CHINA
IMPERIAL CHINESE POST COVERS

The Imperial Chinese Post Issue was the first official postage stamps of the National Postal Service of China. It was issued in late 1897 and it's normal usage last until late 1898. The issue was designed by Mr. R. A. deVillard and was lithographed and printed in Japan. Since it's coexisted with the Provisional Surcharged Issues, the cancellations on these stamps are much similar.
The following are examples of the ICP usage.

 

  • CUSTOMS REMOVED CANCEL
A COVER SEND FROM TIENTSIN TO U.S.A.

This cover was originated from Shansi and must have been brought to Tientsin for mailing. A blue Customs Tientsin with “CUSTOMS” removed and another stroke to the side of the cover canceled the 10 cents ICP stamp. The 10 sen Japanese stamp made up the out going postage to the U.S.A.

     

  • RED BAND NATIVE COVER
A COVER SEND FROM SHANGHAI TO CANTON

Before the establishment of the National Postal Service, most of the native mail was send by the 'MIN CHU' postal service, which accounts for the scarcity of the red band covers used with earlier issues. This cover was sent by an insurance company from Shanghai and franked with two 1 cent ICP stamp canceled by a Shanghai Dollarchop.

  

  • TONGSHAN NON STANDARD TYPE 
A TONGSHAN TO USA COVER

A cover send from Tongshan with a Non-Standard ‘Tong-Shan Post Office JU 1 1898’ canceling the 10c. ICP stamp.
Shanghai, Yokohama and Vancouver transit cancels and Mount Vernon receiving to the back of the cover. Redirected with a US Post Office ‘FORWARDED’ mark to the front.

 

  • OVAL WUCHOW IPO & PA-KAU
A COVER SEND FROM WUCHOW TO CANTON

This cover was send from Wuchow to the Imperial Maritime Customs in Canton. The 2 cents ICP stamp was canceled by a Wuchow Pa-Kau and with an oval Imperial Post Office (IPO) date stamp beside for dispatch.

   

 

  • NANKING DOLLARCHOP ON ICP  POSTAL STATIONARY CARD (PSC)
ICP PSC NANKING TO GERMANY

An uprated ICP PSC send from Nanking franked with an extra 1 cent & 2 cents ICP stamps (4 cents International postcard rate) to Germany. Nanking DOLLARCHOP of 23 MAR 98 canceled the stamp and the 1 cent postage on the card. Shanghai and Hong Kong transits cancel to the side. The 4 cents British stamps made up the out going postage.

 

 

 

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