Maoka, Island of Saghalien: 1933 (Dec. 27) to Arizona, The earliest known cover from Maoka. As noted by JP, the cover is a standard ship cachet (with Mt. Fuji, sun and birds), uncaptioned on front. The two stamps making up the 10s postage are each tied by an early crab-shaped Maoka Scenic Datestamp. Smudge at top right is a handstamp/seal chop of some sort, repeated more cleanly but still illegibly on the back. Backflap bears typed "C - 23." combination, " N " (in quotation marks, not parentheses), plus a four-line inscription at bottom of flap reading "From:-/M A O K A,/Island of Saghalien/_ _ _ _ _ _". Blue kan vertical oval handstamp seals the flap. Against instructions, envelope was opened at left. Adhesive stain from previous auction listing sticker at upper left front; otherwise fresh., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,200 - 3,600. Est. HK$3,200-3,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,200-3,600

Maoka, Island of Saghalien: 1934 (July 9) to Michigan, An unlisted, though location-appropriate, Sakhalin cover. The cachet, of snow-covered trees in the foreground with a frozen lake/snow-covered field and completely white mountains in the distance (and yes, the white of the design is painted on), bears two brightly colored definitives adding up to 10s and tied by crab-design Maoka Scenic Datestamp, which was oddly struck or already worn, as the date is difficult to read. Standard blue "To US" marking placed against the mountains. Reverse bears "C-23." combination notation and ") N (" opening remarque, both typed. Flap sealed by double-framed square kan handstamp in blue. Gently opened at top. A lovely cover., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,400 - 3,800. Est. HK$3,400-3,800 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,400-3,800

Maoka, Island of Saghalien: 1934 (Sept. 12) to New York, One of several Sakhalin-specific cachets noted by JP, this the collared bear without birds in the sky. Three stamps at 10½s total slightly overpay postage, and are tied by two clear strikes of the Maoka crab-design Scenic Datestamp. Blue (slightly grayed) "To US" handstamp at far left. Flap bears "C - 31 ." combination notation and typed ") N (". Double-ringed oval horizontal kan seal handstamp at lip of flap. A colorful item. Be bullish for this bear! Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,000 - 3,400. Est. HK$3,000-3,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,000-3,400

Maoka, Island of Saghalien: 1937 (Mar. 19) to Washington, A second Sakhalin bear cachet (appearing to be from the same hand as the previous Lot)—with an unrecorded latest-known cancellation date, more than six months later than that reported in JP. The precisely paid 10s postage is tied by two strikes of the replacement Maoka Scenic Datestamp picturing the city's industrial area at left and a ship and train at right. A bright blue "To US" handstamp sits atop the central peak. Combination "C-29." on reverse, with blue handstamped ") N (" and horizontal double-framed oval thick-text kan across flap. While unopened, a tear at top right affects the 3s stamp. Otherwise, a very clean cover and a new addition to the Karl Lewis chronology., Very Fine save for the tear.
Estimate HK$ 3,000 - 3,400. Est. HK$3,000-3,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,000-3,400

Otomari, Saghalien: 1933 (July 1) uncacheted cover to Florida, An unrecorded earliest-known cover. JP 69:4, pp. 226-227, states: "Only two covers have been seen from this location. They are dated 16 June 1934 and 19 February 1935." This cover is nearly a year older than the JP-listed item, and was cancelled one year to the day following the introduction of the Otomari Scenic Datestamp. Three sensational strikes of the datestamp tie the five-stamp, five-color franking, which pays the 10s international rate. Blue "To US" handstamp at lower left as often seen on the uncacheted covers. Backflap bears typed "C - 9 ." combination notation and four-line inscription: "From:-/O T O M A R I ,/SAGHALIEN./_ _ _ _ _", along with a small red oval personal seal reading "Nakamura" (Lewis' agent?). Opened at top. Despite the spotting on the front, an exciting Sakhalin find! Nearly Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,000 - 3,400. Est. HK$3,000-3,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,000-3,400

Toyohara, Island of Saghalien: 1934 (Sept. 12) to New York, One of Lewis' best-known (and much-discussed) covers: the level-headed penguin…or perhaps simply perplexed as to why he's north of the equator. The 10s postage is tied by two clear 9.9.12 Toyohara Scenic Datestamps, with the blue "To US" handstamp placed far to the left. Reverse with typed combination notation of "C - 32." and opening remarque of ") N (". Vertical blue oval fu-in handstamp seals the flap. An absolutely pristine Sakhalin cover., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,600 - 4,000. Est. HK$3,600-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,600-4,000

Toyohara, Island of Saghalien: 1937 (Sept. 25) to Missouri, The second iconic Sakhalin cover, the polar bear riverside, looking out on a snow-and-ice covered landscape but with the cresting sun incredibly warming the sky. Two Tazawas and two Pictorials, totaling 20s, are tied by two choice strikes of the Toyohara Scenic Datestamp. Blue "To US" handstamp centered below caption. Typed combination notation "C-19.N." on backflap, as is a handstamped ") N (" in blue. Horizontal oval blue genkan handstamp seals the flap, which was opened. The accompanying filler is a blank divided back to one of Lewis' postcards with UPU bilingual "Postcard" inscriptions, frame for stamp, and "Karl Lewis/[initialed sake gourd]/Yokohama" logo at upper left. A true beauty of a cover!, Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,600 - 4,000. Est. HK$3,600-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,600-4,000