Sale 1326 — 2024 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 27 June, 2024
Category — Worldwide: France thru Hong Kong
France, 1853, 20c Dark Blue on Bluish, Ty. I (15a; Yvert 14Aa). Horizontal strip of five, block of four, and six singles, generally large margins to touching on some sides, tied by diamond of dots cancels and "Valreas 10 Mai 56" double-circle datestamps on blue folded cover (missing inner page) to Shanghai, China, Lyon-Marseilles (May 11), Marseilles (May 11) and Hong Kong (Jun. 25) transit backstamps, manuscript "2/8" rate marking, most stamps affected by light file folds, part of one despatch datestamp enhanced
VERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONAL FRANKING OF THE 20-CENTIMES IN THE DARK BLUE SHADE MAKING UP 3-FRANCS ON FOLDED COVER TO SHANGHAI—A VERY RARE DESTINATION.
From the Magnolia collection.
France, 1868, 80c Rose on Pinkish (36; Yvert 32). Tied by dotted star cancel, "Paris Senat 5E/28 Sept. 70" double-circle datestamp and red framed "PD" handstamp on folded letter carried across the lines by Ballon Monte during the siege of Paris and sent by mail to Shanghai, China, carried on the Etats-Unis (the 3rd flight out of Paris, piloted by Louis Godard), departing Sep. 29, 1870, and landing near Magnanville on the same day, backstamped "Marseille 17 Oct. 70"
VERY FINE. ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE DESTINATIONS FOR A BALLON MONTE COVER—CARRIED FROM THE BESIEGED CITY OF PARIS DURING THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR AND ONWARDS TO SHANGHAI, CHINA. ONLY THREE COVERS ARE RECORDED TO CHINA, MAKING THIS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECES OF MAIL FROM THIS FASCINATING PERIOD OF FRENCH HISTORY.
Three ballon monte covers are currently recorded addressed to China:
1) Paris Sept. 28, 1870 datestamp, 80c Napoleon Laureate stamp, to Shanghai, China, carried on the Etats-Unis, the cover offered here
2) Paris Nov. 17, 1870 datestamp, 80c Napoleon Laureate stamp, folded Gazette No. 8, to Shanghai, China, carried on the General Ulrich, Shanghai Jan. 13, 1871 arrival backstamp
3) Paris Dec. 12, 1870 datelined, 40c Napoleon Laureate, two 20c Ceres, folded Gazette No. 15, to Foochow, China, carried on the Ville de Paris, offered in lot 4329
With 2009 Scheller certificate. From the Magnolia collection.
France, 1863, 40c Pale Orange on Yellowish (35; Yvert 31). Used with 1870, 20c Blue (57; Yvert 37), two singles, all tied by blue dotted star cancel, datelined "Paris 12 Dec 1870" with red framed "PD" handstamp on folded Gazette des Absents No. 15 and carried across the lines by Ballon Monte during the siege of Paris and sent by mail to Foochow, China, "par Hong Kong", carried on the Ville de Paris (piloted by Delamarne), departing Dec. 15, 1870, and landing near Wertzlur, Prussia on the same day, pilot, passengers and mail were captured (mail was not destroyed and did not receive backstamps)
VERY FINE. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BALLON MONTE COVERS—CARRIED ON THE VILLE DE PARIS DURING THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR AND SIEGE OF PARIS—IT IS ONE OF ONLY THREE ADDRESSED TO CHINA AND THE ONLY ONE TO FOOCHOW.
Three ballon monte covers are currently recorded addressed to China:
1) Paris Sept. 28, 1870 datestamp, 80c Napoleon Laureate stamp, to Shanghai, China, carried on the Etats-Unis, offered in lot 4328
2) Paris Nov. 17, 1870 datestamp, 80c Napoleon Laureate stamp, folded Gazette No. 8, to Shanghai, China, carried on the General Ulrich, Shanghai Jan. 13, 1871 arrival backstamp
3) Paris Dec. 12, 1870 datelined, 40c Napoleon Laureate, two 20c Ceres, folded Gazette No. 15, to Foochow, China, carried on the Ville de Paris, the cover offered here
Ex Haub ("Erivan"). Signed Calves and J. F. Brun. With photocopies of 2005 Calves and 2005 J. F. Brun certificates. From the Magnolia collection.
France, 1870, 20c Blue (57; Yvert 37). Tied by red Paris Jan. 7 double-circle datestamp with red framed "PD" handstamp on folded Gazette des Absents No. 24 and carried across the lines by Ballon Monte during the siege of Paris and sent by mail to "Monsieur Regnault de Premesnil, commandant de Coetlogon dan navale des mers de Chine et de Japon", "(voie francaise) par Marseille", carried on the Duquesne (piloted by Charles Richard), departing Jan. 9, 1871, and landing near Puisieulx (occupied territory) on the same day, privileged mail such as this was smuggled to Bordeaux by pilot and processed on Jan. 20, "Cette a Bordeaux" (Jan. 21), Marseille (Jan. 21), and Ligne N (Jan. 22) backstamps
VERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONAL USE OF A BALLON MONTE—ESCAPING THE BESIEGED CITY OF PARIS ON A BALLOON DURING THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR AND ADDRESSED TO A FRENCH NAVAL OFFICER LOCATED IN THE EAST CHINA SEA BETWEEN CHINA AND JAPAN. THIS IS THE ONLY SUCH DESTINATION WE ARE AWARE OF AND PRESUMABLY UNIQUE.
The recipient, Charles Regnault de Prémesnil (1837-1908), was a French naval officer. He graduated in 1853 as a midshipman and worked his way up to Admiral by the time of his retirement in 1902. De Prémesnils saw extensive action including during the Crimean War in Sevastopol, operations in China such as the capture of Canton (where he was seriously wounded) and Cochinchina, Senegal where he spent four years, and back to the East China Seas during the late 1860s-70s. By Aug. 1870, de Prémesnil was promoted to Commander of the Coëtlogon.
With 2011 Bolaffi certificate. From the Magnolia collection.
France, Used in Turkish Empire—Constantinople, 1853-60, 10c Bister on Yellowish, 20c Blue on Bluish, 40c Orange on Yellowish (14-15, 18; Yvert 13A, 14A, 16). Two singles of 10c, one with natural pre-printing paperfold, mostly large to ample margins, just touching one side of 10c, all tied by dotted "3707" cancels with "Constantinople, Turquie 21 Nov. 60" double-circle datestamp on cover to "Monsieur du Guilio, capitaine de vaisseau, chef d'etat major de l'amiral Charner, an bord de l'imperatrice Eugenie" in Shanghai, China, sender's directive "Marseille et Suez", framed "PD" and red framed "Paquebots de la Mediterranee" handstamps, faint Marseilles transit backstamp
VERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR FRANCE THREE-COLOR FRANKING USED IN CONSTANTINOPLE AND ADDRESSED TO A FRENCH NAVAL CAPTAIN DURING THE FRENCH EXPEDITION IN CHINA. A REMARKABLE COMBINATION OF ORIGIN AND DESTINATION.
From the Magnolia collection.
German States, Prussia, 1850, 3sg Black on Yellow (5; Michel 4a). Large margins to clear, tied by bold strike of "578" four-ring target cancel with "Hamburg 17/4" double-circle datestamp on folded letter datelined Manila Feb. 18, 1852, addressed to Beerwalde, Saxony, sender's directive "via Egypten und Triest", "Peters & Co., Manila" oval company handstamp on back, Leipzig and Ronneburg (Apr. 18) transit backstamps, cover with couple minor toned spots
VERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONAL FOLDED LETTER ORIGINATING IN THE PHILIPPINES AND CARRIED PRIVATELY—ENTERING MAILS IN HAMBURG AND DELIVERED TO SAXONY.
From the Magnolia collection. With 2011 Flemming certificate.
Germany, Offices in China, 1900, 50pf Purple & Black on Salmon, Tientsin Handstamp (22; Michel 13). Tied by clearly struck "Tientsin, Deutsche Post 5/1 01" circular datestamps (Sorte I) on small piece of postcard, rich colors
VERY FINE. A RARE NON-PHILATELIC POSTAL CANCEL ON THE 50-PFENNINGS TIENTSIN PROVISIONAL HANDSTAMP. THIS IS THE RAREST OF THE REGULARLY ISSUED TIENTSIN PROVISIONAL HANDSTAMPS.
Ex "Hohenzollern". Signed W. Brandes, Lange, and Hassel. With 1980 Bothe and 2002 Jakubek certificates. Scott $13,500. Michel €17,000. From the Magnolia collection.
Kiauchau, 1900, 5pf on 10pf Carmine, Ty. "f", With Additional "5" Surcharge (8; Michel 3). Michel Ty. 3, bold and fresh color on bright paper, particularly well-centered, neat strike of "Tsingtau, Kiautschou 29/10 00" circular datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE. A GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1900 5-PFENNIGS SURCHARGE WITH THE ADDITIONAL "5" SURCHARGE. ONLY 100 EXAMPLES WERE PRINTED.
Just 100 of Scott Nos. 7 and 8 combined were surcharged. We estimate a fraction of that original number still exists today. This additional surcharge was applied to the bottom row of certain panes, because the underlying surcharge was difficult to read.
Signed Senf. With 1966 Pfenninger and 1977 Bothe certificates. Scott $50,000. Michel €60,000. From the Magnolia collection.
Kiauchau, 1900, 5pf on 10pf Carmine, Ty. "f", Additional Large "5 Pf" Surcharge (9; Michel 4). With interpanneau gutter selvage at bottom, Position 41, Michel Ty. 8, original gum, small h.r., bright shade on fresh paper, bottom selvage partially separated and reinforced with hinge sliver
VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1900 5-PFENNIGS SURCHARGE WITH ADDITIONAL LARGE FORMAT "5 PF" SURCHARGE. THE MAXIMUM NUMBER PRODUCED OF THIS RARE MICHEL SUBTYPE 8 SURCHARGE IS 30.
About 200 stamps were surcharged with the large format “5 Pf” surcharge on the bottom row of each pane. Because the underlying surcharge was quite small, the “5 Pf” was intended to make the value more visible. This specific Michel subtype 8 only occurred once in a pane, in the bottom row.
Signed Drahn. With 1976 Bothe, 2013 Jaschke-Lantelme, and 2015 Steuer certificate. Catalogued as basic type. Scott $8,250. Michel €10,000. From the Magnolia collection.
Great Britain, 1847, 1sh Green, Embossed (5a; SG 55). Die 1, bottom right corner sheet margin block of eleven, each stamp cancelled by London Inland Office No. 2 diamond in grid, also a faint red transit marking at bottom right, fresh color, fine embossing, with clear silk threads, a few tears in the margin only, top three stamps with crease, some light staining at right and an extraneous blue mark at top
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SHOWPIECE USED BLOCK OF ELEVEN OF THE 1847 ONE-SHILLING EMBOSSED.
This impressive multiple highlights the rudimentary printing process of the embossed issue. They were printed one stamp at a time, creating irregular spacing between stamps.
Accompanied by a folded letter (along with 1p and four 2p Line Engraved stamps), from which this block was removed. Catalogue values are as two blocks of four and three singles. Scott $19,000. SG £17,000.
Great Britain, 1847, 1sh Green, Embossed (5a; SG 55). Die 1, four cut-square examples, ample margins to just touching, used with 1841, 1p Red Brown on Bluish Paper (3; SG 8), large margins including portion of adjoining stamp at left, in at right, all cancelled or tied by "498" barred oval cancels on folded cover to Canton, China, Heard correspondence, endorsed "Care of Mesr Rush & Co, Hong Kong", red "Manchester JU 7 1853" despatch rimless circular datestamp on back, London (Jun. 8) and Hong Kong (Jul. 22) transit backstamps
VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF FOUR EXAMPLES OF THE 1847 ONE-SHILLING EMBOSSED ISSUE, DIE 1, ON COVER TO CANTON, CHINA.
From the Magnolia collection.
Great Britain, 1847-54, 6p Red Violet, 1sh Pale Green, Embossed (5, 7; SG 54, 60). Mostly ample margins to just barely touching, used with 1855, 4p Rose on Bluish (22; SG 62), straight edge at right and blunted bottom left perf, all tied by bold strikes of barred "628" cancels and "Preston SP 8 1855" rimless circular datestamps on folded letter to Manila, Philippines, faint red London and Hong Kong transit backstamps, address panel with slight ink erosion (reinforced by hinges)
VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 6-PENCE AND ONE-SHILLING EMBOSSED AND 4-PENCE SURFACE PRINTED ISSUES ON COVER TO MANILA, PHILIPPINES—AN EXOTIC DESTINATION FOR THE ISSUE.
From the Magnolia collection.
Great Britain, 1865, 1sh Green (48; SG 101). Plate 4, lettered J-C, clipped perfs on three sides (into design on two), tied by barred "132" cancel with "Brighton MR 3 65" circular datestamp below on elaborate hand-drawn illustration of two formally dressed men and lady in front of an easel, addressed to Shanghai, China, sender's directive "via Southampton", London (Mar. 3) and blue Hong Kong (Apr. 22) transit and blue Shanghai (Apr. 27) arrival backstamps, red "1d" British Colonial credit handstamp, cover with some edgewear, particularly at top left, missing small piece of top flap, still Very Fine and exceptionally detailed artwork, from the Magnolia collection
Hong Kong, 1859 Folded Letter from Batavia to Hong Kong. Part-printed blue 1859 folded letter with blue "Batavia, Franco 7/1" despatch circular datestamp, addressed to Hong Kong, sender's directive "via Singapore pr Steamer", red oval company handstamp, Singapore transit and faint but clear strike of "Hong-Kong 25 JA 59" single-line arc circular datestamp (Webb Ty. 12) arrival backstamps, manuscript "1/4" rate marking
FINE STRIKE OF THE HONG KONG SINGLE-LINE ARC CIRCULAR DATESTAMP—WEBB TYPE 12—ON A LETTER FROM THE NETHERLANDS INDIES.
From the Magnolia collection.