Lot# 9011

airmail cover sent from Tientsin to San Francisco, franked with seven North China stamps, totaling 11,800 yuan (RMB). The cover bears “Tientsin 50.2.11” cds and “Canton 50.2.20” transit on reverse. It was routed via Canton and onward through Hong Kong, carried by Pan American Airways (PAA) transpacific service to San Francisco. This cover was mailed during the 2nd Postal Tariff Period of the RMB postal system (February 10 to March 4, 1950). At that time, the postal rate for airmail to “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations) had been raised from 10,800 yuan in the 1st Postal Tariff Period to 11,800 yuan. The new rate consisted of 2,300 yuan for the first 20 grams of surface postage, plus an air surcharge of 9,500 yuan per 10 grams, making a total of 11,800 yuan. Compared with the previous rate of 1,800 yuan + 9,000 yuan = 10,800 yuan, this moderate adjustment reflected revised operational and transportation costs under the new postal framework. The cover shows that Tientsin, as a major postal hub, had already implemented the new rate accurately at the beginning of the revised tariff period. While smaller branch offices were still known to charge according to the old rates, this example illustrates the prompt and standardized execution of new postal regulations in major cities. A representative and correctly franked airmail cover to the Americas from the early days of the 2nd Postal Tariff Period, this item demonstrates the proper application of the RMB postal rate reform and the well-organized postal network linking China with international airmail routes via Hong Kong. A rare and significant example of early PRC external airmail, it holds high postal history and exhibition value.