364 / März 2017

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.

1871: Cover from London to Aug. Heard & Co., Hong Kong endorsed 'via Marseilles by French Packet' franked by 1858 1 d. red pl. 118, 1865 4 d. vermilion pl. 12 in a horizontal pair and fine 1867 2 s. deep blue, all paying the double rate and neatly tied by London / 9 duplexes. Reverse with 'Hong-Kong' code C arrival cds (Aug 17). A fine and attractive cover. 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.  

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.

1863: Turin printing 10 c. orange and London printing 30 c. brown in a horizontal pair, one crossed by light file fold, used on 1872 entire letter from Venice via Brindisi to the German merchant F. Peil in Hong Kong, tied by dotted 196 numeral obliterators in black with Venice cds alongside (Sept 27). Reverse with Brindisi cds and fair HONG KONG / MARINE SORTER / SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG datestamp (Nov 6) in black. A scarce destination. Cert. E. Diena (1988). F.Peil was a German merchant in Hong Kong, employed by the German Krupp Steel company in 1866 after Krupp having failed to sell 1.000 cannonsto China. F.Peil originally specialized in the import & export of wines and spirits. At the end of 1870 the Chinese Government finally purchased 191 Krupp cannons.

1844 (June 9): Entire letter written from Fort Royal, Martinique, addressed to an ensign on board the corvette 'Sabinne' on the India Station based at Réunion, (Ile de Bourbon), endorsed 'per Packet' and struck on despatch with fine framed FORT ROYAL in blue on reverse and circular ´St. Pierre / Martinique despatch cds on front (June 11) in black. Circular 'Le Havre / Bureau Maritime' cds in red (July 21) and thence to Réunion with fine 'St. Denis / Ile Bourbon' cds in black (March 4, 1845). The addressee not found after the 272 day journey to Réunion, the entire forwarded on to Hong Kong with double arc HONG KONG arrival cds (Dec 24) in black and rated '4' (pence) due in manuscript. An extraordinary entire with a 568 day journey to it´s eventual destination. Cert. Holcombe (1991).  

1879: Printed Matter wrapper from Rotterdam to the German merchant F. Peil in Shanghai, China endorsed at top 'via Germany & Brindisi' with scarce 1869 2 1/2 c. violet, perf. 13 1/4, and 1872 5 c. blue perf. 11 1/2, tied by Rotterdam cds (Oct 26) in black. No backstamp as usual with Printed Matter covers, probably a unique mixed franking and destination.  According to our records (Corinphila Netherlands Archive/Global Philatelic Network) this is the 3rd earliest franked letter from the Netherlands to China. Cert. Vleeming (2016). F. Peil was a German merchant in Hong Kong with various branch offices in mainland China, employed by the German Krupp Steel company in 1866 after Krupp having failed to sell 1.000 cannons to China. F. Peil originally specialized in the import & export of wines and spirits. At the end of 1870 the Chinese Government finally purchased 191 Krupp cannons. 

1860 (Aug 21): Entire letter from Lisbon endorsed 'por Alexandria' addressed to a crew member on the Corvette 'Joao I' of the Portuguese Navy in Hong Kong, struck on despatch with 'Lisboa' cds  and reverse with oval 'PAGOU DE FRANQUIA PELO PAQUETE / 150' (reis) in black. GIBRALTAR cds of transit (Aug 25) on front and struck with very rare 'PAID / POSTAGE ACCOUNTED FOR BY / PORTUGAL TO G.P.O. LONDON' in black. Reverse with Hong Kong cds of receipt (Oct 21). A remarkable and extremely attractive entire. Cert. Holcombe (1987). Provenance: John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1872: Cover from Lisbon to Macau endorsed 'via Marselha', franked by single 1870/71 100 r. grey-lilac tied by '1' numeral with corresponding 'Lisboa' datestamp above (Jan 1) in black. Two strikes of MACAO arrival datestamps (Feb 24) also on obverse of a scarce cover. Cert. Morgoulis AIEP (1988).

1846: Entire letter written (June 26) from Geneva endorsed at top addressed to John Heard in Canton, China endorsed 'Batiments du commerce' at top and further endorsed 'care of Augustin Heard' at base. Struck on despatch with GENEVE cds in red (July 2) and GENEVE / FERNEY cds in black (July 4). Reverse flaps with manuscript '6' and docketing in Chinese script. It is unclear how the letter travelled once mailed in Geneva however the letter, in English, is written by Augustine Heard´s nephew Albert, who was in school in Geneva and it is addressed to his elder brother John. 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. John Heard was Augustine Heard’s nephew with whom he had returned to China in 1844 Content: "The English and French (two gros cochons) put their noses in our business in Mexico...we (America) have had another battle and took their city of Matamoros though their Army was more numerous than ours, they asked our General Taylor for 6 week's peace but he answered them that he would give them 24 hours to evacuate the town so theyy cleared out..."

1844 (March 7): Entire letter written from Port of Spain, Trinidad addressed to an Ensign on the Corvette 'Sabinne' on Indian Ocean duty, at Réunion (Ile de Bourbon), the reverse with double arc TRINIDAD despatch cds in black (March 7) and rated on front as prepaid 2/1d. in manuscript. London 'Paid' cds of  transit (April 8) alongside 'PAID SHIP LETTER / Crown / LONDON' oval datestamp in red and oval 'P-D'. The reverse with 'Mauritius / Post Office' transit datestamp (July 24) in black, 'St. Denis / Ile Bourbon' cds (July 30) in black;  eventually forwarded to Hong Kong with arrival of double arc cds (Oct 8) in black. An extraordinary entire (216 day journey) with all strikes displaying well.

1856 (Dec 29): Heard correspondence cover from Smyrna via Malta to Canton with blue oval Forwarding Agent´s cachet 'Augt. Poctelli & co. / Malta' at top left and MALTA / PAID cds of despatch (Jan 3) in black. Prepaid '1/5d.' in manuscript red ink and, on reverse double arc HONG KONG arrival cds (March 10) in black. 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.

1848 (March 10): Entire letter from New York to Canton, China carried over the Atlantic as Consignee's letter by the ´Brittannia', mailed prepaid at 1 shilling from London (April 19) with red 'Paid' datestamp on front, sent care of A. Heard & Co. with HONG KONG cds (June 16) in black of transit.

1852 (Aug 10): Entire letter written from Boston, USA to Augustine Heard in Canton, China endorsed 'pr. Europa' (Cunard Steamer) at lower left struck with straight line PAID and '60 / CENTS' in red. London 'Paid' datestamp of transit on front in red (Aug 23) and reverse with double arc HONG KONG cds (Oct 10) in black. Somewhat tropicalised and folds reinforced but a scarce early letter. 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.

1857 (Dec 7): Stampless envelope struck on despatch with MOIRA / NY despatch cds in black, prepaid 33 cents in cash, addressed to the Revd. Otis Gibson in 'Fuh-Chau' (Foochow), China. Carried on the Transatlantic leg of the journey by the New York & Havre Steam Navigation Co. steamer 'Fulton' with London / Paid' cds in red on front (Dec 24). Struck in transit with very fine impression of Crown PAID AT HONG-KONG handstamp in red. Reverse with New York transit (Dec 12) and Hong Kong double arc arrival cds (Feb 28, 1858) in black. Minor flap imperfections of no significance, a scarce cover. Reverend Otis Gibson (1826-1889) was a methodist pastor. When he was 19, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Shortly before he graduated from college, Otis Gibson decided to go into the ministry and was appointed as a missionary to Foochow. Otis Gibson’s ordination was given in 1854. On 3 April 1855 Gibson and wife set sail from New York Harbor an a clipper ship bound for Shanghai. Finally they reached Foochow on August 13, 1855. In 1856 Gibson purchased a place in the South bank of River Min and established there in 1859 a commodious wooden Western-style boarding school for laymen and ministers. In the 1860s Gibson also helped in the translation work of the Bible into local Foochow dialect.

1858 (July 31): Entire letter from New York to Hong Kong, carried on the Vanderbilt Line Steamer 'North Star' to London and struck on front with framed 'NOT PAID' in black on despatch (Winter fig. 335). The entire presumably carried as a Consignee´s letter or apparently bagged and forwarded without British transits and struck on reverse with double arc HONG KONG datestamp (March 16, 1859) in black and rated '4' (pence) in manuscript (the rate from Singapore). A most unusual entire that needs further research.

1858: 1857/61, Jefferson 5 c. red brown, single example used on cover from Washington to a crew member on 'U.S.S. Powhatan' care of the Naval Store-keeper in Hong Kong, tied by Washington DC cds (Sept 19) in black. Carried on Cunard steamer 'Asia' to London and thence by P&O packets Pera, Candia and Norma to Hong Kong, where charged 1/2d. due in manuscript to collect. Cover slight file fold and small repairs away from adhesive, reverse with 'Boston / Br. Pkt.' cds (Sept 22), London transit cds (Oct 4) in red and double arc HONG-KONG arrival cds (Nov 24) in black. A rare cover. Cert. Philatelic Foundation (1977). Richard Potts (1828-1915), was Surgeon in the US Navy, Confederate States Army and in Jacksonville, Fla. USS Powhatan was a sidewheel steam fregate in the United States navy.  USS Powhatan was launched on 14 February 1850 by the Norfolk Navy Yard. Under Commander William J. McCluney, USS powhatan was assigned to the East India Squadron in 1853. The US-Japan ‚Treaty of Amity and Commerce‘ was signed on her deck on 29 July 1858! This most important treaty, also called ‚the Harris Treaty‘ opened the ports of Kanagawa and four other Japanese cities to trade and granted extraterritoriality to foreigners, among a number of trading stipulations.    

1858: 1857, 5¢ red brown, single tied by Washington DC town marking and red New York Br. Pkt transit mark on cover addressed to “U. S. Steamer Powhatan, Hong Kong, China” and redirected to Nagasaki Japan; the stamp pays the 5¢ Open Mail rate via British ship; proper Hong Kong and London back stamps; cover slightly reduced at right; Very Fine; a nice early usage that ultimately went to Japan; the Powhatan was part of Perry’s Second Squadron to land at Japan and spent much time in Orient. 2016 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott 28).

1859 (Aug 3): Prepaid cover struck on despatch with LA GROSSE / WIS. datestamp in green, two strikes of framed PAID and circular '24' (cents) markings and '3' cents credit to US, mailed to 'H.M.S. Cammilla' care of the Admiralty in London. Carried on the North German Lloyd steamer 'Weser' with London arrival in red on front (Aug 19). Readdressed by the Admiralty to Hong Kong with London duplex (Aug 20) on reverse and Hong Kong cds in blue (Oct 9) thence forwarded again with both ´Hong Kong´and 'Cammilla' crossed out and the 'Retribution'  replacing the ship's name and 'Trincomalee' as the new destination with an apparent charge of 9d. due to pay. A most unusual cover. Note: The addressee was fortunate, the 'Cammilla' sank with all hands off Japan a year later.

1859 (Jan 5): Stampless cover prepaid 33 cents, mailed from New York endorsed 'via Southampton per Overland Mail', addressed to Revd. J.V.N. Talmage in Amoy, China. Struck on despatch with 'NEW-YORK / Br. PKT' datestamp in red, carried via Cunard Steamer 'Asia' with 'London / Paid' cds on front (Jan 17) in red. Reverse with HONG KONG double arc datestamp (March 19) in black. A scarce prepaid usage. Signed Holcombe. The addressee, Reverend John Van Nest Talmage (1819-1892), worked at the Dutch Reformed Church Mission in Amoy from 1847 onwards. When he arrived in Amoy there were no Christian Churches, Hospitals or Schools and, apparently, just three Christian converts. On his departure for the USA in 1889 there were 17 Churches and over 2'000 Christian converts.

1860: 1857, 3¢ Dull red, Type IV, eleven singles all tied by St. Louis Mo. May 22 1860 postmarks on amber cover addressed to “Lieut. R. L. Law, U. S. Ship Hartford, Hong Kong, China”; red numeral “12” credit at center and manuscript “1” of Hong Kong; manuscript “Via Southampton” at lower left; Hong Kong receiving and red NY transit back stamps; the top right stamp with a small piece out at bottom right of the stamp; A spectacular example of the 33¢ rate to China via Southampton paid only with the 3¢ stamp, Extremely scarce usage. 2016 Philatelic Foundation certificate which states this is a genuine usage and notes the flaw in the upper right stamp (Scott 26). USS Hartford, launched in 1858, sailed in 1859 for the Cape of good hope  and the Far East carrying Flag Officer Cornelius K. Stribling, the newly appointed commander for the East India Squadron. In November 1859 USS Hartford embarked the American Minister to China, John Elliot Ward, at Hong Kong and carried him to Canton, Manila, Shanghai, Swatow and other Far Eastern ports to settle American claims and to arrange for favorable consideration of the US Nation’s interest.

1860: 1857/61, 5¢ brown, Type II, used with horizontal strip of four 10¢ green, Type V, all tied by dark red circular grid cancels on folded cover addressed to “Augustine Heard, Shanghae, China”; manuscript “Via Marseilles” partially obscured by the stamps; red New-York Br. Pkt and London Paid transit marks; magenta manuscript “40” credit and Hong Kong “1” on front; 48 mm large oval “FORWARDED BY GRINELL, MINTURN & CO. NEW YORK” company handstamp and Hong Kong transit back stamps; stamps properly pay the 45¢ rate to Shanghai China via British Mail and Marseilles. 2016 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott 30A,35). 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.

1861: 1857/61,1¢ blue Type V (2 singles), 3¢ Dull red Type IV, 10¢ Green type V, all cancelled with manuscript “X” on cover with printed address from Indianapolis IN to Hong Kong via New York, London, and Marseilles; red NY British packet transit mark to left of stamps; Hong Kong and red London back stamps; the stamps pay three times the British Open Mail rate of 5¢ per ½ oz to the Cunard steamer and went unpaid thereafter. 2016 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott 24, 26, 35). USS Hartford, launched in 1858, sailed in 1859 for the Cape of good hope  and the Far East carrying Flag Officer Cornelius K. Stribling, the newly appointed commander for the East India Squadron. In November 1859 USS Hartford embarked the American Minister to China, John Elliot Ward, at Hong Kong and carried him to Canton, Manila, Shanghai, Swatow and other Far Eastern ports to settle American claims and to arrange for favorable consideration of the US Nation’s interest.

1863 (Dec 31): Printed Matter entire from Sturgis & Co. in Boston mailed to Augustine Heard in Foochow, China, endorsed 'Printed Circular' and 'via Southampton' on front, franked by 1861 3 c. dull red in a horizontal pair tied by black cork cancellation. Handstruck '4' (pence) credit marking in red alongside 'London / Paid' cds (Jan 19) in red. A fine and extremely unusual franking and destination. Cert. Holcombe (1987). 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.​ Provenance:  Louis Grunin (1979)                      John Sussex (Christie's 1987)  

1863: Cover to Shanghai, China endorsed 'French Closed Mail' franked by single 1861 30 c. orange (Scott 71) tied by segmented cork cancel in black, with fine circular 'BOSTON AM. PKT. 27 PAID' datestamp (Dec 27) in red and framed 'P.D.' in red. 'Et. Unis Serv. Br.' transit in black and reverse with Paris cds (Dec 24) and 'SHANG-HAI / BAU. FRANCAIS' arrival datestamp (Feb 18, 1864) in black. The thin paper envelope with strengthening at edges. Cert. Jakubek (1990). The building of H.Fogg & Co. was located next to the early Shanghai Club, the most exclusive club in Shanghai (see photo – Building of H.Fogg & Co. on the left, Shanghai Club on the centre-right).    

1864: Cover to Shanghai, endorsed 'By French Closed Mail' franked by single 1861 30 c. orange (Scott 71) tied by segmented cork cancel in black, with fine circular 'BOSTON AM. PKT. PAID' datestamp (Aug 12) in red and framed 'P.D.' in black. 'Et. Unis Serv. Am.' transit in black. Reverse with 'SHANG-HAI / BAU. FRANCAIS' arrival datestamp (Nov 1) in black. A fine and attractive cover. Cert. Holcombe (1988). The building of H.Fogg & Co. was located next to the early Shanghai Club, the most exclusive club in Shanghai (see photo – Building of H.Fogg & Co. on the left, Shanghai Club on the centre-right).