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 Shanghai to Williamsburg, Massachusetts, franked with seven stamps comprising R series and East China regional surcharged issues, totaling 11,800 yuan (RMB). The cover bears “Shanghai 1950.2.13” cds and “Canton 50.2.18” transit & “WILLIAMSBURG FEB 25 1950” arrival. It was routed via Canton, then forwarded through Hong Kong, where it was carried by Pan American Airways (PAA) on its transpacific service 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). During this period, the airmail postage rate to “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations) was increased from 10,800 yuan in the 1st Postal Tariff Period to 11,800 yuan, consisting of 2,300 yuan for the first 20 grams of international surface postage plus an air surcharge of 9,500 yuan per 10 grams, giving a total of 11,800 yuan. The franking is entirely accurate, demonstrating that Shanghai, as a major national postal center, had promptly implemented the newly adjusted postal tariff at the beginning of the new period. As domestic airmail service within China had not yet resumed (not until August 5, 1950), all outbound international airmail at this time had to be transported by land or rail to Canton, then forwarded via Hong Kong to connect with international flights. This cover is a typical example of that transitional postal routing, with complete postal markings and correct postage. A standard correctly rated airmail cover to North America from the early 2nd Postal Tariff Period, it illustrates the operational recovery of the early PRC international postal system and the vital role of Hong Kong as a transit hub. This is an important and scarce postal history item, possessing high research and exhibition value.

airmail cover sent from Soochow (formerly Wuhsien, Jiangsu Province) to Conway, Arkansas, franked with thirteen East China Liberated Area stamps, totaling 11,800 yuan (RMB) and canceled “Wuhsien1950.2.16” cds. Although no Canton transit marking is present, the mail would have been routed via Canton to Hong Kong, and then conveyed by Pan American Airways (PAA) on its transpacific service 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). During this period, the airmail rate to “Other Countries” (non-Asian destinations) had been increased from 10,800 yuan in the 1st Postal Tariff Period to 11,800 yuan, consisting of 2,300 yuan for the first 20 grams of international surface postage plus an air surcharge of 9,500 yuan per 10 grams, making a total of 11,800 yuan. The postage was correctly calculated and fully prepaid. Originating from the East China coastal region, this cover also reflects that in the early period of the People’s Republic of China, international airmail postings were largely confined to coastal cities, as inland postal connections were not yet fully re-established. This is a standard example of a correctly rated airmail cover to North America during the early stage of the 2nd Postal Tariff Period, accurately paid and well preserved. It demonstrates the implementation of the adjusted Renminbi postal rate system and illustrates the postal routing mechanism of the time, whereby all international airmail was transported overland to Canton and then forwarded via Hong Kong for onward overseas transmission. A rare and significant postal history example of early PRC international airmail service, this cover possesses high research and exhibition value.

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.

airmail cover sent from Chengtu to New York, franked with six Southwest China Liberated Area surcharge stamps, totaling 15,800 yuan (RMB), tied by “Chengtu 2.5.50” cds. The cover was routed via Canton on 14 May 1950, then forwarded through Hong Kong, and is believed to have been conveyed by Pan American Airways (PAA) on its FAM 14 trans-Pacific route to the United States. This cover was mailed during the 3rd Postal Tariff Period (5 March 1950 - 14 July 1950), when postal rates had just been revised under the unified RMB system. The total franking of 15,800 yuan exactly matches the official rate for international airmail to non-Asian destinations, consisting of 3,100 yuan for the first 20 grams of international surface letter postage and an airmail surcharge of 12,700 yuan per 10 grams to “Other Countries.” At the time, the postal administration had adjusted the air surcharge for non-Asian destinations from 9,500 yuan to 12,700 yuan, while increasing the international surface rate from 2,300 yuan to 3,100 yuan. This revision reflected the gradual normalization of China’s postal system following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China and the stabilization of the Renminbi. Originating from Chengtu in the Southwest Liberated Area, this cover illustrates the full integration of the regional postal network into the national framework shortly after unification. It also demonstrates the practical functioning of early PRC international airmail routes that connected inland China with the United States via Hong Kong and the PAA’s trans-Pacific service. A rare and historically important early PRC airmail cover, correctly rated and efficiently routed, exemplifying the transition from regional postal administrations to the national postal system and the restoration of regular international airmail communication in the early 1950s.