Sale 52: The Westpex Sale

Lot 314    

Japan, 1915-19 Matsuyama & Tokushima Camp Prisoner of War Correspondence, of 51 covers and cards from the end of 1911 to 1920, all from German officer Gerhard Schultz to Hans Shultz (likely brother) with most addressed to Frankfurt, Germany, early portion of correspondence before internment consisting of three cards; a postcard from Macau and two Offices in China postal cards sent in Canton in 1911, the prisoner of war correspondence consists of 44 covers and cards (19 covers and 25 cards) all endorsed "Service de Prisoniers de Guerre", earliest mail from Matsuyama Prison Camp from March 1915 to the end of 1916, Gerhard was then transferred to Tokushima Prison Camp where the prisoner correspondence continues from 1917 to December 1919, all covers include the original enclosures, one with real photo post card of Gerhard Schultz in dress uniform, another smaller picture enclosed in other letter, the correspondence with an array of camp censor handstamps and chops, censor tape items, with a later letter cut apart most likely due to an inappropriate message, various form cards and covers, etc., three later items includes a postcard sent from Sabang, Indonesia (on his return to Germany) and a cover and postal card sent in 1920 after his arrival back in Hamburg, Germany; most cover and cards in nice condition, few covers slightly rough opening at top, Very Fine overall, a truly remarkable and extremely rare intact WWI prisoner of war correspondence.
Estimate    $5,000 - 7,500.

At the outbreak of World War I, Japan participated in the war and attacked Tsingtao in China on the southern coast of the Shantung Peninsula which Germany leased at that time. About 5,000 defeated German soldiers were captured as prisoners-of-war (POW's) and they were sent to the POW camps at twelve locations in Japan. Out of 5,000, about 1,000 POW's from POW camps in Tokushima, Marugame and Matsuyama in the island of Shikoku.
Interned POW's were able to live voluntarily and freely as much as possible thanks to a highly humane administration policy established by Colonel Matsue, Director, and other personnel at the Camps. Bando POW Camp became a center of attention worldwide as a "model POW camp". Later, Bando POW Camp won the highest praise from POW themselves as they gave unreserved praise by saying, "Where else in the world 'Gefangenenlager' (POW camp) such as Bando could have existed?". Because of this, POW's took pride in their camp and even called themselves as "Bandoers".

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Lot 315    

Japan, Karl Lewis Covers, 1935-36, set of two different Mt. Fuji scene hand illustrated covers to Eureka, Cal., one with 1935 U.S.T.P. Seapost, S.S. Pres. Mc Kinley cds and other from the U.S. Pres. Grant in 1936, various frankings, Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $375

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Lot 316    

Japan, 1919, First Airmail Flight, 1½s-3s Complete, each tied two different unaddressed special multicolored air flight post cards by purple illustrated "8.10.4" cachet date stamps with additional strike on reverse, Very Fine.
Scott No. C1-C2    Estimate $400 - 600.

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Lot 317    

Korea, 1950, 150wn Green, tied by purple Seoul, Korea cds on airmail cover to Garden City, N.Y., Very Fine.
Scott No. C3    Estimate $500 - 750.

A Linn's article from July 2, 1979 describes this as one of the rarest stamps of Korea to find on cover, with one from a 1979 offering at auction realized $1,200.

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Lot 318    

Latakia, 1931, 50c-100p Airmails Complete, used on two matching registered airmail covers to Vienna, Austria via Beruit and Bologna, all tied by "Lattaquie, 19.XI.31" First Day of Issue cds's, registry etiquettes, Very Fine.
Scott No. C1, C3-C11    Estimate $200 - 300.

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Lot 319 o   

Liberia, 1892, 8¢ Brown & Black, Center Inverted, Monrovia town cancel, well centered, bold colors, Very Fine and scarce.
Scott No. 37    $500.

Realized: $180

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Lot 320    

Liberia, 1892, $5 Carmine & Black, Center Inverted, tied on piece by Monrovia town cancels, rich colors and choice centering, Extremely Fine.
Scott No. 49a    $400.

Realized: $180

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Lot 321 o   

Liberia, 1915-16, 50¢ on $2 Deep Green & Black, Solid Obliterator, neat Monrovia town cancel, rich deep colors, Very Fine, very scarce.
Scott No. 147    $800.

Realized: $140

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Lot 322    

Liberia, 1915, 2¢ + 3¢ on 10¢ Semi-Postals Complete, tied by neat "Monrovia, Liberia, 4 - XI 15" cds's on fresh cover to Dakar, Senegal, reverse with receiving cds, Very Fine, a lovely set on cover to this rare destination.
Scott No. B1-B2    Estimate $300 - 400.

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Lot 323 ()   

Liberia, 1936, 6¢ on 2¢ Violet, Surcharge Inverted, bottom stamp in vertical pair with normal, without gum, Very Fine, a very rare inverted surcharge variety; signed H. Bloch, Forester, Calves, with 1983 Friedl certificate.
Scott No. C1 var., C1    Estimate $750 - 1,000.

Realized: $675

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