View Auction
Ended on Jun 28, 2021 PST
Jun 28, 06:27 PM PST
CST / Beijing | Jun 29, 2021 09:27 AM |
---|---|
CEST / Berlin | Jun 29, 2021 03:27 AM |
CDT / Chicago | Jun 28, 2021 08:27 PM |
MSK / Moscow | Jun 29, 2021 04:27 AM |
MDT / Denver | Jun 28, 2021 07:27 PM |
EDT / New York | Jun 28, 2021 09:27 PM |

THE MOST IMPORTANT COVER OF THE FRENCH MAIL IN CHINA
1876 (Nov 4) Opened envelope to Port-Vendres, readdressed to
Lot 40132
THE MOST IMPORTANT COVER OF THE FRENCH MAIL IN CHINA
1876 (Nov 4) Opened envelope to Port-Vendres, readdressed to Perpignan, dispatched at Chefoo showing "CUSTOMS/CHEFOO" cds on reverse, transferred to the French P.O. bearing 'Cérès' 80c and 1871 10c tête-bêche pair, tied by "5104" lozenges with "SHANG-HAI/CHINE" cds at left, French transits and receiving cds's on reverse; an extraordinary and unique cover as a result of the following features: the only item known bearing a tête-bêche -which is the most significant franking in the French mail in China- in conjunction with a pre-philatelic Chinese postmark; regardless of this fabulous combination, just four covers are recorded exhibiting the Chefoo cds in the stampless period of Chinese philately, this representing the earliest usage of a Customs cds in combination with France, and only about five covers are known bearing a tête-bêche (also featuring the perf. 'Empire' 80c) used in the French P.O.; the assembly of these characteristics make this, the most important item of the French mail in china, as well as a most desirable postal-history top rarity for the advanced collection of China, since this item can be considered as the most important Customs Post cover in the pre-stamp period; cert. J.F. Brun (2021), signed Pfenninger; (Yvert €25,000 for the French franking only).
1876 (Nov 4) Opened envelope to Port-Vendres, readdressed to Perpignan, dispatched at Chefoo showing "CUSTOMS/CHEFOO" cds on reverse, transferred to the French P.O. bearing 'Cérès' 80c and 1871 10c tête-bêche pair, tied by "5104" lozenges with "SHANG-HAI/CHINE" cds at left, French transits and receiving cds's on reverse; an extraordinary and unique cover as a result of the following features: the only item known bearing a tête-bêche -which is the most significant franking in the French mail in China- in conjunction with a pre-philatelic Chinese postmark; regardless of this fabulous combination, just four covers are recorded exhibiting the Chefoo cds in the stampless period of Chinese philately, this representing the earliest usage of a Customs cds in combination with France, and only about five covers are known bearing a tête-bêche (also featuring the perf. 'Empire' 80c) used in the French P.O.; the assembly of these characteristics make this, the most important item of the French mail in china, as well as a most desirable postal-history top rarity for the advanced collection of China, since this item can be considered as the most important Customs Post cover in the pre-stamp period; cert. J.F. Brun (2021), signed Pfenninger; (Yvert €25,000 for the French franking only).
Condition:
Yvert Y&T 57, 58c F
China & Japan (The Max J. Mayer Collection), France & Colonies (Palumbo Coll.)
Pre-Bid Auction
22% Buyers Premium
904
items listed
Petit-Lancy 1 1213
We are pleased to announce our upcoming Auction series will be held in Geneva from June 14th to June 19th, 2021. In addition to our traditional All World & Collections catalogue including important sections of Austria, Belgium, Persia, Egypt and Latin America, we will present five more specialized catalogues: Egypt with the 4th part of the Chalhoub Collection, Great Britain & British Empire, China & Japan, Russia and France & Colonies.
Similar items from this auction

PORTUGAL - Gazette des Absents n°20 pour Porto affranchissement Type Siège 40 centimes orange, oblitération étoile 17
Lot 50150
€2,800

1886-1903, Fascinante collection du bureau français de Zanzibar retraçant l'histoire philatélique et postale
Lot 50591
€15,000

1944-47, Y&T n°730/733 **, Marianne de Gandon, non dentelé en coin de feuille, SUP
Lot 50239
€320

1867, Lot de bleus, Empire Lauré 20 centimes bleu, pour planchage et recherche de variétés, d'après le vendeur 2'828
Lot 50472
€400

1898 (Sept 3) Envelope to Berlin bearing 1892-98 20pf (one short perf. at top), tied by "SHANGHAI" cds (3.9), with very
Lot 40203
€1,500