GERMAN POST OFFICES ABROAD
CHINA
STAMPS
1901
The first German postal agency in China was opened in Shanghai on 16th Aug 1886 following the arrival of the Reichspost Steamship 'Oder' on the same day. Postal connections from Germany to China were performed once every 4 weeks from Bremerhaven to Shanghai via Antwerp, Port Said, Suez, Aden, Columbo, Singapore and Hong Kong using the East Asia Main Line ('Ostasiatische Hauptlinie'). From 1893 Genoa and Naples were added to the route and its frequency was increased to once every two weeks in 1899. The East Asia Main Line was further expanded in 1899 with the inclusion of Hong Kong, Hiogo and Nagasaki when the East Asia Branch Line ('Ostasiatische Zweiglinie') service was terminated. Yokohama was also added at this time.
ISSUED DURING the BOXER REBELLION
PETSCHILI (North China)
FELDPOST
The PV and PVI issues were not overprinted and are only recognisable by the cancellation. Both PV were used by Field Post Offices and post offices in the war teritories: they must be cancelled from 1-9-1900 to 31-8-1901 (end of the Field Post), however there are later cancellations up until 31-12-1902 that were requested by collectors. PVI was used by Field Post Office No.2 as well as the Imperial Post Office in (Peking), now Beijing with cancellation dates mainly from April to November 1901.
MICHEL PVIa to PVIn
REGULAR ISSUE IMPERIAL YACHT
Issued Apr 1901 until 1902. Kiautschou Stamps - Imperial Yacht.
MICHEL 15 to 27
REGULAR ISSUE GERMANIA
REICHSPOST
Issued March 1901 to April 1904. German Empire Germania and representative illustrations. Inscribed "REICHSPOST" with horizontal black, vertical black or horizontal carmine overprint.
