364 / März 2017

1840 (Nov 24): Entire letter from ´The Rookery´ endorsed 'per Sylph' addressed to a crew member on 'H.M.S. Melville on the China Expedition' with further docketing at lower left 'if too late to go on first ship from Kedgeree', struck on reverse with framed CALCUTTA / G.P.O. / SHIP LETTER in red (Jan 20, 1841). Manuscript on front "Rec'd at Macao, March 24, 1841". Opinion Holcombe (1987). Note: HMS Melville served as the Flagship of Rear-Admiral George Elliot during the First Opium War. HMS Melville was a 74 gun Wooden Sail of 1817. On 25 February 1841 her main topmast was shot through and rigging damaged during the exchange of fire with the battery of Wantong. HMS Melville was in Macao in early March and sailed from Macao on 25 march 1841 for return to England. According to a notation on front, the cover reached the addressee in Macao on March 24,1841, the day before leaving home for England. Provenance: John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1842 (Nov 30): Entire letter from Westminster to 'David King, Surgeon of H.M.Ship Cornwallis, Chinese Expedition' struck on despatch with London 'T.P. / Charles St. West.r' in blue and tombstone 'Paid' datestamp in red (Nov 30), endorsed 'Overland Mail' at left and 'Via Falmouth, Paid 1/-' at top right with further red manuscript '1/-' alongside. Rare and most attractive entire. HMS Cornwallis was a 74 gun „Third rate ship“ of the line of the Royal navy, launched 1813 in Bombay. After China’s defeat in the First Opium war, representatives from the British and Qing Empires negotiated a peace treaty aboard Cornwallis in Nanjing. On 29 August 1842, British representative Sir Henry Pottinger and Qing representatives, Qiying, Ilibu and Niujian, signed the ‚Treaty of Nanking‘ aboard  HMS Cornwallis!

1847, Folded letter with large part of contents from Bristol "Via Southampton" to Hong Kong, franked with 1847/57, 1 s. pale green, tied by numeral "134", Hongkong arrival mark of January 26, 1848, fine and rare very early franked letter to the Far East. Cert. BPA (2016).

1849 (June 6): Printed O.H.M.S. entire from the GPO in London to Canton, requesting payment of 2/11d. due for a Ship Letter held at the London General Post Office addressed Heard & Co. in Canton. Crown London cds in red on front and reverse with double arc HONG KONG arrival cds (Aug 18). Fresh and fine; a most unusual item with scarce destination . Signed Holcombe. In 1830, Augustine Heard  (1785-1868) settled in Canton, China, where he became partner in the trading firm of Samuel Russell & Co. by then the leading American Opium dealer in China. Heard set up his own company, Augustine Heard & Co., in 1840, with Joseph Coolidge and John Murray Forbes. The firm became successful and grew rapidly to become the third largest American firm in China. By 1850 had branch offices, beside the headquarter in Canton, in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Foochow with agencies in Amoy and Ningpo. As with many others American firms involved in trade with China at the time, Augustine Heard & Co. encountered financial difficulties in the 1870s and finally went bankrupt in 1875.

1856: 1 s. green, a fine example in a rich shade, ironed bend of no importance, used on 1861 cover endorsed 'via Marseilles' to Hong Kong, cancelled by Edinburgh / 131 duplex (June 25) in black. Handstruck '1d.' credit marking in red at left and reverse with Peebles despatch cds, London cds (June 26) and HONG KONG arrival (Aug 3) in black.  Provenance: John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1857: 1 d. red star, used to pay the ´Late Fee´on 1863 entire letter which mentions an enclosure, mailed from London to Hong Kong, endorsed 'via Marseilles', neatly tied by London '7' obliterator with manuscript pre-payment of 2/8d. for double rate at left and further mansucript '2' for Hong Kong credit. A scarce and very attractive usage. Opinion Holcombe (1989). In 1830, Augustine Heard  (1785-1868) settled in Canton, China, where he became partner in the trading firm of Samuel Russell & Co. by then the leading American Opium dealer in China. Heard set up his own company, Augustine Heard & Co., in 1840, with Joseph Coolidge and John Murray Forbes. The firm became successful and grew rapidly to become the third largest American firm in China. By 1850 had branch offices, beside the headquarter in Canton, in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Foochow with agencies in Amoy and Ningpo. As with many others American firms involved in trade with China at the time, Augustine Heard & Co. encountered financial difficulties in the 1870s and finally went bankrupt in 1875.  

2nd Opium War. 1858: Covers (2) each with full original contents, both from Aberdeen endorsed 'via Marseilles' to a surgeon with the 65th Regiment in Hong Kong or Canton, China; each franked by 1857 1 d. red and a horizontal pair of 1856 4 d. rose-carmine, large garter, tied by 'Aberdeen / 1' duplexes. The earlier cover (June 7) with restored flap faults, the second cover (Sept 7) to Canton is very fine with Hong Kong cds (Oct 26) on reverse. A delightful pair. Cert. Holcombe (1987).  

1859: Second opium war: 1856, 6 d. pale lilac, used on cover endorsed 'via Southampton' to Canton, China addressed to Lieut. Pollard on the 'H.M. Gunboat Staunch', neatly tied by 'Plymouth / 620' duplex (April 4). Reverse with 'Stonehouse' undated circular cancellation in blue and London cds of transit in red. A fine and attractive cover. Opinion Holcombe (1987).  HMS Staunch was an Albacore-class wooden screw gunboat launched in 1856. Provenance: John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1859 (Oct 26): Cover from London to Eugene Buissonnett, Shanghai via Hong Kong, franked by overlapped 1857 1 d. red. pl. 55, 1858 2 d. blue pl. 7 and 1856 6 d. deep lilac all tied by London '10' numeral obliterators. Reverse with 'Hong Kong' transit cds (Dec 15) in black. An attractive cover. Eugene Buissonnett was a French merchant of Shanghai and later author of the book „de Pekin a Shanghai“, published Paris 1871.  

1860: 2nd Opium War: 1857, 1 d. red, horizontal pair and 1856/57 4 d. rose, used on cover endorsed 'via Marseilles' to Canton, China addressed to Lieut. Pollard on 'H.M. Gunboat Staunch', neatly tied by '250' obliterators with 'Devonport' cds on reverse of despatch (Aug 25) and London transit cds in red, struck on obverse with '1d.' credit marking in red. A fine and attractive cover. Opinion Holcombe (1987).  HMS Staunch was an Albacore-class wooden screw gunboat launched in 1856. Provenance: John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1860: 2nd Opium War, Covers (2) both with original contents from the same correspondence to a Lieutenant Geoffrey Mairis with the Royal Marines Expeditionary Force in China, each franked by 1858 2 d. blue pl. 8 and 1856 6 d. pale lilac and each tied by 'Clifton / 959' duplexes and endorsed 'via Marseilles'. The earlier cover (May 25) with slight flap repair, showing '1d.' credit marking for Hong Kong in red, the second cover (Aug 9) is addressed to Chusan, with Hong Kong backstamp (Sept 19) in black. A scarce and attractive pair. Note: Lieutenant Mairis of the Royal Marines, later General, fought in China 1857-1861, including White Cloud Mountain (1858), occupation of Tsin-Hai, Chusan in april 1860, and the storming and capture of the Taku Forts.

1861: Cover from London to Mess. Buissonnett, Shanghai, China endorsed 'via Marseilles' franked by 1856 6 d. deep lilac (four examples, paying the under 3/4 ounce rate) all tied by London '45' obliterators in black. Manuscript '2' (pence) in red for Hong Kong credit. Reverse with London datestamp (Oct 26) and HONG KONG transit cds (Dec 13). A charming and scarce franking. Eugene Buissonnett was a French merchant of Shanghai and later author of the book „de Pekin a Shanghai“, published Paris 1871. Provenance: John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1861 (Dec 21): Cover from London to John Lamont, Esq., Hong Kong endorsed 'via Marseilles' franked by 1857 1 d. red star, 1858 2 d. blue pl. 9 and 1856 6 d. lilac in a horizontal pair, lower stamps crossed by ironed file fold, all tied by London '11' obliterators in black. Reverse with London datestamp (Dec 26) in black and HONG KONG arrival cds (Feb 15, 1862). Manuscript '1' (penny) credit to Hong Kong on front of an attractive three colour franking. Signed Pröschold. Cert. Holcombe (1987). Following the defeat in the First Opium War, the Chinese ceded Hong Kong to Britain. John Lamond was an early European settler in Hong Kong. He was a Scottish ship carpenter, settled in East Point as early as 1843 where barques and clippers could be easily looked after and repaired. In 1853 John Lamond built Hong Kong's first steamship, the ‚Queen‘, a wooden boat of 137 tons. In 1859 he built Hong Kong's first dry dock!​  

1862: Second page of entire letter from London to Mess. Buissonnett, Shanghai, China endorsed 'via Marseilles' franked by 1856 1 s. green in a horizontal pair for the under 1 ounce rate, tied by London '46' obliterators, with '1d.' handstamp in red for Hong Kong credit. Reverse with London despatch datestamp (Feb 26) and HONG KONG transit cds (April 11). Scarce and ,most attractive cover. Cert. Holcombe (1987). Eugene Buissonnett was a French merchant of Shanghai and later author of the book „de Pekin a Shanghai“, published Paris 1871.

1863: 1862/64, 3 d. bright carmine-rose used with horizontal pair of 6 d. deep lilac on cover, endorsed 'via Marseilles' to John Lamont Esq., Hong Kong, tied by Aberdeen / 1 duplexes (April 25). Red manuscript '1' (penny) credit marking on front and reverse with London transit cds (April 27) in red and HONG KONG arrival cds (June 9) in black. Faint file fold in the pair, the adhesives of rich colour, a fine and scarce franking. Opinion Holcombe (1987). Following the defeat in the First Opium War, the Chinese ceded Hong Kong to Britain. John Lamond was an early European settler in Hong Kong. He was a Scottish ship carpenter, settled in East Point as early as 1843 where barques and clippers could be easily looked after and repaired. In 1853 John Lamond built Hong Kong first Steam ship, the ‚Queen‘, a wooden boat of 137 tons. In 1859 he built Hong Kongs first dry dock!​ Provenance: 'Opening of China', John Sussex collection (Robson Lowe Zurich 1987, lot 3231)

1864: Entire letter at double rate + 1d. Late Fee from London (June 27) to Hong Kong endorsed 'via Marseilles', franked by 1858 1 d. red pl. 79 with contemporary rounded corner, 1862/64 4 d, vermilion, hair lines in a pair and 1 s. green in a vertical pair all tied by London '6' numeral obliterators. Manuscript '2' (pence) on front for Hong Kong credit and reverse with HONG KONG arrival cds (Aug 5) in blue.

1864: Cover from Manchester to Mess. Buissonnett, Shanghai, China endorsed 'via Marseilles' franked by 1862 4 d. red, hairlines, and 6 d. lilac (two examples) tied by '498' Manchester duplexes (Oct 26). Handstruck '1d.' mark in red for Hong Kong credit on front, reverse with London cds in blue, HONG KONG cds of transit (Dec 10) in blue and British P.O. SHANGHAE cds (Dec 17) in blue. Refolded for better display, a most attractive cover. Opinion Holcombe (1987). Eugene Buissonnett was a French merchant of Shanghai and later author of the book „de Pekin a Shanghai“, published Paris 1871.

1868: Cover from London to Shanghai, China endorsed 'via Marseilles / March 27th 1868' / Postage 9/4d. / Late Fee 2d.' in manuscript, carried at 9s. 4d. rate for above 3 ounces + the 2d. Late Fee as indicated, with an extraordinary usage of 1867 6 d. lilac, 2 s. blue horizontal pair and 5 s. rose pl. 1 all tied by London '50' obliterators in black (one 2 s. and 5 s. each with one margin added); reverse showing London cds of despatch (March 27) in blue and British P.O. SHANGHAE cds (May 12) in black. The envelope with some strengthening and repairs at edges but a truly astonishing cover with just 22 known usages of the 1867 5 shilling value on letter of which just 2 covers are addressed to China. Cert. K. Louis (2016).  

1868: Cover at seven times rate (under 3 1/2 ounces) mailed from London to Shanghai, China endorsed 'via Southampton, April 19th 1860, Postage 7/-' franked by 1867 2 s. blue and 5 s. rose, pl. 1 tied by bold London '56' obliterators in black. Reverse with London datestamp in blue (April 17) and British P.O. SHANGHAE cds of receipt (June 8) in black. Some repairs to envelope at edges but a most extraordinary cover with just 22 known usages of the 1867 5 shilling value on letter of which just 2 covers are addressed to China. Certs. Richter (1989), K. Louis (2016). Note: The addressee's of the 2 covers of lots 8079 and 8080, Bower, Hanbury & Co., were currency and cotton traders in Shanghai. Thomas Hanbury (1832-1907) was director of the Woosung Railway, the first Railway line to be built in China. He amassed great wealth and was said to be the largest property owner in Shanghai.

1869 : 1858, 1 d. red, pl. 123 used on Soldier´s concessionary rate cover to a member of the 2nd Brigade of the Royal Artillery in Hong Kong, tied by Dublin / 86 duplex (Aug 3). Reverse with flap added and London transit cds (Aug 4) in red and HONG KONG / MARINE SORTER / SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG cds (Sept 16) in black. A scarce usage.

1872: Cover from London to Miss Desgraz, Chinkiang, China endorsed 'via Brindisi' with 1858 2 d. blue pl. 13 (two examples), 1867/80 4 d. vermilion pl. 12 (2, one with barely noticeable perfs. trimmed), 6 d. mauve pl. 8 and 1 s. green pl. 5 for the under 3/4 ounce rate of 2 s. 6 d.; all boldly tied by London E/27 obliterators in black with London despatch cds (Jan 26) alongside. Reverse with HONG KONG transit cds (March 8) in black. A fine and most appealing four colour franking. Opinion Holcombe (1987). Miss Desgraz was at China Inland Mission, Chinkiang. The China Inland Mission is a Protestant Christian mission founded by Hudson Taylor in Britain in 1865. From the beginning it recruited missionaries from the working class as well as single women, which was a new practise for a large mission. Chinkian (Zhenjiang) was the first mission to be opened in 1866 and Hudson Taylor’s headquarters.​ Provenance: John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1873: 3 d. rose pl. 10 and 1 s. green pl. 7 used on single rate cover endorsed 'via Brindisi' from London to Foochow, China tied by London duplexes (May 30) with reverse showing Hong Kong cds of transit (July 6) in black and fine FOOCHOWFOO cds of British P.O. (July 13) in blue. A fine and attractive cover. Opinion Holcombe (1987).

1875: 1873/80, 6 d. grey, pl. 14, a horizontal pair used on cover endorsed 'via San Francisco' addressed to 'H.M.S. Curlew, China Station' tied by Belfast / 62 duplexes (June 28) in black. Reverse with HONG-KONG cds (Sept 5) in black. 'HMS Curlew' was on the China Station and carried British Officials to the Bonin Islands which had been claimed by Britain (1827), China and Russia and were transferred to Japan in 1875. Reverse flap with sensible repair, a most unusual cover. W.H.Callwell was born in Ireland ca. 1852 and died ca. 1910. In the mid 1860ties he was training in HMS Britannia at Dartmouth, when he was raised to midshipman in 1867. In December 1870, he was appointed the HMS Cadmus, on China Station. He became sub-lieutenant in August 1874. In 1875, he joined HMS Curlew on the China Station. HMS Curlew was a „Plover class gunvessel“ (a wooden gunboat) launched in 1868, mostly served overseas. Callwell was promoted to lieutenant in October 1875. He retired in soring 1876.

1879: Parliamentary wrapper (repaired at edges) with printed 'Ordered, by the House of Commons, to be printed, 26 May 1879' and also printed 'Under 6 oz.' below, franked by 1873/80 6 d. grey pl. 16 tied by '193' obliterator and by KELSO cds (Aug 30), used to Hong Kong with further Kelso datestamp on reverse alongside further printed reference to 'Extracts of Papers from Her Majesty's representatives and Consuls in Foreign Countries having reference to the Silver Question....'. Despite the imperfections a rarely seen wrapper, especially used to a foreign destination. The addressee, Alexander Wemsyss, was an accountant at the Oriental Bank Corp., Hong Kong, the first bank in Hong Kong to issue banknotes in Hong Kong. The bank was established in 1842. In 1884, the bank encountered severe difficulties and was reconstituted as the New Oriental Bank Corporation. Nevertheless the bank failed to survive and closed in 1892.

1881: 2 1/2d. blue, pl. 19 horizontal pair used on cover to the Oriental Bank Corporation, Hong Kong franked at single rate tied by London duplexes (Dec 9), found to be over 1/2 ounce and struck with 'T' mark and scarce VALUE OF STAMPS (5d.) / TO BE COLLECTED (10d.) in black with amounts in manuscript. Reverse with HONG KONG arrival cds (Jan 24, 1881) in black. A fine and unusual cover. The Oriental Bank Corp., Hong Kong, was the first bank in Hong Kong to issue banknotes in Hong Kong. The bank was established in 1842. In 1884, the bank encountered severe difficulties and was reconstituted as the New Oriental Bank Corporation. Nevertheless the bank failed to survive and closed in 1892.

1895: Cover from Halifax to Peking, China franked by 1887 Jubilee 2 1/2d. purple on blue tied by 'Halifax / 330' duplex in black (Jan 10). Reverse with SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG datestamp (Feb 6) in black, faint CUSTOMS / SHANGHAI cds in blue and 'I G OF CUSTOMS / PEKING' arrival datestamp (March 5) in blue; obverse struck with framed 'To Pay.' handstamp in red for inland transit. A superb and rare cover. The addressee, Dr. Eliot Curden, was appointed by the London Missionary Society as medical missionary to Bejing in 1894. The London Missionary Society was formed in England in 1795 by evangelical Anglicans and sent missionaries all over the world, notably to India, China, Australia, madagascar and Africa.