1896 (March 19) Cover from Peking to Antwerp (Belgium), sent by the Belgian Legation in China as confirmed by corresponding red paper seal on back, fully prepaid by China 1894 6ca and 12ca (Chan 27, 29), tied by blue Peking chop, struck with “I.G. OF CUSTOMS/PEKING” (19.3) and “CUSTOMS/SHANGHAI” (24.3) cds’s -both in blue- on reverse, entering the French P.O. with overprinted Sage 25c pair on front, tied by “SHANG-HAÏ/CHINE” cds’s (26.3), alongside showing octagonal “LIGNE N/PAQ. FR. N°7” ds, backstamped on arrival; a very rare combination franking paying the double rate, further enhanced by the rare destination, with only 11 covers recorded bearing ‘Dowager’ and surcharged issues sent from China (regardless of the P.O.); (Tony Kwan census A1896-037, offered for the last time at auction on 11.10.1986).