COVERS OF THE 1897 ISSUE

The reform of the country brought to the establishment of a National Postal Service and the use of a new currency.
Since the Customs stamps with the old currency was invalid after 1896 and before a new issue of stamp is made available, the old Customs stamps were surcharged with the new denomination. These provisional stamps were used from 1897 to the early part of 1898, until that sufficient new Imperial Chinese Post stamps were available. The Customs post was also dissolved after the inauguration of the National Postal Service, but a few of the Customs cancellations remain in use by the Imperial post office until the 1900's. The following are a few examples of the provisional issue usage.

CUSTOMS CANCELLATION

COVER FROM HANKOW TO SHANGHAI

THE 2 cents SMALL NUMERAL SURCHARGE ON DOWAGER STAMP WAS CANCELED BY A JUN 19, 1897 CUSTOMS HANKOW DATE STAMP. A SHANGHAI DOLLARCHOP WAS APPLIED AT THE BACK OF THE COVER FOR RECEIVING.

DOLLARCHOP CANCELLATION

COVER SEND FROM CHUNGKING TO U.S.A.

THE 10 cents LARGE NUMERAL WITH WIDE SPACING STAMP WAS CANCELED BY A CHUNGKING DOLLARCHOP OF 18 NOV 1897. ALSO A FRENCH POST OFFICE IN CHINA STAMP WAS ADDED FOR THE OUT GOING POSTAGE.

PA-KAU CANCELLATION

COVER SEND FROM TIENTSIN TO SHANGHAI

THE TWO 2 cents STAMPS WAS CANCELED BY TWO STROKE OF THE TIENTSIN PA-KUA IN BLUE. A SHANGHAI LOCAL POST CANCEL WAS USED FOR RECEIVING.

CUSTOMS REMOVED CANCEL

COVER FROM TIENTSIN TO SHANGHAI

THE 2 cents LARGE NUMERAL WITH NARROW SPACING STAMP WAS CANCELED BY A OCT 29, 1898 TIENTSIN CUSTOMS DATE STAMP WITH "CUSTOMS" REMOVED. A SHANGHAI LOCAL POST CANCEL WAS USED FOR RECEIVING.