Lot
765 
Treaty Ports, 1907 Shanghai to Liege, Belgium. Large J. Heuvelmans & Co. envelope with KEVII 30¢ green & black tied by oval "Registered Shanghai, B.P.O., AP 6, 07" datestamp, paying 20¢ double rate for a ½-1oz. letter, plus 10¢ registration fee, circular "R" handstamp, nearly three years later use than recorded by Proud (R3: 13.6.79-1.9.04), this example fills in gap since Proud type R8 rectangular registration handstamp is not recorded until 24 Jan 1908, manuscript "Via Siberia" routing instruction; small cover tears at top, Very Fine. Scott No. 79 Estimate $200 - 300.
This is earliest known use of trans-Siberian RR for British mails, when service was restored after having been closed down since 1904, due to Russo-Japanese War. "Liege Valfurs 27 Avril 07" arrival cds confirms this cover went via Siberia, since there was a 21 day transit, very scarce, normal transiti of 30 days or so by ship.
Realized: $500