Foochow Stamps
Foochow, officially Fuzhou, is a major city located in the Fujian province on the southeastern coast of China. Historically, it served as one of the five treaty ports opened to foreign trade following the Treaty of Nanking in 1842, leading to significant international postal activity.
- Issued stamps
- 1895–1896
- Region
- Asia, East Asia
- Currency
- CNY
- Languages
- Chinese, English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- China
About Foochow stamps
Stamps issued for use in this area often reflect the broader postal administration of the Chinese Empire or subsequent Republic, though foreign post offices operated there until the early 20th century. The primary language appearing on official postal materials would be Chinese, with English or other European languages present on foreign issues.
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 Foochow stamps
- Look for 'Foochow' or 'Fuzhou' in Chinese characters (福州) or English on local issues.
- Identify overprints on foreign stamps, which often indicate the specific foreign post office (e.g., 'CHINA' overprint on British stamps).
- Pay attention to watermarks and perforations, which can help distinguish genuine issues from forgeries or reprints.
Popular series
-
Local Post Issues
1895-1896
Stamps issued by the Foochow Local Post, often featuring Chinese characters and sometimes overprinted on existing stamps.
-
Foreign Post Office Overprints
Late 19th - Early 20th Century
Stamps of various foreign powers (e.g., Great Britain, USA, Japan) overprinted for use in their respective post offices in Foochow.
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
- $10–$100
- Scarce stamps
- $500–$5,000+
The value of Foochow stamps varies significantly based on whether they are local post issues, foreign post office overprints, their condition, and rarity. Early local post issues and rare foreign overprints can command high prices, especially if well-preserved.
Catalogs. Foochow 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 Foochow stamps
Foochow stamps refer primarily to the local post issues of Foochow (now Fuzhou), a treaty port in China, which operated briefly from 1895 to 1896. Additionally, stamps used in Foochow include those issued by the Chinese Imperial Post and various foreign post offices (e.g., British, American, Japanese) that operated within the city, often identified by specific overprints.
Yes, some Foochow stamps can be quite valuable. The local post issues, particularly those in good condition or with rare varieties, are highly sought after by collectors. Stamps from foreign post offices with specific Foochow overprints can also fetch significant prices, especially if they are scarce or part of a complete set. Common Chinese Imperial Post stamps used in Foochow are generally less valuable.
To identify Foochow stamps, look for the city's name in Chinese characters (福州) or sometimes in English on local issues. For foreign post office stamps, identify the country of origin and then look for overprints indicating use in China or a specific treaty port like 'FOOCHOW'. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Foochow stamps, including both local issues and foreign post office overprints, are listed in major philatelic catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information on varieties, values, and historical context, essential for serious collectors.
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