Lot# 9026

during this short-lived rate period, the inclusive postage was 14,500 yuan per 10g (2,800 yuan surface postage plus 11,700 yuan airmail surcharge) or 26,200 yuan for 20g. The first, posted 2 August 1950 from Shanghai to Pasadena, California, was initially underfranked with only 14,500 yuan for a 13g letter. The post office marked it “13 gs” and returned it on 4 August for additional franking. The sender affixed another 11,700 yuan (cancelled on 5 August), bringing the total to 26,200 yuan, the correct rate for a 20g airmail letter to “Other Countries.” This is a scarce and well-documented example of a postage-deficiency return and correction before dispatch via Hong Kong to USA, demonstrating the strict enforcement of postal regulations in early PRC international mail service. The second, posted 8 August 1950 from Shanghai to Basel, is correctly franked with 14,500 yuan, corresponding to the 10g airmail rate to “Other Countries”. The letter was routed via Hong Kong for onward air transmission (OAT) to Europe. Together, these two covers, one requiring postage adjustment and the other correctly rated, provide valuable insight into the operational precision of the early PRC postal system under the transitional 1950 tariff structure. The returned-for-makeup cover is especially rare and significant for postal history study and exhibition.