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1947 China Inflation Cover, $2,300 European Airmail Rate in effect only 11 Days
$392.25
Seller:
abctoo (12)
1947 China Inflationary Period registered airmail cover canceled: " SHANGHAI 9 / 10 / 47 / 19 / 海上 " [Shanghai 9 October 1947 1900 (7 p.m.) 上海 (Shanghai)]. It is addressed to Vienna (Wien), Austria, in Europe, and also bears Austrian censor markings. Its ... Read More
Item Specifics
- Country
- China
- Condition
- Cover (Postal History)
- Stamp Format
- Single
- Year of Issue
- 1947
Item Description
1947 China Inflationary Period registered airmail cover canceled: " SHANGHAI 9 / 10 / 47 / 19 / 海上 " [Shanghai 9 October 1947 1900 (7 p.m.) 上海 (Shanghai)]. It is addressed to Vienna (Wien), Austria, in Europe, and also bears Austrian censor markings. Its $5,000 franking includes the very short term European airmail rate of $2,300 (per 5 grams) in Chinese National Currency in effect only 11 days (from 2-12 October 1947).The previous European airmail rate had been $2,100 (per 5 grams) in effect for three months from July 1, 1947 to October 1, 1947. These two airmail rates were the last European airmail rates based on a “per 5 gram” weight unit. While seemingly only a modest airmail rate increase of $200 for the 11 days of its life (October 2-12, 1947), the next day (October 13, 1947) the real costs of international mail set in with a dramatic airmail rate increase to $18,500 (per 10 grams) taking effect. Airmail carriers had demanded more for handling even the least weight letter.
The $5,000 franking also includes the surface rate of $1,100 (per 20 grams) and the registration fee of $1,600, both of which had been in effect for more than 7 months since 7 March 1947. Like the new European airmail rate, these too would only remain effective until 13 October 1947. Since real postal inflation could no longer be stemmed, the surface rate and registration fee dramatically increased. On October 13, 1947, the surface rate went from $1,100 (per 20 gram) to $5,500 (per 20 grams) with the registration fee jumping from $1,600 to $11,000.
The $2,300 European airmail rate included in the franking of this cover is identified in Frank Walton's detailed work, " 空航 Chinese International Airmail 1931-49 Exhibit ," published by the China Stamp Society. Although that work has hundreds of pictures of covers with various rates, it does not contain a picture of a cover with this $2,300 rate. We know of no other cover with this short term $2,300 European airmail rate in existence. If anyone has any information about another cover using this $2,300 (per 5 gm) European rate, we would appreciate it if you would send us a message. The cover could contain any combination of stamps and does not have to be just a single stamp for franking as here. Better yet, send a scan if you can get one. We do not care the source as the picture will speak for itself.
Hyper-inflation then really started with airmail rates to Europe racing through 10 more increases over the course of less than a year to $800,000 (per 10 grams) by 21 August 1948. In other words, over the period of inflation, the airmail rate increased more than one thousand fold, from $500 to $800,000. This cover represents the Nationalist's the final effort to keep postal rates from running wild. Here the Nationalist's unsustainable effort would last only for 11 days (from 2 October 1947 to 12 October 1947).
The envelope is made of very thin paper typical of the era. A small part at the left side of the front is missing, apparently from initial opening. That does not affect the stamp, the postal markings or other writing on the cover.
Copyright 2021 by Michael Fried, P.O. Box 27521, Oakland, California 94602-0521
Seller Information
- Seller
- abctoo (12)
- Registered Since
- 02/25/2020
- Feedback
- 100%
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Sales History
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- Item Location
- California, United States
- Ships To
- Worldwide
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