Rates
Very few records of the postal rates in use during this time period exist. The following table has been constructed from a number of sources to confirm the rates during the period.
Because Wei Hai Wei (Port Edward and Liu Kung Tau) were colonies, their rates were slightly different from those of the other Treaty Ports. The 5 cent rate from the Treaty Ports is controversial but I believe that the number of examples I have seen and obtained conclusively proves that this rate existed.
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Local Postcard Rate |
Overseas Postcard Rate |
Agency to Agency and Hong Kong |
UK, British Possessions and Egypt |
UPU |
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First Weight Amounts |
Succeeding Weight Amounts |
First Weight Amount |
Succeeding Weight Amounts |
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1917 |
1c (All) |
4c (All) |
4c/20g (Ports) |
4c/20g (All) |
4c/oz (WHW) 10c/20g (Ports) |
4c/oz (WHW) 6c/20g (Ports) |
10c/6c (All) |
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15 Feb 1918 |
1 ½c (All) |
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? Jan 22 - 30 Nov 22 |
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6c (Ports) |
10c/20g (Ports) |
5c/20g (Ports) |
10c/5c (Ports) |
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1 Oct 22 |
3c (Ports) |
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15 Jan 1923 |
2c (WHW) |
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1923 (WHW) |
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4c (WHW) |
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Other Fees and rates:
Printed
Matter/Newspaper2c
Registered
Letter10c
AR
Fee
10c
Certificate of Posting
(Unregistered)
1c
Certificate of Posting
(Registered)
2c
Exceptions:
Canton to Macau and Hong Kong
2c per ½ oz
Other Agencies to Macau
4c per ½ oz
Shanghai to Ningpo
3c per 20g
Certainly at the beginning, this corresponded to the rate from the UK of 2 ½ pence per first ounce and 1 ½ pence for each additional ounce.
Parcel post is believed to be $2.25 for 5lbs, although other sources have listed it at $0.10 per pound with a 10c special handling fee.
These rates are certain as they are printed on the back of the stamp booklet, as shown here:
Unfortunately, there remain a number of questions:
1. Is it correct that the AR fee was paid at 10c by the stamp on the AR document and other than the AR marking on the cover, is not otherwise identifiable?
2. There seem to be covers with an additional 1c and 2c in postage. This seems to only be explainable by a certificate of posting rate. Does the 1c unregistered and 2c registered rates make sense?
3. Is the Registration receipt shown the same as the certificate of posting for the registered letter or is
this something else entirely?
(This linked Registered Mail
Receipt dated August 15, 1922, matches the cover shown in the Tientsin section under Agencies.)
4. The start date of the 6c rate is unknown, although I believe it was the 18th or 19th of Jan 1922 from the Ports (not Wei Hai Wei, which remained at 4c). Cards exist as follows:
4c Rate
Jan 9 Amoy to USA
Jan 30 Shanghai to Siam
6c Rate
Jan 27 Shanghai to UK (4c with circular "T" and 1 1/2d Postage Due)
Apr 22 Shanghai to UK
Oct 30 Shanghai to UK
In the meantime, this seems as good a place as any to start trying to find the largest known multiples, largest dollar values known on cover or piece etc.
This piece is currently believed to be the largest dollar amount used on piece or cover at $13.48.
This piece is believed to be the largest known used multiple of the 1c.