The 2025 December Auction - Sale 346 (December 13 - December 16, 2025)
Sale 346
- (-) Remove The International Airmails of PRC (1949-1956) filter The International Airmails of PRC (1949-1956)
franked with three East China Liberated Area stamps, totaling 60 yuan, the correct international regular letter rate. Mailed barely half a month after the liberation of Shanghai, this aerogramme was posted during the transitional phase when the postal system of the East China Liberated Area had just been taken over but international airmail service had not yet been fully restored. Although nominally under the administration of the new People’s Post, postal operations at that time largely continued under the former ROC system to maintain overseas correspondence. The aerogramme was first sent from Kashing to Shanghai, then forwarded to Tokyo by the China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC), illustrating the integration of postal and civil aviation systems during the early phase of the new regime. Faint arrival markings dated late June confirm its transmission by air. This rare international aerogramme from the immediate post-liberation period not only shows accurate postage and clear chronological postal markings but also vividly documents the transitional operation of the East China postal system and the continuity of China’s foreign mail service. It represents an important postal artifact for studying the transformation of China’s postal system around the time of the founding of the PRC, with significant philatelic, airmail, and historical value.
franked with nine East China Liberated Area stamps, totaling 180 yuan, equivalent to three times the 60-yuan international regular letter rate of the period. Mailed during the transitional phase following the liberation of Shanghai, when international airmail service had not yet resumed, the aerogramme took 46 days to reach its destination. Although marked “Par Avion,” it was most likely conveyed by sea. This cover illustrates how the postal administration of the East China Liberated Area continued to operate under the former ROC postal system to maintain international correspondence, reflecting the practical functioning of the postal service during the changeover between old and new regimes. A rare example of an international aerogramme posted on the eve of China’s political transition in 1949, it bears accurate postage and clear markings, and serves as an important postal history document for studying the continuity of postal operations and international communications during the late Liberation period of significant historical and exhibition value.
this airmail cover was posted from Shanghai to Geneva and represents one of the earliest recorded examples of correct rate usage under the unified postal system of PRC, franked with East China Liberated Area stamps x 10, totaling 10,800 yuan, comprising 1,800 yuan for the first 20g of surface postage and an airmail surcharge of 9,000 yuan per 10g. The cover was canceled “Shanghai 50.2.6” cds and with “Canton 50.2.11” transit on reverse. It was routed via Canton and Hong Kong before onward air transmission to Europe. This item was mailed only four months after the founding of the PRC, during the early unification of postal tariffs nationwide. It provides tangible evidence of the establishment of a standardized international airmail rate system. A historically significant and well-preserved example with complete postal markings, of strong research and exhibition value.
airmail cover sent from Shanghai to Berlin, franked with nine East China Liberated Area stamps, totaling 10,800 yuan (RMB), tied by “Shanghai 50.2.6” cds. The cover was transited via Canton on 11 February and forwarded through Hong Kong for onward air conveyance to Europe, arriving in Berlin on 18 February 1950. This cover was posted during the First Postal Tariff Period of the unified RMB postal system (1 February - 9 February 1950), with postage accurately calculated according to the new rate: international surface letter (first 20 grams) 1,800 yuan, plus airmail surcharge for “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations) 9,000 yuan per 10 grams, totaling 10,800 yuan. It is among the earliest known genuinely used covers from this period, illustrating the transitional usage of revalued Liberated Area stamps shortly after the nationwide postal unification in early 1950. The routing through Hong Kong underscores the vital role of Hong Kong as the primary international airmail transit hub for the newly established People’s Republic of China. A precisely rated, clearly postmarked, and well-preserved cover, this is a rare and significant postal history artifact representing early PRC airmail correspondence to Europe, of great importance for research and exhibition.
airmail cover sent from Shanghai to Wellington, franked with seven East China Liberated Area stamps, totaling 10,800 yuan (RMB), tied by “Shanghai 50.2.7” cds. Although the cover bears no Canton transit marking, the mail was most likely routed via Hong Kong, then conveyed by Qantas Airways through Sydney to New Zealand. This cover was posted during the First Postal Tariff Period of the RMB postal system (1-9 February 1950) , a very short period lasting only nine days, during which surviving covers are extremely scarce. The postage was correctly paid according to the official rate: international surface letter (first 20 grams) 1,800 yuan, plus airmail surcharge for “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations) 9,000 yuan per 10 grams, totaling 10,800 yuan. This short-lived rate period had long been misdated as beginning on 10 February, but this cover provides conclusive evidence of the correct early date for the First Postal Tariff Period. It also reflects the transitional phase of the early RMB postal system, when Hong Kong played a vital role as the main international airmail transit hub for the newly established People’s Republic of China. A precisely rated and clearly postmarked cover, in excellent preservation, it stands as a rare and important postal history example of early PRC airmail to Oceania, offering significant value for both research and exhibition.
airmail cover sent from Shanghai to Sydney, franked with 22 East China Liberated Area stamps, totaling 19,800 yuan (RMB), tied by “Shanghai 50.2.8” cds. Although no Canton transit marking is present, the cover was most likely routed via Hong Kong and carried by Qantas Airways to Sydney. This cover was posted during the First Postal Tariff Period (1-9 February 1950) under the newly unified RMB postal system - a period lasting only nine days, with surviving covers being extremely rare. The postage was accurately paid according to the official rate for double-weight airmail to “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations): international surface letter (first 20 grams) 1,800 yuan, plus airmail surcharge of 9,000 yuan per 10 grams × 2, totaling 19,800 yuan. This is the only recorded example bearing a double airmail surcharge from the First Postal Tariff Period, precisely rated and beautifully franked. It clearly demonstrates the operational application of the newly established RMB postal rate system and the important role of Hong Kong as a major transit hub for early PRC international airmail to Oceania. An outstanding and historically significant early PRC airmail cover, of great rarity and postal history importance, representing one of the finest examples from the formative phase of the People’s Republic’s postal system, highly desirable for both research and exhibition.
airmail cover sent from Tientsin to Jacksonville, North Carolina, franked with a mixed franking of four stamps comprising North China Liberated Area and R series issues, totaling 10,800 yuan (RMB), tied by “Tientsin 50.2.9” cds and “Canton 50.2.18” transit on reverse. The mail was routed via Canton and Hong Kong, then carried by Pan American Airways (PAA) on its trans-Pacific route to the United States. This cover was posted during the First Postal Tariff Period (1-9 February 1950) under the newly unified RMB postal system, and represents an actual usage on the final day of this brief nine-day postal period. Historical records indicate that even in major cities such as Tientsin, international airmail service officially commenced only on 4 February 1950, making surviving covers from this period extremely scarce. The postage was correctly paid according to the prescribed rate for “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations): international surface letter (first 20 grams) 1,800 yuan, plus airmail surcharge 9,000 yuan per 10 grams, totaling 10,800 yuan. This is one of only five recorded covers sent on the last day of the First Postal Tariff Period. It vividly illustrates the operational stage of the newly established RMB postal rate system, as well as Hong Kong’s key role as a transit hub for early PRC international airmail to the Americas. A rare and highly significant postal history artifact from the formative phase of the People’s Republic’s postal service, of great importance for study and exhibition.
airmail cover sent from Shanghai to Tokyo on 9 February 1950 (the last day of the First Postal Tariff Period), franked with four East China Liberated Area and surcharge-overprinted stamps, totaling 7,700 yuan (RMB), tied by “Shanghai 50.2.9” cds and “Canton 50.2.14” transit on reverse. Endorsed “Via Hong Kong”, the mail was routed through Canton and Hong Kong for onward transmission to Japan. This cover was posted during the First Postal Tariff Period (1-9 February 1950) under the newly unified RMB postal system. The correct postage for an airmail letter to Asia at the time was 7,200 yuan (comprising 1,800 yuan for the first 20 grams international surface letter rate plus 5,400 yuan airmail surcharge per 10 grams). The sender, however, affixed 7,700 yuan, an overpayment of 500 yuan, likely in anticipation of the rate adjustment that came into effect the following day (10 February 1950), when the surface letter rate was raised to 2,300 yuan. This is the only known airmail cover sent to an Asian destination during the First Postal Tariff Period, making it an exceptionally rare and significant postal history item. It vividly illustrates the transitional phase of postal rate standardization in the early People’s Republic of China and the important intermediary role of Hong Kong in reestablishing international airmail connections in the post-war period. An outstanding and highly important example of early RMB postal system usage on airmail to Asia, of great philatelic and exhibition value.
airmail cover sent from Namlong, Kwangtung to Oakland, California on 10 February 1950, the first day of the 2nd Postal Tariff Period, franked with 13 South China Liberation Area surcharged stamps, totaling 10,800 yuan (RMB), tied by “Namlong 50.2.10” cds and “Canton 50.2.12” transit on reverse. The cover was routed via Canton and Hong Kong, then forwarded to the United States by Pan American Airways (PAA) trans-Pacific service. According to the new postal regulations effective 10 February 1950, the correct postage for airmail to “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations) should have been 11,800 yuan, consisting of 2,300 yuan for the first 20 grams international surface letter rate and 9,500 yuan for the airmail surcharge per 10 grams. However, this cover was still franked at the old 1st period rate (1,800 + 9,000 = 10,800 yuan), indicating that Namlong, as a third-class post office, had not yet received official notice of the new tariff and thus continued to accept mail at the earlier rate. This cover represents a transitional-rate usage on the first day of the 2nd Postal Tariff Period, vividly reflecting the delayed communication and practical challenges faced by lower-level postal offices during the early implementation of the unified RMB postal system. The misrated but properly carried usage captures a moment of postal reform in transition, an exceptionally rare and historically significant example that provides valuable insight into early People’s Republic postal administration and is of the highest philatelic and exhibition importance.
airmail cover sent on 11 February 1950 from Honglok, Kwangtung to New York, franked with a total of 51 stamps comprising North China and East China Liberated Area surcharged issues, amounting to 77,100 yuan (RMB). The cover bears “Honglok 50.2.11” cds and “Canton 50.2.12” transit on reverse. It was routed via Hong Kong, then forwarded to the United States by Pan American Airways (PAA) trans-Pacific service. This cover was posted during the 2nd Postal Tariff Period (10 February to 4 Mar 1950). According to the newly implemented rates, the correct postage for airmail to “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations) should have been 82,500 yuan, calculated as 6,500 yuan for the 80-gram international surface letter rate plus 9,500 yuan × 8 for the airmail surcharge. However, as Honglok was a second-class post office, it likely had not yet received official notice of the new tariffs and thus continued to charge under the previous 1st-period rate of 77,100 yuan (surface 80g 5,100 + air surcharge 9,000 × 8). This cover represents a transitional-rate usage during the early days of the 2nd Postal Tariff Period, showing that even after the new rates took effect, smaller regional post offices temporarily continued to apply the earlier tariffs. It provides vivid evidence of administrative delay and communication gaps in the early implementation of the unified RMB postal system, making it a rare and classic example of a high-weight airmail cover from the formative phase of the People’s Republic postal reform, with significant postal history and exhibition value.
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.
airmail cover sent from Suntong to Timaru, franked with 13 Central China and South China stamps, totaling 11,800 yuan (RMB). The cover bears “Suntong 1950.2.12” cds and “Canton 50.2.13” transit on reverse. It was routed via Canton, then conveyed through Hong Kong and carried by Qantas Airways via Australia to its destination in New Zealand. This cover was mailed during the 2nd Postal Tariff Period of the RMB postal system (February 10 to March 4, 1950). During this period, the airmail rate to “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations) was raised from 10,800 yuan under the 1st Postal Tariff Period to 11,800 yuan. The new rate comprised 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 accurately paid, and the markings are clear, demonstrating that Suntong, as a second-class post office, was able to adopt and implement the new rates promptly by the third day of the new tariff period. This efficiency reflects the high level of administrative organization and execution within the newly established postal system of the early People’s Republic of China. A correctly rated and fully prepaid airmail cover to Oceania from the early days of the 2nd Postal Tariff Period, this example features complete postal routing and accurate franking. It vividly illustrates the unification and modernization of the RMB postal rate system and the early restoration of international airmail operations via Hong Kong in the early 1950s. A rare and representative example of early PRC airmail, this cover holds significant postal historical importance and strong exhibition value.