1c Deep Green (279). Horizontal pair, interpane straight edge at bottom, tied by "Philadelphia Pa. May 29 1:30P 1900" wavy-line machine cancel on Union College corner card cover with typewritten address to A. M. Bisbee, Custom House, Shanghai, China, part strike of June 6 transit backstamp (office unreadable), matching bold "T" handstamp and pencil "15" deficiency expressed in centimes per UPU regulations (equal to 3c), bold "U.S. Postal Agency, Shanghai Rec'd. Jun. 27 3PM 1900" receiving backstamp, red manuscript "12c" applied at Shanghai is the amount due in local currency, Postage Due 5c Bright Claret, Large Numeral, and 1c Deep Claret, Bureau (J24, J31) tied by blue "U.S. Postal Agency, Shanghai, China, Jun. 27, 1900" double-circle ribbon-marker datestamp, stamps have faint toning, cover slightly reduced at left and small tear at bottom left

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF UNITED STATES POSTAGE DUE STAMPS AT THE U.S. POSTAL AGENCY IN SHANGHAI, PAYING THE AMOUNT DUE ON SHORT-PAID MAIL.

The U.S. domestic rate in 1900 was 2c. This cover from Union College was probably part of a bulk mailing, and the 2c postage was insufficient for the 5c UPU rate to Shanghai. It was rated with the deficiency (15 centimes, or 3c), and, in Shanghai the 6c due (double the deficiency) was paid by Postage Due stamps they had on hand, including the Large Numeral issue of 1891. The manuscript 12c marking represents the amount due in local currency at the 2 to 1 exchange rate.

Ex Drucker.

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