Lot 675
Hong Kong, 1936-40 KGV and KGVI Registered Letters. 5 covers; 1) to Bermuda, bearing full set of KGV Silver Jubilee, cancelled 16 JU 36, with "R Hong Kong B" registration label (Tsang type HKGB1: 1936-48), 2 nearly identical covers to Chicago, both cancelled 24 SP 38: 2) Bearing 15c, 30c, $1, and $10 (4 x $2.80 transpacific airmail rate + 25c registration fee). 3) Bearing 5c, 10c, 50c, $1, $2, and $5 (3 x $2.80 transpacific airmail rate + 25c registration fee), both covers to Chicago have "R Hong Kong A" labels affixed (Tsang type HKGA1: 1936-46), cancels on both of these covers, which are identified by their thick side-bars, were used earlier than recorded (Proud type R48: 7 Dec 38 - 4 July 41). A registration receipt accompanies one of these covers, also bearing the type R48 cds, and with a rectangular, framed "Air Mail" handstamp, Hong Kong Study Circle type 4a, earlier than recorded (1941-46), and earliest overall of these official "Air Mail" hand-stamps, 4) to Berlin, Germany, bearing 5c, 15c, 25c, and $1, paying the $1.20 per half ounce airmail rate to Europe plus 25c registration fee, cancelled 19 JA 39, and with "R Hong Kong A" label affixed (Tsang type HKGA2: only recorded used in Jan 1939, as this). Airplane logo and "Par Avion" struck out upon arrival of the aircraft at Marseille, then to destination by rail. 5) Opened out sideways envelope from Calcutta to New York bearing India KGVI 5 Rs., 3 As., and ½ As., cancelled "Calcutta GPO 5 - 21"? (sic 12) 40, with "R Calcutta" registration label, and Indian "Opened By Censor" resealing strips. "R.B. 32 General Post Office Hong Kong Officially Sealed" label affixed (Orsetti type 15, only recorded 12 May 41, torn in half on opening), and tied by "Registered GPO Hong Kong 13 De 40" cds. Purple "Honolulu Dec 23 1940" and "New York 1 - 2 1941" registry datestamps, Fine.Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $1,150