Lot 2502
2502
cover 1883 (12 Feb.) printed paper wrapper sent from Shanghai to Ichang (small portion missing, including the recipient's name) bearing, on the reverse, a fair strike of the "SHANGHAI/LOCAL POST" double-circle datestamp in blue (Chang type D2), the front bears superb strikes of the rare first type "HANKOW CUSTOMS/MAIL MATTER" handstamp (38x29mm) in brown-red with "CUSTOMS/HANKOW" c.d.s. in vermilion, dated "FEB 19 83", possibly the earliest date for this. An exceptional and desirable cover which demonstrates the Shanghai Local Post service to Ichang, using the Customs Post in Hankow. Photo
CUSTOMS MAIL MATTER
cover 1883 (12 Feb.) printed paper wrapper sent from Shanghai to Ichang (small portion missing, including the recipient's name) bearing, on the reverse, a fair strike of the "SHANGHAI/LOCAL POST" double-circle datestamp in blue (Chang type D2), the front bears superb strikes of the rare first type "HANKOW CUSTOMS/MAIL MATTER" handstamp (38x29mm) in brown-red with "CUSTOMS/HANKOW" c.d.s. in vermilion, dated "FEB 19 83", possibly the earliest date for this. An exceptional and desirable cover which demonstrates the Shanghai Local Post service to Ichang, using the Customs Post in Hankow. Photo

Details
cover 1883 (12 Feb.) printed paper wrapper sent from Shanghai to Ichang (small portion missing, including the recipient's name) bearing, on the reverse, a fair strike of the "SHANGHAI/LOCAL POST" double-circle datestamp in blue (Chang type D2), the front bears superb strikes of the rare first type "HANKOW CUSTOMS/MAIL MATTER" handstamp (38x29mm) in brown-red with "CUSTOMS/HANKOW" c.d.s. in vermilion, dated "FEB 19 83", possibly the earliest date for this. An exceptional and desirable cover which demonstrates the Shanghai Local Post service to Ichang, using the Customs Post in Hankow. Photo
Further details
This first type Hankow Customs Mail Matter handstamp is very elusive, a further example is illustrated in the Mizuhara collection.

For Amoy Customs Mail Matter, see lots 2534-2536