Lot# 9017

airmail cover sent from Shanghai to Cincinnati, franked with a total of fourteen East China Liberated Area and C series issues, amounting to 11,800 yuan (RMB), tied by “Shanghai 50.2.28” cds. Although no Canton transit is present, the mail was likely routed via Canton and Hong Kong, from where it was carried by Pan American Airways (PAA) on its transpacific route to the United States. This cover was mailed during the 2nd Postal Tariff Period of the RMB postal system (February 10 to March 4, 1950), a rate period lasting only 23 days, making it one of the shortest in the early PRC postal history. The airmail rate to “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations) during this period was 11,800 yuan, calculated as 2,300 yuan for the first 20 grams of international surface postage, plus an air surcharge of 9,500 yuan per 10 grams, totaling 11,800 yuan. The postage was fully prepaid and accurately calculated. Posted from Shanghai, China’s principal postal and international communications hub, this cover demonstrates the efficiency and precision of the newly established People’s Post in implementing revised postal tariffs shortly after their introduction. The mixed franking of Liberated Area and early PRC commemorative stamps reflects the transitional nature of Chinese postal operations during the formative stage of the RMB postal system, when old and new issues were used concurrently. This is a representative and correctly rated airmail cover to North America from the 2nd Postal Tariff Period, well-preserved and clearly postmarked. It exemplifies the practical application of the revised RMB postal structure, as well as the early 1950s postal routing system through Canton and Hong Kong for international airmail transmission. A rare and significant postal history artifact, it offers valuable insight into the restoration of international postal communications in the early years of the People’s Republic of China, with high philatelic, historical, and exhibition value.