EXTRAORDINARY "N1" COVER WITH "INSUFFICIENTLY PAID/FOR BRINDISI ROUTE/DEFICIENT POSTAGE/d3" MARK CAUSED BY THE OUTBREAK OF THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR; Spectacular 21 Sept. 1870 env. (minor faults; opened out for display) to Kent "Via Marseilles" posted just before the Franco-Prussian War disrupted the Marseilles route and so franked by a Hong Kong 30c Orange and 2c Brown (with large part of adjacent stamp at top - small fault in that extra part stamp) both tied by partial rare blue "N1" numerals with a very fine matching "A"-code small blue "NINGPO" cds (Type B) on the reverse. The Marseilles route had been closed by the War by the time this letter reached Europe and so it has a very fine strike of the rare boxed London "INSUFFICIENTLY PAID/FOR BRINDISI ROUTE/DEFICIENT POSTAGE/d3" mark across the address, plus very fine Hong Kong (27 Sept.) and London (14 Nov.) backstamps. This is a very Important Treaty Ports cover, being the next letter in the same correspondence as the cover sold in Cavendish's 'Richard Chan' auction, 6 Mar. 2003; lot 200, which realised £7,057. Major exhibition item for Hong Kong, Prussian War, Indian mails and Postage Dues collectors. [Ex Cavendish Valerie Gordon-Smith auction, 22 April 1995; lot 1371, realised £2,100.] Cross Reference : POSTAGE DUE MARKS, FRANCE, HONG KONG, MILITARY (Image)

1863-1912 SMALL SELECTION OF ADHESIVES used in Ningpo with 1863-71 30c mauve with "N1" cancellation in blue. 1882-96 2c (faults), 5c, 10c green & 10c purple on red with Webb type B c.d.s. 1891 10c on 30c with Chinese character 1901 4c carmine, 1904-06 4c & 12c with Webb type Ei c.d.s. and 1904-06 4c, 1907-11 4c and 1917 CHINA 10c on piece with Webb type F c.d.s. Mostly fine part strikes. (12) (Image)