Chinese Local Posts: Shanghai, 1893 (May), registered locally used "Postage Paid 1 cent" envelope entire (Livingston E1f), clean, attractive entire on manila paper, showing bold red "Registered" straightline handstamp, with additional franking in the form of a full pair of 1¢ on 2¢ and half of 1¢ on 2¢ adhesives (5¢ additional postage), all tied by blue Shanghai postmarks; reverse shows blue "Shanghai/MY 29/93/Local Post" receiver. Fresh, Very Fine, scarce.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

Chinese Local Posts: Shanghai, 1893 (May), registered locally used "Postage Paid 1 cent" envelope entire (Livingston E1f), lovely entire on manila paper, showing red straightline "Registered" handstamp, along with framed "Registered/No. 305 [manuscript]" handstamp; entire bears additional franking in the form of ½¢ on 5¢ full stamp, plus two 1ct on 2¢ full stamps, all tied by blue Shanghai Local Post cancels; reverse shows blue "Shanghai/MY 29/93/Local Post" arrival, Very Fine, a scarce and delightful usage.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1883 (Dec. 20), Large Dragon combination cover to Japan, addressed to General A.C. Jones, United States Consul at Nagasaki; originally franked on reverse by 1ca and 5ca Large Dragons tied by three strikes of blue Tientsin seal cancels (the 5ca lost somewhere along the way, but its presence confirmed by the two partial seal cancels); reverse also bears a blue "Customs/DEC 20/83/Tientsin" dater and a Shanghai Customs dater of DEC 24; in Shanghai, the cover was transferred to the Japanese Post Office, which applied a 5s ultramarine UPU Koban, tying it with a solid strike of a thick crossroads cancel with an "I.J.P.A./26/DEC/1883/Shanghai" thimble alongside, the cover arriving in Nagasaki Dec. 28, as noted by receiver on reverse; a few tears to top and part of backflap missing from opening, but adhesives and markings unaffected, Very Fine, an incredibly rare cover, believed to be one of four Large Dragon usages to Japan.
Estimate HK$ 25,000 - 35,000. Est. HK$25,000-35,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$25,000-35,000

China, 1886 (Mar. 11), Small Dragon combination cover to Germany, sent via the French Post Office, a lovely cover, franked on reverse by clean-cut perfs 1ca and 5ca Small Dragons, tied by a blue Beijing seal cancel with blue "I.G. of Customs/MAR 11/86/Peking" alongside, which further ties the 5ca value; reverse also bears Customs cancels from Tientsin (date illegible) and Shanghai (MAR 17); at Shanghai, transferred to French Post Office, where two 25c yellow Sages were applied on the front and cancelled by "Shang-haï/18 MARS/86/Chine" daters; front bears additional red French arrival marking (illegible), with reverse showing three "Dresden-Altst." receivers/deliveries, two dated Apr. 22, one Apr. 23; Dragons toned, but markings crisp and clean, Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 30,000 - 40,000. Est. HK$30,000-40,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$30,000-40,000

China, 1886 (Dec. 21), 3ca Small Dragon and 25c French Post Office combination cover, sent Peking to Haiphong and forwarded to Hanoi, a splendid and highly attractive cover, franked on reverse by 3ca rough perforation Small Dragon, tied by "I.G. of Customs/DEC 21,86/Peking" c.d.s. in blue and matching light seal cancel; reverse additionally shows "Customs/DEC 28/86/Shanghai" in black, where a French 25c was affixed and cancelled by one of two strikes of "Shang-Haï/29/DEC/86/Chine" c.d.s.'s; front and back note Hai-phong 8 JANV 87 arrivals, one military, with reverse showing Hong Kong JA 2 87 transit and Hanoi JANV 14 receiver, Very Fine and choice, a wonderful, clean and fresh cover with an excellent usage as well.
Estimate HK$ 30,000 - 40,000. Est. HK$30,000-40,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$30,000-40,000

China, 1889 (Sept. 21), red band cover sent from Tientsin to Peking, franked on reverse by 5ca Small Dragon (toned, with corners missing at right), tied by a black Tientsin seal cancel with black Tientsin Customs dater alongside (SEP 21) and "I.G. of Customs/SEP 23/89/Peking" blue receiver at right, Very Fine, a nice inter-city usage.
Estimate HK$ 12,000 - 16,000. Est. HK$12,000-16,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$12,000-16,000

China, 1892 (July 8), Small Dragon cover, sent from Taku to Sandhurst, England, a lovely and scarce single-rate cover, franked by 3ca Small Dragon perf 11½-12, horizontal pair and single, each tied to cover by customarily light strike of "I.M. Customs/8 JUL 92/Taku" datestamp; 25c France stamp added at Shanghai and cancelled by one of two "Shang-haï" cancels, plus "Yokohama Japan" 16.VII transit; reverse notes Hawkhurst and Sandhurst British arrivals dated AU 17, along with light small-sized Shanghai Customs transit; some stamp and cover tones, Fine to Very Fine, an attractive and scarce example of the elusive Customs Taku dater.
Estimate HK$ 20,000 - 30,000. Est. HK$20,000-30,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$20,000-30,000

China, 1893 (Feb. 8), Small Dragon combination cover, sent from Philadelphia to Shanghai and forwarded to Peking, franked by a perfectly centered US 10¢ Webster (Scott #226) tied by a Philadelphia "F.D." #3 duplex; front additionally shows a bright red "Customs/MAR 19/93/Tientsin" receiver, with clean-cut perf 3ca Small Dragon added for postage due, itself tied by a black Tientsin seal cancel; the cover's travels are documented on the reverse, with a San Francisco "F.D." c.d.s. of FEB 14, a U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai receiver of MAR 11, and a black Tientsin Customs dater of MAR 19; interestingly, addressed to Mrs Arthur Peterson, in Care of the Consul of the United States at Shanghai, with "U.S.S. 'Monocacy'" noted at lower left (why a woman would be aboard is a good question); the ship clearly having sailed, the cover was forwarded from Shanghai (crossed out) to Peking; light overall toning to the cover, still Very Fine, a good-looking cover.
Estimate HK$ 30,000 - 40,000. Est. HK$30,000-40,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$30,000-40,000

China, 1896 (Apr. 4), prepaid cover sent from Tientsin to Munich, franked by a non-overprinted Germany Forerunner, a 20pf Reichspost Eagle (Scott #49), tied by bold "Tientsin/Kaiserl. Deutsch/Postagencie/4/4/96d" cancel; reverse bears blue "Customs/APR [day illegible]/96/Tientsin" cancel, a black circled "306" and a Munich 16 MAI receiver; German stamp selvage on reverse (apparently used as hinges), Very Fine, an unusual usage, signed "d" Jaschke L. BPP.
Estimate HK$ 10,000 - 15,000. Est. HK$10,000-15,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$10,000-15,000

China, 1897 (Apr. 22), Red Revenue cover to Rev. JR Hykes, from Foochow to Shanghai, from the extensive Hykes correspondence, this cover is franked by a very pretty Small 2¢ on 3¢ Red Revenue, which is tied by a socked-on-the-nose Foochow AP 22/97 small Customs dater; reverse bears a brown (perhaps originally black) Shanghai Customs receiver dated APR 25; cover somewhat toned and missing lower left corner, Fine and scarce.
Estimate HK$ 20,000 - 30,000. Est. HK$20,000-30,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$20,000-30,000

China, 1897 (May 29), Nanking oval Customs marking on Dowager and Red Revenue overprints combination cover, from Nanking to Pennsylvania, franked on reverse by a margin-to-margin horizontal strip of four 1.5 mm Large Figure 1c on 1ca orange Dowagers, plus a Large 1c on 3c Red Revenue (totalling 5c), tied by three strikes of the double-oval "Imperial Post Office/MAY 29 1897/Nanking" cancel in brown, with a fourth solid strike on the front as well; from Nanking, the cover traveled to Shanghai where it received a blue Customs dater of JUN 2 (on reverse), plus a Japan 5s UPU Koban on front, tied by solid "Shanghai/2/JUN/97/I.J.P.O." c.d.s.; then onward, as markings on reverse record, to Yokohama (8 JUN), San Francisco (JUN 27, "Paid All"), and finally to Lancaster, PA (date on receiver illegible); roughly opened at top, partially affecting the Yokohama transit only, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 50,000 - 60,000. Est. HK$50,000-60,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$50,000-60,000

China, ca. 1898-1902, large-size Official Mail cover to Hunan, attractive cover bearing a pair of 4¢ Coiling Dragons tied by bold, perfect strike of Yueh Chow Fu boxed cancel; written by the Administrative Officer at Yueh Chang to the Governor of the Province of Hunan; reverse shows "Pay No More" marking, etc.; small cover split of no consequence, Fine to Very Fine, a rare item.
Estimate HK$ 3,000 - 4,000. Est. HK$3,000-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,000-4,000

China, 1898 (Nov. 17), registered cover sent from Hankow to Brussels, via Hong Kong, an absolutely pristine cover addressed to the Belgian Minister of Railways, Posts and Telegraphs, franked by a breathtaking horizontal pair of 10c CIP Coiling Dragons tied by bilingual Hankow 17 NOV 98 Large Dollar chop; front also bears large "R" registry handstamp at top center and, at lower left, a vertical pair of 10c Hong Kong black on red Queen Victorias, tied by "Hong Kong/C/NO 26/98" dater, a second strike of which appears on the reverse, alongside a Brindisi 22 DIC transit and charming vertical oval "Bruxelles (Réception)/24/DECE/20-21/98" receiver, along with an intact angels-holding-scissors (?) design red wax seal; light vertical file fold of no consequence, Very Fine, we dare you to find a prettier cover.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1898 (Dec. 4), decorative "mailing card" sent from Twatutia to Halle, Germany, via Tamsui, a lovely and very scarce mailing card, showing blue "K. Tamamura Yokohama/Imperial Japan" imprint at top right picturing postage stamp ship design, franked on front by 1883 5s blue New Kobans (2, one marginal), each tied by bold, complete strikes of "Twatutia Taiwan/4/DEC/98/Japan" c.d.s.'s (JG Bishop Type XII-2), with magnificent strike of "Tamsui Taiwan/5/DEC/98/Japan" c.d.s. in deep purple adjacent; reverse shows Hong Kong DE 8 98 transit c.d.s., along with Halle (Saale) 8.1.99 arrival marking; very minor, mostly inconsequential water-type stain at right, still fresh and Very Fine, a striking and rare card, with 2018 Experts & Consultants Ltd. certificate.
Estimate HK$ 20,000 - 30,000. Est. HK$20,000-30,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$20,000-30,000

China, 1899 (Aug. 21), combination cover sent from Swatow to San Francisco, attractive and neat cover, franked on reverse by 10c watermarked Coiling Dragon, which is tied by bold "Swatow/21 AUG 99" Large Dollar dater, while front shows Hong Kong 10c Victoria tied by "Hong Kong/AU 22/99" c.d.s.; reverse additionally shows "San Francisco/SEP 18/1899/Paid All" arrival; some light cover aging, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 3,000. Est. HK$2,000-3,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-3,000

China, 1901 (Oct. 21), 1¢ pink ICP postal card, locally used in Tientsin, addressed to a German lieutenant at the Horse Depot, the indicia cancelled by a bilingual single-circle "Tientsin/21 OCT/01" c.d.s.; card is a pre-printed announcement for a rehearsal of the Tientsin Orchestral Society (even during wartime, apparently, the band played on), and the lieutenant's attendance "is urgently requested"; reverse bears blue black Max Schwing/Sondershausen [Germany] company mark; clipped top left corner, central vertical fold, Fine to Very Fine, an interesting card.
Estimate HK$ 1,200 - 1,600. Est. HK$1,200-1,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,200-1,600

China, 1906 (Apr. 12), registered cover from Shanghai to Seattle, WA, a beautiful, exceptional-quality small envelope, franked by 20¢ and 30¢ Carp-design C.I.P. issues tied by bilingual Shanghai origin c.d.s., along with matching framed "R/Shanghai/No 873 [manuscript]" handstamp; reverse shows violet "Shanghai/12 APR 06/I.J.P.O." c.d.s. and violet "Seattle, Wash/May 4/1906/Registered" receiver. Fresh, Very Fine, a lovely cover.
Estimate HK$ 1,800 - 2,200. Est. HK$1,800-2,200 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,800-2,200

China, 1910 (Feb. 13), double registered cover, sent from Taianfu to Germany, an oversized pre-printed envelope for the Northern Line of the Royal Chinese Tientsin-Pukow Railway; endorsed "Einschrieben!" (Printed Matter) and "via Siberien" on front, which also bears two "R" registry handstamps plus a boxed "A.R./No. 23" handstamp; postage paid on reverse by three each 2¢ green (irregular block) and 10c ultramarine (pair plus single) CIP Coiling Dragons, each of which is tied by a bilingual Taianfu lunar c.d.s.; reverse additionally shows transits from Shandong (Feb. 14), Tientsin (27 FEB) and "Tientsin Chine/28/FEVR/10/Poste Francaise"; vertical file fold of no import, some edge wear as to be expected, Very Fine, a grand cover showing an uncommon usage.
Estimate HK$ 3,000 - 4,000. Est. HK$3,000-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,000-4,000

China, 1916-23, extensive holding of Official "On Service" postage-paid used entires, interesting group of 90 items, comprising 20 regular-size and 70 legal-size pre-printed entires, the vast majority Statistical Department entires to Tengyueh, plus several usages to Hankow or Amoy; all appear to be used between 1916-23 and include many bilingual transit and arrival backstamps, etc., mostly Fine to Very Fine, an uncommon group; examine.
Estimate HK$ 3,000 - 4,000. Est. HK$3,000-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,000-4,000

China, 1918 (Feb. 3), remarkable Prisoner of War picture post card, used locally in Peking, interestingly, addressed to an internee at Peking's POW camp; stampless, with bilingual boxed three-line "Correspondance des/prisonniers de Guerre" handstamp along with Chinese Xiyuan toothed-oval Censored/Passed handstamp at left, both in violet; Chinese-character Tientsin (Haidian) Feb. 3 origin c.d.s. and bilingual next-day Peking receiver; card pictures "Peking Wan Shou San No. 5" on reverse; spot of discoloration mostly away from markings, Very Fine, a scarce usage.
Estimate HK$ 10,000 - 15,000. Est. HK$10,000-15,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$10,000-15,000

China, 1931 (Nov. 15), registered Declared Value Sven Hedin large envelope, used Peiping to Stockholm, lovely and very scarce, a large linen-lined envelope written entirely in Hedin's hand, addressed to his sister Alma and sent "via Siberia"; cover is franked by 1c, 50c (2, one damaged) and $1 Second Peking Prints tied by Peiping origin c.d.s.'s with Peiping Registry label; in addition, the front shows a "Förtullat" declared value label for a 30 öre fee; signed by Sven Hedin as sender from the Swedish Legation at Peiping; normal, expected edge tears, etc., Fine to Very Fine, a striking and scarce cover.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1932 (Oct.), scarce registered Sven Hedin large envelope, Peiping to Stockholm, lovely approximately 125 x 95 mm linen-lined envelope franked on front by 1¢ (pair), 10¢ (vertical strip of 3), 50¢ and $2 Peking Print Junk series issues ($2 with missing corner perforation), all tied by light Peiping origin c.d.s.'s; front also shows Peiping Registry label and scarce Swedish 30 öre declared value seal; addressed to Miss Alma Hedin in Stockholm, from sender "Sven Hedin/Swedish Legation/Peiping/China", with "Registered" and "Via Siberia" all written in Hedin's hand; normal usage edge tears, etc., Fine to Very Fine, a wonderful, fresh Sven Hedin item.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, 1933 (Feb. 14), attractive registered Sven Hedin large envelope, sent Peiping to Stockholm, lovely and clean, approximately 125 x 95 mm linen-lined envelope fully addressed in Hedin's hand to his sister Alma, with manuscript "Registered" and reverse showing "Sender/Dr. Sven Hedin/31 Hsi Kuan Yin Sze/Peiping/China" along with Shanghai transit dated Feb. 19; cover is franked by the unusual combination of a 30c Martyr, plus $1 Peking Print, plus $1 Dr. Sun Yat-sen issue; fresh, Very Fine, a lovely and scarce cover.
Estimate HK$ 4,000 - 5,000. Est. HK$4,000-5,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$4,000-5,000

China, ca. 1932-33, excellent group of 6 registered Sven Hedin large covers, used Peiping to Stockholm, scarce and unusual group, each from Sven Hedin in Peiping to his sister Alma in Stockholm; all covers are large linen-lined envelopes and each is fully written in Hedin's hand, with Peiping Registry labels, sent "Via Siberia" and endorsed "Sender Sven Hedin", five from the Swedish Legation in Peiping and one from Hedin's residence there; includes an excellent range of franking combinations, mostly from the Second Peking Junk series with dollar values, plus some Sun Yat-sen types, etc.; among the six are three covers showing scarce Swedish "Förtullat" value declared label usages, etc.; some edge wear and tears as expected, a few stamps damaged as well, though largely Fine to Very Fine, examine, a scarce, historical group.
Estimate HK$ 14,000 - 18,000. Est. HK$14,000-18,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$14,000-18,000

China, 1938-49, array of late Republican era covers, comprising four covers and one front, frankings mostly paid by a variety of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and/or Martyr issues; note two covers (1938) with scarce "Shihchuan She" c.d.s.'s along with Siking/(Changsha) and Victoria/Hong Kong transits; one cover bearing (front and back) 22 $50,000 Sun Yat-sen (a whopping $1,100,000 in postage); Gold Yuan overprints (one cover, one front), etc; a Hong Kong and Registered India cover are bonuses, Fine to Very Fine or better, worth review; see them all on the web.
Estimate HK$ 1,400 - 1,800. Est. HK$1,400-1,800 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,400-1,800