2c-$2.00 Offices in China
(K1-K16). Complete set, tied by "U.S. Pos. Service, Shanghai China Dec.
28, 1922" duplex cancels on large registered cover to ShanghaiVERY FINE. A RARE AND COLORFUL FRANKING OF THE ENTIRE SET OF SIXTEEN STAMPS OVERPRINTED BY THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING FOR USE AT THE POSTAL AGENCY IN CHINA. USED ON ONE OF THE LAST DAYS THE U.S. POSTAL AGENCY IN SHANGHAI WAS OPEN.
As U.S. economic interests in China increased, the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai requested a supply of stamps that could be used at local post offices. At the time, the exchange rate between U.S. and Shanghai dollars was 2:1, and a series of Washington-Franklin stamps were officially overprinted by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. These were placed on sale on July 1, 1919. After World War I, provisions were made to close almost all foreign post offices in China. The U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai closed after December 31, 1922. (Image)
$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in
China (K16). Deep rich color, tied by well-struck oval "U.S. Postal
Agency, Shanghai, China R.D." handstamp on registered cover to Basle,
Switzerland, August 20, 1920 origination and transit backstamps (New
York and Basel), Shanghai return addressFRESH AND FINE. A RARE USAGE OF THE $2.00 ON $1.00 OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE ON A REGISTERED COVER TO BASLE, SWITZERLAND.
As an indication of rarity, our sale of the Drucker Family Collection of U.S. Post Offices in China did not contain a single usage of this issue on cover.
With 1996 P.F. certificate (Image)
$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in
China, Double Surcharge (K16a). Horizontal pair, deep rich color, clear
and well-shifted second impression of surcharge, cancelled by bold strike
of "U.S. Postal Agency, Shanghai" roller cancel, left stamp faint vertical
crease not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE AND RARE USED PAIR OF THE $2.00 DOUBLE SURCHARGE ERROR .
It has been reported that the Double Surcharge sheets were among the last to be put on sale before before the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai closed on December 31, 1922. The Deputy Postal Agent, Mr. E. H. Murray, knew of the error, but allowed it to be put on sale, as he was retiring and the Agency was closing.
With 1982 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as two used singles (Image)
Darrah Overprints. Eight,
incl. overprints on Nos. 308, 331, 337, 376, 377, 378, 379 and 406, rich
colors, few faults, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, scarce group (Image) 
1c Parcel Post, Inverted
Darrah Overprint (Q1 var). Vertical pair, tied by "U.S. Postal
Agency, Shanghai, China Nov. 19, 1914" duplex cancel on cover to Salt
Lake City UT, with original enclosure from importer of engineering
instruments and appliances, contents read in part "Merry Christmas.
Don't throw this away the stamps that bring you this greeting as they may
be interesting one day."FRESH AND VERY FINE. PROBABLY A UNIQUE USED PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT PARCEL POST WITH INVERTED DARRAH OVERPRINTS.
A single on cover, used with a 1c Washington, realized $3,000 hammer in our sale of the Drucker Collection (Sale 855, lot 190).
Ex Doolittle. (Image)