Lot 491
China, 1942 (July 18) censored cover from Cairo to Shanghai, franked at origin with 2m and 20m, reverse with rare label "This letter has been forwarded from Calcutta to Chungking by airmail owing to the suspension of the ordinary-surface transport-route. An air mail surtax…has therefore to be collected from the addressee on delivery. Continuation of this arrangement will depend on continued public support", and therefore with Postage Due 5¢ 10¢ pair, and 50¢ vertical strip of four applied on arrival (representing airmail surtax of $2.25 per 5 grammes), very rare example of this mandatory tax due to reclassification of mail service in order to circumvent the Japanese blockade.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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| Realized $725 |
