# Hong Kong Type AA1
#### Universal Postal Frankers, Ltd. "Midget".

    The Midget could print a selected number of values values, each up to a maximum of 25 times the unit value. Machines used in Hong Kong had a unit value of 1c so could print a maximum value of 25c, though see notes for M6.
    9 machines are known, numbered M1-M7, M9 and M20. They were distributed by Lane Crawford, Ltd., acting as agents for UPF.
    Value dies were originally engraved by Huggins, Geyer & Coleman, Ltd., London. From the number of dies dispatched to Hong Kong, it is possible that a tenth machine was also issued.
AA1.M1 (FV-3).
    A. Lane, Crawford Ltd. Known 11 XII 29 - 18 IV 41
       TM: DC "VICTORIA / HONG · KONG"
       Values:
          2c known 11 XII 29 - 7 III 41
          3c known 7 VII 34 - 7 III 41
          4c known 16 VII 30 - 9 VIII 30
          10c known 3 I 38 - 18 IV 41
          NOTE: The 3c and 10c dies were replacements and have a sans-serif "1" in the meter number.
       Slogans:
          A. LANE, CRAWFORD LTD. for things worth having. (Image shows a photocopy - actual slogan would be red)
             Known 11 XII 29
          B. Try LANE CRAWFORD LTD. First
             Known 11 VI 30 - 3 IX 30
          C. A bigger selection at Lane Crawford Ltd.
             Known 7 VII 34 - 18 IV 41
AA1.M2 (FV-3).
    A. The Hong Kong Jockey Club. Known postally used on 3 X 31 only
       TM: DC "VICTORIA / HONG · KONG"
       Values:
          1c postally used examples not known
          2c known 3 X 31
          4c postally used examples not known
          NOTE: Proofs of the 1c, 2c and 4c are known dated 2 X 29.
       Slogans:
          A. LANE, CRAWFORD LTD. ESTABLISHED 1850
             Examples are known only on proofs dated 2 X 29.
          B. QUALITY FOR QUALITY LANE CRAWFORD LTD. ARE CHEAPER (Image shows a photocopy - actual slogan would be red)
             Examples are known only on proofs dated 2 X 29.
          C. A bigger selection at Lane Crawford Ltd. (Image shows a photocopy - actual slogan would be red)
             Examples are known only on proofs dated 2 X 29.
AA1.M3 (FV-3).
    A. The Dairy Farm Ice & Cold Storage Company, Limited. Known 20 XII 29 - 11 VII 41
       TM: DC "VICTORIA / HONG · KONG"
       Values:
          1c known 20 XII 29 - 28 V 41
          4c known 12 IV 39 - 28 V 41
          10c known 2 VII 30 - 21 VII 41
          NOTE: Proofs of the 1c and 10c are known dated 2 X 29.
       Slogans:
          A. DAIRY FARM ICE CREAM Made its way by the way it’s made (Image shows a photocopy - actual slogan would be red)
             Examples are known only on proofs dated 2 X 29.
          B. DRINK FRESH MILK for HEALTH (Image shows a photocopy - actual slogan would be red)
             Examples are known only on proofs dated 2 X 29.
AA1.M4 (FV-3).
    A. W.R. Loxley & Co. (China) Ltd. Known 26 IX 32 - 12 VI 40
       TM: DC "VICTORIA / HONG · KONG"
       Values:
          1c known 26 IX 32 - 12 VI 40
          4c known ? V 33 - 12 VI 40
          6c known 16 III 33 - 12 VI 40
       Slogans:
          Not known on this machine
AA1.M5 (FV-3).
    A. Gilman & Co., Ltd. Known 12 XII 35 - ? V 41
       TM: DC "VICTORIA / HONG · KONG"
       Values:
          1c known 17 IX 36 - 4 XII 40
          2c known 13 XII 35 - 5 III 36
          4c known 12 XII 35 - 4 XII 40
          10c known 18 VI 36 - ? VI 41
          NOTE: Either the 1c or 10 are likely to be replacement dies.
          NOTE: Proofs of the 2c are known dated 2 X 29.
       Slogans:
          Not known on this machine
AA1.M6 (FV-5).
    A. The American Express Company Inc. Known 10 III 30 - 15 XI 41
       TM: DC "VICTORIA / HONG · KONG"
       Values:
          This machine initially printed in multiples of 1c:
             1c known 6 VI 36 - 22 VI 38
             4c known 26 I 31 - 22 VI 38
             10c known 10 III 30 - 16 IX 37
             20c known 26 I 31 - 28 VII 38
             ? fifth value not yet identified
          In late 1938 the machine was modified to print in multiples of 5c:
             5c known 27 III 39 - 19 V 41
             15c known 16 I 39 - 15 XI 41
             25c known 31 XII 38 - 19 V 41
             75c known 3 IV 41 - 6 VI 41
             $1.25 known 14 IV 39 - 15 XI 41
       Slogans:
          Not known on this machine
AA1.M7 (FV-5).
    A. The National City Bank of New York. Known 9 IV 30 - 17 XI 30
    B. The Mercantile Bank of India, Limited. Known 28 VII 30 - 14 VII 41
    NOTE: Both companies used the machine simultaneously, until NCBNY were issued with M9.
       TM: DC "VICTORIA / HONG · KONG"
       Values:
          1c known 17 XII 36 - 11 II 41
          2c known 8 V 30 - 11 III 32
          4c known 8 V 30 - 11 II 41
          10c known 9 IV 30 - 15 VII 41
          20c known 9 I 31 - 19 VII 41
          25c known 19 VIII 30 - 1 XI 30
          NOTE: The 20c was a replacement for the 25c die.
       Slogans:
          Not known on this machine
AA1.M9 (FV-5).
    A. The National City Bank of New York. Known 26 XI 30 - 1 II 37
       TM: DC "VICTORIA / HONG · KONG"
       Values:
          2c known 26 XI 30 - 1 II 37
          3c known 2 VI 31 - 1 II 37
          4c known 27 V 31 - 20 XI 34
          8c known 26 XI 30 - 13 IX 35
          14c known 26 XI 30 - 24 VII 36
       Slogans:
          Not known on this machine
AA1.M20 (FV-3).
    A. General Post Office. Known 26 XI 30 - 1 II 37
       TM: DC "VICTORIA / HONG · KONG"
       Values:
          1c one postally used example known, but date not shown
          2c postally used examples not known
          4c known 16 IV 30 - 18 IX 35
          NOTE: Proofs of the 1c, 2c and 4c are known dated 4 IV 29.
       Slogans:
          Not known on this machine