Lot# 9006

airmail cover sent from Shanghai to Sydney, franked with 22 East China Liberated Area stamps, totaling 19,800 yuan (RMB), tied by “Shanghai 50.2.8” cds. Although no Canton transit marking is present, the cover was most likely routed via Hong Kong and carried by Qantas Airways to Sydney. This cover was posted during the First Postal Tariff Period (1-9 February 1950) under the newly unified RMB postal system - a period lasting only nine days, with surviving covers being extremely rare. The postage was accurately paid according to the official rate for double-weight airmail to “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations): international surface letter (first 20 grams) 1,800 yuan, plus airmail surcharge of 9,000 yuan per 10 grams × 2, totaling 19,800 yuan. This is the only recorded example bearing a double airmail surcharge from the First Postal Tariff Period, precisely rated and beautifully franked. It clearly demonstrates the operational application of the newly established RMB postal rate system and the important role of Hong Kong as a major transit hub for early PRC international airmail to Oceania. An outstanding and historically significant early PRC airmail cover, of great rarity and postal history importance, representing one of the finest examples from the formative phase of the People’s Republic’s postal system, highly desirable for both research and exhibition.