Hankow Stamps
Hankow, situated in central China along the Yangtze River, functioned primarily as a major treaty port and international concession area during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican periods. Its postal history is complex, marked by the operation of foreign powers, including Great Britain, France, Germany, and Russia, each maintaining their own postal agencies issuing stamps overprinted for use within the concession.
- Issued stamps
- 1893–1897
- Region
- Asia, East Asia
- Languages
- English, French, German, Russian, Chinese
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
About Hankow stamps
Consequently, stamps from Hankow often feature inscriptions in English, French, or German alongside Chinese characters, reflecting the city's unique international administrative status before its integration into the unified Chinese postal system. This period of separate postal administration ended definitively following the post-WWI settlements and subsequent Chinese administrative takeovers.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify Hankow stamps
- Look for stamps of Great Britain, France, Germany, or Russia with overprints indicating use in China or specific treaty ports like Hankow.
- Examine the overprint carefully for authenticity; many forgeries exist. Compare with known examples from philatelic catalogs.
- Note the original country of issue and the specific design of the base stamp.
Popular series
-
British Post Office Overprints
1893-1897
Stamps of Great Britain overprinted 'CHINA' for use in British Post Offices in China, including Hankow.
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French Post Office Overprints
1894-1897
Stamps of France overprinted for use in French Post Offices in China, including Hankow.
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German Post Office Overprints
1893-1897
Stamps of Germany overprinted for use in German Post Offices in China, including Hankow.
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 originating country's stamp, the specific overprint, condition, and rarity of the issue. Early issues and those with scarce overprints or cancellations can be highly valuable. Forgeries are common, especially of the more valuable issues.
Catalogs. Hankow 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 Hankow stamps
Hankow stamps refer to postage stamps used in the foreign post offices established in Hankow, China, during the late 19th century. These were typically stamps of Great Britain, France, Germany, or Russia, overprinted for use in their respective postal agencies within the Hankow concession area.
Yes, many Hankow stamps can be quite valuable, especially rare overprints, specific printings, or stamps in fine condition. Their value depends heavily on the originating country's stamp, the specific overprint, and its rarity. Common examples might be worth a few dollars, while rare varieties can fetch thousands.
To identify Hankow stamps, look for stamps of the foreign powers (Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia) that bear overprints indicating their use in China or specific treaty ports. Pay close attention to the details of the overprint and compare them with catalog references. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Hankow stamps are listed in major international stamp catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons, usually under the sections for the respective foreign powers (e.g., Great Britain - China, France - China) or specific sections for Chinese treaty ports/foreign post offices.
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