China

China (German Post Offices) 1917 registered cover from a German Consulate to Buxtehude, Germany bearing single franking 20 Cents 20 on 40pf tied Schanghai Deutsche Post cds, New York transit backstamps (2.7. and 2.8.) where the cover was intercepted and two-line ’Mail service suspended/ to country addressed’ and two ‘RETURN TO WRITER’ handstamps applied, envelope opened for return address and sealed by three perf 12 Officially Sealed labels, duly returned via Tientsin (6 Mar 18) to Shanghai (9 Mar) where censored with the rare bilingual label tied by two red seals of censor and bilingual Shanghai cds; small ink stain at left otherwise a fine and rare item.

(German Post Offices) 1917 registered cover from a German Consulate to Buxtehude, Germany bearing single franking 20 Cents 20 on 40pf tied Schanghai Deutsche Post cds, New York transit backstamps (2.7. and 2.8.) where the cover was intercepted and two-line ’Mail service suspended/ to country addressed’ and two ‘RETURN TO WRITER’ handstamps applied, envelope opened for return address and sealed by three perf 12 Officially Sealed labels, duly returned via Tientsin (6 Mar 18) to Shanghai (9 Mar) where censored with the rare bilingual label tied by two red seals of censor and bilingual Shanghai cds; small ink stain at left otherwise a fine and rare item.

Covers and stamps / China / German Post Offices / USA / Censored mail / Disrupted Mail / Interrupted Mail / Officially Sealed

£1895