China » The Boxer War » Via British Post Office. 1900 (Sept 5) Postcard from Taku to Rome redirected inland, franked by Hong Kong 2c pair, tied by British Shanghai cds's, with Roma ds alongside, including interesting text "a forest of trees of ships from all nations (...) we are here since seven days and the disembark occurred with the maximum slowness as no one thought that to travel these 12 miles (to reach Taku), small boats or steamboats are required; if it was not for the Germans and Russians who helped us, we would all still be on board", related to the confusion and slowness during the disembark operations of the allied troops, the text continuing indicating the next route planned to reach Peking. Some faults, but a very rare missive documenting the arrival of the battleships. (Image)

1901 (Jan 15) Postcard from Tientsin to Leghorn (Italy), correctly franked to the port of embark with C.I.P. 4c, tied by blue bilingual cds of Tientsin, Chinese Shanghai cds at base and then transferred to the British P.O. with Hong Kong 2c tied by cds of Shanghai, transiting Hong Kong on Jan. 22, "T" marking in blue and taxed on arrival as the British P.O. underfranked the mail by 2c, collected with Italian postage dues 5c (2, the one at left with imperfections). Vertical crease not affecting the franking. A probably unique three-country combination franking. (Image)

1901 (June 24) German illustrated postcard "Count Waldersee inspecting the Italian troops" from the "Forte Italiano"in Taku to Italy, bearing C.I.P. 2c tied by bilingual "Tangku" cds on dispatch, and similar type of Shanghai at right, entering the British P.O. in Shanghai with Hong Kong 1900-01 2c tied by corresponding Shanghai cds, with British 2c not applied and taxed on arrival with "T" and "05" (5c) in ms to be collected on delivery. Interesting sender's text: "...one year that we are confined within these four trenches, is this the solution? We are unaware of everything, here we learn the news from the Italian newspapers which arrived once every three months", demonstrating the state of mind of part of the troops and the deficient service of the mail. A rare underfranked mail and probably a unique combination as such. (Image)

1902 (Oct 3) Picture postcard of the Fort in Taku to Italy, with C.I.P. 1c (2, one applied on back) and 2c, tied by Tientsin bilingual cds, repeated at left, following bilingual transit in Shanghai, entering the British P.O. there with Hong Kong 2c (2) tied by Shanghai cds, Italian receiving cds at left. A scarce mixed franking sent by an Italian soldier. (Image)