2c-$2.00 Offices in China
(K1-K16). Complete set, tied by "U.S. Pos. Service, Shanghai China Mar.
7, 1922" duplex cancels on large registered cover to New York and
forwarded back to Shanghai, Sulzer, Rudolph & Co., Shanghai imprint
of sender on backflap, addressed to their offices in New York, vertical
file fold at left and very light horizontal file fold at bottom well clear
of all stamps (to be expected on a cover of this size)VERY 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.
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.
With 1984 P.F. certificate (Image)
$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in
China (K16). Bottom imprint and plate no. block of six, Mint N.H.,
well-centered, rich color and very freshEXTREMELY FINE. CERTAINLY AMONG THE FINEST EXISTING PLATE BLOCKS OF THE $2.00 OFFICES IN CHINA.
With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)
$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in
China, Double Surcharge (K16a). Showing the doubled overprint
distinctly, well-centered, rich color, full original gum, lightly
hingedEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 DOUBLE SURCHARGE, OF WHICH ONLY 100 WERE ISSUED.
The Office in China double overprint error was caused when the sheet was run through the overprinting machine twice. It has been reported that the sheet was one of 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. There are at least six covers recorded.
Light purple backstamp (Image)