Philatelic Study Group:
Hong Kong Security Markings and Perfins
Group I : Printed Names
Compiled & augmented
by Philippe Orsetti & Peter Pugh
from an original list provided by the
Hong Kong Study Circle
and from information received from members and collectors.
(First publication October 1992, 10th revision as of January 31, 2008)
       
Note 1: Names are recorded the way they are struck,  i.e. capital or lower-case letters,
space or not space between Hong and Kong and fonts as similar as possible.
However, if a name is preceded by (**), it means that the authors have not seen the marking
and only the name has been recorded, regardless of the exact way it appears.
Note 2: An S in the first column (S) indicates that a scan of this marking is displayed on the website.
Note 3: The column (Known) indicates that the marking is known on cover (C), on document (D),
on postcard (PC), on postal stationery card (PS), on piece (P), or on wrapper (WR)..
Note 4: In addition to their primary function of being a "Security Marking", full name firm's markings struck on postage stamps
could have been used for one or several purposes at the same time, such as:
- Cancel late mail
- Forwarding
- Return address
- Fiscal matters
For completeness, we have attempted to record all the firm's names with an indication of their specific function when possible.
When it is conclusive that a marking was used for fiscal reason only, it is highlighted in red for convenience.
When a security marking has been found used for fiscal purposes also, it is highlighted in blue.
S       Type Size Frame   Name      Letters Source          Dates Known Remarks
Height Color earliest  latest
S 1 34x23 double oval ALEX. ROSS & Co / * HONG KONG * 2 purple HK 1903 1906 C also as red cachet
S 1A       x5 unframed ADAMSON ……… 5 violet QV
16x4 AMOY. (see 105d Pasedag & Co.) 4 violet
S 1B 42x28 Triple oval ARATHOON APCAR / … 2.5 violet HK QV
S 1C 40x31 Triple oval ARNDT & Co. / 38 Queen's Road Central, Hongkong / x x x x 2 violet HK 1909 PS 4 Chinese characters in centre
S 2 33x13 double oval ARNEMANN & Co./ * HONG KONG * 2.5 black HK 1865 C serif, earliest marking
S 2A 30x18 Triple oval ARTACHO & Co.   * HONGKONG * 3 violet HK 1899 C
S 3 30x20 double oval ARNHOLD, KARBERG & Co 1 violet HK 1898 empty centre
a 30x20 double oval (**) Arnhold Karberg & Co. HK 2.5 blue HK 1888 short spikes on oval
S b      x3 unframed ARNHOLD, KARBERG & Co 3 violet KE fiscal
S c      x2 unframed Arnhold Karberg & Co 2 black HK B62 Script letters 3.5 x 2
S 3A 30x13 unframed ARTHUR LISFRANC / Rue du Consulat 29 / SHANGHAI 5 violet 1903 On PS
S 3B    x3 unframed THE ASIATIC PETROLEUM 3 violet KGV
4 O 21 double circle ATICK * HONGKONG * 2 black HK serif, 2 Chin. char.in centre, also fiscal
S 5 O 22 double circle AUGUSTINE HEARD & CO. / (Date) / Hong Kong 2 blue HK 1867
S a 28x16 oval Augustine Heard & Co- / Hong Kong / * red HK B62
S 6 42x29 Triple oval The Bank of China & Japan, Ltd.. / (date) / HONG KONG 2 violet HK 1895 1901 date in centre, also fiscal
a 42x29 Triple oval The Bank of China & Japan, Ltd.. / (date) / HONG KONG 3.5 violet HK 1898
b 42x29 Triple oval The Bank of China & Japan, Ltd.. / (date) / HONG KONG 3 green HK 1895 1899
S c 49x28 Triple oval The Bank of China & Japan, Limited. / (date) / HONG KONG 1.5 violet HK 1897 date in centre, higher J
S d 55x30 Triple oval The Bank of China & Japan, Ltd.. / (date) / HONG KONG 2 purple HK 1900 date in centre
S e 38x25 double oval THE BANK OF CHINA AND JAPAN  x  HONGKONG  x 3 violet fiscal
S 6A       x 3 unframed BANK OF COMMERCE 3 black HK B62
7 50x26 double oval (**) Bank of India Ltd. 2 violet HK QV KE
8 unframed (**) Bank of Taiwan 4 KE
S a 30x40 triple oval THE BANK OF TAIWAN, LTD  / DATE /  * HONG KONG * 3 violet 1906 1911 probably fiscal
S 9 40x20 double oval BANQUE DE L'INDO-CHINE / * AGENCE DE HONG-KONG * 3 blue HK QV KGV fiscal
S a 40x20 double oval BANQUE DE L'INDO-CHINE / * AGENCE DE HONG-KONG * 3 violet HK QV KGV
S b 53x4 unframed BANQUE DE L'INDO-CHINE 4 violet HK 1902
S 9A 30x3.5 unframed BARFLEUR 3.5 violet HK 1898 C
S 10 10x11 unframed BARLOW / TRACTORS 2.5 blue 1900
S 10A 50x24 Triple oval F. de P. BARROS  * HONGKONG * 3 violet HK 1900 1902 PS empty centre, serifed name
S a 50x24 Triple oval F. de P. BARROS  * HONGKONG * 3 blue HK KE empty centre, serifed name
S 11 47x24 Triple oval BASEL MISSION / * HONGKONG. * 3 red HK 1901 1902 C,PC,PS also on postal statio.
S a 50x23.5 Triple oval BASEL MISSION / * HONGKONG * 3 violet HK 1905 1906 C
S b 43.5x23 double oval Basel-Mission-House / *   HONGKONG   * 3 violet HK 1886 On PS
S c 37x3 unframed BASEL MISSION … 3 violet HK QV 1911
12 unframed (**) BASTO   (CRUZ BASTO) 2 black KE gum side
12A 44X24 double oval BERBLINGER & Co.  * HONGKONG * 2 violet HK 1913 on PS, serif, spikes
S 12B 41x25 triple oval B.& F. BIBLE SOCIETY / SHANGHAI. / * CHINA AGENCY * 2.5 violet Shanghai 1895 on PS
S 13 28x18 double oval F. BLACKHEAD & Co. / * HONG KONG * 2.5 violet HK 1894 1896 PS,PC Ornament in centre
a 32x23 double oval (**) F. Blackhead & Co. 2.5 black HK PS
S 13A 26x7 unframed Ea. BOECK, / Hongkong. 2 violet HK 1899 PS on postal stationary
S 14 2x35 unframed THE BORNEO COMPANY 2 blue HK B62 see similar marking in revenue list
S 15 30x18 double oval BOWER, HANDBURY & Co / SHANGHAE 2 black Shanghai S1 Shanghae between ovals
S a 35x15 double oval BOWER HANDBURY & Co / SHANGHAE 2.5 black Shanghai 1869 Shanghae in centre, serif
S 15A 36x21 double oval BOYD & CO * AMOY * 2.5 violet Amoy KE
S 16 30x3 unframed BRADLEY & Co. 3 violet HK QV 1900
S a unframed BRADLEY / & Co. 2 red HK B62 1899
S 16A 26x5 unframed BROWN & Co. 3 red Amoy 1889
S a 26x5 unframed BROWN & Co. 3 red Shanghai 1889
S 16B 35x4 unframed BRISTOL MYERS Co. Ld 4 violet HK 1927 on KGV
BUSCHMANN & MENZELL (see HARLING,  BUSCHMANN & MENZELL)
17 double oval (**) Butterfield & Swire red
S a 38x11 unframed BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE / HONGKONG. 4 violet HK 1900 serif on HONGKONG only
S b O 25 double circle BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE / * HONGKONG * 3 violet HK 1909 C flower design at bottom
S c O 27 double circle BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE / AMOY 3 violet Amoy 1899 AMOY in centre, probably fiscal
d 42x30 triple oval (**) Butterfield & Swire / date / HK 2.5 purple HK 1912
S e O 44 triple circle BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE / * HONGKONG * 4 purple KE
S f O 35 triple circle BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE / * HONGKONG * 2 purple KGV Fiscal
S g 44x27 double oval BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE / date / * SWATOW * 2 purple Swatow 1895
S 17A 34x20 double oval … CAMPO Y CA /   AMOY 2 violet HK QV empty centre
18 oval (**) Canadian Pacific Railways
S 18A O 24 double circle CARL MITTELL . * HONGKONG * 2 violet HK 1903 1906 PS On postal Stationery, empty centre
19 circle (**) Carlowitz & Co.
S a 38x2.5 unframed CARLOWITZ & CO. 3.5 violet QV KE Struck on gum side, no serif
S b 43x2.5 unframed CARLOWITZ & CO. 2.5 violet HK 1897 Struck on either side, serif, fat Z base 2.5mm
S b1 43x2.5 unframed CARLOWITZ & CO. 2.5 violet HK 1897 Struck on either side, serif, thin Z base 2mm
S c 55x4 unframed CARLOWITZ & CO. 4 violet HK 1899 Struck on gum side, serif
d 12x7 unframed CARLOWITZ & CO. 2 violet HK KE
S d1    x4 unframed CARLOWITZ & CO. 4 red HK no serif
S e triple oval CARLOWITZ & Co. * HONG KONG. 3 violet HK QV centre not empty
S f 27x17 double oval CARLOWITZ & Co. / HONGKONG 2.5 blue HK 1886 PS centre empty, serif, on postal stat.
S g 38x32 double oval CARLOWITZ & Co. / HONGKONG 2.5 violet HK QV Chinese Character in centre
S h unframed CARLOWITZ & CO. 3 violet HK 1895 Struck on back side, serif, thin large letters
S 20 unframed CARMICHAEL 5 violet HK QV 1899 serif
S 21 24x18 belt & buckle CENTRAL HOTEL / SHANGHAI. 2 Grey Shanghai 1895 PS on postal stationary
22 34x9 unframed CHARTERED BANK / HONGKONG (Full name: The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China) 3 blue HK 1901 1903 serif
S a 43x8 rectangle Chartered Bank, Hongkong. 1 violet QV KE fiscal
S b 34X15 unframed FROM / CHARTERED BANK / HONGKONG. 3 violet HK QV 1902 serif, also fiscal
S b1 34x9 unframed CHARTERED BANK / HONGKONG 3 violet HK 1901 1903 C serif
S c 25x5 rectangle Chartered Bank, Hongkong 1 violet QV probably fiscal
S 23 35x27 double oval CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA * AUSTRALIA & CHINA * HONG KONG 3 blue HK 1897 1903 HK across centre, fiscal
S a 43x24 double oval CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA, AUSTRALIA & CHINA.  *   (Date in centre) 2 violet HK 1897 1910 date across centre, probably fiscal
b 43x24 double oval (**) Chartered Bank of India, Aust.& China 1.5 violet HK 1897 1903 date across centre
S c 42x26 double oval CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA AUSTRALIA & CHINA.* HONGKONG * 2.5 blue Foochow QV 1902 empty centre
S c1 42x26 double oval CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA AUSTRALIA & CHINA. 2.5 violet QV KE empty centre, probably fiscal
S d 43x19 unframed CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA / AUSTRALIA & CHINA / HONGKONG 2.5 blue HK QV 1899 semi-circle
S e 43x19 unframed CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA / AUSTRALIA & CHINA / HONGKONG 2.5 blue Shanghai QV 1896 semi-circle
f 43x19 unframed CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA / AUSTRALIA & CHINA / HONGKONG 2.5 blue Foochow QV semi-circle
S g 43x19 unframed CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA / AUSTRALIA & CHINA / HONGKONG 2.5 b.bl.v   QV semi-circle, Fiscal
S h double oval CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA  (....?) 2 black ship cancel
S i 23x13 double oval CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA * AUSTRALIA & CHINA * HONGKONG 1 violet HK KE HK in centre, fiscal
S j 35x24 double oval CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA * AUSTRALIA & CHINA * FOOCHOW 2.5 Red Foochow QV(F!) Foochow in centre
S k 35x24 double oval CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA * AUSTRALIA & CHINA * FOOCHOW 2.5 violet Foochow 1888 Foochow in centre
S l 35x24 double oval CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA * AUSTRALIA & CHINA * FOOCHOW 2.5 blue Foochow 1888 Foochow in centre
S m 52x34 double oval CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA AUSTRALIA & CHINA. 3 blue figures in centre
S 24 45x26 double oval CHARTERED MERCANTILE BANK OF INDIA, LD. * HONG KONG * 2 violet HK 1898 1910
S a 30x18 double oval CHARTERED MERCANTILE BANK OF INDIA, LIMITED * SHANGHAI 1.5 violet Shanghai 1899
S a1 35x22 triple oval CHARTERED MERCANTILE BANK OF INDIA, LIMITED * SHANGHAI 2.5 violet Shanghai 1897
S b 40x24 double oval CHARTERED MERCANTILE BANK OF INDIA, LONDON & CHINA  HONGKONG 1 violet HK QV
S c 44x29 double oval CHARTERED MERCANTILE BANK OF INDIA, LONDON & CHINA  HONGKONG 2.5 violet HK QV also fiscal
S d 43-28 oval CHARTERED MERCANTILE ..................... - HONGKONG - 2 violet HK QV empty centre
S e 40x9 double oval CHARTERED MERCANTILE BANK OF INDIA, LIMITED * YOKOHAMA 2.5 red HK B62
S 25 unfram. Circle CHEN TAI CHEN …… 2 blue Amoy 1900
S 26 O 37.5 double circle CHINA AND JAPAN TELEPHONE COMPANY LTD 3 violet HK 1900 1901 HONGKONG / EXCHANGE in centre
S 26A 39x25 double oval CHINA EXPORT-IMPORT-& BANK.Co.  / HAMBURG-SHANGHAI / date / * HONGKONG * 2 violet HK 1891 on PS
S 26B      x2.5 unframed China Religious Group 2.5 violet Hankow QV
S 26C 40x26 triple oval CHINA INLAND MISSION / date /  *  CHEFOO  * 2 violet Chefoo 1918 On China overprint PC
triple oval CHINA TRADERS INSURANCE C0. (see Group V-7) 2.5 violet HK 1897 1898 Probably same marking as V-7
27A 40x23 triple oval THE CHINA MAIL  * HONG KONG * 2 violet HK 1906 C centre 5 chin. char.
S 28 12x7 unframed CHINESE / MAIL 2 violet HK KE
S a 12.5x9 unframed CHINESE / MAIL 3 red HK KE
S b 12.5x9 unframed CHINESE / MAIL 3 violet HK KE
29 double oval (**) Commercial Bank of China
S 30 double oval COMMERCIAL UNION INSURANCE Co. 2 purple HK QV serif
a unframed (**) Commercial Union Insurance Co. 2.5 purple HK QV
S 30A 36x21 double oval COMPTOIR D'ESCOMPTE DE PARIS  * AGENCE DE HONG KONG * 2.5 blue QV serif, prob. Fiscal, empty centre
S a    x3.5 unframed COMPTOIR NATIONAL D'ESCOMPTE DE PARIS 3.5 violet QV probably fiscal
31 O 33 double circle COMPAGNIE DES MESSAGERIES MARITIMES / AGENCE / DE / HONG KONG 2 black HK KE HK 3mm, fiscal
S a O 33 double circle COMPAGNIE DES MESSAGERIES MARITIMES / AGENCE / DE / HONG KONG 2 blue HK QV HK 3mm, fiscal
S b O 33 double circle COMPAGNIE DES MESSAGERIES MARITIMES / AGENCE / DE / HONG KONG 2 violet HK QV HK 3mm, fiscal
S 31A 40x20 triple oval CONNAUGHT HOTEL  *  HONG KONG  * 2 purple QV serif, prob. Fiscal, empty centre
S a 56.5x4 unframed CONNAUGHT HOTEL 4 violet HK KE PC
32 23x11 unframed (**) J. Cooper / Estate Agent / Shanghai 2 purple Shanghai 1893
S 32A 34x3 unframed CORNABE & Co. 3 purple Shanghai 1891 1892 diagonal up
S 32B 30x20 double oval CRUZ BASTO & Co 2 violet Canton KE 1907
S a 30x23 double oval CRUZ BASTO & Co 2.5 violet HK KE
33 38x22 double oval (**) Curtis Bros / Chefoo 2 1907 4 chinese char.
S 33A 25x25 diamond DAKIN / CRUICKSHANK / &  CO. / LIMITED / AMOY 5 violet HK 1896
S a 25x25 diamond DAKIN / CRUICKSHANK / &  CO. / LIMITED / AMOY 5 violet Amoy 1895
S b 35x1.5 unframed DAKIN CRUICKSHANK &  CO. 1.5 violet probably fiscal
S 34 triple oval DAILY PRESS ..... 2 violet HK B62
S 34A 38x23 triple oval DARTLY & CO * HONGKONG * 2 violet HK 1901 1902 HK serif, chin. char.
35 37x21 double oval David & Co. / Shanghai purple Shanghai 1899 Centre: Chinese char.
S 36 39x23 double oval DAVID SASSOON & Co. Ltd / HONGKONG. 2 purple HK 1909 date in centre
S 37 23x3.5 unframed DEACON & Co/ 3.5 violet Canton 1895 1902 Co with bar under o
S a 23x3 unframed DEACON & Co 3 violet Canton 1894 1896 Co on same line
S b 44x4 unframed DEACON & CO 4 violet Canton 1896 Struck on gum side
S c 44x4 unframed DEACON & Co. 4 violet HK 1894 1901
S d 13x2 unframed DEACON & CO. 2 violet Canton 1900 1903
S e   x3 unframed DEACON & Co. 3 violet HK 1895  
f 45x9 unframed DEACON & Co. / CANTON 3 violet Canton QV
S g 36x8 unframed DEACON & Co. / CANTON 3 purple Canton 1894 1902 CANTON offsett to right
S h 30x15 double rect. DEACON & Co. / CANTON 3 purple Canton QV 1908 rectangles with cut corners
38 42x24 double oval (**) Deacon Edwards 2.5 purple HK
39 oval (**) Deacon & Hastings
40 27x17 double oval DEUTSCH-ASIATISCHE BANK * HONGKONG * 2 violet Shanghai QV
S a 40x21 triple oval DEUTSCH-ASIATISCHE BANK * HONGKONG * 2 violet HK 1900 12 perf.star
S b 30x22 triple oval DEUTSCH ASIATSCHE BANK * HONGKONG * 2.5 violet HK 1910 also fiscal
S c 30x22 triple oval DEUTSCH-ASIATISCHE BANK * HONGKONG * 2.5 red HK   fiscal ?
S d 33x21 triple oval DEUTSCH ASIATISCHE BANK * HONGKONG * 1.5 violet HK 1900
S d1 33x21 triple oval DEUTSCH ASIATISCHE BANK * HONGKONG * 1.5 blue Shanghai 1900
S e 58x4 unframed DEUTSCH-ASIATISCHE BANK 4 violet QV large serif, fiscal ?
S f     x3 unframed DEUTSCH-ASIATISCHE BANK 3 violet QV no serif, fiscal ?
S g 21X13 unframed DEUTSCH-ASIATISCHE / HONGKONG / BANK 2 embossed KE embossed marking. Fiscal.
S h 35x23 triple oval DEUTSCH-ASIATISCHE BANK * HONGKONG *  (associated with DAB perfin) 2.5 violet QV fiscal, possibility of one Chinese Char.in centre
S 40A double oval T….../ DISPENSARY / N..  …/ AMOY 1.5 violet Amoy QV
S 41 32x3 unframed DODWELL & Co., Ltd 3 violet Foochow 1904 1906 serifs
S a      x4 unframed DODWELL & CO ……. 4 violet QV no serif, fiscal?
S b 41x3.5 unframed DODWELL & CO ……… 3.5 violet Foochow 1904 1906 serifs
S 42 32x16 double oval DOUGLAS.LAPRAIK & CO / HONGKONG 2.5 black HK QV serf, empty centre, probably fiscal
S a unframed DOUGLAS  LAPRAIK & CO 4 violet Shanghai QV
S 42A 38x22 double oval DUNN MELBYE & Co / HONGKONG 3 violet HK 1886
S 42B O 24 triple circle EAST ASIATIC TRADING CO. * HONGKONG * 2 violet QV KE no serif, also fiscal
S a 63x4 unframed EAST ASIATIC TRADING COMP. 4 violet HK QV 1905 serif
unframed EBERHARD A.R.     (See ROESE  # 114)
44 unframed (**) Eckford & Co. 2.5 WeiHW QV/KE Cornabe successors
S 45 42x24 double oval C.C. EDWARDS & CO.  *  AMOY  * 2.5 violet Amoy
S a 42x24 double oval C.C. EDWARDS & CO.  *  AMOY  * 2.5 red Amoy
S 45A ….x3.5 unframed EDOUARD SCHELLHASS 3.5 violet HK 1895 serif
46 unframed Einstmann & Co.  (see  Lutgens Einstmann & Co, # 88a)
S 46A 25x10 unframed ELLIOTT & Co. /  / SHANGHAI 3.5 purple Shanghai S1 serif
S a 25x10 unframed ELLIOTT & Co. /  / SHANGHAI 3 violet Shanghai S1 no serif, thick letters
S 46B 42x3 unframed ELLIS & ELLIS. 3 violet HK KE serif
S 46C 19x7 rectangle English…….. 3 violet QV script
S 47 15x7 rectangle Equitable / Life 1.5 violet HK 1901 1905 script, serif
S a 15x7 rectangle Equitable / Life 1.5 violet Shanghai 1901 1903 script, serif
S 48 38x23 double oval THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE / HONGKONG / SOCIETY OF THE US 2.5 violet HK 1898 also fiscal
S 49 34x24 double oval ERICH GEORG & Co. * HONGKONG * 3 purple HK 1909 C,PS empty centre
S a 34x24 triple oval ERICH GEORG * HONGKONG * 3 black HK 1898 1903 PC no "& Co."
S 50 O 18 double circle ERRINGTON & MARTIN  *  * 1.5 Stamp dealer from UK., centre with of without address
51 semi circle (**) Ewe, Siew, Boon & Co. Amoy 3 red Amoy 1902
52 unframed (**) Executors of John Kennedy
S 53 23x18 unframed Oscar Falke / Fulda. / (ornament) 4 violet Shanghai 1896 PS on PS
S 53A 35x22 triple oval FURMEISTER. K …. / * SHANGHAI * 2 violet Shanghai QV 1903 Chinese char. In centre
S 53B double oval J. GA….. / HONGKONG 2 violet empty centre
S 53C double oval THE GERMAN DISPENSARY  /  MEDICAL HALL, HONGKONG black 1900 Chinese char. In centre
54 23x4 unframed Gibb, Livingston & Co. 4.5 purple HK
S a 38x22 triple oval GIBB, LIVINGSTON & Co. * HONGKONG * 2 violet Shanghai 1895 centre chin. char.
S a1 38x22 triple oval GIBB, LIVINGSTON & Co. * HONGKONG * 2 violet HK 1895 centre chin. char.
S b     x15 double oval GIBB, LIVINGSTON & Co. * HONGKONG * 1.5 violet QV centre horizontal line, probably fiscal
55 40x23 double oval (**) G.Girault & Co. 3 black HK QV