posted on 17 September 1954 from Shanghai to Stockholm, this 420g registered airmail sample cover was franked with seven stamps, totaling 385,700 yuan, including one each of the Tiananmen 5th Print 100,000 yuan and 200,000 yuan stamps, very rarely seen on cover. The postage breakdown was: international sample first 50g 900 yuan, balance 370g at 400 yuan per 50g (3,200 yuan), air surcharge via Hong Kong at 9,000 yuan per 10g × 42 (378,000 yuan), and registration fee 3,600 yuan. The cover was routed via Canton and Hong Kong (though unmarked), then through Geneva on 24 September before final delivery to Stockholm. It bears a handstamp “經由香港轉” (“via Hong Kong”) indicating the sender’s preferred route. If sent instead via the Moscow/Prague route, the postage would have been 234,500 yuan, a saving of 151,200 yuan, showing that the Hong Kong route was about 67% more expensive, yet favored by commercial senders for reliability and timeliness. Mailed by China National Tea Corporation, Shanghai Branch, this exceptionally heavy 420g registered sample cover is a remarkable example of high-rate commercial airmail during the 7th Postal Tariff Period, illustrating both the economic reality and postal routing practices of early PRC international trade correspondence.

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.

airmail sent from Changchow to Georgetown, Penang, franked with one definitive and one commemorative stamp (C13) totaling 5400 yuan, tied by Changchow 55.3.1 cds. It correctly paid the postage for a 10g airmail letter to Asia during the 8th postal rate period (1 Jan 1955 - 31 Aug 1956). At that time, the international surface letter rate for the first 20 grams was 2200 yuan, and the airmail surcharge to Asia was 3200 yuan per 10 grams, making a total of 5400 yuan. During this period, the airmail surcharge had been reduced from 3600 yuan to 3200 yuan per 10 grams, reflecting the adjustment under the RMB postal rate system. This cover is a standard example of a correctly rated airmail letter to Asia during the 8th postal rate period. It shows accurate franking and proper calculation, illustrating the mid-1950s postal reforms and the development of China’s airmail network to Asian destinations. Covers sent from Fukein during this period are particularly scarce, making this a valuable item for postal history study and exhibition.

this group of three covers illustrates actual postal rates and practices for airmail to Europe during the PRC’s 8th Postal Tariff Period. Implemented on 1 January 1955, this period marked a general reduction in postal charges. The 10g airmail rate to Western Europe via Prague was reduced from 5,400 yuan to 4,800 yuan, bringing the total inclusive rate (with surface postage) to 7,000 yuan, while international airmail postcards were charged at 6,100 yuan. The examples include a 1955 Tsingtao to London cover correctly franked at 7,000 yuan, a 1956 Shanghai to Vienna postcard paying the correct 6,100-yuan rate, and a 1956 Tatung to Dessau cover overfranked by 2 fen (total 72 fen) due to the sender, a foreign resident, using multiple commemorative stamps for decorative effect. Together, these items document the tariff adjustments, route usage, and everyday postal practice of China’s 8th Postal Tariff Period, reflecting the growing regularity and sophistication of international postal exchanges in the mid-1950s.

the cover was sent from Chinese Aluminium Rolling Mills, Ltd. in Shanghai to Lausanne, bearing violet handstamps “單掛號” (“single registration”) and “經捷克轉” (“via Czechoslovakia”), franked with four stamps in mixed old and new currency totaling 102 fen (RMB), tied by Shanghai 56.2.18 cds and with Lausanne 24.2.56 arrival on reverse. It correctly paid the rate for registered airmail to Europe during the 8th postal rate period (1 Jan 1955 - 31 Aug 1956). At that time, the international registration fee had been reduced from 36 fen to 32 fen, in addition to the airmail letter rate of 70 fen, making a total of 102 fen. This cover shows accurate and fully paid postage, using mixed old- and new-currency issues that reflect the transitional practice after the 1955 currency reform, when both denominations remained concurrently valid. Routed via Czechoslovakia to Western Europe, the cover bears clear postal markings and complete franking. A textbook example of a registered airmail cover during the 8th postal rate period, of great significance for studying the PRC’s postal rate structure and international airmail routes, and an item of outstanding exhibition and collection value.