Asama-Maru I.J. Seapost cover: 1934 (Jan. 18) to Ontario, The sole ship cover to Canada in this sale—and a very early cacheted example, the covers painted sometime between Oct. 5 and Nov. 18, 1933, with this used just two months later. A beautiful rendering of the sun behind Mt. Fuji, with tree line and ship on the waves in the foreground, the five-color franking tied by two solid strikes of the ship's I.J. Sea Post Scenic Datestamp. Blue "To Canada" handstamp at lower left. Reverse with typed "C-2." combination and opening of remarque of " N " (in quotations), with flap sealed by blue horizontal oval double-framed kan handstamp. Two Kitchener, Ont., receivers dated FE 8/34 on reverse as well. A grand cover all around., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,800 - 2,200. Est. HK$1,800-2,200 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,800-2,200

Asama-Maru I.J. Seapost cover: 1934 (Jan. 18) to Oklahoma, An early cacheted cover showing a building on spit of land, with Mt. Fuji, sun and ship behind. Dark blue "To US" handstamp as usual below typed service inscription at top. The four stamps are tied by two ship I.J. Sea Post Scenic Datestamps. "C-1." and "O" (in quotations) noted on reverse, with flap sealed by toothed oval kan handstamp. Slightest hint of toning at right. Opened neatly along flap., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,000 - 1,400. Est. HK$1,000-1,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,000-1,400

Asama-Maru I.J. Seapost covers: 1934 (Jan. 18 & Mar. 15) to the US, A pair of identically cacheted covers (though compare and contrast the design differences), each with typed inscription at top and blue "To US" handstamp at left. January cover (to Illinois) is noted "C-1." and " O " (in quotes) on reverse; March cover, to Massachusetts, bears combination number "C-34." Each opened, January at top, March at bottom, with kan handstamp sealing the flap of each. Toning to top of March cover front. Still, a pretty pair of early cacheted ship covers., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,600 - 2,000. Est. HK$1,600-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,600-2,000

Chichibu-Maru I.J. Seapost cover: 1933 (Dec. 9) to New York, A bright and lively cachet, with typed inscription at top, blue "To US" handstamp at left and two good strikes of the ship's Scenic Datestamp tying the three adhesives. Combination "C-24." and " O " (in quotation marks) typed on reverse, with flap sealed by vertical oval kan handstamp. "Carl O. Flint." in ink neatly running up the left on back. Cleanly opened at bottom. Slight toning along top edge, but a nice cover nonetheless., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,000 - 1,400. Est. HK$1,000-1,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,000-1,400

Chichibu-Maru I.J. Seapost covers: 1934 (Feb. 15 & Apr. 12) to the US, A pair of differently cacheted covers, still incredibly fresh, each with typed inscription and two strikes of the Scenic Datestamp from the ship's post office. The February cover, addressed to Michigan, has the "To US" handstamp in the usual blue with, on reverse, typed "C-27" notation and " O " (in quotations) remarque, the flap sealed by a vertical oval kan. April's cover, sent to New Jersey, has a dark violet "To US" handstamp on front, with "c-4." (uncharacteristically, a lower-case "c") and " N " in quotations, the same vertical kan handstamp sealing the flap. Both opened (February at left, April along flap) and looking amazingly good for 85 years old., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,600 - 2,000. Est. HK$1,600-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,600-2,000

Heian-Maru I.J. Seapost cover: 1934 (Mar. 13) to Indiana, Cacheted, depicting a tree on hill with Mt. Fuji, sun, ship and birds. The 10s postage, including a 9½s Airmail, is tied by two strikes of the ship's I.J. Sea Post Scenic Datestamp. Blue "To US" handstamp at upper left. Combination number "C-6." and opening remarque of " N " (in quotation marks) typed at top reverse, with square kan seal across flap. A pretty cover., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,000 - 1,400. Est. HK$1,000-1,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,000-1,400

Hikawa-Maru I.J. Seapost cover: 1934 (Feb. 6) to Illinois, Cover with cachet depicting a torii among trees, with Mt. Fuji, sun, birds and ship in the distance. Typed inscription at top and blue "To US" handstamp at upper left. The three definitives are tied by two crystal-clear Scenic Datestamps from the ship dated 6.2/1934. Combination designation of "C) 4 ." and opening remarque " N " (in quotation marks) on reverse, with flap sealed by vertical kan handstamp. Slight tear to backflap (expertly resealed) is of no consequence. A nice cover., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,000 - 1,400. Est. HK$1,000-1,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,000-1,400

Hikawa-Maru I.J. Seapost covers: 1934 (Mar. 7) pretty pair, Two from the same sailing, one to New Jersey with combination C-3 on torii-and-trees cachet design, the other to Pennsylvania with C-5 on tree-on-knoll design. Both with blue "To US" handstamp and two I.J. Sea Post Scenic Datestamps. Each marked " N " (in quotation marks) but opened along flap anyway. Slight damage to back of Pennsylvania envelope, but fronts sound and generally clean. A nice duo., Nearly Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,400 - 1,600. Est. HK$1,400-1,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,400-1,600

Hiye-Maru I.J. Seapost cover: 1933 (Dec. 30) to Massachusetts, With such a gorgeous cachet, we had to give you a second chance. Typed inscription at top, violet "To US" handstamp at upper left, and three solid strikes of the ship's Scenic Datestamp are all on the front. Reverse bears typed "C-5." notation and " N O as the opening remarque. A thick-character, double-framed oval kan handstamp seals the flap. We don't know what the stiffener is (the cover was never opened), but it is heavier than anything else we've come across in this sale. A true beauty of a cover., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,200 - 2,600. Est. HK$2,200-2,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,200-2,600

Shidzuoka-Maru I.J. Seapost cover: 1932 (July 26) to Kansas, Posted on the date the ship's Scenic Datestamp was introduced. Typed inscription at top, with Lewis using an alternate spelling of the ship's name ("Shizuoka"), with five-color franking tied by three clear "26 7./1932/Shidzuoka-Maru/I.J. Sea Post" cancels. Vertical kan handstamp in blue on front along with penciled "S" at lower left. Reverse with penciled "C-2." combination notation, vertical blue fu-in handstamp across flap, and penciled "Signed L.R./1st sailing" at lower left. Addressed to the Weekly Philatelic Gossip, with typed and signed letter enclosed, dated July 25. In the letter, Lewis notes that the ship "will use,for the first time, tomorrow (July 26th) a PICTORIAL CACHET on all letters mailed on board." He goes on to say that he is very busy, "two steamers with mails having arrived the same day in Yokohama…", but promising copy and payment for further advertising in the journal. The Shidzuoka-Maru's post office was open only between July 26 and Sept. 30, 1932, making any cover from the ship incredibly rare—with this being a "First Day Cover" of sorts., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,200 - 3,600. Est. HK$3,200-3,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,200-3,600

Seapost Nippon covers: 1934-35, six ships, six combinations, Each with a typed inscription at top, and varying cachet design, destination and date. Combinations C-1 through C-6 present as follows: C-1: Hiye-Maru (Feb. 21, 1935), C-2: Heian-Maru (June 29, 1934), C-3: Asama-Maru (July 12, 1934), C-4: Hikawa-Maru (Dec. 15, 1934), C-5: Chichibu-Maru (Aug. 17, 1934) and C-6: Tatsuta-Maru (Aug. 24, 1934). Markings on reverse vary. All but the C-1 cover opened. Some toning on the C-5 and C-6 covers, mainly visible on reverse. A great group of combinations., Very Fine as a whole.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 4,500. Est. HK$4,000-4,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-4,500

Seapost Nippon covers: 1935-36, set of six with printed inscriptions, Similar to the prior Lot, but these covers with the inscription at top printed, the ship's name added by Lewis by typewriter. The set comprises C-1 through C-6, each on a different ship's cover with varying cachets. C-1: Chichibu-Maru (Aug. 14, 1935), C-2: Hikawa-Maru (July 18, 1935), C-3: Hiye-Maru (Aug. 1, 1935), C-4: Asama-Maru (Nov. 7, 1936), C-5: Heian-Maru (Mar. 12, 1936) and C-6: Tatsuta-Maru (Aug. 22, 1936). All opened except C-4. C-5 cover toned but still presentable. A chance to own all six ships' covers., A Very Fine group.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 4,500. Est. HK$4,000-4,500 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-4,500

Asama-Maru Seapost Nippon cover: 1934 (Sept. 11) to Washington, A second cover from the same sailing, with tree on bluff in the foreground. Typed inscription, slightly faded blue "To US" handstamp at upper left, and two clear Sea Post Nippon Scenic Datestamps tying the four stamps, one a Red Cross commemorative. The reverse is where this cover gets interesting, though: Instead of the usual combination notation, Lewis here has "Ship cover./No. C-1." And while there is no opening remarque, Lewis has typed his name and address at the bottom of the flap, which was sealed by a 1934 Japan Anti-Tuberculosis seal (subsequently torn when the cover was opened along the flap). Light evidence of prior mounting on back. An interesting (and unique in this sale) set of back markings., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,200 - 1,600. Est. HK$1,200-1,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,600

Asama-Maru Seapost Nippon cover: 1934 (Sept. 11) to New York, A wonderfully fresh cover with cachet portraying a path to a building with ship, birds, Mt. Fuji and sun beyond. Inscription typed, blue "To US" handstamp as usual, and two strikes of the Asama-Maru's Sea Post Nippon handstamp tying the four stamps. "C-3." and ") N (" typed; horizontal double-framed oval kan handstamp across flap. A pretty cover., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,000 - 1,400. Est. HK$1,000-1,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,000-1,400

Asama-Maru Seapost Nippon covers: 1934 (Sept. 11), A pair of covers from the same sailing, the first to Virginia, the second to Illinois. Both with blue "To US" handstamp as usual. Each with a different cachet and combination (Virginia being C-4, Illinois C-1). Virginia cover marked ") N (" and opened right, Illinois marked ") O (" and opened along flap. Some foxing, mainly to back, on the Virginia cover, but cachets fresh and clean on both. A pretty pair., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,600 - 2,000. Est. HK$1,600-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,600-2,000

Asama-Maru Seapost Nippon covers: 1935 (July 11) & 1937(Jan. 15), Two covers from the busiest period of Lewis' business. Both with printed inscription and blue "To US" handstamp. The 1935 cover, to Michigan, has a trees-on-hill cachet and a C-1 combination tied by two strikes of the Sea Post Scenic Datestamp. The cover from 1937, sent to Nebraska, has the two stamps (including 9½s Airmail; combination C-6) tied by a single strike of the cancel on a cachet of a house overlooking the sea. Pictorial handstamp across the flap on 1935 and double-framed box kan handstamp on 1937. Both opened, despite the ") N (" remarque. A nice pair of covers., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,600 - 2,000. Est. HK$1,600-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,600-2,000

Asama-Maru Seapost Nippon cover: 1936 (Jan. 21) to Washington, A lovely trees-on-hill cachet, with printed inscription. The three stamps—all commemoratives, uncommon for Lewis—are tied by two neat strikes of the ship's Scenic Datestamp, with an under-inked "To US" handstamp at left. Reverse with "Sp'l." combination notation and ") O (" remarque typed, with "open this" added in pencil below. A pictorial handstamp seals the flap. Opened at top neatly, as one would expect from someone who worked at the Seattle Post Office's Philatelic Window., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,200 - 1,600. Est. HK$1,200-1,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,600

Asama-Maru Seapost Nippon cover: 1936 (July 12) to Illinois, A cacheted cover with printed inscription, blue "To US" at far right, and two solid strikes of the ship's Scenic Datestamp tying the five-color franking. Reverse with typed "C-2" notation and ") O (", and near-circular kan handstamp across flap. Cover opened along flap. Included with the cover is a single-page typed and signed letter, which turns out to be a goldmine of information: thanking Mr. Johnson for the plate blocks sent as payment, Lewis notes, "I am delighted to get them; and so is my wife; who collects U.S., as I am too busy for collecting nowadays." After a discussion of the Japanese and American liners' covers available, Lewis turns to his personal history, telling that he was named for a German friend of his father's, reminiscing about his time in Germany, and closing with the cheeky, "I have also been to Cape Grabusa, on the Island of Crete, in the Mediterranean; but never in your city." A spectacular letter that provides more information—and raises more questions—on Lewis' pre-Yokohama days. All imaged online., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,800 - 2,200. Est. HK$1,800-2,200 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,800-2,200

Chichibu-Maru Seapost Nippon cover: 1934 (June 14) to New York, From the first day of the ship's Sea Post Scenic Datestamp. Inscription is typed on tree-on-knoll cachet, with left-most of the five stamps partially covering the blue "To US" handstamp. Three clear strikes of the "Chichibu-Maru/Sea Post/Nippon/14.8/1934" Scenic Datestamp. "C-2." and ") N (" typed on reverse, with flap sealed by vertical kan handstamp. A nice "First Day" of the cancel., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,400 - 1,800. Est. HK$1,400-1,800 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,400-1,800

Chichibu-Maru Seapost Nippon cover: 1934 (Dec. 11) to Missouri, Bearing a "C-1."/[manuscript] "Special" combination: a 1s Tazawa plus two Red Cross commemoratives. The tree-on-knoll cachet has a typed inscription, blue "To US" handstamp and two nice strikes of the ship's Sea Post Scenic Datestamp. ") N (" typed on reverse, with double-framed kan handstamp across flap. "12/27/34" date received penciled in on the front at lower right. An uncommon "Special" combination, noted in Lewis' own hand., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,200 - 1,600. Est. HK$1,200-1,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,600

Chichibu-Maru Seapost Nippon cover: 1934 (Dec. 11) to Ohio, A typed inscription on a house-on-ground cachet bearing the uncommon "C-11" combination franking, here including a 3s Red Cross commemorative. Two strikes of the Sea Post Scenic Datestamp tie the four stamps, with blue "To US" handstamp at their immediate left. Typed "C-11." and ") O (" on backflap, sealed by vertical oval kan handstamp. Opened along flap., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,200 - 1,600. Est. HK$1,200-1,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,600

Chichibu-Maru Seapost Nippon covers: a 1935 (Sept. 14) & 1937 (Aug. 13) pair, On nearly matching cachet designs, each with printed inscription and blue "To US" handstamp. The 1935 cover, bound for Pennsylvania, bears 10s postage (including a 9½s Airmail), noted "C-6." on reverse with typed ") N (" remarque and double-framed square kan handstamp. The 1937 cover (to Missouri) has 20s postage, the three definitives designated "C-5.N." on reverse, which only has a blue handstamped ") N (" remarque. 1935 opened top, 1937 at left. A nice, two-rate pair., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,600 - 2,000. Est. HK$1,600-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,600-2,000

Chichibu-Maru Seapost Nippon cover: 1935 (June 14) to Connecticut, The house-on-ground cachet bearing a printed inscription, blue "To US" handstamp, and four-color franking tied by two clear strikes of the Sea Post Scenic Datestamp for the ship. Reverse with typed "C-3." notation and ") N (" remarque, along with horizontal oval kan handstamp and a hand-written note from Lewis running up the left side, "Next cover will be late." Light crease at bottom center hardly detracts., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,000 - 1,400. Est. HK$1,000-1,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,000-1,400

Chichibu-Maru Seapost Nippon cover: 1935 (Aug. 11) to Kentucky, An unusual three-commemorative franking (two Red Cross issues plus a 6s Manchurian Emperor's Visit), tied by two ship Sea Post Scenic Datestamps, on a house-on-ground printed inscription cachet. Reverse with typed "C-6." with "Sp'l" added in blue pen. Opening remarque of ") N (" typed, vertical blue kan handstamp across flap, and a circled "43" handstamp in black. Neatly opened at right. A nice "Special"., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,600 - 2,000. Est. HK$1,600-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,600-2,000

Chichibu-Maru Seapost Nippon cover: 1935 (Aug. 11) to Illinois, A neat trees-on-knoll cachet with printed inscription top, blue "To US" handstamp, and four definitives tied by two strikes of the ship's Sea Post Scenic Datestamp. Reverse with typed "C-1." and ") O (" and pictorial handstamp across flap in blue. Included with the cover are the original enclosures, a typed and signed letter, dated Aug. 8, 1935, on letterhead with the design at top in brown, plus a revised price list (no date) with many additional changes made either by hand or typed. including, "MY SHIPS' COVERS ARE THE HANDSOMEST COVERS YOU EVER SAW, and only a dime each." The letter mentions six Japanese liners and 11 Dollar Steamship liners for which covers are offered, and much, much more., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,400 - 1,800. Est. HK$1,400-1,800 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,400-1,800