Hong Kong (31.12) to Galle (15.1.61), Nemesis Galle (18.1) to Suez (3.2), Euxine Alexandria (4.2) to Marseille (10.2). Est. HK$100,000-120,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$100,000-120,000