Lot
653 
Hong Kong, 1925 Hong Kong by Sea to San Francisco. Then air to Chicago, cover bearing combination of Hong Kong KGV 10c, cancelled "Hong Kong 25 Mar 25", and US 2c Harding imperforate pair (Scott 611) plus 6c biplane pair (Scott C1), cancelled "U.S. Transpacific Sea Post S.F. No. 18 East Mar 28 1925" (MPS type E-2: #18: 1924-25), this duplex also tying Hong Kong stamp. Manuscript "Via airmail from San Francisco to Chicago" and with purple "Over - Night Air Mail Service" also hand-stamped on US stamps and again below. On back: "San Francisco Calif Apr 21", and private "Apr 24 Rec'd". Crewe records a Hong Kong 36c rate by sea to US, then onward transmission by air, effective 1927. This combination usage predates that recorded rate by two years, Very Fine, no other example has been seen. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $1,100