Lot 261

1938 (January 15), provisional usage of stamp duty adhesives as postage, cover from Victoria to London, England, airmail cover franked with block of six and two pairs of the 5c revenue stamps used provisionally for postage, all tied by Victoria, Hong Kong c.d.s. (15 Jan), struck with blue "BY AIR MAIL / PAR AVION" label, fresh and very fine, a desirable in-period usage and attractive franking; docketing on reverse indicates this cover was illustrated in Stamp Magazine.

A temporary shortage of low-denomination postage stamps led the colonial authorities to authorise the use of 5c revenue stamps for postal purposes for a strictly limited period of ten days, from January 11 to January 20, 1938.