Auction 265th - 273rd - Day 4

French post offices in China, 1889 (Nov 10): Envelope from Shanghai to Brussels, Belgium, bearing on reverse 1885 Small Dragon 3 ca. mauve perf. 12½ (Gi 14), an interpanneau pair and a single adhesive with gutter at right. Tied by fair strikes of Tientsin seal handstamp and clear "CUSTOMS TIENTSIN NOV 10 89" double-ring datestamp, both in blue as well as "CUSTOMS SHANGHAI NOV 13 89" double-ring transit datestamp and arrival cds (Dec 22, 1889), both in black. On obverse France Sage 25 c. black on rose, tied by "SHANG-HAI CHINE 15 NOV 89" cds with postman's handstamp '419' in circle alongside. Cover opened out for display, a fine and fresh three-colour franking paying the 9 candarins rate to Europe through the French Post Office. Filing folds away from the adhesives, an attractive combination cover of Chinese and French issues. Cert. Robineau (1986).