Lot# 9043

registered airmail cover sent from Shanghai to New York, franked with three R series and five East China regional overprinted issues, totaling 84,700 yuan (RMB), tied by “Shanghai 50.11.2” cds with red registration label “Shanghai Fukchow Road P.O. No.11502” on front, and “Canton 50.11.5” transit and “NEW YORK CHURCH ST. 11.10.1950” arrival on reverse. The cover was routed via Canton and Hong Kong, and carried by Pan American Airways (PAA) on its FAM 14 trans-Pacific service to the United States. Posted during the Sixth Postal Tariff Period under the RMB postal system (1 November 1950 - 30 April 1953), mailed on the second day of the new rate period. The postage was correctly paid for a 70-gram registered airmail letter, consisting of 2,500 yuan for the first 20g, 1,500 yuan × 3 = 4,500 yuan for the next 50g, an airmail surcharge to “Other Countries” of 10,500 yuan × 7 = 73,500 yuan, and a registration fee of 4,200 yuan, totaling 84,700 yuan. This cover represents a textbook example of a correctly rated heavyweight registered airmail sent immediately after the unification of the RMB postal currency. It demonstrates accurate postage calculation, clear postal routing, and the operational efficiency of early PRC airmail via Hong Kong on the FAM 14 Pacific route. A rare and significant postal history item illustrating the functioning of China’s international postal system during the formative stage of the RMB postal tariff period, of great value for research and exhibition.