Lot# 7015

2 Nov 1908, a C.I.P. 4th series stationery card sent from Fukiang, Kansu Province to Dusseldorf, Germany, affixed with one 1-cent and one 2-cent coiling dragon stamp, cancelled by two all-Chinese waist-frame lunar c.d.s. from Fukiang, Kansu. There are also postmarks from Tsinchow and a all-Chinese waist-frame c.d.s. from Sian, Shensi, and then Hankow bilingual c.d.s. and a transit postmark from the Shanghai British P.O. This card is from the very early period when mail was sent overseas from Fukiang Kansu. Instead of going through the Siberian railway line, it was sent by going South via the Shanghai British P.O., through the sea route passing through India and the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. It is unusual to see Kansu mail to Germany delivered through Atlantic Oceanic route. This card is a good pair compared to the previous item, which was sent from Tsinchow Kansu to Belgium on 18 Nov 1908, representing two entirely different postal routes.