Lot# 9044

two postal items sent to Eastern Europe during the 6th Postal Tariff Period (1 November 1950 - 30 April 1953), both correctly rated and transmitted via the Moscow-Prague route. The first, a 10g airmail cover from Shanghai to Unterperlitz, East Germany, dated 27 February 1951, is franked to the inclusive rate of 9,000 yuan (2,500 yuan for the first 20g international surface letter postage plus 6,500 yuan airmail surcharge to Eastern Europe). As indicated by the sender, the letter was routed northward through Peking for onward air transmission, showing clear Shanghai dispatch and routing marks. The second, a postcard from Peking to Warsaw, Poland, dated 7 March 1951, is prepaid 8,000 yuan (1,500 yuan international postcard rate plus 6,500 yuan airmail surcharge to Eastern Europe), with “Peking 51.3.7” cds and “航空 / Par Avion” label. Both items were carried by air from Peking via Moscow and Prague to their respective destinations. These two examples represent standard East European airmail correspondence during the early PRC postal period, when the unified Old RMB postal system was firmly established. Correctly rated and neatly franked, they reflect both accurate rate application and smooth postal cooperation between China and Eastern Bloc countries in the early 1950s.