(PDF) HK037-Main

Imperial China Postal History

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508 1880 (1 Apr.) An incoming cover from Lurgan, North Ireland to Imperial Customs, Peking, addressed to Willian Hancock. On front, bearing Great Britain QV 1p lilac in pair and strip of 3 (Sc88) tied by ‘LURGAN/316’ Duplex cancel in black, alongside, with Large Dragon thin paper 3 cands brown red, tied by very neat ‘CUSTOMS/SHANGHAI/17.5.80’ cancel. On reverse, with single ring ‘HONG-KONG/13.5.80’ transit, Webb type D, and the same ‘CUSTOMS/SHANGHAI/17.5.80’ transit. A small tear at the top on front side but not affecting any stamps or cancellation. A very fine cover from the Hancock correspondence. Total postage rate 5 pence is for 1/2 ounce letters sent from England to overseas. This rate was introduced for all routes starting in February 1880, and the Large Dragon 3 cands is for the domestic postage from Shanghai to Peking. This Large Dragon cover is similar to all the illustrations of the Hancock correspondence in ‘A Comprehensive Illustration on Covers of Chinese Large Dragons by James B. Whang ( 黃建斌 ) 1997’​ HK$ 500,000 - 600,000

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