The Nostalgia Collection The French Connection Mail to and from China, Indochina and Japan

Auction Sunday June 26, 2016 Lots 653 - 791 commencing at 5:30 pm

at The Excelsior Hotel, Hong Kong Marina Room Level 2 281 Gloucester Road Causeway Bay Hong Kong Auction telephone : +852 2868 6046

Viewing at The Excelsior Hotel, Hong Kong Kellett Room Friday June 24 9 am to 6 pm Level 3 Saturday June 25 9 am to 6 pm 281 Gloucester Road Causeway Bay Hong Kong

Front Cover Illustration Lot 677 Back Cover Illustration Lots 766, 784, 734, 673, 735, 785 & 690

Dr. Jeffrey S. Schneider Cecilia Vong Robert Schneider Daniel Wong

Interasia Auctions Limited Suite A, 13/F, Shun Ho Tower, 24-30 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong Telephone: +852 2868 6046 Facsimile: +852 2868 6146 Email: [email protected] Website: www.interasia-auctions.com Table of Contents

Early Mail, 1770-1860 653 - 663 Second Opium War French Expeditionary Forces, 1860-62 664 - 677 French Post Office in Shanghai 678 - 688 Accountancy Markings and Depreciated Currency 689 - 691 Mail from France to China, including Ligne M 692 - 700 Mail from China by Private Ship 701 Mail from Hong Kong and Treaty Ports by French Packet 702 - 710 Hong Kong Mail Cancelled on Board French Mail Boats 711 - 715 Mail from or to Other Countries Carried by French Packets 716 - 724 The Evans and Rainbow Correspondence 725 - 729 Indochina, 1864-68 730 - 733 French Post Offices in Shanghai/Chinese Customs and Imperial Post 734 - 741 French Post Offices in China (towns other than Shanghai) 742 - 749 French Military Mail 750 - 761 Indochina, 1873-1918 762 - 763 Early Mail to Japan via British Post Offices 764 - 765 Early Mail to Japan by British Ship 766 Early Mail to Japan via French Post Offices 767 - 771 French Post Office in Yokohama 772 - 781 French Annex Lines, and Lignes R and S 782 - 788 P & O Line 789 - 790 Hong Kong Stamps Cancelled on French Mail Boats 791 Introduction

Commencing with a January 1770 entire letter, one of the earliest recorded letters from Canton to France with postal markings, and concluding with Yangtse River patrol mail from the 1930’s, the treatment of this subject covers the myriad aspects of postal history in general within the specific historical context of the evolution of the French presence and influence in China, Indochina and Japan. As such, there is significant crossover in reference to the efforts of the various Foreign Powers to gain an economic foothold in Asia, as well as the concurrent growth and struggles of China and the opening of Japan to the West. The latter is particularly interesting, as nearly all the mail matter of the period is commercial with the cachets of the British, French, and German merchant firms already established in Nagasaki and Yokohama serving as documentation of this phenomenon. In a similar vein is an 1864 envelope from Bern to the newly established Swiss Commercial Legation in Yokohama sent through the mails to Shanghai and then forwarded outside the normal mails to Japan. Earlier that year, Switzerland and Japan had signed a Treaty of Friendship and Commerce, which was the eighth such treaty signed by Japan with a foreign country.

The French were relative latecomers to the Western commercial and political expansion into China. By the 1850’s, France had become an active participant and joined Britain in the Second Opium War with the specific intention of gaining further concessions from China, including the opening of an additional eleven ports to Western trade under the onerous Treaty of Tientsin. There is a fine representation of the French military build up and troop movements of this military campaign depicted by both soldier’s and officer’s mail of the various military post offices. The undoubted highlight of the collection is the stunning 1862 registered envelope from Bureau C, which had been transferred from Canton to Hong Kong following the withdrawal of French troops from northern China. The ever-growing French pretensions in China are best illustrated by the Sino-French War (1884-85), with French suzerainty over Annam and Tonkin and the unsuccessful military expedition to Formosa.

The opening of the French Post Office in Shanghai for civilians at the end of 1862 marked the permanent presence of France in China. Whereas mail to France was originally carried by British packets, which provided a more frequent and regular service, the subsequent development of mail routes by French packets through the Messageries Impériales confirmed French expansion in China and Indochina. The treatment of the mails, both by the British P & O Line and the French Messageries Impériales, is an important theme which runs throughout the collection, and the latter illustrates the evolution of the French presence in Asia through the various French shipping lines established in the 1860’s. Of particular note are the Ligne d’Indochine, Ligne M (connecting with Ligne N for the Far East), Ligne N, Ligne R, Ligne S, and Ligne V packet services, with fine first year usages. As the Messageries Impériales grew in importance in the Far East, it handled some of the mails from Hong Kong and the Treaty Ports, even though these were under British control, as well as that of Great Britain and other countries. Interestingly, there is also a cameo section of the Chinese Customs and Imperial Post, which parallels the ever-increasing importance of the posts, with mail sent overseas through the French Post Office in Shanghai or by French packet. Such usages include a rare 1878 envelope sent through the Customs Post in Peking before the issuance of the Large Dragons stamps and an outstanding Customs Mail Matter official usage from Peking to Brazil with the envelope exceptionally carried on Ligne J.

The opening of Japan to the West is ably handled, with an early 1860 example of mail from France to Nagasaki and a magnificent 1864 entire letter from Shanghai to Nagasaki franked with four examples of the Laureated 4 centimes paying an early interport rate, and both carried by British ships. The French Post Office in Yokohama, which had been established in 1865, was destroyed in the Great Fire of 26 November 1866 and an alternate anchor canceller was provided by a passing ship. It is the recurring maritime theme which demonstrates the importance of the European settlement and presence in Japan, with initially, the opening of the Hong Kong- Shanghai and Shanghai-Yokohama Annex Lines, and then Lignes R and S.

Having been built up over a number of years, the “Nostalgia” collection was truly a labour of love, and, understandably, of the numerous subjects this astute collector studied, this was his favourite. His vision in pursuing this area is best exemplified by the scope of the collection and the imagination he displayed when selecting the items he wished to acquire for inclusion in the collection. The best illustration of this is the famous provenances of the material offered in this fascinating collection.

J.S.S.

Early Mail

653

653 1770 (6 Jan.) entire letter from Canton to Aire en Artois, France “(par) Le Vapor Le Beaumont” showing “Auray” straight-line h.s., manuscript ratings, with short annotated reply of recipient dated “A Aire Le 12 Janvier 1771” (one year later), very fine and rare very early mail from Canton. HK$ 30,000 - 40,000

This predates by nearly one year the letter (28 December 1770) from the same correspondence, which was in the Ryohei Ishikawa (lot 473) and “The Opening of China” (lot 3003) collections.

One of the earliest recorded letters from Canton with postal markings.

654 1844 (6 July) envelope to the Attaché of the French Embassy in China at Canton “par Voie d’Alexandrie”, showing “Romanche” double-ring origin d.s., “Bombay/Str Postage/Inld Do” unframed d.s. (8.8) and “P.P.” framed h.s. in red, fine early mail from France to Canton. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

654

 655 658

656

655 1845 neat envelope to Paris (25.11) redirected to Marly-le-Roy (25.11), showing on reverse “Hong Kong” double arc d.s. (30.9) without serifs (Webb type 9), and on front “Paquebots/de la/Mediteranée” oval h.s., rated “20” (décimes), fine. HK$ 1,200 - 1,500

656 1846 (23 May) entire from Canton to Paris (23.7), showing “via Marseilles/Bell & Co.” framed sender’s cachet in red and “Paid” double-lined framed h.s. (Webb type 10) in red, accompanying “Hong Kong” double arc d.s. without serifs (Webb type 9, on reverse), and “Indes Or./1 Marseille 1” c.d.s. in red, rated “20” (décimes), manuscript docketing inside. Very fine. HK$ 3,000 - 4,000 Provenance Eddie Lawrence, Cavendish (Derby), 11.9.2014, lot 608

657

657 1853 (15 Apr.) ecclesiastical entire letter from Father Giuseppe, Bishop of Arcadia and Vicar Apostolic of Huquang, datelined “Hong Kong 15 Aprile 1853”, to Paris (26.6) “Via Southampton” and London (25.6), showing on reverse “Hong Kong” double arc d.s. (20.4) without serifs (Webb type 9), and on front “Colonies/& c. Art. 13” framed accountancy h.s. in red and “Angl./(Am. 2) Calais” French entry c.d.s. (26.6), rated “15” (décimes), letter offers interesting insight into Catholic missionaries of the period, vertical filing fold at top resulting in tear which has been mended with sellotape, a fine missionary letter of Huquang, China, which was posted in Hong Kong. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

658 1853 (25 Nov.) entire letter to Chalons sur Saone (12.1.54), showing “Paid/at/Hong Kong” small Crowned Circle in red (Webb type 11) with accompanying “Hong Kong” double arc d.s. without serifs (26.11, Webb type 9 on reverse), and “Indes Or./2 Marseille 2” c.d.s. (11.1.54) in red, rated “2/-” and “30” (décimes), fine. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500  659

659 1855 (5 Sept.) “Shanghae Price Current” printed letter sheet in circular form to St. Etienne (11.11) via London (9.11), showing “Hong Kong” double arc d.s. (12.9) without serifs (Webb type 9) on reverse, with “Angl./Amb. Calais 1” c.d.s. (10.11) on front, rated “8” (décimes); also 1855 (2 Oct.) entire letter from Augustine Heard & Co. in Shanghai to New York “pr ‘Kathay’”, duplicate letter carried privately without postal markings. HK$ 3,000 - 4,000

660

660 1857 (24 Mar.) entire from Bordeaux to Amoy via Marseille (26.3) and Hong Kong (9.5), endorsed “Via Suez”, bearing Empire imperf. 80c. (in at two sides), cancelled by small figures “441”, showing “P.P.” framed h.s. in red adjacent, with “Hong Kong” double arc d.s. without serifs (Webb type 9) on reverse. An important early usage to this Treaty Port by P&O steamer. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

Under the new P&O contract which had only just came into effect with the previous mails, the P&O was required to transport mail to the intermediate ports. This letter was most probably carried on the P&O steamer “Lady Mary Wood”, since the trip from Hong Kong to Shanghai took seven days, rather than the normal three to four days for a non-stop voyage, therefore, indicating that it did stop at the intermediate ports.

If this, indeed, is the case, as seems logical, then this would be the earliest recorded letter to an intermediate Treaty Port under the new P&O contract.

Mail Steamer Marseille Egypt Galle Hong Kong Amoy

P&O Euxine 28.3 4.4 P&O Alma 7.4 22.4 P&O Norna 22.4 9.5 P&O Lady Mary Wood 15.5 c.18.5.57

Provenance Peter Shek Lee Scamp, Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), 28.6.2007, lot 1115

 Ex 661

661 1857 (10 Nov.) printed prices current for silk from London to Shanghai “via Marseille” and Hong Kong (28.12) bearing Great Britain 1d. red, 2d. blue and 6d. violet, cancelled by “76” duplex and the 1d. additionally tied by “Paid/at/Hong Kong” small Crowned Circle in red (Webb type 11), with part strike of the very rare “Hong Kong” single arc d.s. (28.12, Webb type 12) and “Hong Kong” double arc d.s. without serifs (believed to also be 28.12, Webb type 9) on reverse, rated “4” (ship letter fee from Hong Kong to Shanghai), fine and colourful cover showing the payment of the additional 4d. forwarding charge from Hong Kong to Shanghai by an agent in Hong Kong, part of the back has been cut away where the seal was and consequently has affected the type 12 single arc datestamp and the ink of the address is slightly acid-eaten; also 1857 (10 June) similar circular from this correspondence with identical franking and Hong Kong double arc arrival d.s. (22.7), but no Crowned Circle nor tax rating. HK$ 20,000 - 25,000

As a result of the P&O Lines providing mail service to the intermediate Treaty Ports between Hong Kong and Shanghai, which added two or three days to the mail, an independent direct Hong Kong-Shanghai subscription mail service was established to expedite letters. An agent in Hong Kong paid the 4d. ship letter rate for the letter to be carried by private steamer to Shanghai. The accompanying circular shows the normal carriage which does not have the Crowned Circle nor the “4” rating.

A magnificent and exceedingly rare combination of the Crowned Circle paying the additional forwarding agent’s fee, along with the type 12 single arc datestamp.

Ship, Packet / Co. Marseille Alexandria Suez Galle Hong Kong Shanghai

Vectis / P&O 12.11 15.11 Bentinck / P&O 22.11 9.12 Aden / P&O 9.12 28.12 Yangtze / private ship c.3.1.1858

662 1858 (14 Dec.) entire letter from Hong Kong to Marseille (10.2.59) “p ‘Malabar’”, showing “Hong Kong” double arc d.s. (29.12) without serifs (Webb type 9) on reverse, with “Pays Etr. V. Suez/Marseille” c.d.s. (9.2.59) in red on front, rated “3f2” (3 francs 2 décimes), very fine. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

663 1860 (1 Apr.) neat entire letter from “Tchin-ting-fou (Province de Pékin)” to Etables, Côtes du Nord, France (31.12) via Paris (29.12), the writer had come from 662 Shanghai to the Northern Provinces where there was persecution of Chinese Christians amidst a mounting critical situation due to the non-ratification of the treaty and foreign intimidation of the Mandarins with the arrival of European warships. Rare early mail from Peking. HK$ 2,500 - 3,000 663  Second Opium War French Expeditionary Forces, 1860-62 Bureau Central

On 8 April 1860, Great Britain and France declared war on China. French troops had already been assembled in Hong Kong since February, when the Bureau Central opened there. At the end of April, the French military command left for Shanghai, and, with the installation of the corps’ headquarters there, the Bureau Central moved to Shanghai in May 1860. It closed in late March 1862.

664

664 1859 (4 Sept.) neat entire letter from Chateauneuf du Faou to “Mr. J. de Kerjegu Commandant La Corvette Le Laplace station française de l’Indo chine Hong Kong” [the Commander of the French Warship “Le Laplace”] “voie de Suez par Marseille” bearing Empire 20c. horizontal strip of four (two stamps just touched), cancelled by small figures “786”, with various transits and “Hong Kong/C” arrival c.d.s. (23.10) in blue on reverse, very fine and outstanding incoming letter to one of the naval commanders during the final build up to the War. HK$ 8,000 - 10,000

Ship Marseille Alexandria Suez Galle Hong Kong

Valetta 12.9 18.9 Candia 19.9 3.10 Cadiz 7.10 23.10

665

665 1860 (24 May) mourning envelope from Rochefort sur Mer to the Aide Commissaire of the Naval Attaché in Hong Kong (redirected) via Marseille (26.5) and “voie de Suez” bearing Empire 40c., cancelled by small figures “2703”, very fine example of mail sent to the naval command. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500  666

666 1860 (16 July) envelope to Paris (12.9) bearing Empire 20c. (2, one has large sheet margin, the other barely touched), cancelled by “CECB.CL” and showing “Corps Exp. Chine/Bau Central” c.d.s. adjacent, the envelope has slight age marks and flap at back a little roughly opened, fine and appealing. HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

667

667 1860 (3 Oct. and 5 Nov.) unfranked envelopes (2, one mourning) from the same correspondence to Brest, each showing “Corps Exp. Chine/Bau Central” c.d.s., rated “5” and “10” respectively, one has small tears at top, fine. HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

668 669

668 1860 (18 Oct.) envelope to Chateau Landon (16.12) bearing Empire 40c., large margins on three sides, just in at foot, crisply cancelled “CECB.CL”, showing “Corps Exp. Chine/Bau Central” c.d.s. and framed “PD” in red adjacent, light vertical filing fold, very fine. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

669 1860 (20 Nov.) envelope to Dijon (11.1.61) via Marseille (10.1.61) bearing Empire 40c., good to large margins, cancelled “CECB.CL”, showing “Corps Exp. Chine/Bau Central” c.d.s. and framed “PD” in red adjacent, very fine. HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Galle Suez Alexandria Marseille

Formosa 23.11 26.11 Ganges 29.11 15.12 Malta 17.12 1.1 Valetta 4.1 10.1 10 670

670 1860 (20 Nov.) unfranked envelope to Brest (13.1.61) redirected to Paris (15.1.61), showing “Corps Exp. Chine/ Bau Central” c.d.s. (month inverted) and handstruck “10” (décimes), part of flap at back missing and restored. HK$ 2,500 - 3,000

671

671 1861 (5 Jan.) envelope to Nancy (26.2) via Lyon (24.2) and Paris (25.2) bearing Empire 40c. (2), large to ample margins, cancelled “CECB.CL”, showing “Corps Exp. Chine/Bau Central” c.d.s. and framed “PD” in red adjacent, envelope roughly opened at back and tiny piece at foot on front restored, very fine. HK$ 7,000 - 9,000

Bureau A

Hong Kong remained an important transit and relief centre, so this office was placed there in 1860, and remained until late November 1860, after which it followed the relief troops to Saigon and set up its post office there in February 1861.

672 672 1860 (21 May) unfranked envelope to Lyon (13.7) via Marseille (12.7), showing “Corps Exp. Chine/Bau A” c.d.s., rated with handstruck “30” (décimes), endorsed ship “Ganges” on front, signed by soldier on reverse and countersigned by his Colonel, aged and small piece of flap missing, nevertheless a fine officer’s letter. HK$ 3,000 - 4,000

Ship Hong Kong Galle Suez Alexandria Marseille

Ganges 23.5 11.6 Candia 13.6 30.6 Vectis 6.7 12.7 11 673

673 1860 (4 July) envelope from Paris to “Monsieur Alexandre Massin, Chirugien de Marine, abord du vaisseau français le Duperré à hong-kong Chine, faire suivre en cas d’absence. Expedition de Chine” [Mr. Alexandre Massin, Naval Surgeon on board the French ship “Duperré” at Hong Kong, China, to be redirected in case of absence. China Expedition] via Marseille bearing Empire 20c., cancelled “K”, showing “Affranchissement/Insuffisant” framed h.s. in red adjacent, handstruck “30c” tax rating, “CECA” in diamond of dots arrival overstruck by “Corps Exp. Chine/ Bau A” c.d.s. (19.8), with another crisp strike on reverse, small scuff in address panel, very fine example of rare incoming mail. HK$ 40,000 - 50,000

674

674 1861 (15 Jan.) unfranked envelope to Laval (26.2) “voie de Suez”, showing “Corps Exp. Chine/Bau A” c.d.s., rated “5” (décimes), flap at back missing. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

12 Bureau B

Originally set up in Chefoo where the troops first landed in June 1860, this office was relocated to Tientsin following its occupation in late August. The office remained open until late October 1861, when the troops were withdrawn.

675

675 1860 (24 July) envelope to Lyon (28.9) via Marseille (27.9) bearing Empire 20c. pair, cancelled by two strikes of “CECB” and showing “Corps Exp. Chine/Bau B” c.d.s. and framed “PD” in red adjacent, the stamp has slight ageing and small faults, fine appearance and rare. HK$ 10,000 - 12,000 Carried overland from Chefoo to Shanghai.

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Galle Suez Alexandria Marseille

Cadiz 2.8 6.8 Pottinger 10.8 31.8 Bengal 2.9 19.9 Euxine 21.9 27.9

676

676 1861 (16 Feb.) envelope to Vandes (arrival) bearing Empire 20c., cancelled by “CECB” and showing “Corps Exp. Chine/Bau B” c.d.s. and framed “PD” adjacent, sender’s endorsement on reverse “Corps Expre en Chine, Chevalier soldat au 101e, Tien Tsing. Le Capitaine…de chef d’état major Z. d’Hendecourt”, stamp damaged and repaired. A fine and rare example from the redeployment of this Bureau to Tientsin. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000 Carried overland from Tientsin to Shanghai.

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Galle Suez Alexandria Marseille

Aden 7.3 10.3 Pekin 16.3 1.4 Candia 2.4 17.4 Valetta 18.4 24.4

13 Bureau C

Based in Canton from around October 1860, this office was believed to have been used by the supply and medical services. Mail is known used from there as late as February 1861. Following the withdrawal of the troops in November 1861, it is surmised that it was transferred to Hong Kong or maybe even Macau, and mail is known from January to the end of May 1862.

677 1862 (27 May) registered envelope to Paris (14.7) via Marseille (12.7) bearing Empire 20c. (3), all with good to large margins, cancelled “CECC”, showing “Corps Exp. Chine/Bau C” c.d.s., superb and rare matching “CECC/ Poids/Cachets” framed h.s. struck on flap, while the front also shows “PD” framed h.s. in red, crossed out and “Chargé” unframed h.s. applied instead, with “Affranchissement/Insuffisant” framed h.s. also in red, taxed “10” (décimes), with three French entry marks “Pos. Ang. V. Suez/Marseille” c.d.s. in red and “Pays Etr. V. Suez/ Marseille” c.d.s. in both black and red, opened out for display, two small holes and a few tears in the envelope of no consequence, extremely fine and exceptional registered cover, possibly unique as such. A magnificent exhibition item of impeccable quality and the utmost appeal. The gem of the collection and undoubtedly one of the most important covers from the French Military Expedition. HK$ 120,000 - 150,000

Provenance “The Opening of China 1701-1885. A Study of Mail to and from China.” Christie’s Robson Lowe (Zurich), 12.11.1987, lot 3057 Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, “Foreign Mail in and out of China. The ‘Gweilo’ Collection.” Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), 16.11.2000, lot A5

14 French Post Office in Shanghai

678

678 1863 (9 Mar.) entire letter to Lyon (25.4) “pr. overland Mail via Marseille”, showing “Vaucher Frères/Shanghai Chine” sender’s cachet and superb strike of “Shang-hai/Bau Français” c.d.s., with “Paq. Angl./Amb. Marseille” entry c.d.s. (26.4) in red, rated “9” (décimes) for an unpaid letter up to 7.5 grammes by British or French packet, very fine early letter from the civilian post office typically sent by British packet. HK$ 10,000 - 12,000

Following the closure of the French expeditionary forces post offices in March 1862, the first French Post Office for civilians was established on 19 December 1862. During this early period, mail to France was usually sent by British packets, which provided a more frequent bimonthly service.

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Galle Suez Alexandria Marseille

Ganges 9.3 12.3 Emeu 15.3 29.3 Bengal 1.4 15.4 Massilia 19.4 25.4

679

679 1863 (23 May) envelope to Bordeaux (15.7) “via Marseilles” bearing Empire perf. 40c. orange vertical pair, cancelled by large figures “5104”, showing “PD” framed h.s. and “Paq. An. V. Suez/Amb. Mars. 2” c.d.s. (14.7), both in red, adjacent, very fine and early franked mail carried by British packet. HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

The first Postmaster of the newly established French Civilian Post Office in Shanghai, M. Champanet, had arrived in Shanghai on 19 December 1862, bringing with him the cancelling devices from Paris; however, French stamps were not supplied until March 1863 following their delivery to Shanghai by the French mailboat “Hydaspe” in mid-February 1863.

15 680

680 1863 (17 July) entire to Lyon (7.9) via Marseille (7.9), showing “Buissonnet & Co./Shanghae (Chine)” sender’s cachet, bearing Empire imperf. 80c. rose and perf. 20c. blue and 40c. orange, cancelled by large figures “5104”, with matching “Shang-hai/Bau Français” origin c.d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, side flaps missing and central horizontal filing fold crosses the 40c. stamp, nevertheless a handsome mixed issue tricolour franking. An important cover, the earliest prepaid mail matter carried by the Messageries Impériales. HK$ 12,000 - 15,000

According to Lee Scamp in the French Paquebot Far East Itineraries, Vol. 2, p. 11 : “The earliest known cover prepaid for MI service from China was carried on this itinerary.”

Expertisation Roumet and Roger Calves guarantee handstamps

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Egypt Marseille

Hydaspe 17.7 21.7 Cambodge 23.7 30.8 Peluse 1.9 7.9

681

681 1866 (22 Apr.) entire letter to Lyon (6.6) via Marseille (4.6) bearing Empire perf. 80c. rose, cancelled by large figures “5104”, with matching “Shang-hai/Bau Français” origin c.d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, fine. HK$ 1,500 - 2,000

16 682

682 1866 (26 Nov.) entire letter to Lyon (14.1.67) via Marseille (13.1.67) bearing Empire perf. 40c. vertical pair (small defect at lower right corner), cancelled by large figures “5104”, with matching “Shang-hai/Bau Français” origin c.d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, fine example of mail from the French Post Office in Shanghai sent privately to Hong Kong and then from there by British packet. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500 The 80 centimes rate per 7½ grammes for prepaid letters to France by French or British packet.

Ship Hong Kong Galle Suez Alexandria Marseille

Behar 1.12 15.12 Bengal 17.12 31.12 Nyanza 3.1.1867 9.1.1867

683

683 1873 (30 Aug.) envelope (“Lindsay & Head/Shanghai” embossed sender’s cachet on flap) to Melbourne, Australia (20.10) by “French Mail via Galle” (23.9) bearing Laureated 30c. brown pair and Siege 40c. pale orange horizontal strip of three, cancelled by large figures “5104”, showing “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s., “PD” (crossed out) and “P.P.” framed h.s. in red adjacent, a few trivial faults, fine and attractive mixed issue franking to a scarce destination. From the Nicholson correspondence. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

684 1877 (2 June) envelope to Copenhagen (19.7) “Per French mail” via Marseille (16.7) bearing Siege 25c. and Ceres 15c., crisply cancelled by large figures “5104” and showing “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. adjacent, envelope has repaired tear at top and a few other small peripheral tears, fine and scarce destination to Scandinavia. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

684 17 685 687

685 1878 (27 July) envelope with “Legation de Espana/en/China” sender’s cachet to Madrid (10.9) via Marseille (7.9) and Bordeaux (8.9) bearing Peace and Commerce 5c. with interpane margin at right and 30c., cancelled by large figures “5104” and showing “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. adjacent, tiny cover fault at top right corner, very fine and attractive envelope to this rare destination originating from the Spanish Legation. HK$ 3,000 - 4,000

686

686 1882 (5 May and 23 June) mourning envelopes (2) from the same correspondence to London, each bearing Peace and Commerce 25c. bistre on straw, cancelled by large figures “5104” and “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. respectively, both with “London E.C./Paid” arrival c.d.s. in red adjacent, fine. HK$ 1,500 - 2,000

687 1892 (1 Apr.) registered envelope to Sandhurst, England (7.5) redirected to St. Edwards (8.5) and returned to Sandhurst via Hastings (7-9.5) and Hawkhurst (7-10.5) via London (7.5) bearing Peace and Commerce 50c., cancelled by “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. and showing “R” framed h.s. in red adjacent, with “Ligne N/Paq. Fr. No. 6” octagonal d.s. (2.4) on reverse. HK$ 1,000 - 1,200

688

688 1904 (12 Mar.) envelope to Teheran, Persia (24.4) by German Mail “via Port Said and Batoum”, Hong Kong (15.3), Tuticorin (29.3) and Bushire (9.4), then redirected to Kermanshah (2.5) bearing France “Chine” 25c., cancelled by “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s., rare destination and interesting routing, eventually forwarded within Persia. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000 18 Anglo-French Accountancy Markings

689 1864 (16 Aug.) entire letter from Shanghai to Portsmouth (8.10) “p Mess. Impériales” via Paris (7.10) and London (8.10), showing “Fr./2F 55C” hexagonal accountancy h.s. (Webb RR), with “Shang-hai/Bau Français” origin c.d.s., rated “1/4”, a very rare and early accountancy mark on Far Eastern mail, which is believed to be the earliest known example carried by a French paquebot from China. HK$ 25,000 - 30,000

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Suez Alexandria Marseille

Hydaspe 17.8 21.8 Imperatrice 23.8 28.9 Peluse 30.9 6.9

Reference Lee C. Scamp, French Mail Paquebot Far East Itineraries 1862–1880. Far East Mail Ship Itineraries. Volume 2 (Hong Kong, 2010), p. 49. Illustrated.

19 Anglo-French Accountancy Markings

690 1873 (3 May) printed “Siemssen & Co./Chine” wrapper band (with original printed circular) from Shanghai to Lyon (23.6) “Voie de Brindisi”, showing “GB/1F 90C” hexagonal accountancy h.s. in black, with “Poss. Ang. V. Brind/A. Mod.” c.d.s. (22.6) and framed “P.P.” both in red adjacent, handstruck “25” (décimes) charge in red, very fine and outstanding. An extremely rare wrapper with complete contents. The latest recorded date of this accountancy handstamp. HK$ 60,000 - 80,000

Ship Hong Kong Galle Egypt Brindisi

Madras 10.5 27.5 Hydaspe 29.5 16.6 Ceylon 17.6 21.6

Provenance “Alicante”, Interasia (Hong Kong), 27.2.2011, lot 1418

20 New York Exchange Office Depreciated Currency

691

691 1866 (18 Aug.) entire letter from Shanghai to Albany, New York “via Marseilles”, showing “Shanghai/Bau Français” c.d.s., with handstruck “18” applied by the French Post Office, and “N.Y. 21 Br. Pkt./or U.S. 31 Notes” c.d.s. (16.10), fine and very rare transatlantic rate marking on mail originating in China. HK$ 20,000 - 25,000

The “21/31” marking denoted payment due from the recipient of either 21 cents in coin or 31 cents in paper money.

It is surmised that this mail matter was intended to be carried under the terms of the Franco-American Postal Treaty of 1857. Since there was no British debit marking, the New York Exchange Office assessed only 21 cents postage due from the addressee on a ½ ounce letter : 16c. credit to Britain for the transatlantic service and 5 cents to the U.S. for domestic postage.

One of the very few examples of depreciated currency markings seen on mail from China.

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Egypt Marseille

La Bouronnais 19.8 22.8 Cambodge 24.8 26.9 Peluse 28.9 4.10

Reference Lee C. Scamp, French Mail Paquebot Far East Itineraries 1862–1880. Far East Mail Ship Itineraries. Volume 2 (Hong Kong, 2010), p. 96. Illustrated.

693 692

21 Mail from France

692 1862 (20 May) entire to Shanghai (11.7) via Hong Kong (7.7) and Marseille (27.5) bearing Empire imperf. 40c. (2, just touched), cancelled by lozenge and additionally tied by “Lyon” departure c.d.s., showing “PD” (crossed out) and “P.P.” framed h.s. in red, and “Après le Départ” h.s. adjacent, with “Lyon à la Méditerranée” (27.5), “Hong Kong/C” and “Shanghae/C” arrival c.d.s. of the British Post Office on reverse. HK$ 1,200 - 1,500

693 1863 (17 Feb.) entire letter from Paris to A.F. Heard of Augustine Heard & Co. in Hong Kong (3.4) “via Marseille et Suez” bearing Empire imperf. 80c. (just in at top left), cancelled by lozenge, showing “PD” and “P.P.” framed h.s., the former in red, rated “4” (décimes), with “Hong Kong/C” arrival c.d.s. on reverse. HK$ 1,200 - 1,500

694

694 1864 (17 May) entire letter from St. Brieuc to the Captain of the French three-masted ship “Oriental” at Shanghai (1.7) via Marseille (19.5) “Voie de Suez” bearing Empire perf. 10c. and 20c. (3, with a pair), cancelled by large figures “3533”, showing “PD” framed h.s. in red and “Shang-hai/Bau Français” arrival c.d.s. adjacent, the 20c. stamps have faults including perfs. trimmed on one side, fine letter to a French ship’s captain. HK$ 1,500 - 2,000

695

695 1864 (27 Dec.) entire letter from Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. to Hong Kong (23.2.65) “Via Marseilles (subsequently overwritten ‘Suez’)” bearing Empire perf. 10c., 20c. and 40c. (corner fault), cancelled by large figures “2240”, with matching “Marseille” c.d.s. (11.1) adjacent, showing on reverse “Forwarded/by/Rabaud Brothers & Co./Marseilles” framed h.s. in blue, so most probably carried privately to Marseille where put into the French mails, with “Hong Kong/C” arrival c.d.s. in blue adjacent. Although a business letter, the writer reflects on the American Civil War that “will eventually end in the total destruction of the South”, filing crease at top just crosses adhesives, fine tricolour franking showing unusual mode of transmission of mail from the U.S.A. to Hong Kong. Ex “Mosaic”, Interasia (Hong Kong), 1.8.2010, lot 1846. HK$ 7,000 - 9,000 22 696

696 1866 (10 Feb.) entire letter from Marseille to Jardine Matheson & Co. in Hong Kong (31.3) by “Vapeur Anglais” bearing Empire perf. 10c., 20c. and 40c., cancelled by large figures “2240”, showing “Affranchissement/ Insuffisant” framed h.s. in red adjacent, rated “8” (décimes), with “Hong Kong/C” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, fine. HK$ 1,200 - 1,500

697

697 1866 (8 Sept.) entire letter from St. Vaast de la Hougue to the Captain of the French ship “Admiral Charner” at Shanghai via Cherbourg (8.9) and “Voie Suez Chine” redirected to Hong Kong (28.11) bearing Empire perf. 80c., cancelled by large figures “3877”, showing “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent and on reverse a superb strike of Messageries Impériales “Dupleix” c.d.s. (25.11, Salles RR) for the voyage from Shanghai to Hong Kong, opening tear (reinforced with sellotape) just crosses the c.d.s. A rare example of this ship c.d.s. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

698

698 1866 (8 Nov.) entire letter from St. Vaast de la Hougue to the Captain of the French ship “Admiral Charner” at Shanghai (1.1.67) via Marseille (10.11) bearing Empire perf. 80c. (a couple of rough perfs. at top), cancelled by large figures “3877”, showing “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent and “Shang-hai/Bau Français” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, fine. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500 23 699

699 1874 (27 Nov.) envelope from Menton to Foochow (25.1.75) via Paris (29.11), Marseille (3.12), and Hong Kong (17.1.75) bearing Ceres 25c. pairs (2) and 30c., cancelled by “ML 1o”, showing “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, with appropriate transits and “Foochowfoo/A” arrival c.d.s. in blue of the British Post Office, fine. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

Ligne M

700

700 1869 (Jan.) entire to Shanghai (11.3), showing “Emile Delon & Cie./Marseille” oval sender’s cachet, and bearing Laureated 40c. orange horizontal pair, crisply cancelled by “anchor”, with matching “Ligne M/Paq. Fr. No. 1” c.d.s. of “23 Janv. 69”, the inaugural day of this line, and “P.D.” framed h.s. in red adjacent and “Shang-hai/ Bau Français” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, neatly mended central horizontal letter fold and light grease marks from sellotape which has been removed, the stamps and accompanying Ligne M c.d.s. are superb. Very rare first trip of Ligne M, which is further highlighted by the letter having been sent to China. HK$ 20,000 - 25,000

According to Raymond Salles, Les Paquebots de la Méditerranée, Vol. II (pp. 232-234), Ligne M (la Méditerranée) operated from 23 January 1869 to 19 March 1870, replacing the Ligne d’Egypte with a service between Marseille and Alexandria connecting with the Ligne N from Suez to the East under a shorter twenty-eight day schedule. With the opening of the Suez Canal, this service was amalgamated with Ligne N.

This is the first voyage on the Ligne M paquebot service from France to the East and probably the only such surviving letter carried on this route via Ligne M to China.

Ship Marseille Alexandria Suez Hong Kong Shanghai

Moeris 23.1 29.1 Donnai 31.1 5.3 Phase 6.3 11.3

24 Mail from China by Private Ship

701

701 1867 (21 Aug.) entire letter from Shanghai to Vienna (16.10), showing “Eduard Schellhass & Co./Shanghai” firm’s cachet in blue, possibly written on board the Dupleix while enroute from Shanghai to Hong Kong (Ligne R), carried outside the mails to Hamburg via Marseille where a quarantine was in effect, thus delaying its arrival in Hamburg where “E. August Apel/Hamburg” forwarding agent’s cachet in blue applied, with “Hamburg” double-ring despatch d.s. (14.10), and “Wien” framed arrival d.s. in red on reverse. HK$ 3,000 - 4,000

Mail from Hong Kong and Treaty Ports carried by French Packet

702 703

702 1866 (28 Dec.) entire to Jersey, Channel Islands (5.2) via London (4.2) “pr. Messageries Impériales Packet ‘Donnai’ via Marseilles” bearing Hong Kong 8c. vertical pair, cancelled “B62”, matching “Hong Kong/C” origin c.d.s. on reverse, small faults along the fold at bottom left, fine and early mail to the Channel Islands by French mail packet. HK$ 1,500 - 2,000

According to Salles, the “Donnai” left for Suez on 26 December, which would have been before the arrival of the “Alphée” from Shanghai for its first voyage. In actual fact, the Hong Kong Daily Press (27 December 1866) printed a notice for the delay of the “Donnai” until twenty-four hours after the arrival of the French mail from Shanghai.

703 1867 (24 June) entire letter from Hong Kong to Marseille “p ‘Cambodge’ via Suez”, showing “Reynvaan Brothers & Co./Hong Kong” firm’s cachet in red, “Hong Kong/C” despatch c.d.s. (on reverse), and “Pos. An. V. Suez Paq. F./1 Mars. 1” octagonal d.s. (7.8) in red, originally rated “10” (centimes) in red representing printed matter rate erroneously applied, then overstruck by “10” in black indicating unpaid “10” (décimes) and thereby cancelling this out, with a further “10” struck in black for the amount unpaid in décimes and subsequently due. Very fine and an unusual example of both handstruck markings on the same mail. Roumet certificate (2013). HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

704 1869 (3 Jan.) printed circular letter (dated 12 February 1868) from Hong Kong to Lyon (8.2) endorsed “Messageries Impériales,” showing “Vogel, Hagedorn & Co./Hong Kong & Canton” firm’s cachet, with “Hong Kong/C” despatch c.d.s. (on reverse) and “Pos. An. V. Suez/P. F. Amb. Mars.” octagonal d.s. (7.2) in red, rated “20” (décimes), fine. HK$ 1,000 - 1,200 25 704 705

705 1869 (11 Oct.) envelope to St. Paul en Jarret (Loire), France (24.11) “Via Marseilles pr Messageries” bearing Hong Kong 4c. slate overlapping 12c. pale greenish blue, cancelled “B62”, matching “Hong Kong/C” origin c.d.s. (on reverse), “P.P.” h.s. in red, “P.D.” framed h.s., and “Pos. An. V. Suez/P. F. Amb. Mars.” octagonal d.s. (20.11) in red adjacent, rated “8”, the 8d. per ¼ ounce rate to France, carried on the “Emue”, fine and colourful. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

707

706

706 1870 entire to St. Etienne, France (22.2) “Via Trieste” bearing Hong Kong 2c. (small defects) and 4c. wing margin, cancelled “B62”, showing “P.D.” h.s., with Vienna (18.2, on reverse) and Strasbourg (21.2) transit c.d.s., rated “2” and “1”, very scarce printed matter usage from a Treaty Port (probably Shanghai) to France unusually sent via Trieste rather than Marseille. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

707 1872 (13 July) envelope “p French Mail” to Singapore (20.7) bearing Hong Kong 8c. brownish orange, perfectly cancelled “B62”, with matching “Hong Kong/C” origin and red “Singapore/Paid” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, rated “4”, very fine and rare mail matter to Singapore sent by French paquebot rather than the usually encountered British packet service. HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

This letter was sent at the 4 pence per ½ ounce rate by French paquebot to Singapore and Penang, which had come into effect in 1863. In actual fact, this was the same rate as that for the British packet service. Where the rates by British and French mail varied was for mail between Hong Kong and the Treaty Ports, which was also four pence (8 cents) for British mail, but almost double this at seven pence (14 cents) for French mail.

Reference Lee C. Scamp, French Mail Paquebot Far East Itineraries 1862–1880. Far East Mail Ship Itineraries. Volume 2 (Hong Kong, 2010), p. 236. Illustrated.

26 708

708 1876 (3 Mar.) flimsy envelope (“Agra Bank/Shanghai” embossed imprint on flap) to Instow, North Devon, England (arrival on flap partly cut away) “via Marseilles, Messageries Maritimes” bearing Hong Kong 30c. mauve (2), boldly cancelled “S1” in blue, showing matching “Shanghae/A” origin and “Hong Kong/A” transit (8.3) c.d.s. on reverse, some mainly peripheral crumpling and ageing, nevertheless a fine and appealing double rate (2 x 30c.) cover sent to the U.K. at the 30 cents rate for French packet via Marseille. HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

709 1887 (June) entire letter datelined “Shanghai 3rd June 1887” sent “per French Mail” to Amsterdam (15.7) bearing Hong Kong 10c. green (trivial ageing at top left corner), cancelled “B62”, showing matching “Hong Kong/A” (9.6) and “Ligne N(?)/”Paq. France. No. ?” c.d.s. (9.6) adjacent, probably carried privately from Shanghai to Hong Kong, fine. HK$ 1,200 - 1,500

710

710 1892 (27 May) registered envelope to Milan, Italy (2.7) “pr. M.M. Str. ‘Yangtze’” via Hong Kong (31.5) bearing Hong Kong 2c. vertical pair and single and 14c. on 30c., cancelled by “Shanghaf/C” c.d.s. (damaged lower bar of “E”), showing “R” in circle h.s. and “Ligne N/Paq. Fr. No. 4” octagonal d.s. (1.6) adjacent, very fine and scarce registered usage. A charming and delightful franking incorporating the 1891 Noronha & Sons 14c. on 30c. surcharge. HK$ 10,000 - 12,000 Provenance “Antonia”, Robson Lowe International (Tokyo), 10.10.1981, lot 291 Christopher D’Almada, Christie’s Robson Lowe (Zurich), 29.11.1980, lot 1108

27 Hong Kong Mail Cancelled on Board French Mail Boats

711

711 1889 envelope to Civita Lavinia, Italy (16.5) via Brindisi (15.5) and Rome (16.5) bearing Hong Kong 10c. (2) perfin “H&S/BC”, cancelled by “Ligne N/Paq. Fr. No. 1” octagonal d.s. (17.4), carried on the “Saghalien”, light ageing, fine and rare. HK$ 8,000 - 10,000

712

712 1896 Hong Kong 4c. postal stationery card to Rudolstadt, Germany (10.8) redirected to Grosspudestedt (12.8), indicia cancelled by “Ligne N/Paq. Fr. No. 3” octagonal d.s. (8.7), with another bold strike adjacent, carried on the “Océanien”, fine. HK$ 1,500 - 2,000

709

28 713

713 1897 Hong Kong 4c. postal stationery card to Bremen, Germany (25.6), indicia cancelled by “Ligne N/Paq. Fr. No. 2” c.d.s. (30.5), with another superb strike adjacent, carried on the “Yarra”, very fine. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

This proved to be an eventful voyage for the “Yarra”. The “Sydney” had been damaged en route to Shanghai, and as the “Yarra” was the next ship on the itinerary, it completed the return trip for the “Sydney”. In addition, the Bombay stopover, which had been added as a port of call for Ligne N in January 1896 and was to be the first port on the outward voyage, was bypassed. This was due to a quarantine imposed in Ceylon on ships which had called at Bombay, where there was the outbreak of an epidemic. See Salles, Vol. V, p. 113.

714

714 1899 Hong Kong 4c. postal stationery card to Marseille (8.4), indicia cancelled by “Ligne N/Paq. Fr. No. 6” octagonal d.s. (11.3), with another strike adjacent, carried on the “Sydney”, fine. HK$ 1,500 - 2,000

715

715 1899 Hong Kong 4c. postal stationery card to Itzehoe, Germany (7.5) handstamped “Per French Mail” in violet, uprated with Hong Kong 10c. to pay the late fee, cancelled by “Ligne N/Paq. Fr. No. 4” octagonal d.s. (8.4), with another superb strike adjacent, carried on the “Yarra”, very fine and rare usage of the late fee application on a U.P.U. stationery card. HK$ 6,000 - 8,000 29 717 716

718

720

30 Mail from or to Other Countries Carried by French Packets

716 Great Britain : 1864 (16 Apr.) entire from London to Hong Kong (29.5) “pr. French Steamer via Marseilles” bearing Great Britain 4d. vermilion vertical pair and 1/- green plate 1 (2), cancelled by “4” barred obliterator, with “Hong Kong/C” arrival c.d.s. in blue on reverse, rated “2”, two stamps crossed by filing fold and slight ink erosion in address. Rare and early example of British mail forwarded by special service for carriage by French packet, sent at the double rate (1s.4d. per ¼ ounce x 2). HK$ 1,200 - 1,500

The British Post Office did not establish an official connection with French packets to the Orient during the first eighteen months of this service. Mail had to be sent care of special agents at Marseille to be forwarded by the Messageries Impériales steamers.

Messageries Impériales Ship Marseille Egypt Hong Kong

Said 19.4 c.25.4 Tigre 27.4 29.5.64

One of three recorded letters forwarded by special agents per French packet to the Far East.

Provenance Lee Scamp, Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), 28.6.2007, lot 831

717 Great Britain : 1868 (17 Feb.) envelope (with contents) from London to Shanghai (5.4) “Via Marseilles per French Packet” bearing Great Britain 4d. vermilion plate 9 (creased at foot) and 1/- green plate 4, cancelled by “48” barred obliterator, showing “PD” oval h.s. in red and “Angl/Amb. Calais E” c.d.s. (18.2) adjacent, with “Shang- hai/Bau Français” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, sealed tear at back crossing departure and arrival c.d.s. HK$ 1,200 - 1,500

718 German States/North German Confederation : 1868 (15 July) envelope (opened out for display) to Shanghai (29.8) “via Marseille” bearing North German Confederation 2gr. pair and 5gr., cancelled by “Lippspringe” framed d.s., showing “P.D” h.s. in magenta and “Prusse/Forbach” c.d.s. (17.7) in blue adjacent, with “Shang-hai/Bau Français” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, a few small cover faults, fine and scarce origin. HK$ 8,000 - 10,000

719

719 German States/North German Confederation : 1868 (14 Oct.) envelope to Shanghai (9.12) “via Marseille” bearing North German Confederation 2gr. (2) and 5gr., cancelled by “Hagen/I. Westphalen (Bahnhf)” framed d.s., showing “P.D” h.s. in red and “Prusse/Erquelines” c.d.s. (15.10) in blue adjacent, with “Shang-hai/Bau Français” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, light ageing and creasing with flap at back torn through, fine appearance and scarce origin. HK$ 6,000 - 8,000

720 Africa/Somali Coast : 1901 (13 May) “Journal Franco-Éthiopien ‘Djibouti’” wrapper band to Shanghai, showing “Djibouti/Côte Franse des Somali” origin c.d.s. in blue with matching “P.P.” framed h.s., and 1904 (19 June) postcard to Hankow (19.7) bearing Somali Coast 10c., cancelled by “Côte Française des Somalis/Djibouti” c.d.s. in blue, with “Han-keou Chine/Poste Française” arrival c.d.s. adjacent, fine. HK$ 1,200 - 1,500

31 721

721 Asia/Ceylon : 1866 (2 Sept.) entire from Galle to Hong Kong (28.9) “Per French Mail” bearing Ceylon1d. deep blue and 6d. sepia, cancelled by barred oval h.s. and “Forwarded by/John Black/Galle” framed h.s., showing “Galle/ Paid” c.d.s. in red adjacent, with “Hong Kong/C” arrival c.d.s. across join on reverse, fine and appealing. HK$ 15,000 - 20,000 Expertisation R.P.S. certificate (2007)

Provenance Joseph Hackmey, Spink (New York), 22.10.2010, lot 2135

723 722

722 Central and South America/Brazil : 1903 (3 Jan.) envelope from Petropolis to a member of the German East Asian Infantry in China (5.3) via Rio de Janeiro (3.1) and Paris (29.1), redirected to Dresden, Germany (22.4) bearing Brazil 100r. and 200r., cancelled by “Conductor/S Petropolis S” c.d.s., showing on reverse various transit and arrival c.d.s. including “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. (5.3), fine and unusual with interesting routing. HK$ 1,500 - 2,000

723 Central and South America/Dominican Republic : 1901 (24 Jan.) unfranked native decorative envelope endorsed “Corps Expeditionnaire francais de Chine” to San Pedro de Marcoris, Dominican Republic (faint arrival) via French P.O. in Shanghai (11.2), Tacoma, Washington (6.3) and New York (11.3), showing “Trésor et Poste aux Armées/2 Chine 2” origin c.d.s., “T” triangular h.s., and “25 ctms/T” and “U.S. Charge to Collect/10 cents” unframed h.s. in violet, central vertical filing fold, fine and rare destination, taxed soldier’s letter with postage due, since it was sent to a destination other than France or the Far East and, therefore, was outside the scope of free postage for French military personnel. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

32 724 United States of America : 1865 (9 June) envelope from Boston to Shanghai (11.8) “by French closed mail” bearing U.S. 30c. orange, cancelled by barred cork type and additionally tied by “P.D.” framed h.s., showing “Boston Am. Pkt./Paid” origin c.d.s. in red and “Et. Unis Serv. Am. A. C./A” c.d.s. (28.6) adjacent, envelope a little reduced at left, fine example of the French closed mail rate to the Far East exceptionally carried by P&O ships. HK$ 5,000 - 6,000 724

This envelope was sent at the 30 cents French closed mail rate; however, it was transmitted by Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. (P&O) ships from Marseille, thereby eliminating the three weeks delay it would have incurred in Egypt had it been carried by the Messageries Impériales.

Ship N.Y. Liverpool Marseille Egypt H.K. Shanghai

City of Baltimore (Inman) 10.6 22.6 Nyanza (P&O) 28.6 4.7 Candia/Behar (P&O) 6.7 7.8 Aden (P&O) 8.8 11.8

The Evans and Rainbow Correspondence

The following five lots are all part fronts and backs of entires to Hankow via Shanghai. These part covers offer excellent illustrations of how mail was handled and routed during the 1869-71 period, which spanned the Franco-Prussian War.

725 726

725 1869 (24 Sept.) part front and part back of entire bearing 2d. blue plate 13 pair and 1/- green plate 4, cancelled by London “105” duplexes and showing “Hong Kong/Marine Sorter/Hong Kong to/Shanghae” double-ring d.s. (NO 6/9 69; RRR) on reverse, a fine example of this rare marking, which is only recorded for two periods of usage in 1869-70 and 1874-76, as well as on early mail to the interior of China. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

726 1869 (31 Dec.) part front and part back of entire bearing 6d. violet plate 8 and 10d. red-brown plate 1, both with wing margins, cancelled by London “106” duplexes and showing “Hong Kong/Marine Sorter/Hong Kong to/Shanghae” double-ring d.s. (FE 3 19 70; RRR) on reverse, fine to very fine strike of this rare marking. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

33 Ex 727

727 1870 (2 Dec.)-71 (29 Dec.) part fronts and part backs of entires (3) from the Evans and Rainbow correspondence from London to Hankow via Brindisi and Shanghai bearing Great Britain 4d. + 1/- and 3d. + 1/- frankings (2 of the former), the first carried on the A&O “Principe Tomaso” between Brindisi and Alexandria due to the Franco- Prussian War, the second endorsed “French Mail via Brindisi” and carried on the first voyage of the “Provence” from Hong Kong to Shanghai, and the last at the lower 1s.3d. rate by British packet. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

728

728 1870 (23 Nov.) part front and part back of entire from London to Hankow “via Marseilles pr. French Packet” bearing Great Britain 6d. violet plate 8 and 10d. red-brown plate 1, cancelled by “103” duplex, with “Hong Kong/C” c.d.s. (7.1.71) and “Shanghae/Local Post/X” c.d.s. (13.1.71) in blue for transmission to Hankow “pr Fire Queen”, carried on the Messageries Maritimes “Donnai” to Hong Kong and “Phase” to Shanghai, then the Shanghai Steam Navigation Co. (Russell & Co.) “Fire Queen” up river to Hankow, fine and unusual early usage on mail carried by French paquebots. HK$ 5,000 - 6,000 Reference Lee C. Scamp, French Mail Paquebot Far East Itineraries 1862-1880. Far East Mail Ship Itineraries. Volume 2 (Hong Kong, 2010), pp. 192-193. Illustrated.

729 1871 (3 Nov.) part front and part back of entire from London to Hankow “via Marseilles pr. French Packet” bearing Great Britain 3d. plate 6 and 1/- plate 5, cancelled by “97” duplex, with “Hong Kong/C” c.d.s. (18.2) and “Shanghae/Local Post/X” c.d.s. (23.12) in blue for transmission to Hankow, fine and unusual. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

729 34 Ligne d’Indochine

730

730 1864 (24 Sept.) large part entire from Hong Kong to the Captain of the “David” at Saigon (28.9), showing “Vaucher & Co./Hong Kong Chine” sender’s cachet, and bearing Hong Kong 2c. and 12c. (small corner defect), cancelled “B62” in blue, matching “Hong Kong/C” origin c.d.s. (on reverse, error “4” of year date “64” inverted), “PD” framed h.s. and “Pos. An. V. Suez/Paq. F. Cambod.” octagonal d.s. (error of year date “62” for “64”) in blue adjacent, with “Cochinchine/Saigon” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, manuscript “7” rating in red, carried on the steamer “Cambodge” with a fine strike of its very rare octagonal datestamp (Salles 1822). HK$ 5,000 - 6,000 The 14 cents per 7½ grammes interport rate in the Far East for mail carried by either French or British packet.

Provenance Léon Dubus Bernard Berkinshaw-Smith, Corinphila (Zurich), 7.4.2006, lot 3407

731

731 1865 (30 May) entire from Saigon to Ningpo, showing “Cabinet d’Affaires/R. Legrand & Co.” sender’s cachet in blue, and bearing French Colonies General Issues “Eagle” 40c. horizontal pair (touched at top), cancelled by “CCH” in lozenge, matching “Cochinchine/Saigon” origin c.d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, with “Tigre” ship’s c.d.s. (26.6) applied at Hong Kong and “Shang-hai/Bau Français” transit c.d.s. (1.7) for the voyage northwards. Fine and unusual eastwards routing by French packet service to a rare destination on the Chinese Coast. HK$ 10,000 - 12,000

During the 1860’s, there were only 50 or so foreigners residing in Ningpo, which relied on British packet services for their mail.

35 Indochina (Ligne N)

732

732 1868 (25 Aug.) entire from Hong Kong to Saigon (30.8) “pr. Impératrice” bearing Hong Kong 2c. and 12c., cancelled “B62”, matching “Hong Kong/C” origin c.d.s. (on reverse) and “PD” framed h.s. adjacent, with “Cochinchine/Saigon” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, rated “7”, fine 14 cents (7 décimes) prepaid Far East interport rate for ¼ ounce letter by French packet. HK$ 6,000 - 8,000 Provenance Ryohei Ishikawa, Sotheby’s (London), 4.12.1980, lot 117

Indochina Military Mail

733

733 1865 (20 Mar.) envelope to St. Laurent de la Salanque, France (3.5) via Marseille (2.5) bearing France Empire perf. 20c., cancelled by large figures “5104”, showing “Cor. D’Armées/Indo-Chine” c.d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. adjacent, some restoration to envelope at top and flap at back, nevertheless very fine and rare military usage. HK$ 12,000 - 15,000

These mails were eligible for the reduced concessionary postal rate as long as transported by French paquebots. The reduced rate did not apply to mails transported by British ships.

Carried on the Shanghai Annex Line towards Saigon on the “Donnai” to Hong Kong on 26 March 1865, transiting through Suez on 25 April and eventually arriving in Marseille on 2 May.

Expertisation Jean François Brun guarantee handstamp

36 French Post Office in Shanghai/Chinese Customs and Imperial Post

734 1878 (17 May) envelope (opened out for display) to Paris (12.7) redirected to Vannes (14.7), showing on reverse superb strike of “I.G. of Customs/Peking” double-ring origin d.s. in blue, and bearing on front France Siege 40c. orange, cancelled by large figures “5104”, matching “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. (25.5) and red “Paq. Ang. V. Brind./A. Mod.” French entry c.d.s. (12.7), fine and desirable usage, being one of the rare covers sent through the Customs Post prior to the issue of the Large Dragons stamps. From the Vapereau correspondence. HK$ 50,000 - 60,000

Only six covers are recorded from the Customs Post in Peking prior to the issue of the Large Dragons stamps. All are from the Garnier or Vapereau correspondences.

37 A Very Rare Customs Mail Matter Envelope to Brazil Exceptionally Carried on Ligne J

735

735 1883 (18 Nov.) envelope from Peking to Desterro, Brazil, showing “I.G. of Customs/Mail Matter” oval h.s. in blue, matching “I.G. of Customs/Peking” double-ring origin d.s. and “Customs/Shanghai” double-ring d.s. (24.11) on reverse, and bearing on front France Peace and Commerce 25c. bistre on straw applied over the Customs Mail Matter h.s. and cancelled by “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. (28.11), with “Modane à Paris” c.d.s. (3.1.84) in red adjacent and “Rio de Janeiro” arrival c.d.s. (30.1.84) on reverse, fine. An outstanding and possibly unique Ligne J usage to a rare destination. HK$ 25,000 - 30,000

736

736 1894 (17 May) envelope to St. Genis-Laval, France (1.7) bearing Small Dragon perf. 11½-12 3ca., cancelled by Peking seal in blue, matching “I.G. of Customs/Peking” double-ring origin d.s., with “Customs/Tientsin” (18.5) and “Customs/Shanghai” (23.5) double-ring transit d.s. on reverse, in combination with France Peace and Commerce 25c., cancelled by “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. (24.5), the 3ca. has tiny defect at top, nevertheless very fine and desirable single rate franking with both Chinese and French stamps applied at same time by the sender. HK$ 20,000 - 25,000 Reference Customs Daters (1875-1913), Philatelic Writers’ Club (Taiwan, 2008), p. 194. Illustrated.

38 737

737 1894 (17 Oct.) envelope (opened out for display) to Gablonz, Bohemia (1.12) bearing on reverse Small Dragons perf. 11½-12 3ca. horizontal strip of three with sheet margin at left, cancelled by Tientsin seals in blue and additionally tied by matching “Customs/Tientsin” double-ring origin d.s., with “Customs/Shanghai” double- ring transit d.s. (20.10) in blue alongside, and on front France “Chine” 25c., cancelled by “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. (24.10), showing “Ligne N/Paq. Fr. No. 4” octagonal d.s. (27.10) in red on reverse, very fine, carried on “L’Océanien” to Marseille. HK$ 30,000 - 40,000 Provenance Bernard Berkinshaw-Smith, Corinphila (Zurich), 7.4.2006, lot 3373

738 1894 (16 Nov.) neat envelope (opened out for display and a little reduced at right) to Milan (23.12), showing on reverse “Customs/Shanghai” double-ring origin d.s., and bearing on front France “Chine” 5c., cancelled by “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. (16.11), with Italy Postage Due 40c. applied on arrival and cancelled by “Milano” c.d.s., small visiting card type envelope not accepted at printed matter rate and, therefore, charged and taxed at the normal 25 centimes letter rate with double penalty (20 centesimi x 2). HK$ 3,000 - 4,000

Provenance Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Beckeman, Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), 16.11.2000, lot A43

738

39 739

739 1897 (12 July) envelope to Düsseldorf (31.8) redirected to Bonn (1.9), showing “Paid” framed bilingual h.s. in brown, matching “Peking” origin dollar dater, and bearing France “Chine” 25c., cancelled by “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. (22.7), with Shanghai dollar dater (18.7) on reverse, a few cover faults including tear at top right, fine. HK$ 8,000 - 10,000

740

741

740 1897 (9 Aug.) envelope to Salisbury, England (28.9) redirected to Bournemouth (29.9), showing “Tientsin” dollar dater denoting payment in cash, subscriber’s mail or acceptance of foreign postage applied by the sender, “Shanghai” transit dollar dater (14.8, on reverse), and bearing France “Chine” 25c. (light creasing), cancelled by “Shang-hai/Chine” c.d.s. (16.8). HK$ 1,500 - 2,000

741 1899 (20 May) envelope to Shanghai (23.5) bearing Hong Kong 20c. on 30c. with extra Chinese character surcharge, cancelled by “Customs/Kowloon” double-ring d.s. and additionally tied by “Ligne N/Paq. Fr. No. 2” c.d.s. (20.5), with “Shang-hai/Chine” and “Shanghai/Local Post” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, endorsed at top “Late fee paid”, very fine usage with the scarce Kowloon Customs dater, and a very rare combination of the Customs dater on mail matter carried on a French packet with the late fee paid. HK$ 10,000 - 12,000

The U.P.U. postal rate for a foreign letter was 10 cents per ½ ounce, as this letter was sent by French ship via the French Post Office, and the additional 10 cents postage was to pay the late fee in order for the letter to catch the same day sailing.

40 French Post Offices in China

743

742 744

742 Amoy : 1913 (15 July) registered “A.R.” envelope to Patoeakan, Batavia (1.8) via Hong Kong (21.7) bearing on reverse 1912 “Republic of China” Waterlow overprint 10c. dull blue vertical strip of three, cancelled by “Foo- kien” Republic of China 2nd year native c.d.s., showing native registered + “A.R.” framed h.s. (both on front), “R/Amoy (China)/No. 47” framed h.s., and “Postes Française/Amoy-Chine” c.d.s. (18.7) adjacent, envelope aged, reduced at left and small part of flap at back missing. A remarkable registered usage to Batavia. HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

743 Canton : 1902 (21 Mar.) native envelope to San Francisco (trace of arrival) via Hong Kong (22.3) bearing “Canton” overprint on French Indochina 25c., cancelled by “Canton” bilingual double-ring d.s., minor age spotting. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

744 1903 (28 Feb.) postcard from Lisieux to Canton (1.4) bearing France Mouchon 10c., cancelled by c.d.s., showing “Canton” bilingual double-ring arrival d.s. of the French P.O., “Inconnu” unframed bilingual h.s., and “Lisieuz” arrival c.d.s. for the return to sender. HK$ 1,000 - 1,200

745 1911 (31 July) Hong Kong KEVII 1c. postal stationery card handstamped “Chin. Imp. P.O.” in violet used locally, cancelled by “Canton-Chine” bilingual double-ring d.s., showing “Canton” c.d.s. of the British Post Office of the same day and matching “Paquebot” straight-line h.s., fine. HK$ 2,500 - 3,000

746 1911 (14 Sept.) Hong Kong KEVII 1c. postal stationery card handstamped “Chin. Imp. P.O.” in violet to Tungkun (15.9), cancelled by “Canton-Chine” bilingual double-ring d.s., showing “Canton” c.d.s. (14.9) of the British Post Office with matching “Paquebot” straight-line h.s., “Canton” (14.9) and “Tungkun” bilingual c.d.s. of the Chinese Imperial Post Office, very fine and distinctive triple usage within Canton. HK$ 3,500 - 4,000

41 745 746

748 747

747 Hankow : 1907 surcharged 10c. on 25c. with 1911 4c. on 10c. and 40c. on 1f. on linen envelope (250 x 190mm.) to Paris (arrival), cancelled by “Han-keou-Chine/Postes Française” c.d.s., with handstamped registration label, showing “A Presenter au Bureau/de Douanes des Garanties/4, Rue Guenegaud, Paris” unframed h.s. in violet adjacent. HK$ 1,500 - 2,000

748 Tientsin : 1903 (7 Nov.) envelope to San Francisco (14.12) “Via Siberia. Via Paris.” bearing France “Chine” 25c., cancelled by “Tien-tsin-Chine/Poste Française” c.d.s., tear at top and slightly reduced there, unusual westward routing at this late date. HK$ 500 - 750

Ex 749

749 Postal Stationery : 1901(c.)-07, an unused (13) and used (4, one cancelled to order) collection of stationery cards, letter cards, and envelopes with various types and sizes, including unofficial “Chine” handstamp on France 10c. postal stationery card and U.P.U. 15c. letter cards with error of imprint “République Française” (2, one uprated and c.t.o.), rare to have both error printing on used and unused French postal stationery cards, fine to very fine. HK$ 6,000 - 8,000

42 French Military Mail

750

750 1876 (20 Jan.) envelope to Brest (1.3) via Marseille (28.2) and Paris (29.2) bearing Ceres 25c., cancelled by large figures “5104” and showing “Corr. d’Armées/Shang-hai” c.d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, fine. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

751

751 1879 (23 Sept.) envelope with original enclosure datelined “à bord de Champlain en rade de Tchefou” to Toulon (5.11) via Marseille (5.11) bearing Peace and Commerce 15c. (2), cancelled by large figures “5104” and additionally tied by “Corr. d’Armées/Shang-hai” c.d.s., fine double rate. HK$ 5,000 - 6,000 Provenance Bernard Berkinshaw-Smith, Corinphila (Zurich), 7.4.2006, lot 3369

752

752 1885 (11 June) unfranked envelope (with original enclosure datelined “Hong Kong”) to Paris, showing “Corps. Exp. Tonkin/Ligne N. 6” c.d.s., with “Marine Française/Service de la Mer” circular cachet on reverse, roughly opened at back, otherwise fine. HK$ 800 - 1,000 43 The Sino-French War, 1884-85

French Expedition of Formosa

The war broke out in September 1884, over the Ching Dynasty’s support of the “Black Flag” resistance to French trading and potential domination of the Red River in Tonkin, which had been opened to navigation under the Treaty of Saigon (1874).

Although China later accepted the Treaty of Tientsin (1884), conflict escalated into war following a Chinese attack on the newly established French occupying force in Annam and Tonkin. French victory in 1885 resulted in the confirmation of French suzerainty over Tonkin and Annam. During the war, France had unsuccessfully attempted a landing at Keelung in May 1884, blockaded Formosa and made two further landings, as well as occupying the Pescadore Islands. The French eventually withdrew in July 1885.

753

753 1885 (15 Apr.) unfranked envelope endorsed “Corps expeditionnaire de Chine” to Cholet, France (26.5) via Marseille (25.5), showing “Corr. D’Arm./Lig. S Paq. Fr. No. 1” c.d.s., fine mail from the French Forces of the Formosa campaign during this critical period. HK$ 12,000 - 15,000

Ligne S operated from 1867-87, first between Shanghai and Yokohama, then between Hong Kong and Yokohama, with stops at Keelung and Makung to collect military mail and supplies.

Ex 755 44 Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Uprising, which was both a violent and fanatical sentiment of anti-foreign and anti-Christian feelings mirrored by opposition to imperialist expansion, not only resulted in the deployment of an international force of 55,000 troops from the eight-nation alliance to suppress it, but also helped undermine the power of the Ching Dynasty. French troops were initially drawn from Indochina, but one also witnesses the extensive build-up of troops from other French Colonies, which included a balloon section. By 1900, there were seven French military post offices in China.

754

754 1901 (5 Mar.) unfranked envelope (opened out for display) to Lyon (21.4), with printed “Chine-Armée Internationale-Corps Français” heading, showing “Tresor et Postes aux Armées/5 Chine 5” origin c.d.s., with “Regt d’Artillerie de Marine/Batterie de Montagne/Le Capitaine Commandant” cachet and arrival c.d.s. on reverse, fine and attractive example of this rare formular envelope. Ex Mizuhara Meiso. HK$ 3,000 - 4,000

755 1900-01, the fascinating collection of envelopes (23) and postcards (7) mostly to France, with two used within China and redirected to France and two others to Japan or Tunisia, many showing “Tresor et Postes aux Armées/…Chine…” c.d.s. for numbers 1, 2, 5 and 7, and “Corps d’Armées/Shang-hai” c.d.s. (6), unusual usages including 1900-01 I.C.P. or C.I.P. postal stationery cards (4) used as formular cards for soldier’s mail to France with military handstamps and two also showing “Tresor et Postes aux Armées/1 Chine 1” and similar for “…/2 Chine 2” c.d.s., 1900 (Aug.) unfranked postcards (2) to France depicting Suez Canal and both showing “Corps expéditionnaire/de Chine/2e Brigade/Régiment d’Infanrie” unframed cachet in violet, 1901 (3 Jan.) unfranked envelope (opened out for display) endorsed by sender “Corps expéditionnaire de Chine français” with handstamped cachet of the Army Department International Committee of Y.M.C.A. of New York to France via Chinese and British P.O. in Shanghai showing “Tientsin” bilingual departure c.d.s. in blue and matching “T” h.s. with France Postage Due 50c. applied on arrival, 1901 postcard endorsed “Corps expéditionnaire de Chine” showing “Regt de Zouaves de Marche/Le Commandant/2e Batailion” circular cachet in violet and bearing C.I.P. ½c. cancelled by “Paoting” dollar dater, 1901 envelope endorsed “Corps d’Occupation de Chine” to the French warship “Nive” at Taku redirected to France bearing C.I.P. 2c. interpanneau pair and showing “Tresor et Postes aux Armées/7 Chine 7” c.d.s., and a good range of regimental or brigade cachets as well as “Marine Française Service à la Mer”. A fine assembly (30). HK$ 12,000 - 15,000

756 1900-03 unfranked soldier’s envelopes (11) to Algeria and France (10) endorsed “Corps expéditionnaire de Chine”, one “Troupes du Tonkin…”, showing “Corps Expre du Tonkin/Port Said” (2), “Corps Exp. Tonkin/Ligne N. 4”, similar for “…/Ligne N. 6” (2), “Tresor et Postes aux Armées/2 Chine 2” (2) and similar for “…/5 Chine 5” (2) c.d.s., and “Corps Expire” circular undated h.s. (2) + “Haiphong/Tonkin” or “Phu Lien/Tonkin” c.d.s., all with various regimental or brigade cachets as well as “Marine Française Service à la Mer”, mainly fine. Ex Mizuhara Meiso (11). Photo on page 47 HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

45 Ex 757

757 1900-01 unfranked soldier’s envelopes (15) to France endorsed “Corps expéditionnaire de Chine”, showing “Corps d’Armées/Shang-hai” (2), “Corps Exp. Tonkin/Ligne N. 2” (2), similar for “…/Ligne N. 3” (2), and “Tresor et Postes aux Armées/1 Chine 1”, similar for “…/2 Chine 2” (2) and similar for “…/5 Chine 5” (5, one franked with Peace and Commerce issues) c.d.s., and “Saigon Cochinchn/Corps Expn” c.d.s., a few with regimental, brigade or naval cachets, mainly fine. Ex Mizuhara Meiso (15). HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

Ex 758

758 1900-01 unfranked soldier’s envelopes (14) and postcard to Algeria, Haiphong, Thudaumot, or France, endorsed “Corps expéditionnaire de Chine”, “Corps d’Occupation…” or “Division Navale d’Extrême Orient”, showing “Corps d’Armées/Shang-hai” (2), one also with “Corps Exp. Tonkin/Ligne N. 7” on 20 Aug. 1900 “On Railway Service” corner card envelope to France with France Postage Dues 30c. (2, one damaged) applied on arrival, “Corps Exp. Tonkin/Ligne N. 2”, “Tresor et Postes aux Armées/1 Chine 1” c.d.s. (3, one on real photo postcard depicting “Count Waldersee getting out of the train”), similar for “…/2 Chine 2” (2) and for “…/5 Chine 5” (7), a few with regimental, brigade or naval cachets, mainly fine. Ex Major James Starr or Charles Goodwyn (15). HK$ 4,000 - 5,000 46 French Expeditionary Force of Kouang-Tcheou-Wan

French aspirations extended beyond Indochina to encompass the south of China, where sights were set on Quang Chau Wan, which was north of Hainan Island and would give France a maritime or coastal territory analogous to Hong Kong or Macau. Following its occupation by French troops in 1898-99, the territory was ceded to France under a 99 year lease signed on 16 November1899.

759

759 1901 (3 Oct.) unfranked envelope headed “Corps d’occupation de Quang Tchéou Wan” to a sailor with the French Far Eastern fleet at Shanghai (16.10) via Haiphong (7.10), showing “Marine Française/Service à la Mer” circular cachet in blue, “Quang Tcheou/Indo-Chine Française” c.d.s. (3.10) and “Corps Expedire/Tonkin” circular undated h.s., with “Haiphong/Tonkin” transit and “Shang hai/Bur. Français” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, fine and scarce. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

Later Military Mail

760 1904-13 envelopes (3, one opened out for display) to France bearing “F.M.” overprints on 10c. (2 different) and 15c., cancelled by “Shang-hai/Chine”, “Chefou-Chine/Poste Française” and “Corr. D’Armées/Shanghai” c.d.s. respectively, each showing “Marine Française/Service à la Mer” cachets, also 1911 piece with “F.M.” overprint on 10c. cancelled by “Pekin/Corresces aux Armées” c.d.s., a few faults. Ex Major James Starr. Photo on page 48 HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

Ex 756 47 Ex 761

761 1895-1937, the interesting balance of the collection of military mail with a wide range of cachets and usages covering various periods, including 1895 envelopes (2) to France each bearing 15c. cancelled by “Corr. D. Armées/ Shang-hai” c.d.s., 1902 unfranked envelope with similar c.d.s. and 1907-11 envelopes (3) with similar but later type c.d.s., one also showing “Corps d’Occupation de Chine/Place de Shanghai” circular cachet in violet, 1903 unfranked envelope to France endorsed “Brigade d’Occupation de Chine, Le Chef de détachement” (signed) showing “Corps Exp. Tonkin/Ligne No. ?” c.d.s. with Postage Dues 30c. (2) applied on arrival, 1905 soldier’s envelope from Tientsin to France bearing 15c. with Postage Due 20c. applied on arrival, World War I mail with formular postcards used, 1935 Yangtse River patrol mail, and a few later, mainly fine (approx. 30 envelopes or cards). HK$ 7,000 - 9,000

763

Ex 760

Ex 762 48 Indochina

762 1873-1918 envelopes (7), postcards (4) and a front with both military and civilian usages, including 1873 unfranked soldier’s envelope to France showing “Corr. D. Armées/Saigon” octagonal d.s., 1892 French Colonies 5c. postal stationery envelope from Quang-Ngai to France uprated with 10c., 1899 C.I.P. postal stationery message card to Haiphong used as formular card in 1907 bearing “Packhoi” overprint on Indochina 4c. on 10c. with “BM” oval h.s., and 1918 red-band envelope to Haiphong bearing “Mongtseu” overprint on Indochina 6c. on 15c. cancelled by its c.d.s., a few faults (12). HK$ 2,500 - 3,000

763 1905 (19 Nov.) envelope to Annonay, France (9.1.06) via Hankow (29.11), showing “Marine Française/Service à la Mer” circular cachet in violet, and bearing “Tchongking” overprint on French Indochina 4c. on 10c. and “Chine” overprint 2c. on 5c., cancelled by “Tch’ong-K’ing-Chine” c.d.s., with “Yokohama à Marseille/L.N. No.1” octagonal d.s. (8.12) adjacent and “Hankeou Chine/Poste Française” transit c.d.s. on reverse, envelope a little roughly opened, nevertheless fine and attractive. HK$ 800 - 1,000

Japan Mail to Japan via British Post Offices

764

764 France : 1860 (24 Dec.) entire letter to Nagasaki “voie de Marseille” (25.12) bearing Empire 40c. dull orange (2), cancelled by small figures “1818”, with part “Hong Kong/C” transit c.d.s. (12.2.61) on reverse, one stamp barely touched and the other just cut into with small piece of the front panel above the latter restored, scarce and early example of mail to Japan sent through the British Post Office. HK$ 6,000 - 8,000 Reference Jun Ichi Matsumoto, The French Post Office in Yokohama (Limassol, 1997), p. 11. Illustrated. Provenance “Monsieur X” (Matsumoto), Roumet (Paris), 28.5.2002, lot 4686 765

765 France : 1880 (15 Apr.) entire letter from Bordeaux to Nagasaki (2.6) via Marseille (16.4) bearing Peace and Commerce 10c. black on lilac and 25c. bistre on straw, cancelled by “Bordeaux/Les Salinières” c.d.s., showing “Hong Kong/C” (23.5) and “I.J. Postal Agency/Shanghai” (29.5) transit c.d.s. on reverse, with “Nagasaki/Japan” arrival c.d.s. on front, a Japan 5s. cancelled in transit at Shanghai has been torn from the top left of the cover. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

49 Mail to Japan by British Ship

766

766 1864 (26 Nov.) entire letter from Shanghai to Nagasaki “pr. Steamer ‘Rona’” bearing Laureated 4c. grey horizontal pair from the left of the sheet and singles (2), cancelled by large figures “5104”, showing matching “Shang- hai/Bau Français” c.d.s. (26.11) and “PD” framed h.s. adjacent, neat horizontal letter fold and slight ageing. An exceptionally rare letter with a spectacular 16 centimes franking most probably paying an early interport rate, carried by a Jardine, Matheson ship. HK$ 50,000 - 60,000 The Ligne du Japon only began servicing this route from 3 September 1865.

The U.S. shipping company Russell & Co., along with its offshoot the Shanghai Steam Navigation formed in 1862, controlled trade in the lucrative Yangtze Delta. Between 1867-81, British firms established their own shipping companies there.

The “Rona” was owned by Jardine, Matheson, which had acquired her in 1862. The ship was later sold in 1867 to Glover & Co. (Shanghai), which also owned the Union Steam Navigation Company (U.S.N.Co.). On 14 April 1872, the U.S.N.Co. “Rona” was sunk following a collision with the M.M. “Ava” during her voyage from Shanghai to Swatow, with the loss of sixty lives.

Mail to Japan via French Post Offices

767 France : 1871 (14 Oct.) entire from Lyon to Yokohama (3.12) via Marseille (15.10) and “Voie d. Suez” bearing Laureated 80c. (2), lightly cancelled by part large figures “21..” and therefore centrally cancelled on arrival by “Yokohama/Bau Français” c.d.s., with another strike across the join on reverse, “Affranchissement/Insuffisant” framed h.s. in red with “8” (décimes) manuscript rating on front, fine and unusual. HK$ 3,000 - 4,000

768 Great Britain : 1867 (16 Mar.) entire letter to Yokohama (9.5) “Via Marseille par Mess. Imple.” bearing Great Britain 2d. blue plate 9, 4d. vermilion plate 8 singles (2) and 6d. violet plate 6, cancelled by “50” barred obliterator, showing “PD” oval h.s. in red and “Angl./Amb. Calais D” c.d.s. (17.3) adjacent, with bold strike of “Yokohama/ Bau Français” arrival c.d.s. struck across the join on reverse, fine tricolour franking. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

769 Great Britain : 1868 (16 May) entire letter to Yokohama (6.7) by “French Packet” bearing Great Britain 4d. plate 9 and 6d. plate 6 vertical pair, cancelled by “19” barred obliterator, showing “PD” oval h.s. in red and “Angl./Amb. Calais D” c.d.s. (17.5) adjacent, with superb strike of “Yokohama/Bau Français” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, fine. HK$ 2,000 - 2,500

50 770 Great Britain : 1868 (17 July) entire to Yokohama (7.9) by “French Packets” bearing Great Britain 4d. plate 9 singles (4, one wing margin), cancelled by “47” barred obliterator, showing “PD” oval h.s. in red and “Angl./ Amb. Calais C” c.d.s. (18.7) adjacent, with “Yokohama/Bau Français” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, fine. HK$ 1,500 - 2,000

771

771 Switzerland : 1864 (16 Mar.) envelope from Bern to the Secretary and Councillor of the Swiss Commercial Legation in Japan care of Shanghai “By Overland mail via Marseille” bearing Switzerland Sitting Helvetia 30rp. (perfs. trimmed at top) and 60rp., cancelled by c.d.s., showing “PD” unframed h.s. and “Suisse Amb. Marseille” c.d.s. (17.3) adjacent, with “Shang-hai/Bau Français” c.d.s. (7.5), two strikes (one complete and the other partly torn away), on reverse, manuscript recipient’s endorsement of 18 May at Yokohama, a few peripheral tears, fine and unusual usage. HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

767

769

768

770

51 French Post Office in Yokohama

772

772 1867 (16 Apr.) entire letter to Lyon (8.6) via Marseille (7.6), showing “Forwarded by/James C. Fraser/Yokohama Japan” oval sender’s cachet in red, and bearing Empire perf. 10c., 40c. (2) and 80c., cancelled by “anchor”, matching “Yokohama/Bau Française” c.d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, carried on the Ligne S “Phase” from Yokohama to Shanghai, then on the Ligne R “Dupleix” from Shanghai to Hong Kong, and the Ligne N “Dupleix” from Hong Kong to Suez, very fine and handsome franking with the temporary “anchor” canceller placed in service after the “5118” lozenge canceller had been lost in the fire in Yokohama which destroyed the French Post Office there. HK$ 10,000 - 12,000

The Great Fire of 26 November 1866 in Yokohama destroyed two-thirds of the Japanese part of the city and one-fifth of the European concession, including the French Consulate and Post Office there, resulting in the loss of the stock of postage stamps and the two “5118” cancellers. The Messageries Impériales postal agent brought a fresh supply of stamps from the French Post Office in Shanghai on the paquebot “Alphée”, which arrived in Yokohama on 12 December 1866. He also loaned the “anchor” canceller to the French Post Office at Yokohama, and the French postal authorities began using it in January 1867 as a temporary substitute until the arrival of “5118” replacement device in late Spring 1867.

773

773 1867 (10 Aug.) entire letter to Amsterdam (9.10) “Pr Messrie Imple” via Marseille (7.10), showing “Carst, Lels & Co., Yokohama, Japan” fancy sender’s cachet and “Yokohama/Bau Française” c.d.s., carried on the Ligne S “Phase” between Yokohama and Shanghai, rated “110” (décimes), fine to very fine. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000 Provenance Lois Evans, Dynasty Auctions (Hong Kong), 6.8.2011, lot 1661

52 774

774 1867 (11 Sept.) entire letter to Lyon (4.11) “p. ‘Phase’”, showing “Forwarded by/James C. Fraser & Co./Yokohama Japan” oval sender’s cachet in red, and bearing Empire perf. 80c. pair, cancelled by large figures “5118”, showing matching “Yokohama/Bau Français” c.d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, fine first year usages for both the Ligne R and Ligne S packet services. HK$ 5,000 - 6,000

Ship Yokohama Shanghai Hong Kong Suez Alexandria Marseille

Phase 12.9 17.9 Dupleix 19.9 23.9 Alphée 23.9 27.10 Moeris 29.10 4.11

775

775 1867 (16 Oct.) entire to London (5.12) “p. Mess. Imperiales” bearing Empire perf. 40c. and 80c., cancelled by large figures “5118”, showing matching “Yokohama/Bau Français” c.d.s., “PD” framed h.s. in red, “Shang-hai/Paq. Fr. R No.1” octagonal d.s. (24.10, on reverse) and “London E.C./Paid” arrival c.d.s. in red adjacent, the 80c. is repaired at top right, however the Ligne R datestamp (Salles fig.1.969) is a very fine strike. HK$ 10,000 - 12,000

Ship Yokohama Shanghai Hong Kong Suez Alexandria Marseille

Phase 16.10 21.10 Dupleix 24.10 27.10 Alphée 28.10 25.11 Moeris 27.11 3.12

Expertisation Roumet certificate (2012) 53 776 777

776 1868 (17 Feb.) entire to Shanghai (23.2) “pr Phase”, showing “Grösser & Co./Yokohama./(Japan)” sender’s cachet in blue, and bearing Empire perf. 10c. and 40c. (slightly oxidised), cancelled by large figures “5118”, matching “Yokohama/Bau Française” c.d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, with “Shang-hai/Bau. Français” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, fine and rare interport usage, carried on the Ligne S “Phase”. HK$ 12,000 - 15,000

The special 50 centimes rate for mail transported by French paquebots between Yokohama and Shanghai, following the inauguration of that service in September 1865.

777 1870 (27 June) envelope to Rosey near Givry (22.8) “Per P.&O. Str.”, showing “Ravel, Blanc & Co./Yokohama/ Japon” sender’s cachet in blue, and bearing Laureated 80c., crisply cancelled by large figures “5118”, with accompanying “Yokohama/Bau Française” c.d.s. in blue, “PD” framed h.s. and “Paq. Angl. V. Suez/Amb. Mars.” entry c.d.s. (19.8) both in red adjacent, fine example of mail from the Far East carried by British ships. HK$ 3,500 - 4,000 Provenance Lois Evans, Dynasty Auctions (Hong Kong), 6.8.2011, lot 1662

778

778 1873 (27 Oct.) entire letter to Genoa (10.12) via Marseille (9.12) bearing Ceres 80c. pair and single, cancelled by large figures “5118”, matching “Yokohama/Bau Français” c.d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, showing on reverse “Ligne S/Paq. Fr. No. 1” c.d.s. (28.10) for carriage on the “Volga” to Hong Kong, and then on Ligne N “Peiho” to Marseille. Fine and appealing. HK$ 8,000 - 10,000 Expertisation Roger Calves guarantee handstamp

54 779 780

779 1874 (30 June) entire to Lyon (22.8) “Par ‘Volga’ du Messageries Maritimes” via Marseille (21.8) bearing Ceres 5c., 15c. and 80c., cancelled by large figures “5118”, the 5c. additionally tied by matching “Yokohama/Bau Français” c.d.s., “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, carried to Hong Kong on the French paquebot “Volga” and then transferred at Hong Kong to the Ligne N “Peiho”, very fine and highly appealing tricolour franking paying the 1 franc rate. HK$ 10,000 - 12,000 Provenance Milo Rowell Bernard Berkinshaw-Smith, Corinphila (Zurich), 7.4.2006, lot 3347

780 1874 (14 July) entire to Lyon (8.9) via Marseille (7.9) bearing Siege 40c. and Ceres 30c. pair, cancelled by large figures “5118”, showing matching “Yokohama/Bau Français” c.d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, carried to Hong Kong on the French paquebot “Tannais” and then transferred to the Ligne N “Donnai”, fine cover from the famous Bolmida correspondence. HK$ 6,000 - 8,000 Provenance Milo Rowell Bernard Berkinshaw-Smith, Corinphila (Zurich), 7.4.2006, lot 3348

781

781 1875 (1 Mar.) entire to Lyon (16.4) via Marseille (15.4), showing “J.M. Jaquemot/Yokohama” oval sender’s cachet, and bearing Ceres 5c., 15c. and 80c., cancelled by large figures “5118”, with matching “Yokohama/Bau Français” c.d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, fine and appealing tricolour franking paying the 1 franc rate. HK$ 9,000 - 12,000 Expertisation Roger Calves guarantee handstamp

55 Hong Kong – Shanghai Annex Line

782 1864 (1 Aug.) entire letter from Nagasaki to Leiden, Netherlands (8.10) via Marseille (6.10) “pr Mess. Imp. Packet”, showing “Shang-hai/Bau Français” c.d.s. (16.8), rated “50”, very fine and early mail from Nagasaki, though carried on French packet required to be routed through the French Post Office in Shanghai. HK$ 6,000 - 8,000

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Suez Alexandria Marseille

Hydaspe 17.8 21.8 Impératrice 23.8 28.9 Peluse 30.9 6.10

782 783

Shanghai – Yokohama Annex Line

783 1866 (11 Sept.) entire to Milan (5.11) via Marseille (2.11) and Lyon (3.11), showing “Gütschow & Co./Yokohama” sender’s cachet, and bearing Empire perf. 40c. vertical strip of three, cancelled by large figures “5118”, matching “Yokohama/Bau Français” c.d.s., with the very rare “Yokohama/Paq. Fr. Dupleix” octagonal d.s. (12.9) overstruck by transit and arrival c.d.s., “Affranchissement/Insuffisant” framed h.s. in red with “20” (décimes) handstruck rating on front, some ageing along horizontal letter fold, fine and rare ship dater for the Yokohama Annex Line. Salles 1.844. HK$ 15,000 - 20,000

Ship Yokohama Shanghai Hong Kong Suez Alexandria Marseille

Dupleix 12.9 19.9 Le Bourdonnais 20.9 23.9 Impératrice 24.9 25.10 Peluse 27.10 2.11

Expertisation Roumet certificate (2012)

56 Ligne R

784 1868 (20 Jan.) envelope from Nagasaki to Cassel, Prussia (8.3) via Marseille (4.3), showing “Grösser & Co./ Nagasaki Japan” oval sender’s cachet in blue and “Clausen & Co./Shanghae” forwarding agent’s cachet, bearing Empire perf. 80c. rose horizontal strip of three (left stamp with defect), cancelled by large figures “5104”, matching “Shang-hai/Bau Français” c.d.s. (25.1) and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, light vertical letter fold well clear of the adhesives, fine and rare usage carried privately from Nagasaki to Shanghai and forwarded there to the French Post Office where it then went into the mails. An outstanding double rate usage to Europe carried on Ligne R, Ligne N, and Ligne V. HK$ 15,000 - 20,000

From 1 January 1866, the letter rate from the French Post Office in Shanghai to European countries was 1f.20c. per 7.5 grammes. This was charged at the double rate of 2f.40c.

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Suez Alexandria Marseille

Dupleix 26.1 29.1 Donnai 30.1 27.2 Moeris 28.2 5.3

Provenance T.V. Roberts, Christie’s Robson Lowe (Zurich), 10.4.1984, lot 285 Bernard Berkinshaw-Smith, Corinphila (Zurich), 7.4.2006, lot 3334A

57 785

785 1868 (30 May) entire letter from Nagasaki to Paris (7.8) via Marseille (6.8), showing “Pignatel & Cie/Nagasaki (Japon)” oval sender’s cachet and very fine “Shang-hai/Paq. Fr. R No. 1” octagonal d.s. (20.6, Salles 1.969), rated “10” (décimes), carried privately from Nagasaki to Shanghai and then on the “Dupleix” from Shanghai to Hong Kong, very fine. HK$ 20,000 - 25,000

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Suez Alexandria Marseille

Dupleix 20.6 23.6 Donnai 25.6 c.29.7 Peluse 31.7 6.8

Lots 775 and 785 comprise an outstanding pair of paid and unpaid letters to Europe, each with the rare “Shanghai/Paq. Fr. R No. 1” octagonal datestamp.

Provenance Bernard Berkinshaw-Smith, Corinphila (Zurich), 7.4.2006, lot 3335

786

786 1868 (12 Aug.) entire letter from Nagasaki to Saigon (30.8), showing “J.P. Hyver/Nagasaki.Japon” oval sender’s cachet in blue, and bearing Empire perf. 40c. vertical pair, cancelled by large figures “5104”, matching “Shang- hai/Bau Français” c.d.s. (19.8) and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, “Shang-hai/Paq. Fr. R No. 1” octagonal d.s. (20.8, Salles 1.969) struck across join and “Cochinchine/Saigon” arrival c.d.s. on reverse, fine and rare usage carried privately from Nagasaki to Shanghai and then through the French Post Office and on the Ligne R “Dupleix” to Hong Kong and then on the Ligne N “Impératrice” to Saigon, a highly unusual destination for mail originating in Nagasaki during this period. HK$ 20,000 - 25,000

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Saigon

Dupleix 20.8 24.8 Impératrice 25.8 30.8

58 Ligne S

787

787 1867 (12 Sept.) envelope to Paris via Marseille (4.11) bearing Empire perf. 40c. pair, cancelled by “anchor”, and showing superb strike of “Yokohama/Paq. Fr. S. No. 1” octagonal d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. adjacent, addressee’s name and street erased, creased in places, nevertheless fine and early usage. Salles Fig. 1.972/1. HK$ 2,500 - 3,000

Ship Yokohama Shanghai Hong Kong Suez Alexandria Marseille

Phase 12.9 17.9 Dupleix 18.9 23.9 Alphée 23.9 27.10 Moeris 29.10 4.11

Provenance Milo Rowell Bernard Berkinshaw-Smith, Corinphila (Zurich), 7.4.2006, lot 3336

788

788 1868 (17 Oct.) entire to Laroque via Marseille (4.12) and Ganges (5.12) bearing Laureated 80c., cancelled by “anchor”, showing “Yokohama/Paq. Fr. S. No. 1” octagonal d.s. and “PD” framed h.s. in red adjacent, very fine and fascinating usage carried on Ligne S, Ligne R, Ligne N, and Ligne V. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

Ship Yokohama Shanghai Hong Kong Suez Alexandria Marseille

Dupleix 17.10 21-22.10 Dupleix 23.10 26.10 Donnai 28.10 26.11 Peluse 28.11 4.12

Provenance Milo Rowell Bernard Berkinshaw-Smith, Corinphila (Zurich), 7.4.2006, lot 3339

59 P & O Line

789

789 1864 (25 Aug.) entire from Yokohama to Cavaillon (25.10) “Via Marseille”, showing on reverse “Constensoux/ Ledermann et Co./Yokohama (Japon)” oval sender’s cachet, and bearing on front Empire 20c. and 40c. strip of three, cancelled by large figures “5104”, showing matching “Shang-hai/Bau Français” c.d.s. (31.8), “PD” framed h.s. in red, and “Paq. An. V. Suez/Amb. Mars. 2” French entry c.d.s. (24.10) also in red, carried privately from Yokohama to Shanghai and then by British ships to Marseille, fine. HK$ 4,000 - 5,000

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Galle Suez Alexandria Marseille

Orissa 4.9 8.9 Orissa 11.9 28.9 Mooltan 30.9 14.10 Baroda 18.10 24.10

790

790 1869 (June) entire from Nagasaki to Paris, showing “Pignatel & Cie/Nagasaki (Japon)” oval sender’s cachet, “Shang-hai/Bau Français” c.d.s. and “Paq. An. V. Suez/3 Marseille 3” French entry c.d.s. (21.8) in blue, rated “20” (décimes), carried privately from Nagasaki to Shanghai and then by British ships to Marseille, very fine. HK$ 3,000 - 4,000

Ship Shanghai Hong Kong Galle Suez Alexandria Marseille

Malacca 3.7 7.7 Behar 8.7 24.7 Deccan 27.7 13.8 Bangalore 15.8 20.8

60 Hong Kong Stamps Cancelled on French Mail Boats

791

791 1904-06 K.E.VII 8c. slate and violet pair on piece, cancelled by “Yokoama à Marseille No. 5” (“H” in Yokohama omitted) octagonal d.s. (25.5.12) with star above the date (Webb class E (ii) var.), light horizontal crease at top crosses adhesives, fine and rare. HK$ 1,200 - 1,500

Webb mentions having seen several examples of the “Yokoama” error on this cancellation, which is noted as rare even without the error.

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