By: John Bull Stamp Auctions
lot # 5001 - Stephen Yen's Chihli Province Regional Collection China: Collections and Accumulations
1897 (Jan 29) Peking to Shanghai stampless cover, bearing a bluish circular CHINESE IMPERIAL POST OFFICE -PEKING POSTAGE PAID cachet, along with I.G. OF CUSTOMS Peking cds. On reverse showing brown Customs Shanghai arrival. The POSTAGE PAID cachet was prepared for use in the Imperial Post period (1897 Feb 2) due to the insufficient postage stamps supply in the new era, but this cover was mailed on Jan 29 before the establishment of Imperial Post. Showing a perfect example of the Chinese Post transited from Customs Post to Imperial Post. Cover folded in the middle and with some creases, still a wonderful item. VF-F.