Lot 40159 – 1898 (Jan 18) Envelope from Chefoo to Cardiff paying the rare 7 1/2 cents “differential tariff”

1898 (Jan 18) Envelope from Chefoo to Cardiff (Great Britain), bearing China 1897 Second Printing surcharged 1/2c on 3ca (Chan 56) and 1897 ‘Coiling Dragon’ 2c and 5c, tied by Large Dollar cds’s on dispatch, with similar type from Shangai struck on back (22.3), in combination with overprinted Sage 25c, tied by “SHANG-HAÏ” cds, backstamped on receipt; only about ten covers are recorded bearing the 1897 new currency surcharges paying this very rare “differential rate”, with its rarity being further enhanced by the usage of the Large Dollar daters.

Note: the 7 1/2 cents “differential tariff” was into effect for a short period and it was applied as a result of the depreciation of the French exchange rate (the gold franc lost its value by approximately 25%). Consequently, the 10 cents Chinese rate changed to 7 1/2 cents.