amtc911 - 6/10/2008 at 13:02
As we all know, 3k=homeland postcard rate, 4k=overseas postcard rate.
But.......
Why was a 5k stamp issued overprinted KITAI in 1899?
To recap there were seven values in the first KITAI issue: 1k (make up value?), 2k printed matter, newspaper, 3k postcard to Russia homeland, 4k
postcard to overseas, 5k rate for what?, 7k letter rate to Russia, 10k letter rate to overseas.
I have a feeling that the 5k rate is to do with postcard rate via the newly opened Siberia route.
Any thoughts?
howard - 6/10/2008 at 14:49
There was no special 5 kop. rate for the Transsiberian route.
Lacplesis - 6/10/2008 at 15:12
Domestic letter, as in Russia itself?
amtc911 - 6/19/2008 at 00:06
How about this Port Arthur 1901 January postcard with 5k stamp to Vienna?
There are a few examples of these cards around, so this item is not so scarce and at this price - a little too expensive.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Russia-Used-in-China-1901-card-P-Arthur-...
Overfranked? Since international postcard rate would be 4k.
Could there be an additional 1k local rate from Port Arthur to Chefoo?
jlechtanski - 6/21/2008 at 14:52
Could the extra 1k be a charge for handling by the Chinese Post Office?
The above item shows Chinese Chefoo and Shanghai postmarks indicating handling by the Chinese PO.
One item in the original posting also shows the Chinese Chefoo and Shanghai postmarks on a Taxe Percue postcard:
http://www.hkpsoc.com/images/Russia_formula_cards_1900.jpg
There is also the 5k postcard with the Chinese PEKIN/CHINE postmark indicating it was also in the hands of the Chinese PO.
amtc911 - 3/26/2010 at 06:53
I tend to agree with jlechtanski that 5k should really be a 4k (Russian postcard) + 1k (Chinese handling charge) rate.
Alep - 3/26/2010 at 14:50
5 k was the rate for intracity letters in Russia, inc. the Russian post offices in China. There was neither special 5-k rate for postcards nor 1-k
additions for some local routes, nor any extra charge for handling by the Chinese post. At least, nothing of this kind was mentioned in the literature
known to me.
vasia - 3/28/2010 at 12:00
Here are 2 additional cards franked at the unusual 5k rate:
The second one is unaddressed, so it cannot really be used to determine the applicability of such a rate.
amtc911 - 3/29/2010 at 06:51
OooooH! Love the No.3 c.d.s. on the card - so rare!