Lot# 9094

including one Shanghai Union Press Gold Yuan Surcharge on Chung Ming print revenue stamp, $100 on $50 blue, type A (Chan G94a), tied by Shanghai c.d.s. of despatch. The franking originally conformed to the domestic surface Gold Yuan rate of April 26; however, on April 29 the Shanghai Post Office began strict enforcement of Silver Yuan postage, with the domestic letter rate set at 4 fen. At the prevailing exchange rate of 11,625 Gold Yuan to 1 Silver Yuan fen, the correct postage amounted to $46,500 Gold Yuan, rendering the original franking insufficient, and a “T” postage due handstamp was applied. Upon arrival at Hankow on May 1, 1949, the cover was surcharged with Gold Yuan postage due stamps totalling $90,000, comprising $45,000 for the deficiency and a further $45,000 as penalty, tied by “Hankow Postage Due 38.5.1” cds confirming payment. This cover exhibits three exceptional features: it is an example used on the first day of Silver Yuan postage in Shanghai; it shows a rare commercial usage of the Shanghai Union Press overprint (Chung Ming print, type A) and it is the only recorded instance of Hankow Gold Yuan stamps used as postage due. The cover vividly illustrates the abrupt transition from Gold Yuan to Silver Yuan postal rates, the resulting rate discrepancies, and the handling of postage due mail, making it of significant postal history and exhibition importance.