Canton Stamps
Canton, historically known as the Province of Guangdong, is a major coastal region in Southern China. While not an independent stamp-issuing entity in the modern sense, its postal history is deeply intertwined with the treaty port era and the administration of the Qing Dynasty and subsequent Republican governments.
- Issued stamps
- 1861–1861
- Region
- Asia, East Asia
- Currency
- CNY
- Languages
- Chinese, English, French
- Issuer type
- Historical postal administration
- Part of
- China (Qing Dynasty)
About Canton stamps
Stamps issued for use in this region primarily feature Chinese characters, often alongside English or French during periods of foreign concession influence. The administrative and political transitions within China profoundly impacted the postal services and the issuance of definitive and commemorative stamps relevant to the Canton area.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- CHINA
How to identify Canton stamps
- Look for Chinese characters, often alongside English or French text, indicating a connection to foreign concessions.
- Examine overprints on foreign stamps (e.g., 'CHINA' or specific treaty port names) for use in Canton.
- Note the presence of local post issues, which may have unique designs not found on national Chinese stamps.
Popular series
-
Local Post Issues
1890s-early 1900s
Stamps issued by local postal services in Canton, often featuring Chinese characters and sometimes overprints.
-
Treaty Port Overprints
Late 19th - early 20th century
Stamps of foreign powers (e.g., Great Britain, France) overprinted for use in their post offices in Canton.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- $5–$50
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$5,000+
Value varies significantly based on the specific issue (local post vs. foreign overprint), condition, and rarity of cancellations or varieties. Early local issues and rare treaty port overprints can command high prices.
Catalogs. Canton stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Canton stamps
Canton stamps refer to postal issues used in the Canton (Guangdong) region of China, primarily during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican era. These include local post issues, stamps of the Imperial Chinese Post, and foreign stamps overprinted for use in treaty port post offices within Canton.
The value of Canton stamps can range from a few dollars for common examples to several thousands for rare local issues, specific overprints, or stamps with unique cancellations. Rarity, condition, and historical significance are key factors in determining value.
To identify Canton stamps, look for Chinese characters, often accompanied by English or French text. Pay close attention to overprints on foreign stamps that indicate their use in Chinese treaty ports. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Canton stamps are primarily listed in major international catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons, often within sections dedicated to China, Chinese local posts, or foreign post offices in China.
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