1880 "Min Hsin Chu" - "People's letter carrying agencies" (for non-government mail) operated within China, owned privately by Chinese merchants, red-band cover from Shanghai to Hong Kong, chop reads "Lun h'uan Hsin Chu" (wheel boat letter service), Ch'uan T'ai Sheng (name of the Steamship Line), with address on reverse with instructions in Chinese characters "Important letter, please deliver to Hong Kong", v.f. (in addition to mounted and foot couriers, mail service to native Chinese was also available by Inland and Coastal Steamers) (Image)

Est.US$1,000

1907 (7 Aug) official government Mounted Courier System ("I Chan"), large envelope sent by "Tsai Governor of Shankaikuan" to German Consulate at Newchwang (Yin K'ou) posted on 7th day, 8th month of the 33rd year of the Reign of Emperor Kwang-hsu (Aug 7, 1907), v.f. (Image)

Est.US$1,000

1907 "Min Hsin Chu" - "People's letter carrying agencies" (for non-government mail) operated within China, owned privately by Chinese merchants, pink envelope carried by "Min Chu", Agency Chop on reverse, sent from Lungshan to Hangchow, red characters read "Lungshan Yun Ho Yu Ki" (Lungshan Letter Service), fine and very rare (Image)

Est.US$1,000