Lot# 9061

posted on 8 March 1956 from Harbin to San Francisco, this registered airmail cover was routed via Canton on 14 March and arrived on 18 March 1956, franked with six stamps in mixed old and new RMB currency, totaling 134 fen, correctly paying the rate for a 10g registered airmail letter to “Other Countries” during the 8th postal rate period (1 Jan 1955 - 31 Aug 1956). Among the adhesives is a 200 yuan old currency stamp (equivalent to 2 fen in new RMB), combined with new-currency issues totaling 132 fen, accurately meeting the required postage. At that time, the international surface letter rate for the first 20 grams was 22 fen, the airmail surcharge (per 10g to other countries) 80 fen, and the registration fee 32 fen, giving a total of 134 fen, fully in accordance with the prevailing standard. This cover clearly illustrates the transitional postal practice during the post–1955 currency reform period when both old and new RMB issues were concurrently valid. The routing “Harbin - Canton - San Francisco” is clearly shown, representing the typical airmail route from China to North America in the mid-1950s. Correctly franked and well-struck with clear postal markings, this is a scarce and well-preserved example of a mixed old/new RMB registered airmail cover of the 8th postal rate period, possessing significant value for postal history research and exhibition.