Lot 20156 – 1904 Picture postcard used by civilian to send New

1904 Picture postcard used by civilian to send New Year greetings to Galati, Roumania, franked 7 1/2 cents in Chinese Dragon issue, cancelled at Russian P.O. MUKDEN 8 12 04. Transit Odessa 2 2 05 (Old Style) and Galati 17 2 05 (New Style = 4 2 05 Old Style). Endorsed in Russian (after stamps affixed): VIA MUKDEN CENSOR. Violet circular handstamp: GENERAL HQ 6th SIBERIAN ARMY CORPS, evidently used as a censor cachet. China was not admitted to the Universal Postal Union until 1920 and before that date its stamps had no validity outside national boundaries. Their acceptance by Russian and Roumanian clerks was irregular.