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)
the cover is franked with two Northeast China Liberated Area stamps, totaling 200,000 yuan, showing a slight overpayment of 4,000 yuan on the correct rate of 196,000 yuan. The postal composition at that time was: international surface letter up to 20 grams 29,000 yuan, airmail surcharge to “Other Countries” 119,000 yuan per 10 grams, and registration fee 48,000 yuan, totaling 196,000 yuan. Posted from Harbin on Aug 2, the letter transited through Tientsin (Aug 6) and Canton (Aug 11), then via Hong Kong (unmarked) before being carried by Pan American Airways (PAA) to San Francisco, arriving on Aug 17 and delivered the following day. The cover bears registration label “Harbin No. 859” and Canton transit and U.S. arrivals on reverse. This cover represents a rare and significant example of early PRC international registered airmail sent from Northeast China using the “Liberated Area Currency.” During this transitional period, China’s international mail still relied on Hong Kong as the principal exchange point, with trans-Pacific conveyance handled by foreign carriers such as Pan American Airways. It vividly illustrates how the newly established postal administration maintained overseas communication before formal postal treaties were in place. The cover is fully paid, correctly routed, and well preserved, an exceptional postal history artifact of early PRC airmail development and a valuable reference for the study of the postal reforms and currency transition in the Northeast region.
due to a slight appreciation of the Northeast currency, the international surface letter rate for the first 20g was reduced from 29,000 yuan to 25,000 yuan, and the airmail surcharge to Asian destinations per 10g was lowered from 71,000 yuan to 65,000 yuan. The cover is franked with three Northeast China Liberated Area stamps, totaling 90,000 yuan, tied by “Harbin 50.9.17” cds and with a red boxed “Par Avion / 航空” marking on reverse. Posted during the early period of the People’s Republic of China, when the national currency system was still being unified and postal rates were being restructured, this cover demonstrates the continued use of “Liberated Area” issues in the Northeast as valid postal currency. The postage is fully paid and accurately calculated, reflecting the new government’s ability to maintain smooth international airmail communication with Asia before full monetary unification. As one of the earliest recorded commercial airmail covers sent from China to Japan in the early PRC period, it represents a rare and historically important example of resumed Sino-Japanese postal relations after World War II. Well preserved and correctly rated, it is a valuable artifact for the study of early PRC international postal operations and the Northeast currency postal system.
during this period, the postal rates were slightly reduced compared to the previous one, the international surface letter rate for the first 20g was 25,000 yuan, the airmail surcharge to “Other Countries” per 10g was 105,000 yuan, and the international registration fee was 42,000 yuan, for a total of 172,000 yuan. The cover is franked with four Northeast China Liberated Area stamps, totaling the correct rate of 172,000 yuan, tied by “Harbin 50.10.12” cds, bearing a “Harbin No. 1281” registration label. It was routed via Tientsin on Oct 16 and Canton on Oct 20, then forwarded through Hong Kong (unmarked), and likely carried by Qantas Empire Airways to Brisbane, arriving on Oct 26. This registered airmail cover sent to the Southern Hemisphere is a rare example of correct-rate usage under the Northeast postal currency system in the early People’s Republic of China. The postage is fully paid and precisely calculated, clearly reflecting the postal reality of the early 1950s when China’s international airmail services still relied on Hong Kong as the main transit hub and foreign airlines for long-haul carriage. Well preserved and clearly routed, this cover is an exceptional artifact of the PRC’s transitional postal and currency system and a scarce example of early China–Australia correspondence, holding significant value for postal history research and exhibition. This cover was cut off at left, and repaired to complete.
posted from Harbin to Tokyo on November 10, 1950, franked with three Northeast China Liberated Area Stamps, totaling 65,000 yuan, tied by “Harbin 50.11.10” cds. The postage was correctly paid according to the new tariff: 25,000 yuan for the first 20g of international surface postage and 40,000 yuan for the airmail surcharge to Asian destinations, making a total of 65,000 yuan. This period, known as the 3rd postal period for the Northeast currency (Nov 10, 1950 - Mar 31, 1951), introduced a major postal rate adjustment in which the airmail surcharge to Asia was reduced from 65,000 to 40,000 yuan per 10g, a 38.5% decrease. This cover represents a rare first-day example showing the implementation of the new rate. Harbin served as the principal hub of the Northeast postal system, and first-day airmail usages from this region are particularly scarce. The cover vividly illustrates the continued operation of international postal routes during the early years of the People’s Republic of China, despite ongoing monetary transition and postal rate reforms. It also reflects the gradual restoration of postwar Sino-Japanese postal communication. A well-preserved and accurately rated postal history item, this cover is an important example for the study of the Northeast postal currency system and the evolution of early PRC airmail tariffs, with significant research and exhibition value.
franked with three Northeast China Liberated Area Stamps, totaling 125,000 yuan, tied by “Harbin 50.11.14” cds and ,with “HAIFA 28.11.50” transit on reverse. The rate was composed of 25,000 yuan for the first 20 g of international surface letter postage and 100,000 yuan airmail surcharge per 10g for “Other Countries,” making the franking fully correct. During this postal period, the airmail surcharge for “Other Countries” was reduced from 105,000 to 100,000 yuan, a 4.8% decrease, reflecting the postal authorities’ gradual regional adjustment of overseas postage rates prior to full currency unification, ensuring the continuity of international airmail operations. The mail was routed via Hong Kong, and likely carried by British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) or Qantas Empire Airways through the Middle East to Israel. A rare early PRC airmail cover to Israel, precisely franked and correctly routed, this item represents a valuable example of international correspondence carried under the Northeast currency postal system. It provides important evidence of China’s continued foreign postal exchanges during the early 1950s monetary transition, and holds exceptional significance for postal history research and exhibition.
this cover franked with three Northeast China liberated Area Stamps, totaling 125,000 yuan, tied by “Harbin 50.12.12” cds and with “HAIFA 26.12.50” arrival on reverse. The postage rate was composed of 25,000 yuan for the first 20 g of international surface letter postage and 100,000 yuan airmail surcharge per 10g for “Other Countries,” making the franking fully correct. During this third postal period, the “Other Countries” airmail surcharge was reduced from 105,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan, a decrease of approximately 4.8%, reflecting the adjustment of overseas postal rates made by the newly established postal administration during the transitional phase before full currency unification, ensuring the continuity of international postal operations. The cover was routed via Hong Kong, and was likely carried by British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) or Qantas Empire Airways, reaching Israel through the Middle Eastern route. At the time, Harbin was home to a large community of Russian and Jewish émigrés, some of whom had emigrated to Israel following its establishment in 1948, giving rise to correspondence between Northeast China and Israel. This cover is a rare early PRC airmail item to Israel, correctly franked and fully transmitted, bearing strong postal historical significance. It also reflects the broader social and geopolitical context of postwar communication between overseas communities and the Middle East, making it an important and highly exhibition-worthy artifact in the study of the Northeast currency postal system and early PRC international mail routes.
franked with four Northeast China Liberated Area stamps, totaling 165,000 yuan, tied by “Harbin 50.11.7” cds, and bearing red registration label “Harbin No.1422”. The postage was correctly composed of 25,000 yuan for the first 20g of international surface letter postage, 100,000 yuan airmail surcharge per 10 g to “Other Countries,” and 40,000 yuan registration fee. The cover was routed via Tientsin (Nov 10) and Canton (Nov 14), then forwarded through Hong Kong (unmarked), likely carried by Pan American Airways (PAA) on its FAM 14 trans-Pacific route, arriving in San Francisco on Nov 19 and delivered the next day, with arrival marking on reverse. Posted during the transitional stage of China’s postal and currency adjustment following the founding of the People’s Republic, this period saw the registration fee reduced from 42,000 yuan to 40,000 yuan, a 4.8% decrease, reflecting postal tariff fine-tuning in preparation for the forthcoming renminbi unification. This cover represents a rare early registered airmail from the 3rd postal period to the United States, correctly rated and clearly routed. It demonstrates the ability of the new postal administration to maintain smooth international postal operations even before full currency unification, and stands as an exceptional item of high postal history and exhibition value.
posted from Harbin on April 10, 1951, to Douala, Cameroon, this cover is franked with four Northeast China Liberated Area stamps, totaling 125,000 yuan, correctly paying the combined rate of 25,000 yuan for the first 20 g international surface postage plus 100,000 yuan airmail surcharge per 10g to “Other Countries.” The cover bears “Harbin 51.4.10” cds on front and “Canton 16.4.51” and “Dakar 26.4.51” transits on reverse, confirming routing via Canton, Hong Kong (unmarked), and Dakar, French West Africa, before final delivery at Douala, Cameroon. It was mailed during the first postal period (Apr 1 - Apr 30, 1951), a transitional phase in which the Northeast postal district, under national postal directives, continued to account postage in Northeast currency while the RMB system was being fully implemented. At that time, the use of old People’s Post stamps alongside Northeast issues was officially permitted at an exchange rate of 1 RMB = 9.5 Northeast yuan. However, as Northeast issues were relatively less costly, most postal users preferred them, as in this case, franked entirely with Northeast stamps at the correct rate. According to current postal history research and exhibition records, this is the only known airmail cover sent from Northeast China to Cameroon. It represents a remarkable and historically important example of early PRC international airmail service, routed through Hong Kong and carried by Air France on its West African line. With accurate franking and a complete postal routing, the cover vividly illustrates how, even on the eve of full currency unification, China maintained reliable international airmail operations. A highly significant postal history artifact for the study of the RMB transition period and early PRC international airmail development, of exceptional research and exhibition value.
posted from Harbin on May 5, 1951, this cover was franked with 5 R series issues, totaling 17,200 yuan, correctly paying the postal rate composed of 2,500 yuan for the first 20g international surface postage, 10,500 yuan for the airmail surcharge per 10g to “Other Countries,” and 4,200 yuan for the registration fee, for a total of 17,200 yuan. It bears “Harbin 51.5.5” cds and a red “Harbin No.176” registration label. The letter was routed via Tientsin (May 7) and Canton (May 11), transferred through Hong Kong (unmarked), and arrived in Brisbane via Sydney on May 18, 1951. This item was mailed during the 2nd Postal Period (May 1 - June 30, 1951), when the sale of Northeast surcharge issues ceased and People’s Post stamps became the standard postage for accounting throughout the region. The cover represents an early airmail registered letter sent in the first month of People’s Post stamp usage in Northeast China, accurately rated and clearly routed. It vividly reflects the early period of the People’s Republic of China’s postal and currency unification, during which international airmail operations had resumed stable service. A particularly rare example addressed to Australia, this cover provides valuable evidence of China’s postal transition from regional to national systems, as well as the development of its early post-unification international airmail routes. It is a postal history item of exceptional research and exhibition significance.
posted from Harbin on May 24, 1951, this cover was routed via Canton on May 30 and delivered to Los Angeles, California. It is franked with a combination of five Northeast China Liberated Area stamps and one R series issue, totaling ¥13,526.32 (Old RMB equivalent), slightly overpaid. The correct postage at the time should have been ¥13,000, consisting of ¥2,500 for the first 20g international letter rate and ¥10,500 for the airmail surcharge per 10g to “Other Countries”. The postage calculation reflects the complex currency situation of the period: five NE L.A. stamps totaling ¥52,500 (Northeast currency) were converted at the official exchange rate of 1:9.5, equivalent to ¥5,526.32 (Old RMB), combined with one ¥8,000 Old RMB Tian’anmen stamp, giving a total of ¥13,526.32. The cover bears “Harbin 51.5.24” cds and with “Canton 30.5.51” transit on reverse. This item was posted during the 2nd Postal Period (May 1 - June 30, 1951), a key transitional phase in the unification of China’s postal and monetary systems. At this time, postal accounting nationwide was standardized in Old RMB, yet the Northeast region was still temporarily authorized to use its surcharge issues, allowed to mix with Old RMB stamps at the 1:9.5 conversion rate. Because exact conversion was difficult, overfranking occurred frequently, as shown in this example. This cover is an exceptionally rare airmail letter to the United States franked with both Northeast and standard People’s Post issues. It vividly demonstrates the practical challenges of postal operation during the currency transition and system integration of early PRC, providing valuable evidence of the unification of China’s postal currency system and the development of early international airmail routes. It is an outstanding piece of postal history with significant research and exhibition value.
posted from Hokang on October 5, 1951, this cover was sent by airmail to Shinjuku, Tokyo, franked with five stamps, including two East China “50y on 10y” overprinted airmail stamps and three R series issues, for a total franking of ¥6,700 (Old RMB), paying the correct rate. The postage rate at that time consisted of ¥2,500 for the first 20g of international surface letter postage and ¥4,200 for the airmail surcharge to Asian destinations, totaling ¥6,700. The cover bears “Hokiang 51.10.5” cds and “Canton 51.10.12” transit on reverse. This cover was mailed during the 1st Postal Period under the Old RMB system (July 1, 1951 - April 30, 1953), which marked the first stable monetary phase after the nationwide unification of postal administration. According to postal regulations, all mail was required to be franked with stamps denominated in Old RMB, yet regional issues from former postal districts were still temporarily permitted for use until existing stock was depleted. The mixed use of East China overprinted stamps and PRC definitives on this cover serves as a representative example of postal transition during the early consolidation of the PRC’s unified postal and currency system. It illustrates how, even after the establishment of a national standard, regional issues remained in circulation as part of the practical realities of postal operation. Airmail correspondence to Japan from this period is particularly scarce, reflecting the postwar normalization of Sino-Japanese postal communication and the re-establishment of regular airmail services during a politically transitional era. With correctly paid postage, clear postal markings, and complete routing, this cover stands as an important postal history artifact that vividly documents the early PRC postal unification and Asian airmail system, of high research and exhibition value.
paid at the inclusive rate of 13,000 yuan (Old RMB). The cover was posted at Harbin on 12 April 1952 and transited through Canton on 20 April, franked to the correct postage for a 10g airmail letter to “Other Countries,” comprising 2,500 yuan for the first 20g of international surface postage plus an air surcharge of 10,500 yuan per 10g, totaling 13,000 yuan. This period, from 1 July 1951 to 30 April 1953, was the first to adopt nationwide uniform RMB postal rates, with Northeast China aligned with the national schedule. The cover was routed south to Canton for dispatch on a Pan American Airways transpacific flight to San Francisco. It represents an early example of fully prepaid international airmail from Northeast China during the Old RMB currency system, illustrating the functioning of the People’s Post international service shortly after its reorganization in the early 1950s. A scarce and significant postal history item, well-preserved with full transit markings.