Lot 2657
2657
cover 1913 (9 Jan.) red band cover sent from Shanghai to Tientsin bearing, on the reverse, first issue "EXPRESS LETTER" stamp with serial number and roulettes in black and showing the despatch and arrival c.d.s. on the front. This is believed to be the earliest cover bearing this stamp and therefore the earliest Chinese cover bearing an Express Mail stamp. S.G. E266, Chan E8. Photo
cover 1913 (9 Jan.) red band cover sent from Shanghai to Tientsin bearing, on the reverse, first issue "EXPRESS LETTER" stamp with serial number and roulettes in black and showing the despatch and arrival c.d.s. on the front. This is believed to be the earliest cover bearing this stamp and therefore the earliest Chinese cover bearing an Express Mail stamp. S.G. E266, Chan E8. Photo

Details
cover 1913 (9 Jan.) red band cover sent from Shanghai to Tientsin bearing, on the reverse, first issue "EXPRESS LETTER" stamp with serial number and roulettes in black and showing the despatch and arrival c.d.s. on the front. This is believed to be the earliest cover bearing this stamp and therefore the earliest Chinese cover bearing an Express Mail stamp. S.G. E266, Chan E8. Photo
Further details
The catalogues suggest that this express stamps was issued in January 1913, though off-cover singles have been found dated December 1912, no covers from that year have been found.