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Auction: 20188 - The Treaty Ports of the Shanghai Postal System - e-Auction
Lot: 1

Chungking
Lee Chuan Essay
1893 Archibald Little's 2c. essay in vermilion, perf.12 cancelled by "chungking/postal service" circular handstamp in blue and part rectangular seal cancellation in red. The inscription reads, "Li Chuan Company/Chungking/2c.". There are a couple of trivial imperfections which do not detract from this very rare and desirable essay. One of only three examples recorded. Livingston E1

provenance:
Malcolm Johnson

Dr Warren Kauder, May 1972,

Charles Dougan,
Elling O. Eide, November 2014


literature:
China Clipper, vol. 21, no.4 (1957), page 64 (illustrated)

The Shanghai Postal System, Charles Dougan, 1981 (illustrated page 74)


Archibald Little established the first postal service for foreign traders by "clubbing" mail to be sent to other ports. Little went on to establish a local postal service and it is thought that these essays were produced in order to send mail to other ports further down the river. Li Chuan Company (or Little Boat Company) was owned by Archibald Little

Estimate

Starting price
HK$50000