GERMAN POST OFFICES ABROAD
CHINA
STAMPS
1886

Forerunners are stamps of the German Empire that were in circulation in foreign countries and the colonies without any special identification (i.e. not overprinted "China"), until issue of their own stamps. 'Proper' forerunners were officially delivered to post offices and were sold from postal counters, stamps that were not used or not officially issued are non-proper forerunners (e.g. Michel V39 and V43). All forerunners and interim stamps can only be recognised by the cancellation and as such there is no such thing as an unused forerunner.

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Michel V40II.

Issued: 1886 to 1901: The German Post Offices in China used regular German Empire issues - 1880 Michel 40. Number in oval.

---------- These forerunners are only known with the "KDPAG SHANGHAI" cancel ----------

MiV40II
5Pf
violet purple
1886-1891

VARIATIONS

REQUIRES ADDITIONAL RESEARCH

PLATE FLAWS

Mi V40 III
line in the cross of the crown lower.

Mi V40 VI
left sash of crown damaged.

STAMPS FROM MY COLLECTION

Mi V40II
Cancelled, Used
"KAISERLICH DEUTSCHE POSTAGENTUR
"SHANGHAI"
"30/3 88"