Shanghai Post :

The trick with Shanghai is to decipher the arms.
The motto is "all together as one"
Now try and decipher the shields/countries.



The Shanghai Municipal Seal at present in use was designed by
Mr. Oliver, the then Municipal Engineer, was approved by the
Council in December, 1868 and brought into use in April, 1869.

The flags represented are as follows:

- Top left hand shield: Great Britain, America, France, Germany.
- Top right hand shield: Russia, Denmark, Italy, Portugal.
- Lower Shield: Norway and Sweden, Austria, Spain, Holland.

Countries having treaties with China but whose flags are not
represented on the shield are: Belgium, Japan, Cuba, Brazil.

There was a considerable amount of objection to the design
of the seal, and in 1870 Mr. Oliver prepared another in the
form of a Shield with four quarters showing a railway train
opposite a pagoda, a steamer opposite to a junk, and the
word "Priress" underneath.

This together with a heterogeneous assortment of other
designs was exhibited, but at the Ratepayers Meeting
which followed it was agreed that none of the new designs
proved entirely satisfactory, and, on the motion of
Mr. T. W. Kingsmill, it was decided that "the present seal
shall remain as the common seal of the Council until the
production of a more satisfactory design."

In 1895 Mr. Mayne pointed out that the council of the
seal is faulty, but the Council decided that as it had
been in use so long no change was desirable.

From the North China Herald, July 8, 1916

Blair (RCSD)

Nice items.

Thanks BK
A fascinating sideline comes to life.

I'll do some more research
they suggest the Prussion eagle.

Perhaps addressed here

"In 1895 Mr. Mayne pointed out that the council of the
seal is faulty, but the Council decided that as it had
been in use so long no change was desirable."




says this was a slightly different version of the flag, with the German flag replaced by a white space where the flag would have been. This modification was a protest against the German European aggression of the time, presumably around WW1. Further down the same page there is an image of the "Shanghai Russian Regiment" which uses the same seal but a German flag which looks like Image:Flagge Preußen (1892-1918).png.

Great Shanghai pieces. Love the local posts as I stated in another thread, but it is I side topic that I just have to enjoy seeing, not indulging in, yet........

Not expensive Jeff, around 20c each

Facsimile of 16 Candarin (Candarenns? sic ) Shanghai LPO
from an early 20th century marketing or approval card.....

Great post here rodster. All new to the Bee.

I am listening.

Nice one geilichina!
first time I have ever seen an Chinese expertising mark

The BeeSeester!
you gotta checkout Chinese local stamps
they are a fascinating lot,
I reckon you would get a real kick from them....

Here is a Foochow to whet your appetite..
(if you havn't already made an aquaintance)

Since I know how much Bee likes the used stuff:

Sorry to deflate your weather balloon, Rod, but I don't think that's a Chinese expertising mark. The 1/2 numeral is in reverse. And that is the 1/2 cent stamp from the top scan (check out the trimmed perfs). I think that is just an ink transfer from another 1/2 stamp when they were stacked.

I saw one of these on ebay recently for Us$200

If you Google 'China Shanghai Local Post 1893 1c inverted wmk' you should find it. (copied below)

This is my only copy.....must check the watermark





Heres a copy of the ebay

Thanks for the heads up James.

Bas, I don't consider an ebay listing price
as any real guide to value.
Thanks for posting though.