The Customs Mail Matter Handstamps of China, 1883- Taku
Sale No: 34
Lot No: 2057
Symbol: C
1889 (Nov. 21) envelope (222 x 101mm) from Taku to Danzig, Germany, showing on reverse extremely fine strikes of "Taku Customs/Mail Matter" two-line handstamp in violet, matching "I.M. Customs/Taku" oval datestamp, "Customs/Tientsin" (11.22-23) double-ring transit datestamp in blue and "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring transit datestamp (11.28), and bearing on front France Peace and Commerce 25c (2) and 1f, canceled by "Shang-hai/Chine" c.d.s. (11.29), endorsed "Papers without value", which explains the truncated top left corner in order to demonstrate that the contents complied with the Customs and postal regulations for book post and printed matter, "Danzig" arrival c.d.s. (1.6.90) on reverse, the cover opened out for display and reinforced as it is practically split in two, also creasing and small chip at back, the official and postal markings are Very Fine.
According to our records, there are only four surviving examples of the Taku Customs Mail Matter handstamp used on cover.
Reference Customs Dater (1875-1913), p. 228.
Auction Record Zurich Asia (Hong Kong), Jan. 29, 2004, lot 509. Est. HK$30,000-40,000
Est. HK$30,000-40,000
Opening HK$ 55,000.00
Sold...HK$ 55,000.00
Closed..Dec-15-2021, 10:31:09 EST
Sold For 55000
Sale No: 34
Lot No: 2058
Symbol: C
1893 (Sept. 17) envelope from Taku to the Danish Consul in Shanghai, showing "Taku Customs/Mail Matter" two-line handstamp in violet, matching "I.M. Customs/Taku" oval datestamp on reverse, with adjacent "Customs/Shanghai" double-ring datestamp (9.20) and "Shanghae/Local Post/F" arrival c.d.s. (9.20) in blue, Very Fine and rare. Est. HK$40,000-50,000