On 18 January 2015 Spink China will be offering for sale "Fine Stamps and Covers of China and Hong Kong".

Amongst the highlights is a highly important cover of Mongolian Postal History (Lot 2879). This address label used in 1917 is from the Russian Post Office in Ulankom. It was sent by registered post to St. Petersburg. It is believed that this post office was only opened in 1917 and would have closed shortly after the October Revolution in Russia. This is the only recorded item of mail from this remote post office. This lot is estimated to sell for HK$500,000-700,00.

Lot 2879 

Before China joined the Universal Postal Union, mail to overseas countries needed a postage stamp of a U.P.U. country for the international delivery. To prevent the theft of the foreign stamp a special postmark was made, this is called a tie-print and consists of the letter "I.P.O." (Imperial Post Office). This was applied over the stamp and envelope to show that the envelope had been sent with a stamp on it. This special mark was required as the foreign stamps needed to be postmarked by the country it represented.

This envelope(Lot 2844), sent in 1901, is from Kongmoon to Haiphong and bears a Hong Kong 10c. stamp tied by the "I.P.O." tieprint. Not only is Kongmoon a small town with a very distinctive postmark, this is a very unusual and collectable postal route to Vietnam. The tie print is not a type which has been recorded before now. This is the only recorded "I.P.O." cover from Kongmoon and will create a lot of interest among collectors of postal history. Estimated Value of this lot is HK$60,000 - 80,000.

 Lot 2844.

For more information please contact Neil Granger or Tommy Chau:

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7563 4077 | Email: [email protected]

Tell: +852 3952 3000 | Email: [email protected]

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Spink is the world's leading auctioneer of stamps, coins, banknotes, medals, bonds & shares, autographs, books and wine.  Since its foundation in 1666, the Spink name has become synonymous with tradition, experience and integrity. Holder of royal warrants and numerous records for prices achieved at auction, Spink offers an unparalleled range of services to collectors worldwide.  Headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore, Spink holds over 70 auctions a year.  Catalogues can be accessed through the Spink website (www.spink.com) or via the Spink App for iPhone and iPad.