including two pairs of split double cards. Slight toned. VF-F

tied by Shanghai cds., along with Tientsin arrival cds. An early usage of Imperial 2nd Postal Card. VF-F.

uprated by Russin PO in China stamps 1K, 4K and 5K, tied by Hankow Russian PO double circle datestamp, along with Shanghai transit and Tsingtau arrival marking. With BPB certification. Ex Mr. Lin Kuang Chao's collection.

cancelled by a clear Shanghai bilingual cds. dated 31 Oct 1908, with transit at Nagasaki on 1 Nov and arrival at Vladivostok on 4 Nov. As China had not yet joined the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the 1c domestic franking was not recognized for international transmission; accordingly, the cover bears the Russian instructional large “T” (Taxe) marking together with the rare large “O” (Zero) handstamp, indicating that no credit was given for the original postage. Consequently, a double-deficiency charge of 20 gold centimes (equivalent to 8 kopecks) was applied. This charge is confirmed by the manuscript “8k” centered within a clear strike of the Vladivostok double-ring oval “Doplatit” (Postage Due) arrival marking. Well preserved overall, this card represents an important example for the study of Qing-era Sino-Russian postal relations, postage due procedures, and the maritime mail route via Japan, and is also an attractive exhibition-quality postal history item featuring notable taxe markings.

one locally used in Tientsin, with printed advertisement on reverse. VF-F.