2c Brown Violet, 3c Green, Columbian (231, 232). Each tied by "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai 26 Feb 3PM 00" 1900 duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on redband cover to C. Witt in Yonkers N.Y., blue "M. Breitenfeldt I.M.C. KiaoChow China" woodcut backstamp, originated in Kiaochow with China 1898 2c Scarlet (100) tied by "Kiaochow (20?) Feb. 1900" double-line oval datestamp, German Offices in China 1898 20pf Overprint, 45 Degree Angle (4a), tied by "Tsingtau Kiaotschou" circular datestamp (date unclear), San Francisco datestamp on back (March 22)

VERY FINE. A COLORFUL AND VERY UNUSUAL COVER FROM THE INSPECTOR OF CUSTOMS AT KIAOCHOW TO A NEW YORK CITY STAMP DEALER, WITH IMPERIAL CHINESE, GERMAN OFFICES IN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES COLUMBIAN COMMEMORATIVE ISSUES CREATING A PHILATELIST'S DREAM.

M. Breitenfeldt, the customs inspector at Kiaochow, is well-known for his philatelically inspired redband covers to contemporary dealers such as Maus and Witt. Examples of the Columbian Issue used from Shanghai cannot be found any other way, and they are rare.

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