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French Post China Stamps

French Post China refers to the postal administration operated by France within treaty ports and concessions in China, primarily during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This administration functioned under the broader framework of the French colonial empire, utilizing French postal conventions and often operating concurrently with the Imperial Chinese Post.

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Issued stamps
1894–1922
Region
Asia, East Asia
Currency
FRF
Languages
French, Chinese
Issuer type
Colonial postal administration
Part of
France

About French Post China stamps

Stamps issued for these offices typically bear French inscriptions, often alongside Chinese characters, and reflect the period of European extraterritorial rights before the eventual handover of these services. The postal history is intrinsically linked to the complex geopolitical landscape of treaty-port China.

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.

  • CHINE
  • SHANGHAI CHINE
  • PEKIN CHINE

How to identify French Post China stamps

  1. Look for French stamps (Ceres, Sage, Merson, etc.) with overprints such as 'CHINE' or Chinese characters indicating value or origin.
  2. Examine the cancellation marks, which often include the name of the French post office in China (e.g., 'SHANGHAI CHINE', 'PEKIN CHINE').
  3. Check for watermarks (e.g., 'R.F.' for République Française) and perforation details consistent with French issues of the period.

Popular series

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 depends heavily on the specific overprint, condition, and whether it's on cover. Early surcharged issues and high values are generally more sought after. Forgeries of overprints are common, so expertization is often recommended for valuable items.

Catalogs. French Post China 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.

Related issuers

Questions about French Post China stamps

French Post China stamps are postage stamps issued by the French postal administration operating within treaty ports and concessions in China from 1894 to 1922. These stamps were primarily French issues overprinted with 'CHINE' or Chinese characters, or surcharged with new values, for local use.

The value of French Post China stamps varies significantly. Common issues can be found for a few euros, while rare overprints, high values, or stamps on original covers can fetch hundreds or even thousands of euros. Condition, specific overprint variety, and authenticity are key factors in determining value.

You can identify French Post China stamps by looking for French stamp designs (like the Ceres, Sage, or Merson types) bearing overprints such as 'CHINE' or Chinese characters. Cancellation marks often indicate the specific French post office in China. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.

French Post China stamps are extensively listed in major international stamp catalogs, including Scott (under 'French Offices in China'), Michel (under 'Französische Post in China'), and Stanley Gibbons (under 'French Post Offices in China'). Specialized French catalogs may also provide detailed listings.

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