INAUGURAL AUCTION

Canton,. 1877 (17 Jan) Canton to Moll, Belgium. Light but clear strike of “Customs Canton” origin cds on reverse. Cover bearing Hong Kong QV 18c lilac stamp, tied by ‘C1’ killer with Canton 17 Jan cds on reverse. Transit Hong Kong (17 Jan), Brindisi (22 Feb), to arrive Moll (25 Feb).  Opened out for display. Only 5 covers from Customs Canton prior to the Large Dragon issue were recorded, and this is the second earliest.      

廣州寄比利時, 蓋廣州関日戳發出, 經廣州英國郵局。大龍郵票發行之前, 僅見5件從廣州關發出郵件, 這是第2早的。