Ampin, Island of Formosa: 1934 (June29) to New York, JP 69:4, p. 194 states, "Only one of these covers is known and dated 5 February 1937." But this cover is cancelled nearly three years earlier, making it the earliest known example from this location. The cover bears common cachet Type I (two men carrying a litter), and is overfranked with 10½s postage, the four stamps tied by two strong strikes of the Anpin Scenic Datestamp. Note also that unlike the 1937 cover (see the next Lot), Lewis here captions the cover "Ampin" (as pronounced) rather than "Anpin" (as transliterated into Japanese from the original Chinese Anping). Gray blue "To US" handstamp set against the background mountain. Combination "C - 10." and opening remarque of ") N (" both typed on backflap. Penciled "Lee" top center, with flap sealed by large square kan handstamp in blue. An unrecorded cover to delight any collector!, Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,600 - 4,000. Est. HK$3,600-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,600-4,000

Anpin. Island of Formosa: 1937 (Feb. 5) to Connecticut, The cover described by JP as the only one known (though now see the previous Lot). Cachet of mountains and trees, also used on a Taihoku cover but there without the sun, is uncommon for Lewis as it is placed at the right. Two Tazawas make up the 10s postage and are tied by a single 12.2.5-dated Anpin Scenic Datestamp depicting a Dutch sailor and ship. The stamps further carry "MERIDEN" [CT] double-oval mute cancels in black. Blue "To US" handstamp strongly struck at left. Reverse bears typed "C-23." combination notation, plus blue handstamped ") N (" remarque and near-circular kan handstamp across flap. One of only two covers known from Anpin, and the only one so inscribed. Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,200 - 3,600. Est. HK$3,200-3,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,200-3,600

Byoto, Island of Formosa: 1934 (Sept. 14) to New York, One of two covers known incorrectly captioned "Byoto" rather than the correct "Heito". Both "Byoto" covers are dated Sept. 14, 1934 (see JP 69:4, p. 191) and, unmentioned there, both use the same cachet (common Type I, litter-bearers) and are addressed to the same recipient, H. Carleton Stewart (JP images the second "Byoto" cover, which clearly differs from this). The 10s postage is tied by two light but clear strikes of the Heito Scenic Datestamp, with blue "To US" handstamp to the left. "C-34." and ") N (" both typed on reverse. Unusually, no handstamp across bottom of flap to seal. A pretty "goof"., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,000 - 3,400. Est. HK$3,000-3,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,000-3,400

Heito, Island of Formosa: 1935 (Sept. 20) to Pennsylvania, An unrecorded, latest-known cover from Heito—and now one of two covers known properly named in Lewis' caption. JP (see above for citation) notes that the "Heito" cover is dated 29 June 1934 and that its cachet depicts "a banana tree laden with fruit standing before a mountain." This cover bears the lower right trees and mountain with sun cachet as used at Anpin (see Lot 2072 above), with its 10½s postage tied by two full and a partial third strike of Heito Scenic Datestamp dated unmistakably 10.9.20. Usual blue "To US" handstamp at left, with backflap having typed "C-25." combination and ") N (" remarque, with toothed horizontal oval kan handstamp as seal. Reverse shows multiple previous mounting remnants (glue stains), but the cover's face is as fresh as the day it was painted. A great find!, Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,600 - 4,000. Est. HK$3,600-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,600-4,000

Kohoku, Island of Formosa: 1934 (Sept. 14) to New York, One of three covers known from (correctly) Hokuko [Peikang], and the only one erroneously inscribed "Kohoku" by Lewis, reading the name in the datestamp reversed. A lovely example of a common cachet Type II (a ploughman), and the cover erroneously described as "only the tops of the figures are visible," in JP 69:4, p. 195 (the author working from the image in JP 51:2, p. 58, where the cover is shown truncated). See our image: this cover is full-figured. The 10s postage is tied by two strikes of the Hokuko Scenic Datestamp in violet rather than the universally used shades of red. Blue "To US" handstamp at upper left. Combination notation "C-33." and opening remarque ") N (" typed, with flap tip sealed by blue vertical oval kan handstamp. A pretty cover., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,800 - 3,200. Est. HK$2,800-3,200 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,800-3,200

Mt. Niitaka, Island of Formosa: 1937 (May 6) to California, Based on information in JP 69:4 (pp. 189-191), this is an unrecorded cover from Mt. Niitaka, and only the second one known. The cover bears the all-over cachet of the mountain, but with only 6s postage (meeting the pre-April 1 unsealed letter rate), which is tied by two Taihoku Scenic Datestamps. Bright blue "To US" handstamp immediately below inscription. Reverse only shows "C-20." combination notation. The other Mt. Niitaka cover, imaged in the referenced JP article, is dated Jan. 6, 1936, making the cover here the latest-known usage on this cover/caption combination. Light crease at upper left of no importance. A cover as breathtaking as actually climbing the mountain would be!, Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,600 - 4,000. Est. HK$3,600-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,600-4,000

Shinjo, Island of Formosa: 1935 (Sept. 20) to Pennsylvania, The unique cover, discussed and imaged in JP 70:2, p. 115. Bi-color 10s postage tied by two heavy strikes of attractive Shinjo Scenic Datestamp on a litter-bearer Type I common cachet, with blue "To US" handstamp at far left. Reverse bears "C-24." combination notation and " N (" opening remarque, both typed, along with near-circular kan handstamp in blue, along with (not mentioned in JP) a Victoria, Hong Kong, 26 SP 35 transit in black! Stains from mounting adhesive on back do not affect the front. Of interest to both the Karl Lewis collector and the postal historian, this is the sole Asian transit noted in this sale. Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 3,600 - 4,000. Est. HK$3,600-4,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$3,600-4,000

Taihoku, Island of Formosa: 1934 (Dec. 28) to Missouri, A relatively early cover (JP 69:4, pp. 189-191, records dates between March 22, 1933 and March 5, 1940), bearing a bright common cachet Type II (the bashful ploughman, behind the trees), 10s total postage and a crystal-clear Taihoku 9.12.28 Scenic Datestamp. Usual blue "To US" handstamp at top left, with typed "C-23." and ") N (" on backflap. No handstamp used as a seal. Imaged in JP 69:4, p. 190. Fresh and clean; a lovely addition to your collection., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,800 - 2,200. Est. HK$1,800-2,200 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,800-2,200

Taihoku, Island of Formosa: 1935 (Feb. 6) to New York, A clean example of the litter-bearers Type I common cachet, franked with three definitives making up the international rate of 10s, the stamps tied by two strikes each of the Taihoku Scenic Datestamp and the roman-letter trisected "Taihoku/6.2.35/Taiwan/Japan" foreign mail comb cancel. Blue "To US" handstamp as normal. "C-14" and ") N (" typed on backflap, which is sealed by near-circular kan handstamp in blue. Remnant of white label used as a hinge at top back. Opened top., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,600 - 2,000. Est. HK$1,600-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,600-2,000

Taihoku, Island of Formosa: 1937 (May 24) to New Jersey, There's nothing common about this common cachet! Clearly painted by a different hand to those offered above, the litter-bearers sport conical hats (present on only one other cachet in this sale, Lot 2167), along with the brightest fuchsia jacket and leggings you'll ever see! 6s postage paying the (old?) unsealed letter rate tied by two solid Taihoku strikes dated 12.5.24, with the usual "To US" in less-common bright blue. Backflap (never sealed) is tucked in, but combination "C-1.new." is noted in its usual position. One cover that will definitely attract attention., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 2,400. Est. HK$2,000-2,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,400

Taihoku, Island of Formosa: 1937 (Nov. 5) to Missouri, Common cachet Type II (the ploughman, again behind the trees), franked by 20s postage and tied by three crisp strikes of the Taihoku Scenic Datestamp, though the date slugs were worn or lightly struck. Blue "To US" handstamp high at left. "C-21.N." combination typed, with blue handstamped ") N (" and double-framed circular kan across flap., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,600 - 2,000. Est. HK$1,600-2,000 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,600-2,000

Tamsui, Island of Formosa: 1934 (July 20) to Michigan, An unreported second July 20, 1934, cover. JP 69:4, p. 193, with illustration p. 187, notes two known covers, one this date, one dated Feb. 20, 1935; one inscribed "Tamsui" (the Taiwanese name), one "Tansui" (the Japanese). The 1934 cover illustrated in the journal is addressed to New York. This cover bears common cachet Type II, though here there's nothing bashful about this ploughman, going full boustrophedon in pink in an open field. Two lovely Tansui Scenic Datestamps tie each of the stamps making up the 10s rate. Blue "To US" handstamp as usual. Combination notation "C-26." and opening remarque of ") N (" both typed, with vertical oval kan handstamp sealing flap. Neatly opened at top. The earliest known date for this location—and one of only two so-inscribed covers now known., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,200 - 2,600. Est. HK$2,200-2,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,200-2,600

Onuma Park, Hokkaido: 1937 (Apr. 28) to California, Cacheted with an all-over design showing a bridge across a river, with Mt. Koma in the distance (see the Komagatake Volcano cover below, with its Scenic Datestamp portraying the mountain), and franked with 6s postage to meet the unsealed letter rate. The four stamps are tied by two strikes of the Sapporo Scenic Datestamp, with blue "To US" handstamp alongside. Reverse shows only the combination notation "C-27 new". A lovely and fresh cover—and a one-of-a-kind., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,400 - 2,800. Est. HK$2,400-2,800 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,400-2,800

Komagatake Volcano, Hokkaido: 1937 (Jan 22) to Connecticut, A generic hut-with-birds cachet, made site-specific by the addition of Mt. Koma in the distance. Franked by two Wedded Rocks flanking a 7s Tazawa, all three stamps tied by two outstanding strikes of a 12.1.22-dated Onuma Scenic Datestamp. Blue "To US" handstamp at left below inscription. Reverse bears "C-24." typed combination notation, a blue ") N (" handstamped opening remarque, plus a blue vertical oval kan handstamp across the flap. A remarkably clean cover, and the only one recorded., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,400 - 2,800. Est. HK$2,400-2,800 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,400-2,800

Sapporo, Hokkaido: 1937 (Apr. 25) to California, Bearing the same cachet as the Onuma Park cover above, but showing slight design differences (including a Komagatake that nearly pops off the envelope). The eye-catching four-color franking totaling 6s is tied by two strikes of the Matsushima Kaigan Scenic Datestamp (located not in Hokkaido, but in Miyagi Prefecture on Honshu!). Blue "To US" handstamp at right, with the sole marking on the reverse being the combination "C-26 new". Sent unsealed. The only recorded cover from Sapporo—so bid high and raise a glass when you win! Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,400 - 2,800. Est. HK$2,400-2,800 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,400-2,800

Habu, Island of Oshima: 1935 (May 31) to Ohio, The sole known example from Habu, according to JP 70:6, pp. 311-312. The cover is illustrated by all-over common cachet Type 3Ba (a less common variety, lacking sun behind the mountain), and is slightly overfranked with 10½s postage, which includes two commemoratives. The three stamps are tied by two deep-colored Tokyo/Habuminato 10.5.31 Scenic Datestamps. Regular "To US" handstamp in blue to left of stamps; reverse bears "C-25." combination and typed ") N (" opening remarque, with flap sealed by Lewis' sake gourd handstamp. A crisp, clean cover., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,400 - 2,800. Est. HK$2,400-2,800 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,400-2,800

Hase, Kamakura: 1934 (Apr. 9) to Ohio, Adorned by common cachet Type 2Aa (Mt. Fuji with sun and birds, with tree line and waves in foreground), inscribed as usual at top left, and franked by combination "C-1." Stamps are tied by two strikes of the Kamakura Hase Scenic Datestamp, with blue "To US" handstamp above the summit. Combination noted on reverse, with " O " opening remarque using quotation marks rather than the more common parentheses. Blue square kan handstamp placed across bottom of flap as a seal. Cover opened neatly along flap, with contents a cut-out from the Kaihin Hotel, Kamakura, with picture and description of the Great Buddha statue. This cover is imaged in JP 70:6, on page 313., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,800 - 2,200. Est. HK$1,800-2,200 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,800-2,200

Hase, Kamakura: 1935 (Feb. 14) single-line inscription to California, The sole-known ship's cover referenced by JP (see pp. 312-314 of the Dec. 2015 issue, where this cover is illustrated), with an uncommon single-line inscription at top left—necessitated by the franking combination. The seven stamps are tied by four Kamakura Hase Scenic Datestamps, with the blue "To US" handstamp moved to bottom center. Typed on the backflap are the combination notation "C-60" and the remarque ") O (", with a large oval kan handstamp across the flap. Neatly opened at top. Front ever so slightly toned, but still a great, uniquely known cover., Nearly Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 2,400. Est. HK$2,000-2,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,400

Hase, Kamakura: 1935 (Feb. 14) to Illinois, Bearing a cachet of the Daibutsu, with a franking nearly as impressive: 10s in 1s Tazawas (horizontal block of 8 with perforations separated between positions 5 and 6 but carefully realigned, plus a similar horizontal pair), all tied by three strikes of the Scenic Datestamp. Blue "To US" handstamp at far left. No combination or opening notations on backflap, which is sealed by a large square kan handstamp in blue. Opened at right. A regal cover, sure to grab attention., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 2,400. Est. HK$2,000-2,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,400

Hase, Kamakura: 1935 (Feb. 28) to New York, A second cover from the previous Lot's artist, this one franked by two 1½s Tazawa coils either side of a 7s of the same issue. Coils are almost never seen on these covers—this is one of only two examples in this sale (see Lewis' remarks on them in several letters, Lots 2183 and 2361). Two Kamakura Hase Scenic Datestamps tie, with blue "To US" handstamp at far left. Combination notation of "C-J's'n" and typed ") N (" opening remarque, with large horizontal oval kan handstamp across flap., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 2,400. Est. HK$2,000-2,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,400

Hase, Kamakura: 1937 (Apr. 5) to California, A third Daibutsu cover, but clearly from another of Lewis' artists, showing a very different style and aesthetic. Unlike with the postage due-inducing cover elsewhere in the sale (see Lot 2115), Lewis was aware of the April 1 rate increase and franked accordingly, providing a pretty four-color array of definitives to be tied by two Kamakura Hase Scenic Datestamps. Usual blue "To US" handstamp. Reverse shows only "C-24 new" combination notation; although originally sealed (and since opened), there is no opening remarque at top center. A beauty! Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 2,400. Est. HK$2,000-2,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,400

Itsukushima: 1934 (July 4) to Michigan, A brightly painted view of the torii (JP's torii cachet B), with the shrine low against the water and the island rising behind. 10s postage tied by three strikes of the Miyajima Ekimae Scenic Datestamp dated 9.7.4. Reverse with "C-16." combination notation and typed ") N (" remarque. Flap sealed by magnificent strike of a negative-character horizontal oval kan handstamp. Cover opened at top, and with oil stain at right of address (bleeding through to inside back of envelope). Still, a lovely example of the Miyajima torii in true vermilion—the only cover of this design in the sale., Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 1,000 - 1,400. Est. HK$1,000-1,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$1,000-1,400

Itsukushima: 1934 (Dec. 24) to Missouri, A Christmas Eve day cover, with a lovely rendition of torii cachet A, presenting the view on approach to the torii and shrine from the mainland. The four definitives are tied by two 8.12.24 Miyajima Ekimae Scenic Datestamp strikes, with "To US" handstamp framed by the torii's columns. "C-20." combination and typed ") N (" on reverse, with flap sealed by small square kan handstamp. A very pretty cover with rich color., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,000 - 2,400. Est. HK$2,000-2,400 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,000-2,400

Itsukushima: 1936 (Jan. 1) to Illinois, And after Christmas comes New Year's! A bright and cheerfully franked islands-with-temple cachet, with two well-inked strikes of the Miyajima Ekimae Scenic Datestamp (each nicely set off against the cachet). Blue "To US" at lower right. "C-9." combination notation on backflap, with no opening remarque. Horizontal blue oval genkan handstamp seals flap. Cover neatly opened at top. With great, fresh colors that just pop, this is one cover to watch., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,200 - 2,600. Est. HK$2,200-2,600 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,200-2,600

Itsukushima: 1937 (Feb. 1) to Ontario, Another example of the torii and shrine from the sea (torii cachet A), slightly more muted than the first but still as lovely. Two strikes of the Miyajima Ekimae Scenic Datestamp tie the two definitives paying the 10s rate to Canada—even though the blue handstamp erroneously reads "To US"! Combination notation "C-26." typed on backflap, with blue handstamped ") N (" remarque and inverted vertical oval kan handstamp across bottom of flap. A great-looking cover with a rarely seen Canada address, plus an erroneous marking to boot., Very Fine.
Estimate HK$ 2,400 - 2,800. Est. HK$2,400-2,800 (Image1)

Est. HK$2,400-2,800