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#K1//16
1920 Shanghai Overprints, Set of 7 Stamps
$1,195.00
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Get Scarce Shanghai Overprints and SAVE!
Shanghai Overprints are unlike any other US stamps and document world history of the early 20th century. It was a time when US settlements were established in China. Now you have the rare opportunity to own postally used #K1-5, K12, and K16 in a money-saving collection of seven. Shanghai Overprints are often difficult to find.
Overlooked Pieces of Postal History You’ll Want in Your Collection
The Shanghai Overprints were issued in very limited quantities, making them quite scarce over 100 years later. They were also short-lived, only available for sale from 1919 to 1922. Today, they’re a direct tie to the period in US-China history that helped define our countries’ future relations.
Because of this shared history, the Shanghai Overprints are popular with US and Chinese collectors alike. As you might expect with stamps over 100 years old, they will have one or two tiny imperfections. These small flaws don’t detract from the stamps’ beauty or history, but they save you up to hundreds off Mystic’s regular prices.
Why Did the U.S. Establish a Postal Agency in China?
US merchants began trading with China after the Revolutionary War. Much of the business was conducted in the port city of Shanghai. The US eventually established formal diplomatic relations with China, and Americans could buy land and build there. US settlements in China were much like home, with US laws and amenities. The US maintained its own courts, police, and armed forces.
In the early days, American mail had to pass through the British post office in Hong Kong. This proved expensive and unreliable. In 1865, the US Post Office was authorized to provide its own mail service to China. When mail service first began, it cost 10¢ to send a letter to China. This was later lowered to 5¢ with the establishment of the Universal Postal Union. Starting in June 1903, US domestic postage rates were applied to Shanghai mail.
US Stamps Overprinted to Reflect the Exchange Rate
At first, the US Postal Agency accepted payment in US currency only, which was inconvenient for many customers. It also hurt the agency’s revenue. That changed in 1919, when they finally decided to accept the Chinese tael. At this time, it was equal to about half of a US dollar.
New stamps were overprinted with the exchange rate – double the stamp’s face value. The 1¢ stamp was overprinted 2¢, the 2¢ stamp was overprinted 4¢, and so on. The overprinting was done by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. (Later stamps – #K17 and K18 – were locally overprinted in Shanghai.)
US stamps were also available without overprints in Shanghai. It was all a matter of how the customer was paying. If they bought a stamp with US currency, they received a normal US stamp, but if they used Chinese currency, they received an overprint.
Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed
These Shanghai Overprints will only become harder to find as time goes on. You’ll want to take advantage of this offer right away. As always, your satisfaction is guaranteed. Seize this opportunity to add these scarce stamps to your collection. Limited quantities available – send right away.
Get Scarce Shanghai Overprints and SAVE!
Shanghai Overprints are unlike any other US stamps and document world history of the early 20th century. It was a time when US settlements were established in China. Now you have the rare opportunity to own postally used #K1-5, K12, and K16 in a money-saving collection of seven. Shanghai Overprints are often difficult to find.
Overlooked Pieces of Postal History You’ll Want in Your Collection
The Shanghai Overprints were issued in very limited quantities, making them quite scarce over 100 years later. They were also short-lived, only available for sale from 1919 to 1922. Today, they’re a direct tie to the period in US-China history that helped define our countries’ future relations.
Because of this shared history, the Shanghai Overprints are popular with US and Chinese collectors alike. As you might expect with stamps over 100 years old, they will have one or two tiny imperfections. These small flaws don’t detract from the stamps’ beauty or history, but they save you up to hundreds off Mystic’s regular prices.
Why Did the U.S. Establish a Postal Agency in China?
US merchants began trading with China after the Revolutionary War. Much of the business was conducted in the port city of Shanghai. The US eventually established formal diplomatic relations with China, and Americans could buy land and build there. US settlements in China were much like home, with US laws and amenities. The US maintained its own courts, police, and armed forces.
In the early days, American mail had to pass through the British post office in Hong Kong. This proved expensive and unreliable. In 1865, the US Post Office was authorized to provide its own mail service to China. When mail service first began, it cost 10¢ to send a letter to China. This was later lowered to 5¢ with the establishment of the Universal Postal Union. Starting in June 1903, US domestic postage rates were applied to Shanghai mail.
US Stamps Overprinted to Reflect the Exchange Rate
At first, the US Postal Agency accepted payment in US currency only, which was inconvenient for many customers. It also hurt the agency’s revenue. That changed in 1919, when they finally decided to accept the Chinese tael. At this time, it was equal to about half of a US dollar.
New stamps were overprinted with the exchange rate – double the stamp’s face value. The 1¢ stamp was overprinted 2¢, the 2¢ stamp was overprinted 4¢, and so on. The overprinting was done by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. (Later stamps – #K17 and K18 – were locally overprinted in Shanghai.)
US stamps were also available without overprints in Shanghai. It was all a matter of how the customer was paying. If they bought a stamp with US currency, they received a normal US stamp, but if they used Chinese currency, they received an overprint.
Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed
These Shanghai Overprints will only become harder to find as time goes on. You’ll want to take advantage of this offer right away. As always, your satisfaction is guaranteed. Seize this opportunity to add these scarce stamps to your collection. Limited quantities available – send right away.
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