Lot# 9049

franked with a single 5 fen Dr. SYS basic stamp diagonally overprinted with the local post office name “Maoshichen,” tied by Lianggaoshan cds and arriving Chungking on Nov 15, 1949. The 5 fen postage correctly pays the domestic letter rate for the period Aug 1 to Dec 5, 1949. The adhesive bears a diagonal “Maoshichen” local overprint, yet was used at Lianggaoshan, representing cross–post office usage of locally overprinted stamps. Under normal regulations, such overprints were restricted to use within the issuing post office or its designated postal district. However, following the abolition of the Gold Yuan currency in Aug 1949, these regional restrictions were removed, rendering such overprints effectively “unnecessary overprint.” This cover clearly illustrates the continued practical use of earlier overprinted issues during this transitional period. Of particular importance, the “Maoshichen” diagonal overprint is one of only two such types recorded, making it distinctly rare. This cover represents a documented commercial usage, combining both a scarce diagonal overprint and the “unnecessary overprint” status. Illustrated in Patrick Choy, China Silver Yuan Stamps (3rd Edition), page 191, Figure 5-22a, being the actual recorded example, and holds significant postal history and exhibition value.