- Kiautschou Post Offices
- Kiautschou Feldpost
- Kiautschou Navy Post
- Kiautschou Seepost
- Kiautschou Bahnpost
GERMAN COLONIES
KIAUTSCHOU
STAMPS
1898 / 1901
Kiauchau was a Grerman leased territory in China from 6th Mar 1898 with the German post beginning 26th Jan 1898. The Bay of Kiauchau is located to the southeast of Beijing (then Peking) on the south coast of Shandong Province (then Shantung). The capital is present day Qingdao, formely named Tsintau (Tsingtau). In 1897 the Chinese government signed a 99 year lease agreement with the German government however the lease ended at the outset of the First World War on 7th Nov 1914.
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.
All stamps cancelled from 9th May 1900 for the 5Pf, and from 1st Jan 1901 for the other stamps, are considered Mitläufer. To be Vorlaufer or true forerunners the stamps must be cancelled 8th May 1900 or earlier for the 5Pf and before 1st Jan 1901 for the other stamps.
MICHEL V37 to V50
FORERUNNERS (V)
From 1898 / 1901. The German post offices in kiauchau used German Empire stamps. Michel Nr 37 (internal service "Number in Oval") and Michel 45 to 50 (internal service: "crown / eagle").
MICHEL V1I to V6I
FORERUNNERS (V)
From 1898 / 1901. The German post offices in kiauchau used German Empire stamps. Michel 1I to 6I with diagonal "China" overprint at 45˚. Michel 1II to 6II the same as 1I to 6I but with steeper overprint.
MICHEL V1II to V6II
FORERUNNERS (V)
From 1898 / 1901. The German post offices in kiauchau used German Empire stamps. Michel 1I to 6I with diagonal "China" overprint. Michel 1II to 6II the same as 1I to 6I but with steeper overprint at 56˚.
