1c Blue (264). Two, used on opposite sides of unsevered 1c + 1c Black on Buff, Paid Reply Postal Card (UY1), first tied by "Milwaukee Wis. Apr. 5 10:30AM 97" duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel and addressed to Canton, China, Tacoma Wash. (Apr. 12), Hong Kong (May 18) and Canton (May 19) datestamps, second addressed to Milwaukee Wis. with 1c stamp tied by indistinct handstamp, readable strike of "Customs Canton Jun. 1, 1897" double-circle datestamp, Hong Kong (Jun. 2), Vancouver (Jun. 30) and Milwaukee (Jul. 3) datestamps, some slight wear

VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE UNSEVERED PAID REPLY POSTAL CARD FROM MILWAUKEE TO CANTON, CHINA, AND THEN BACK TO MILWAUKEE, WITH THE CANTON CUSTOMS DATER MARKING.

The Paid Reply postal cards were intended to be separated after the first use. This intact use, which traveled from Milwaukee to Canton and back, is remarkable.

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2c Blue on Buff Postal Card (UX6). Cancelled by "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai Apr. (27?) 97" 1897 duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel, addressed by Reverend Amzi C. Wright to his father, A. M. Wright, in Rialto, California, message side datelined "Yang Chow Apr. 24", clear but lightly inked strike of brown "Customs Chinkiang Apr. 25 97" double-circle datestamp and bold brown "Customs Shanghai Apr. 26 1897" double-circle datestamp, "San Francisco Cal. Paid All May 22, 1897" circular datestamp struck partly over Chinkiang marking

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE CHINKIANG AND SHANGHAI CUSTOMS POST DATESTAMPS ON A POSTAL CARD SENT VIA THE UNITED STATES POSTAL AGENCY IN SHANGHAI. THIS CARD COMES FROM THE REVEREND WRIGHT CORRESPONDENCE.

Reverend Amzi C. Wright and his second wife, Hattie, were American missionaries in Yangchow, arriving in 1896. He had previously served as president of the University of Nanking. A group of five 2c postal cards from the Wright correspondence reached the market through Interasia Auctions in January and July 2010. Please see lots 709-712 for the other four cards with Imperial dollar daters.

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5c Chocolate (270). Horizontal strip of three, used with horizontal strip of five and two singles of China 1897 5c on 5c Dull Orange (32), latter tied by clear strikes of "Customs Foochow May 7 97" double-circle datestamp on cloth-lined blue cover with "United States Consulate" imprint at top left and blue "United States Consulate Fuchau, China. May 7, 1897" double-circle datestamp, to Mrs. William C. Hixson, Longview, Texas, U.S. stamps placed on top of some of the Chinese stamps and tied by "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai May 14 8PM 97" duplex datestamp and oval grid cancels, brown "Customs Shanghai May 10 1897" double-circle datestamp on back, San Francisco (Jun. 6) and Longview (Jun. 11) backstamps, stamps and cover with some faults, still presentable, a rare use sent from the U.S. Consulate in Foochow through the Customs Post to Shanghai where the U.S. stamps were applied and sent through the U.S. postal system to Texas--our estimate takes condition into account

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5c Chocolate (270). Horizontal strip of three, used with five of China 1897 5c on 5c Dull Orange (32), latter tied by clear strikes of "Customs Foochow Jun. 25 97" double-circle datestamp on cloth-lined blue cover with "United States Consulate" imprint at top left, "United States Consulate Fuchau, China. Jun. 25, 1897" double-circle datestamp and magenta manuscript directive "Per U.S. Post", to Mrs. William C. Hixson, Longview, Texas, U.S. stamps placed on top of the Chinese stamps and tied by "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai Jun. 30 4PM 97" duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel, Shanghai backstamp, San Francisco and Longview backstamps struck faintly, stamps and cover have faults, still a very unusual use--our estimate takes condition into account

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5c Chocolate (270). Horizontal strip of three and single, tied by "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai Jun. 2 8PM 97" duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on cloth-lined gray cover with "United States Consulate" imprint at top left, "United States Consulate Fuchau, China. May 24, 1897" double-circle datestamp, to Mrs. William C. Hixson, Longview, Texas, clear strike of brown "Customs Foochow May 24 97" double-circle datestamp, "Customs Shanghai May 27 1897" double-circle datestamp on back, San Francisco (Jun. 27) and Longview (Jul. 2) backstamps, mostly intact red wax seal on back, stamps and cover with some faults, slightly reduced at left, still Fine, a rare use sent from the U.S. Consulate in Foochow through the Customs Post to Shanghai where the U.S. stamps were applied and sent through the U.S. postal system to Texas--our estimate takes condition into account

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5c Blue (185). Horizontal pair, tied by quartered cork cancels, "U.S. Postal Ag'cy Shanghai Jan. 24" (1883) circular datestamp on cover to Miss M. D. Huntington, Newburyport, Mass., red "Customs Hankow Jan. 20 83" and "Customs Shanghai Jan. 23 83" double-circle datestamps on back--carried on the Occidental & Oriental Steamship Co. Gaelic, arriving San Francisco February 22, 1883--magenta "San Francisco Pd. All Feb. 22" datestamp on back, barely reduced at left

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE HANKOW AND SHANGHAI CUSTOMS POST DATESTAMPS ON A COVER SENT VIA THE UNITED STATES POSTAL AGENCY IN SHANGHAI.

Illustrated in Customs Dater (1875-1913) on p. 63.

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5c Chocolate (223). Straight edge at top, tied by neat strike of "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai Jan. 21 11:30AM 92" duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on cover to Messrs. Henry C. Baird & Co., Philadelphia, "Customs Ichang C JA 6 92" datestamp on back with "92" year unchanged to the new year, next to blue "Customs Shanghai Jan. 6 1893" double-circle datestamp, "Philadelphia Rec'd. Feb. 22 6PM 93" datestamp on back, Very Fine, a rare use from Ichang to the United States through the Customs Post and U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai

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5c Blue (179). Cancelled by cork with "U.S. Postal Ag'cy Shanghai Apr. 13" (1877) circular datestamp on tissue cover to Miss Emmie L. Oakman, North Marshfield, Massachusetts, red "Customs Kiukiang Apl. 9 77" and red "Customs Shanghai Apl. 12 77" double-circle datestamps on back--carried on the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. City of Tokio, arriving San Francisco May 13, 1877--"San Francisco Cal. St.Shp. May 14" datestamp, some soiling around stamp from gum, small piece out at right where slightly reduced

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL BOLD STRIKE OF THE "CUSTOMS KIUKIANG" DOUBLE-CIRCLE DATESTAMP. THE USE OF THE KIUKIANG CUSTOMS POST DATESTAMP DURING THIS PERIOD IS EXTREMELY RARE ON COVERS SENT VIA THE UNITED STATES POSTAL AGENCY IN SHANGHAI.

Ex Canman and Bilden.

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10c Brown (150). Minor gum toned perfs, tied by circle of wedges cancel, "U.S. Postal Ag'cy Shanghai Jul. 26" (1877) circular datestamp on cover to Israel Oakman in North Marshfield, Massachusetts, perfectly clear strike of red "Customs Kiukiang Jul. 22 77" double-circle datestamp on back, sent by Customs Post to Shanghai--carried on the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. City of Peking, arriving San Francisco August 30, 1877--mostly clear strike of "San Francisco Cal. St.Shp. Aug. 31" circular datestamp

EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAR STRIKE OF THE "CUSTOMS KIUKIANG" DOUBLE-CIRCLE DATESTAMP ON A PRISTINE COVER. THE USE OF THE KIUKIANG CUSTOMS POST DATESTAMP DURING THIS PERIOD IS VERY DESIRABLE AND EXTREMELY RARE ON COVERS SENT VIA THE UNITED STATES POSTAL AGENCY IN SHANGHAI.

Illustrated in Customs Dater 1875-1913 (p. 88, fig. 12-7). Ex Mizuhara.

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Peking to Nagasaki via Tientsin and Forwarded Back to Peking. Cover with China 1878 3ca Brown Red, Wide Setting (2) with top selvage, light diagonal crease at bottom left, tied by blue Peking seal on cover to Hon. A. C. Jones, U.S. Consul to Nagasaki, care of the U.S. Consulate in Tientsin, China, blue "I. G. Customs Peking Oct. 22 82" double-circle datestamp on back, returned to Peking with "Customs Tientsin Oct. 23 82" double-circle datestamp on back, virtually intact red wax seal for "United States Legation China"

VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 3-CANDARINS LARGE DRAGON WIDE SETTING USED FROM THE UNITED STATES LEGATION IN PEKING TO TIENTSIN, AND THEN SENT BACK TO PEKING ENTIRELY THROUGH THE CUSTOMS POST.

The rate for Chinese postage was 3 candarins per half-ounce. This evidently was not charged postage for the return trip from Tientsin to Peking. According to Wikipedia, the recipent was a Confederate officer who was pardoned. He went to Mexico to serve under Emperor Maximilian until his regime fell. In 1880 he was appointed U.S. Consul in Nagasaki, and in 1886 he was transferred to the embassy in Chungking where he died in 1898.

Ex Sussex ("The Opening of China", Christie's Zurich Nov. 12, 1987). Illustrated in Whang Large Dragon census book (p. 290).

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5c Indigo (216). Rich color, some toning around perfs from gum, tied by black 4-bar grid cancel, purple "U.S. Postal Agency * Shanghai * 17 Oct. 90" double-oval datestamp on cover to Rev. E. E. Aiken, Rutland, Vermont, back of cover with China 1885 3ca Lilac (14), tied by blue Peking seal, matching blue "I. G. of Customs Peking Oct. 9 90", "Customs Tientsin Oct. 12 90" and "Customs Shanghai Oct. 17 90" double-circle datestamps on back, "San Francisco Paid All Nov. 13" and Rutland backstamps (also ties stamp), slightly reduced at right where small cover repair for cosmetic purposes

FINE. APPROXIMATELY 20 UNITED STATES AND SMALL DRAGON MIXED-FRANKING COVERS ARE REPORTED.

This mixed-franking cover is quite desirable with Customs Post datestamps of three different offices.

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5c Chocolate (223). Cancelled by 3-bar grid, clear strike of purple "U.S. Postal Agency * Shanghai * 10 Oct. 91" double-oval datestamp on cover to R. L. Belknap in New York City, used with China 1885 3ca Lilac (14) tied by blue Peking seal on back, matching blue "I.G. of Customs Peking Sep. 24 91", blue "Customs Tientsin Sep. 25 91" and brownish "Customs Shanghai Sep. 29 91" double-circle datestamps on back, "P.O. N.Y. 11-9-91" receiving datestamp struck on top of Peking datestamp, 5c stamp with some toning around perfs from gum

VERY FINE. APPROXIMATELY 20 UNITED STATES AND SMALL DRAGON MIXED-FRANKING COVERS ARE REPORTED.

With 2005 Sismondo certificate.

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5c Blue on White entire (U330). Cancelled by "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai Mar. 17 5PM 97" 1897 duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel, addressed to Sallie DuBose, Huguenot, Georgia, partly clear strikes of blue "I.G. of Customs Peking Mar. 9 97" double-circle datestamp and matching "Chinese Imperial Post Office Peking Postage Paid" triple-circle bilingual chop handstamp, backstamped with brownish "Customs Shanghai Mar. 15 1897" double-circle and "San Francisco Cal. Paid All Apr. 12 1897" datestamp, vertical crease at center of cover, otherwise Fine, the "Postage Paid" chops were used briefly from December 1896 to April 1897 before stamps of the Imperial Post were issued

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5c Blue (179). Trivial pulled perf at upper right, cancelled by circle of wedges with "U.S. Postal Ag'cy Shanghai Dec. 12" (1882) circular datestamp on cover to Miss M. D. Huntington, Newburyport Massachusetts, red "Customs Shanghai Nov. 28 82" double-circle datestamp on back--carried on the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. City of Peking, arriving San Francisco Dec. 30, 1882--"San Francisco Cal. Pd. All Dec. 30" backstamp, a few doodles on cover which appear to be a child's writing, Very Fine, scarce Shanghai Customs Post datestamp on cover sent through the U.S. Postal Agency

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5c Blue (185). Horizontal pair, tied between stamps by circle of wedges cancel with "U.S. Postal Ag'cy Shanghai Jul. 26" (1882) circular datestamp on cover to Mrs. M. H. Stevens, Washington D.C., brownish "Customs Shanghai Jul. 13 82" double-circle datestamp on back--carried on the Oriental & Occidental Steamship Co. Coptic, arriving San Francisco Aug. 28, 1882--"San Francisco Cal. Pd. All Aug. 28" backstamp, Washington D.C. and "Carrier Sep. 4 8 A.M." receiving backstamps, the back has clear gum residue of a strip of three China Large Dragon stamps which were removed before the Customs Post datestamp and other markings were applied, light soiling and bottom left corner clipped, still Fine and a fascinating "ghost mixed franking" usage, ex Spicer

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5c Yellow Brown (205). Three singles, two with straight edge, tied by "Logansport Ind. Jan. (3?) 1889" duplex datestamp and target cancel on cover to Edwin Denby, I.M. Customs, Peking, China, and forwarded to Macau, interesting sequence of backstamps including San Francisco (Jan. 11), purple "U.S. Postal Agency * Shanghai * 15 Feb. 89" double-oval datestamp, "Customs Shanghai Feb. 15 89" double-circle datestamp, Shanghai (Feb. 15) and Hong Kong (Feb. 19) British post office datestamps, and finally a "Macao FE 19" receiving backstamp, some edge tears and wear, still Fine, an exceedingly unusual cover which transited four different postal systems--U.S., China, Hong Kong and Macau

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1c Gray Blue (206). Used with two 2c Red Brown (210), originally stamped with one 2c at upper right, cancelled by purple target, matching "Newington Conn. Nov. 29, 1886" ("29" must be a dating error) octagonal datestamp on cover addressed to Edwin E. Aiken, Peking, China, Hartford Conn. backstamp (Nov. 23, so Newington was probably a day earlier), missent to Perking, California, purple "Perking Cal'a Nov. 30, 1886" circular datestamp, sent to the San Francisco post office where "Held for Postage" handstamp was applied and 1c and 2c stamps at lower left were affixed, light but readable "Short Paid--Deficit 3 Cents/Paid by Wm. C. Dougherty, Asst./P.M. San Francisco" three-line handstamp on back, stamps tied by "San Francisco Cal. Dec. 2 1230AM 86" duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel, purple "U.S. Postal Agency * Shanghai * 13 Jan. 87" double-oval and "Customs Shanghai Jan. 13 87" double-circle datestamps struck on back, red boxed "To Pay" handstamp for Customs Post postage from Shanghai to Peking, 1c stamp small faults from placement over edge of cover, otherwise Very Fine, an extraordinary cover and very rare use of "To Pay" handstamp on mail from the United States, ex Gough

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1c Ultramarine (212). Used with 2c Green (213), tied by "Hagerstown Md. May 18 230PM 1888" duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on 2c Green entire to J. F. Oisen, I.M. Customs, Shanghai, China, San Francisco (May 24) transit backstamp, purple "U.S. Postal Agency * Shanghai * 29 Jun. 88" double-oval and "Customs Shanghai Jun. 29 88" double-circle datestamps on back, faint gum toning, Very Fine, scarce inbound cover to China with Customs Post backstamp

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5c Indigo (216). Tied by "Boston Mass. Oct. 31, 1888 5PM" duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on cover to Rev. E. E. Aiken, Peking, China, purple oval mission society datestamp on back and matching "Via San Francisco" handstamp on front, Boston and San Francisco (Nov. 6) backstamps, purple "U.S. Postal Agency * Shanghai * 4 Dec. 88" double-oval and "Customs Shanghai Dec. 8 88" double-circle datestamps on back, red boxed "To Pay" handstamp for Customs Post postage from Shanghai to Peking, Very Fine, very rare use of "To Pay" handstamp on mail from the United States

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5c Indigo (216). Tied by "Boston Mass. Nov. 11 10-AM 1889" machine cancel on cover to Rev. Edwin E. Aiken, Peking, China, Boston and San Francisco (Nov. 16) backstamps, purple "U.S. Postal Agency * Shanghai * 17 Dec. 89" double-oval and partly readable "Customs Shanghai Dec. 18 89" double-circle datestamps on back, red boxed "To Pay" handstamp for Customs Post postage from Shanghai to Peking, slightly reduced at left, Fine, very rare use of "To Pay" handstamp on mail from the United States

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2c Carmine, Ty. III (267). Five, tied by bold strikes of "Emporia Kan. Jan. 27 11AM" (1897) duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on State Normal School illustrated corner card cover to John Fowler, U.S. Consul, Ningpo, China, blue crayon "Not at Ningpo", sequence of backstamps including San Francisco (Jan. 30), "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai Rec'd Mar. 1 12M 97", three strikes of brownish "Customs Post Shanghai" double-circle datestamp with different dates (Mar. 1, 3 and 8), and partly readable "Customs Ningpo Mar. 2 97" double-circle datestamp applied when cover was returned to Shanghai, small piece missing from upper left corner, still Very Fine, rare use of Ningpo Customs Post datestamp

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5c Chocolate (270). Straight edge at right, tied by "New-York P Aug. 2 1130AM 97" 1897 duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on European-size cover to W. W. Thorn, I.M. Customs, Shanghai, China, backstamped "U.S. Postal Agency, Shanghai Recd. Sep. 8 1130AM 97", brownish "Shanghai Customs Mail Matter" rimless oval handstamp, struck twice with one very clear, minor edge toning, Very Fine, members of the Customs service were permitted to send and receive mail without paying Customs Post postage, covers from the the United States are rarely seen with the "Mail Matter" markings

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5c Yellow Brown (205). Tied by 6-bar grid cancel, "U.S. Postal Agency * Shanghai * 22 Jan. 87" 1887 double-oval datestamp on cover to Miss Janette Nelson, Washington D.C., purple "U.S.S. Palos, Asiatic Station, 2 Jan. 87" double-oval datestamp on backflaps along with blue "Customs Tientsin Jan. 5 87" and "Customs Shanghai Jan. 15 87" double-circle datestamps, Washington D.C. (Feb. 27) and "Carrier" backstamps, Very Fine, the U.S.S. Palos cruised the Chinese and Japanese coasts, visiting the open treaty ports and making occasional voyages up the Yangtze and Canton Rivers

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1c Blue on Buff, Postal Card (UX6). Datelined "Peking Dec. 17th 1889" with a message from Mary Ketring, a missionary, to Azor Thurston, Grand Rapids, Michigan, requesting copies of a writing book, China 1888 1c Green (13), corner crease, tied by blue Peking seal, matching "I.G. of Customs Peking Dec. 17 89" double-circle datestamp on back, blue "Customs Tientsin Dec. 19 89" double-circle datestamp on front of card, backstamped "Customs Shanghai Jan. 2 1889" double-circle and San Francisco (Feb. 4) datestamps, some scuffs at lower left and a pencil note "There were two similar Chinese stamps used on the face of this card"

FINE APPEARANCE. DESPITE THE POSSIBILITY THAT ADDITIONAL SMALL DRAGON STAMPS ARE MISSING, THIS REMAINS AN EXTREMELY RARE MIXED FRANKING OF A UNITED STATES POSTAL CARD AND THE CHINA SMALL DRAGON ISSUE.

The Customs Post rate for a letter would have been 3 candarins, and it is possible this originally had two more 1ca stamps affixed at lower left. The circumstances of their removal are unknown.

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5c Chocolate (223). Horizontal pair, tied by "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai Feb. 10 330PM 93" 1893 duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on cover to Mrs. O. Lord, Ravenna, Ohio, sender's directive "Via San Francisco", used with China three 1888 1ca Green (13) and 3ca Lilac (14), tied on back by four strikes of blue Tientsin seal and also by matching blue "Customs Tientsin Jan. 23 93" double-circle datestamp, "San Francisco, Cal. Paid All Mar. 4" and Ravenna (Mar. 10) backstamps, gum toning affects all stamps, non-contemporary date written on front, edge faults and overall soiling, still quite presentable

FINE. APPROXIMATELY 20 UNITED STATES AND SMALL DRAGON MIXED-FRANKING COVERS ARE REPORTED, BUT THIS DOUBLE-RATE FRANKING IS CONSIDERABLY RARER AND MORE IMPRESSIVE.

The double 5c UPU rate indicates that the China Customs Post postage was also paid at twice the 3-candarins rate.

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1c Blue on Amber entire (U296). Cutting Packing Co. corner card, cancelled by "San Francisco Cal. Mar. (?) 93" 1893 duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel, blue typewritten address to Telge & Co., Tientsin, China, partly clear strike of red "Customs Tientsin Apr. 2 1893" double-circle datestamp, file fold not affecting stamp, Very Fine circular-rate use and very rare with Tientsin Customs Post datestamp

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1c Blue on White entire (U294). Cutting Fruit Packing Co. corner card, cancelled by "San Francisco Cal. Oct. 26 5PM 94" 1894 duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel, blue typewritten address to E. Detring, Tientsin, China, sender's magenta "CITY OF PEKING" ship-name directive handstamp, partly clear strike of red "Customs Tientsin Nov. 28 1894" double-circle datestamp, light folds at left, Very Fine, circular-rate use and very rare with Tientsin Customs Post datestamp, Detring was the Commissioner for Posts of the Imperial Chinese Customs and responsible to Sir Robert Hart for the creation of the Chinese Customs Post

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10c Brown on Amber entire (U190). Legal-size entire to Shanghai and Peking, China, with purple handstamped "UNION IRON WORKS" and manuscript "Jno. CH Ferguson" return address and "Per S.S. 'City of Rio de Janeiro'" ship-name directive, addressed to "H.E. - J.H. Ferguson, Netherlands Minister in China, c/o Netherlands consulate, Shanghai, China" with "Consulate" and "Shanghai" crossed out and redirected to Legation in Peking, "San Francisco Cal. Mar. 20 2PM 93" 1893 duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel, backstamped with wonderful sequence of markings including "U.S. Postal Agency, Shanghai Rec'd Apr. 19 4PM 93", blue "Shanghai Local Post" (Apr. 19 and 22), blue "Customs Tientsin Apr. 28 1893" and second strike with Apr. 29 date, finally blue "I.G. of Customs Peking Apl. 30 93" double-circle datestamp, Extremely Fine, a remarkable cover which involved the U.S. post office on the mainland and in Shanghai, the Shanghai Local Post and the Customs Post offices at Tientsin and Peking

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1c Deep Blue, Columbian (230). Deep rich color, straight edge at bottom, tied by "Meriden Conn. Jan. 18 430PM 93" 1893 duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel (18 days after first day of issue) on 1c Black on Buff, Postal Card (UX9) from Isaac Pierson to H. J. Bostwick, Tientsin, China, message regarding a piece of heirloom furniture, San Francisco (Jan. 23) backstamp, the front of the card bears an extraordinary array of markings including "U.S. Postal Agency, Shanghai Rec'd Feb. 17 10AM 93", "Customs Shanghai Feb. 20 1893" and blue "Customs Tientsin Mar. 6 93" datestamps, perfect strike of red boxed "To Pay" handstamp for Customs Post postage from Shanghai to Peking, blue crayon "2" probably applied at origin, Very Fine, an outstanding usage from several perspectives

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1c Dull Blue (219). Horizontal strip of five, well-centered, lefthand stamp has couple trivial faults, tied by three strikes of "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai Dec. 1 9AM 94" 1894 duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on cover with part-printed address to Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Association in New York City, embossed return card and red wax seal on flap, blue "Customs Tientsin Nov. 25 1894" and "Customs Shanghai Nov. 28 1894" double-circle datestamps, both partly clear strikes on back, San Francisco (Dec. 22) and New York (Dec. 27) backstamps, slightly wrinkled around edges, still Very Fine, scarce Customs Post cover

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50c Orange (260). Used with 5c Chocolate (255), both have characteristic unpunched perfs and bright shades of the 1894 unwatermarked issue, small faults, each tied by "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai Jun. 28 10PM 95" 1895 duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on blue cloth-lined cover with "United States Consulate at" imprint with "Tientsin, China" inserted by hand, addressed to Col. Frank G. Noyes, Nashua, New Hampshire, mixed franking (on back) with vertical top sheet-margin pairs of China 1894 Dowager Issue, 9ca Dark Green (22) and 24ca Carmine (24), cancelled by two strikes of blue Tientsin seal, 24c tied by matching "Customs Tientsin Jun. 24 1895" double-circle datestamp, "Customs Shanghai Jun. 27 1895" double-circle datestamp, "San Francisco, Cal. Paid All Jul. 25, 1895" and Nashua (Jul. 30) backstamps, the latter also tying stamps, opened out for display and partly cut down, but not affecting any stamps or markings, some wear and slight stain

A FINE AND MAGNIFICENT COVER FROM TIENTSIN, CHINA, TO THE UNITED STATES, WITH A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF DOWAGER ISSUE STAMPS AND THE UNITED STATES 1894 BUREAU ISSUE.

Based on the 55c U.S. postage, which paid the 11-times 5c per half-ounce UPU rate, this must have weighed between 5 and 51/2 ounces. It is opened up, and the Tientsin datestamp extends beyond the fold at bottom, above the imprint, which raises the question of how this was originally configured. In our opinion the envelope was unfolded by the sender at the U.S. Consulate and used as a package wrapper. The accompanying certificate issued by Peter Holcombe in 1996 states "as the piece is incomplete it is impossible to say, whether further stamps were on the original letter." We respectfully disagree. The 66-candarins postage perfectly dovetails with an 11-times 6-candarins rate, which included U.S. postage.

With 1996 Holcombe certificate.

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2c Carmine (220). Five, tied by "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai Mar. 23 4PM 95" 1895 duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on cover to Miss Annie H. Wilde, Montclair, New Jersey, used with China 1894 6ca Dark Brown (21) tied by two strikes of blue Tientsin seal, matching "Customs Tientsin Mar. 14 1895" and dark blue "Customs Shanghai Mar. 21 1895" double-circle datestamps on back, "San Francisco, Cal. Paid All Apr. 2, 1895" backstamp, New York and Montclair receiving backstamps, China stamp was cut out and previously mounted in a collection, the envelope was found in the same collection and reunited (note from Andrew Holtz accompanies), light adhesive stain frames the mended piece, Fine appearance, a rare double-rate mixed franking, our estimate takes condition into account

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5c Chocolate (270). Tied by "Ashland Ohio Dec. 4 830AM" (1895) duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on cover to Mrs. Rev. G. L. Williams, Taiku, Shanxi, China, sender's directive "Via San Francisco, Tien-Tsin", backstamped San Francisco (Dec. 8), Hong Kong (date unreadable), Shanghai (Jan. 11, 1896), turned over to Customs Post with "Customs Shanghai Jan. 11 1896" and blue "Customs Tientsin Jan. 25 1896" double-circle datestamps on back, red boxed "To Pay" handstamp for Customs Post postage from Shanghai to Taiku, some edgewear, still Very Fine, rare use

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5c Chocolate (270). Tied by "Terryville N.Y. Mar. 10, 1896" duplex datestamp and target cancel on cover to Dr. Edna G Terry, Tientsin, China, sender's directive "Via San Francisco", backstamped San Francisco (Mar. 15), Tacoma (Mar. 18) and "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai Rec'd Apr. 18 10AM 96" datestamps, red "Customs Tientsin Apr. 23 96" double-circle datestamp, gum toning, minor arithmetic notations, Fine, rare use of Tientsin Customs Post datestamp on inbound mail

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