Portuguese Colonies. (Madeira). 1868. Stamp-less envelope addressed to France written from Madeira dated '25th October 1868' cancelled by Funchal double ring '23rd Oct', endorsed 'via Anglaise', charged '1s' in m/s with double arc 'Falmouth - Ship - Letter' dated '31/10' (Robertson S. 9), with 'London Ship Letter' in red (Robertson S. 33) on reverse 'Nov 2' with bold framed Anglo-French accountancy 'GB/ 1f 60c' , hand-struck '6d' with French entry cachet and Paris arrival '3rd Nov' and charged with hand-struck '10' on face.
Rare item of accountancy. Exhibition item.
India. (Prisoner of War Mail). 1942. Post card headed 'Service of Prisoners of War' dated '16th Nov 1942', written by 'Josef Antosch, Wing 3, Internment Camp Deoli (Ajmer) c/o G.P.O. Bombay' addressed to his family 'Antosch, Wein, Germany' with framed 'Crown/ Passed/ DHP/ 8' censor and hand-stamp 'DHP/ 118' in violet, routed via Italy with 'Uffico Censura Posta Estera' double ring and endorsed '6.2.43' the date received.
Josef Antosch (German) had been taken P.O.W. by the Allies in the Dutch East Indies and interned in Alas Vallei Camp, Sumatra before being transferred to various camps in British India. Antosch was later repatriated from Dehra Dun on the "S.S. Marine Jumper" to a repatriation camp in the British and American Zone in Germany. His wife and children had been in Salatiga Protection Camp for women and children before being sent on the "S.S. Jumper" via North China to Japan.
Ex Paul Bulterman's Prisoner of War collection.
India- Austria. (Prisoner of War Mail). 1943. Stamp-less Air Mail post-card headed 'Civilian Internee Mail' and 'Postage Free', written by 'Josef Antosch (family), Schweglerstr. 15 Wein, Austria' addressed to 'Josef Antosch, No 55514, Central Internment Camp India, Wing 6, c/o G.P.O. Bombay, British India' cancelled by Wein dispatch '14th August 43', circular German censor in carmine and hand-stamp 'V 11' in green, endorsed 'per Luftpost via Bagdad' with framed 'Crown/ Passed/ DHN/ 5' censor and hand-stamped 'DHN/ 6' in violet on face applied on arrival in Dehra Dun anointed '13/12' indicating date received in Dehra Dun Camp. Very nice item routed via Bagdad.
Josef Antosch (German) had been taken P.O.W. by the Allies in the Dutch East Indies and held at Alasvallei Internment Camp before being moved to various camps in British India, later he was repatriated from Dehra Dun, British India P.O.W. Camp on the "S.S. Marine Jumper" to a repatriation camp in the British and American Zone in Germany.
His wife Poldi Antosch had been interned at the Salatiga Protection Camp for women and moved via North China to Japan.
Ex Paul Bulterman's Prisoner of War collection.
India - Germany. (India Internment Camp Mail). 1946. Post card headed 'Postage Prepaid/ 6 Rpf' written from 'Hamburg, British Zone, Germany' dated '1st April 1946' addressed to 'Josef Antosch, Batavia Centrum, Dutch East Indies' with Hamburg - Bahrenfeld double ring and circular 'Military Censorship/ Civil Mails/ 20159', routed via Switzerland with 'Comite International de la Croix-Rouge/ Geneve' in violet and 'Comite International Delegation Batavia' in carmine on face, endorsed 'Onbekend (Unknown) 2/6/46', anointed 'Onrust' in red crayon and forwarded to Dehra Dun, hand-stamped 'Delegation For Brit. India' with 'Crown/ Passed/ DHN/ 5' hand-stamp (applied where the stamps have been lifted and removed by the censor) and dated 'R 20/8/46' indicating when the card was received by Josef Antosch.
After the surrender by the Japanese in August 1945, Germans were once again held Prisoner of War. The small island of Onrust in Jakarta Bay held 200 German P.O.W.s most being released by October 1946. Perhaps it was assumed Antosch was being held on the island.
Ex Paul Bulterman's Prisoner of War collection.
India. (Austria - Prisoner of War Mail). 1943. Stamp-less Air Mail envelope (with letter) headed 'Civilian Internee Mail' and 'Postage Free', written by 'Antosch (family) Schweglerstr, 15 Wein, Austria' addressed to 'Josef Antosch, No 55514, Central Internment Camp, Prem Nagar, Wing 6, P.O. Dehra Dun, British India' cancelled by Wein dispatch '11th Dec 43', with German censor tape tied by circular censor in carmine, endorsed 'per Flugpost/ via Bagdad' with framed 'Crown/ Passed/ DHN/ 3' censor and hand-stamped 'DHN/ 3' in violet on face applied on arrival in Dehra Dun and also struck on letter, anointed '15.4.44' indicating date received in Dehra Dun Camp. Very nice item routed via Bagdad.
Josef Antosch (German) had been taked POW by the Allies in the Dutch East Indies and held at Alasvallie Internment Camp before being moved to various camps in British India, later he was repatriated from Dehra Dun, British India P.O.W. Camp on the "S.S. Marine Jumper" to a repatriation camp in the British and American Zone in Germany.
His wife Poldi Antosch had been interned at the Salatiga Protection Camp for women and moved via North China to Japan.
Ex Paul Bulterman's Prisoner of War collection.
India. (Prisoner of War Mail). 1946. Folded printed letter sheet printed 'c/o G.P.O. Bombay' headed Prisoner of War Post' dated '6th September 1946' written by 'Josef Antosch, Wing 6, Central Internment Camp, Premnagar Camp, Dehra Dun, India' addressed to 'Poldi Antosch, Wien, Austria' with framed 'Crown/ Passed/ DHN/ 3' censor hand-stamp 'DHN/ 3' in violet. Scarce item.
Josef Antosch (German) had been taken P.O.W. by the Allies in the Dutch East Indies and interned in the Alas Vallei Camp, Sumatra before being transferred to various camps in British India. Antosch was later repatriated from Dehra Dun on the "S.S. Marine Jumper" to a repatriation camp in the British and American Zone in Germany. His wife and children had been in Salatiga Protection Camp for women and choldren before being sent on the "S.S. Jumper" via North China to Japan.
Ex Paul Bulterman's Prisoner of War collection.
China. (German Post Offices in China). 1909. German China postal stationery card 2c on 5pf green cancelled by 'Schanghai/ Deutsche Post' date stamp addressed to Germany, hand-stamped 'via Sibirien' in violet with Leipzig arrival. Very fine.
German Post Offices in Kiautschou. 1905. Picture post card of 'Hauptgebaude des Mecklenburghaus' addressed to Tsingtau bearing Kiautschou SG 12, 5pf green tied by Litsun/ Kiautschou date stamp with circular 'Mecklenburghaus/ Im Lauschan/ Kiautschou' hand-stamp on face in violet with Tsingtau/ Kiautschou arrival.
Very rare cancel from Litsun, Kiautschou. Signed "Bothe".
China. (German Post Offices in China). 1908. Picture post card of 'Winter in Tsingtau' addressed to Danzig bearing German China SG 46, 1c on 3pf brown (pair) tied by Canton/ Deutsche Post' date stamp. Very fine.
German Post Office in Kiautschou. (German China - Travelling Post Office). 1907. Picture post card of 'Am Lotosteich, Tsinanfu' addressed to Germany bearing Kiautschou SG 25, 2c green tied by 'Tsingtau - Tapautau/ Kiautschou' circular date stamp, endorsed 'via Siberia' with Mohrungen arrival on reverse. Very fine.
Superb Travelling Post Office cachet from Kiautschou.
German Post Offices in Kiautschou. 1912. Envelope addressed to Tientsin bearing German Post Office Kiautschou SG 13, 10pf carmine tied by oval 'Tsingtau - Tsinanfu/ Bahnpost Zug 1' date stamp, routed via Tsinanfu with German Post Office Tientsin arrival on reverse. Very fine.
Thailand. (Netherlands Indies - Prisoner of War Mail). 1943. Netherlands East Indies Japanese Occupation 3 1/2 sen grey 'DAI NIPPON' postal stationery card cancelled by Soerabaja date stamp (with two stamps removed by censor), addressed to 'Prisoner of War Camp 6, Thailand' , endorsed 'Tawanan Militer' (Military Prisoner) with framed 'Ken'etsuzumi' (censored) in violet with circular seal of "Takasaki" in carmine.
Two Netherland East Indies stamps have bee removed by censorship checking for a hidden message written under the stamps.
Thailand. (Netherlands East Indies). 1947. Air Mail Siam Rama V111 postal stationery envelope 15st blue-indigo endorsed 'On Active Service' and 'Luchtpost (Air mail), cancelled by 'Veldpost Palembang' double ring '14th June 1947' and signed, addressed to the Netherlands. Scarce item.
At the end of WW2 many Dutch P.O.W. survivors from the Burma - Thai railway in Thailand and Singapore could not go home to the Netherlands or East Indies due to the Indonesian Wat of Independence.
This Siam postal stationery envelope was probably carried to the Netherlands East Indies by a former P.O.W. and used from the Field Post Office at Palembang.
(Roughly opened right side).
Thailand. (British East Africa - Overland Mail via Burma). 1902. Picture post card of 'The Wakikuya Tribe, Mombasa' addressed to 'C.M. Medworth, Maken My Pre (Muang Phrae), Siam' bearing British East Africa SG 66, one anna carmine tied by Nakuru/ E.A.P.' date stamp '16th June 02', endorsed 'via Rehang and Moulmein, Burma' with Mombasa transit '19th June' and Bombay 'July 15', routed overland via Burma with Lampang '18th Aug 02' on face.
Wonderful item carried by overland mail to Northern Siam via Burma and Rehang (Trat).
C.M. Medworth was a Forestry Officer in Muang Phrae and Lakon (Lampang).
At this time the area was under attack from the Shan Forces invaders.
Thailand. (India - German Occupation of Denmark). 1940 Air Mail envelope addressed to Copenhagen, Denmark bearing SG 243, 50b black and orange-brown (strip of three) and SG 283, 10b carmine tied by Bangkok G.P.O. date stamp '24th May 40', endorsed 'by K.L.M.', and routed via India with 'Opened by Censor' tape and triangular 'Passed by Censor/ A 3' (struck twice) applied in Calcutta on face and German censor label tied by circular censor cachet in carmine on reverse applied in Copenhagen.
Late use of the K.L.M. route via India to German Occupied Denmark. At this time the majority of Central Europe was under German Occupation the mail was sent via Italy.
Thailand. (Trans - Pacific Mail - Detained in Bermuda). 1941. Registered envelope addressed to Switzerland bearing SG 293, 10s red (4) tied by Bangkok G.P.O. bilingual date stamp '5th Oct 41' with matching registered label and circular hand-stamp '7' Bangkok censor in violet, routed via Singapore with brown censor tape tied by boxed 'Opened By/ Censor/ 2' cachet in violet on face and reverse, routed over the Pacific and Atlantic and held in Bermuda with 'P.C. 90/ Opened By Examiner/ 4003' label with hand-stamp 'Released' in carmine and Grenchen (Solothurn) arrival on reverse '24th June 46' on reverse.
Wonderful item of Trans - Pacific mail (Two Oceans) held in Bermuda by Allied Intervention and 'Condemned', held for five years on the island and released at the War end.
In forty years trading I have only had two other envelopes with Bermuda censorship but never a held and 'Condemned' item.
(Note one Siam stamp has been removed by the censor, this was a common practice to check if any secret message was written under the adhesive).
Persian Gulf. (Aden). 1933. Illustrated envelope addressed to Kothiawar bearing India SG 235, 1a3p mauve tied by Aden Camp date stamp '10th Dec 33' with Parbander arrival on reverse.
Persian Gulf. (Aden). 1894. Envelope addressed to London bearing India SG 103, 2a6p green tied by Aden Camp squared circle 'Ju 21 94' with hooded London arrival '2nd July' on reverse in red.
Scarce large Aden Camp squared circle only in use 1893/ 1894. Very fine.
Maldive Island. (Ceylon). 1933. Envelope addressed to Ceylon bearing SG 11a, 2c grey, SG 12a, 3c red-brown and SG 16a, 10c green tied by Maldive Islands double ring '10th Sept 33' with Colombo arrival '15/9' on reverse. Very fine three colour franking paying the 15 cent rate to Ceylon.
Australia. (British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan). 1949. Air Mail envelope addressed to England bearing SG 489, 2 1/2d pale ultramarine tied by 'A.F.P.O. No 30/ R.A.A.F. Japan' date stamp '28th Jan 49.'
Nice item sent Air Mail from the Australian Occupation Force at Iwakawi, Japan.
South Africa. (Basutoland). 1919. South Africa postal stationery card 1/2d yellow-green cancelled by Butha Buthe/ Basutoland double ring 'Feb 5 19' addressed to Morija with arrival on face '11th Feb'. Very fine.
British Levant. (Great Britain - Egypt). 1890. Great Britain postal stationery card 'one penny' brown cancelled by hooded 'Beyrouth/ British Post Office' date stamp 'Sp 24 90' addressed to Egypt with Ismailia arrival. Very nice item.
Italian Colonies. (Cyrenaica Emirate). 1950. Registered envelope addressed to England bearing 'Warrior' 8m orange and 20m indigo (2) tied by bilingual Derna/ 2 date stamp '14th Jul' with 'R/ 644' registration label, routed via Benghazi '17/11' on reverse.
Scarce item of registered commercial mail from Derna.
Brazil. (Argentina). 1875. Folded letter addressed to Buenos Ayres bearing 'Dom Pedro' Yvert 24, 20r lilac-brown (pair) and Yvert 28, 200r black (pair) tied by fancy cork obliterator with adjacent Rio de Janeiro date stamp '12th Nov', with framed 'P.P.' in red, routed via French paquebot with 'Rio - Janeiro Paq. Fr. J No 6' double ring in red on face (Salles 1079), red crayon '2' erased and noted '3' in blue (three times rate) and charged '15' in blue crayon on arrival with Buenos Aires receiver '18 Nov 1875' on reverse.
Very attractive item with Roumet certificate.
Costa Rica. 1894. Envelope addressed to New York bearing Yvert 34, 10c green tied by cork cancel with adjacent San Jose/ Costa Rica double ring '5th Jun 94' with circular 'P.O.N.Y./ Paid All' on reverse '25/6'. Attractive item.
Bolivia. (United States). 1894. Envelope addressed to New York bearing Yvert 42, 10c brown tied by cork cancel with circular Correos de Bolivia/ Uyuni on reverse '17th July 1894,' endorsed 'via Antofagasta/ via Panama' with Antofagasta transit '19/7' and New York/ Paid All arrival '9th August.'
Honduras. (Tiger Island). 1893. Envelope headed 'Teodro Kohncke, Amapala, Honduras' addressed to New York bearing Yvert 48, 5c apple-green (pair) tied by bar obliterator with oval 'Administration de Correos/ Amapala/ Jul 23 1893' and New York arrival on reverse.
Nice item from Amapala on the small island of Isla del Tigre (Tiger Island) in the Gulf of Fonseca.
Russia. (Turkestan). 1915. Censored envelope headed 'D. Elefteriadis, Kokand, Turkestan, Russe' addressed to France bearing Russia Yvert 67, 10k blue tied by Kokand double ring, routed via Tashkent with framed censor in red on reverse and Ardeche arrival. Very fine.
Russia. (France). 1869. Envelope addressed to France bearing Yvert 19, 3k black and green, Yvert 20, 5k black and lilac and Yvert 22, 20k blue and orange tied by oval 'CHb' obliterator with adjacent circular St. Petersburg date stamp, hand-struck 'P.D.' in red on face with 'Aus Russland/ uber Bur. XI/ Franco' in red, routed via Paris, rated 'fr 5 1/2' in m/s red crayon (erased) and Montpellier receiver on reverse. Very attractive three colour franking.
Russia. (France). Stamp-less envelope addressed to France written from 'St. Petersburg' cancelled by framed diamond 'St. Petersburg/ 13/ 1/ 1859' on reverse with hand-struck 'P.D.' and 'Francotout' hand-stamp (Van der Linden 1514) with 'Prusse/ Valenciennes 3' French entry cachet in blue on face with Paris arrival '1st Feb.'
Lovely item from Russia routed via Eydthuhnen and Prussia.
(wax seal cut out from reverse).
Russia. (Switzerland). 1836. Folded letter written from 'Valle de Gostogai' dated '15th Nov 1836' addressed to Switzerland cancelled by hand-struck 'St. Petersburg/ Dec 1836' in red with hand-stamp 'R' (Van der Linden 2384), rated '10' in carmine m/s, routed via Berlin '18/1' with Geneve arrival '25 Jan' on reverse and charged '8'.
Superb item of transit mail from Russia via Berlin to Switzerland.
Russia. (France). 1882. 'Lettre de Voiture/ Begleit - Adresse' document addressed to Paris written from St. Petersburg with dispatch double ring '17th Oct' and pair of red wax seals imprinted '2 kop', routed via Eydtkuhnen with transit on reverse '31st Oct' and hand-struck 'Aus Russland/ PTO V. Eydtkuhnen' (Van der Linden 350) on face with adjacent 'W 162/ Aus Rusland/ uber Eydtkuhnen' red label, circular Coeln Rhein transit '2/11' and hand-struck Paye/ Le 4th Nov 1882' applied in Paris with French fiscals cancelled by oval firms chop on reverse.
Very scarce French entry cachet from Eydtkuhen.
Malaya. (Straits Settlements). 1928. Straits Settlements postal stationery card 'two cents' green upgraded with SG 223, 4c bright violet tied by Kandang Kerbau/ Singapore double ring '21st Sept 28' addressed to Chicago with arrival.
Proud 'Type D5' dated 15 days earlier than listed by Proud.
Malaya. (Netherlands Post Office in Singapore). 1946. Stamp-less envelope headed 'On Active Service' written from 'Court Martial, Royal Netherlands Army, sub area, Penang (S.S.) S.E.A.C.' (South East Area Command) addressed to Breda, Holland canceled by 'Netherlands Post Office/ Singapore' rubber date stamp in purple '19th Feb 1946' with boxed '10 Gr' on face and Netherlands 'Den Censuurdienst Geopend/ Nederlandsche' censor label tied by '4104' hand-stamp.
Nice item from the Netherlands South East Asia Command.
Malaya. (Straits Settlements - India - Netherlands Indies). 1883. Straits Settlements postal stationery card 3 cents blue written from Penang dated 'May 18 83' with Penang circular dispatch 'Penang/ Paid' dated May 18' addressed to Holland with octagonal 'Bengal' type 'B/172' obliterator and framed 'Ned, Ind/ Via Brindisi/ Britsche - Pakket. B' in blue on face and Rotterdam receiver '19th Juin'.
The 'B/ 172' number had been allocated to Singapore when the Post Office was in the Bengal Postal Circle, however when the Straits Settlements became a Colony it was also transferred to Penang in 1874.
A very rare item in association with the framed Netherlands Indies via Brindisi British Packet hand-stamp. Exhibition piece.
Malaya. (Straits Settlements). 1933. Air Mail envelope addressed to England bearing Straits Settlements SG 218, 1c black, SG 219, 2c green and SG 238, 50c black/emerald tied by Singapore double ring, endorsed 'via Alor Star and Amsterdam'.
Nice Air Mail cover sent via Amsterdam on K.L.M. paying the 53 cent rate.
China. (Russian China - Boxer War - French Sudan). 1901. Picture post card of 'Cherry Blossom at Koganie' addressed to 'Monsieur Emile Magnec, Sergent Secretaire du Treaorier au 2nd Regiment de Tirailleurs Senegalais a Kati, Soudan Francais' bearing Russian China SG 2, 2k green tied by Tyan-Tzin 1 Pochtov Kontora' dated '14th Aug' (Tchillinghirian Fig 488).
The date block month and year became gradually worn until late 1901 the whole year is missing.
The 2nd Regiment of Senegalese Tirailleurs was a regiment composed of African Infantry formed by the French Army. It was created by decree on 23rd April 1892 as the 'Regiment de Tirailleurs Soudanais' and were garrisoned at Camp Gallieni, Kati, French Sudan.
Amazing card sent at Printed Matter rate during the Boxer Rebellion to the 'Secretary Sergeant of the Treasurer in the 2nd Senegalese Tirailleurs (Sharp Shooting) Regiment' addressed to Kati, French Sudan.
China. (Russian Post Office). 1916. Unstamped post card addressed to Hankow, Russian China written from Moscow dated '25th Sept 16' with framed censor cachet in violet and Hankow arrival. Nice item of censored mail into the Russian Post Office in Hankow.
China. (Manchuria - Chinese Eastern Railway). 1904. Picture post card of 'Chinese Dragon' written from Liaoyang dated '27th Avril 04' addressed to Switzerland bearing Russia Yvert 41, 4k rose tied by 'Pochtovii Vagon 265' date stamp (Tchil Fig 679), routed via Siberia' with Geneva receiver '23rd May 04'.
Very rare Chinese Eastern Railway cancel on card on the Manchurian Kharbin to Port-Arthur line 265/ 266.
China. (Russian Post Office in China). 1910. Envelope addressed to France bearing Russian China SG 28, 2k green tied by Chefoo double ring (Tchil Fig 506).
Very scarce item paying the un-opened printed matter rate from Chefoo to France.
China. (Russian Post Office in Manchuria). 1917. Registered envelope addressed to Switzerland bearing 1916 Russia 'Provisional' 10k on 7k blue (2) tied by 'Kharbin Central Station/a' oval date stamp '22nd May 17' with 'R/ Harbine Gare' registration label with censor label tied by framed 'No 59/ H.B.O.' censor cachet in violet with Zurich arrival and forwarded to Grachen. Superb item of registered censored mail to Switzerland from the Russian Post Office in Harbin, Manchuria.
French Colonies. (New Caledonia). 1913. Picture post card of 'Dumbea Lake and River, New Caledonia' written from Poro and addressed to France bearing New Caledonia Yvert 92, 10.c rose tied by Nelle Caledonia/ Sce Mme Cote Est' double ring (Salles 2271) with Noumea transit. A lovely item of mail carried on the monthly Coastal Maritime French mail service going East to West around the islands.
French Colonies . (Obock - Somalis Coast). 1909. Registered envelope addressed to Djibouti bearing Obock Yvert 41, 40c orange tied by Cote Francaise Des Somalis/ Djibouti double ring '2nd Dec 1909' with small locally made hand-struck 'R' on face and endorsed '41' in m/s indicating the number of registered mail dispatched. Very fine.
Nice single registered franking from Obock to Djibouti. (Note December yet only '41' items of registration mail sent.
French Colonies. (Obock). 1902. Picture post card of 'Suez, Station de Chemin de Fer (Railway Station')' written from the 'Mer Rouge' dated '1st April 02' addressed to France bearing Obock Yvert 51, 10c black and green mixed with Cote Des Somalis Yvert 23. 0.05 on 75c violet and orange tied by Djibouti/ Cote Des Somalis' double ring in blue with French paquebot 'Ligne N Paq. Fr No 7' date stamp and Ardeche arrival.
Mixed franking covers or cards from Obock and Somalis Coast difficult to find.
French Colonies. (French Congo). 1894. French Congo postal stationery envelope 15c blue upgraded with Yvert 4a, 5c on 25c black/ rose (strip of five) surcharge "COngo", Yvert 13, 2c brown and Yvert 14, 4c lilac/ blue (pair) tied by Libreville/ Congo dates stamp '25th Juin 94' with hand-struck framed 'R', addressed to Germany sent via French paquebot with octagonal 'Loango a Bordeaux L.L. No 2' date stamp in blue on face dated '7th Juil' (Salles 1212) with Paris/ Chargements in red on face '3rd Aout.' Very fine and attractive franking paying the 50c registration rate.
A wonderful item with scarce surcharge error.
Ex Dr Edward Grabowski.
French Colonies. (French Congo). 1893. Registered 'Congo Francais' postal stationery envelope 15 cents blue upgraded with Yvert 13, 2c lilac, Yvert 21, 40c orange, Yvert 22, 50c rose and Yvert 25, 75c violet/ yellow tied by Libreville/ Cong Francaise double ring '3rd Oct 93' with framed hand-struck 'R' addressed to Belgium with octagonal French paqubot 'Loanga a Marseille/ L.M. No 1' date stamp on face, routed via Marseille with Bruxelles registration on reverse and circular postmans chop. Very attractive franking with fifty and seventy five cents scarce on cover.
French Colonies. (Benin). 1904. Picture post card of 'Une Fete a Porto- Novo' addressed to France bearing Benin Yvert 37, 10c black/ lilac tied by Etablissements du Benin/ Ligne M. No 1' date stamp '15th Sept 04' (Salles 1221) with octagonal French paqubot 'Loango a Marseille L.M. No 1' date stamp '23rd Sept' on face. Lovely item.
India. (India used in Pondicherry). 1880 - 1940. A used selection on two black stock cards, diamond '111' with circular '111, squared circle, date stamp, double ring, straight-line, pairs, O.H.M.S. and two KGVI, 25 rupees used in Pondicherry. (must be scarce).
Aden. (India used in Aden). 1870 - 1920. A used selection on 5 stock-cards including blocks, 'Service' Queen Victoria through George V, postmark Aden '124', straight - line, squared circle, double ring and Aden Cantonment values up to 2 rupee and very fine Great Britain 'Jubilee' with bold squared circle and strip of three one rupee Queen Victoria.
Its a real pleasure to add a magnificent selection of French Colonies from Africa, Asia, The Caribbean and Oceania. Very fine pre-stamp, British Post Office, Charged Mail, Advice of Receipt, Printed Matter and postage due mail. A lovely selection of censor mail, some with five or six censor cachets and labels, routed Trans-Africa, two Ocean or over the Atlantic with some unusual destinations.
A few items from the Dr. Edward Grabowski collection, this amazing sale sold in three parts by Spink. Also interesting Tahiti and New Caledonia from Tony Eastgate's life time work.
Over the next few months we hope to add many items to grace the finest collections.
A strong area of stock is our China from Imperial to WW2 with many fine censor covers and Air Transits. A good selection of the overseas Post Offices, Austrian, British, French, Japanese and Russian with offices in Manchuria. Many mixed combinations, I.P.O's .
Coming soon the John Marc Sitarek accumulation of China, French Post Office and Indo-China with magnificent French Detachment in the Boxer Campaign covers.
John Marc also had a fine selection of the Chinese Labour Force which are not often seen, he built this selection over thirty years. One of the darker aspects of World War One was the plight of 12,000 Chinese workers who were recruited by the British Army from the North of China in 1916 to serve on the battle front in France as labourers, trench diggers, munitions carriers, mine disarmers and corpse bearers under often inhumane conditions. A large number were also struck down by the devastating Spanish flue of 1918.