G'day David,
One of a series of Chinese Famine relief stamps
(A ripper by the way, if you wish to sell it, please have me on the list)
Chinese history records many famines, especially in the North of China, near the Huang Ho or Yellow River. But
the books of history have never recorded such a famine as that which occurred in 1919-21, during which time over
ten million lives were lost! Every society, guild and association in China raised funds for the succour of the needy
in the famine-ravished districts, and the Post Office helped in this good work by the issue in 1920 of three specially
surcharged stamps. The stamps used were the 2c., 4c. and 6c. of the 1915 issue, surcharged to the new postal values
of 1c., 3c. and 5c. These stamps were sold at their original face values, but could only be used at their surcharged
value for prepaying postal matter. Thus 1c. was contributed by every surcharged stamp used.
In 1921 a series of eight Famine Relief stamps superseded the issue of 1920. The 1920 issue of stamps had a
franking value, but this new issue had none. The design of the stamps shows wild geese in flight on the shores of
the river Hwang Ho.
Posted 10/24/2010 10:03 am
