Lot# 9007

airmail cover sent from Tientsin to Jacksonville, North Carolina, franked with a mixed franking of four stamps comprising North China Liberated Area and R series issues, totaling 10,800 yuan (RMB), tied by “Tientsin 50.2.9” cds and “Canton 50.2.18” transit on reverse. The mail was routed via Canton and Hong Kong, then carried by Pan American Airways (PAA) on its trans-Pacific route to the United States. This cover was posted during the First Postal Tariff Period (1-9 February 1950) under the newly unified RMB postal system, and represents an actual usage on the final day of this brief nine-day postal period. Historical records indicate that even in major cities such as Tientsin, international airmail service officially commenced only on 4 February 1950, making surviving covers from this period extremely scarce. The postage was correctly paid according to the prescribed rate for “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations): international surface letter (first 20 grams) 1,800 yuan, plus airmail surcharge 9,000 yuan per 10 grams, totaling 10,800 yuan. This is one of only five recorded covers sent on the last day of the First Postal Tariff Period. It vividly illustrates the operational stage of the newly established RMB postal rate system, as well as Hong Kong’s key role as a transit hub for early PRC international airmail to the Americas. A rare and highly significant postal history artifact from the formative phase of the People’s Republic’s postal service, of great importance for study and exhibition.