Lot# 9046

registered airmail cover sent from Shanghai to Copenhagen, Denmark, endorsed “via HK” at upper left, franked with four R series and one East China regional overprinted issues, paying a total of 17,200 yuan (RMB), canceled “Shanghai 51.6.23” with red registration label “R No.638”, and on reverse bearing “Canton 51.6.26” transit. The cover was routed via Hong Kong and forwarded on the Hong Kong-West Europe airmail route, as indicated by the sender’s instruction. This routing incurred a higher rate than the alternative Prague route. Correctly paid under the Sixth Postal Tariff Period of the RMB postal system (1 November 1950 - 30 April 1953), with postage calculated as follows: 2,500 yuan for the first 20g international surface letter rate, 10,500 yuan per 10g airmail surcharge via the Hong Kong-West Europe route, and 4,200 yuan registration fee, totaling 17,200 yuan, an accurate and complete franking. This cover demonstrates that senders could opt for faster but more expensive airmail routes, illustrating the flexibility and operational sophistication of the early PRC postal system. With clear postal markings and precisely rated postage, it provides a vivid record of China’s restored international postal connections in the early 1950s. A rare and exhibition-worthy example of early PRC registered airmail to Europe, highly significant for postal history research.