1924 (c.) double-rate cover endorsed "Ng Sheung/cm #64/BPC/Ocean Island" addressed in Chinese & English to Hong Kong, very fine postman's delivery 'C5' h/s - a type not recorded by Ted Proud - in red, minor faults. An excellent origin/destination item. [From 1900, the island's phosphate resources were shamefully exploited by the Pacific Phosphate Company. After WWI, the government-backed British Phosphate Company took over but many of the PPC executives continued with the BPC]

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$200

1930 (c.) philatelic cover to NSW with KGV 2½d x3 & superb strike of the very scarce 'SS NAURU CHIEF' handstamp, light spotting.

Grade B

Estimate AU$150

1935 KGV Silver Jubilee frankings from Ocean Island including five registered 1) airmail to Kenya with 1d x3 (one faulty), 1½d, 3d x 2 (one on back) & 1/-; 2) to USA with 1d x3, 1½d x2 & 3d, 'LETTER PACKAGE/COLLECT TEN CENTS' and US 10c Postage Due; 3) OHMS to Southern Rhodesia with 1½d & 3d; 4) to USA with 1d, 1½d & 3d plus KGV ½d and 'Missent to East San Diego,Calif' cachet on face; 5) to USA with 1d x3 & 3d; etc, condition mixed but mostly fine. (9)

Grade A/B (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

1935 KGV Silver Jubilee frankings including 1) to Australia with 1d & KGV 1½d tied '.../POST OFFICE/ABAIANG/...' undated h/s; 2) to USA with 1½d strip of 4 tied poor '.../G.P.O./BERU ISLD/...' undated h/s with hand-drawn "R/1275/Beru" boxed marking; 3) to Perth with 3d single tied '.../BUTARITARI/10MAY38/P.O./...' cds & 'R/BUTARITARI/G.&E.I.C./No. ..' cachet, taxed "3" with Australian 3d Postage Due; 4) to USA with 1½d pair (right unit Flagstaff Double Entry Plate 6 Row 1/2) tied by two fine strikes of '.../17OC35/POST OFFICE/FUNAFUTI' cds, Tarawa transit in blue alongside; 5) to London with 3d pair tied indistinct rubber d/s but fine 'R/TARAWA G.E.I.C.' cachet alongside both in violet; etc, condition mixed including one front only but generally fine. (9)

Grade A/B (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

1935 real photo postcard of General Store with uniformed islander out front, sent to A Harold Gaze Esq, British Phosphate Commissioner, Melbourne endorsed from "Ocean Island" with Jubilee 1½d tied '.../MY6/35/...' cds [Jubilee Day; rest of cancel somewhat indistinct], the lengthy message in pencil dated "7/5/35" (?) includes "... leaving this afternoon for Nauru ... Last evening called at Residency and attended Jubilee Celebrations ..." and is possibly signed "AFE" (Albert F Ellis?), couple of minor blemishes. [See also the next lot]

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$250

1935 large-part parcel wrapper to Albert F Ellis Esq, CMG, FRGS, Phosphate Commissioner for New Zealand, Auckland endorsed "REGISTERED POST/CONTENTS, BOOK" with Jubilee 1d x3, 1½d x3, 3d x2 & 1/- x2 tied '21OC/35' cds and 'R/OCEAN ISLAND/G.&E.I.C.' cachet alongside paying ½d per 1oz printed matter rate x69 (!) plus 3d registration for a book weighing 4lb 5oz; plus the book 'Ocean Island and Nauru' by Ellis (published by Angus & Robertson 1935; first edition) inscribed to "Mr Robt Angus ... Auckland/27.8.35" and signed by the author, minor blemishes.

Albert Ellis discovered the extensive phosphate deposits on Ocean Island & Nauru in 1900, and by the 1935 the phosphate mines were exporting 600,000 tons annually to Australia & New Zealand. This meant 40+ ships a year calling at Ocean Island, providing the only regular mail service in the Gilbert & Ellice Islands. (2 items)

Grade A/A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$600