Imperial China,  History of the Posts 1897 by  Major Richard Pratt

1. Preparations for the opening of the IPO

Chapter I contains a brief summary of the early attempts to open a postal service in China, which, in the words of the Imperial Edict of 20 March 1896, "Is to be run on Western lines". This is followed by a far more detailed coverage of the preparations for the opening of the IPO, which took place between 1894 and 1 February 1897

2. UPU membership for China or what?

The contacts established between China and the UPU, and a discussion as to whether or not China's Postal Authorities actually applied on behalf of the country for membership of the Union at this time, including the contents of a number of UPU documents pertaining to these events. Also, the first proposals regarding the question of China's partial Union with Hong Kong.

3. Postal Matters during the February of 1897.

Describes the postal events in the month following the opening of China's new Imperial Post Office on 2 February 1897 (Chinese New Year). The changes in payment for the transmission of mail and the application of postage stamps for International Mail dispatched from China or received therein during the first 18 days. The question of the official date for the opening of the Imperial Post. The arrival and introduction of the Pa-Kua obliterators, as well as the use of "PAID" hand-stamp marks during that month.

4. The Last Months of the Shanghai Local Post

Discusses the closure of the other expatriate Post Offices, in the Outports which had formed the so-called Shanghai Circle, the Postal Agreement between the Imperial Post Office and the Shanghai Municipal Post Office, which came into effect on 1 November 1897.

5. Postal Events during the remainder of 1897

This chapter covers the introduction of the so-called Dollar Cancels, the issue of the Japanese printing of China's postage stamps; the limitation of the expatriate local posts in the Outports to the environs of that port, and the "Postal Agreement" with the Shanghai Municipal Post. The continued use of the "PAID" and the CUSTOMS MAIL MATTER hand-stamps, during the remainder of 1897; and their withdrawal with effect from 31 December of that year.

6. The I.P.O.s instructions and supporting documentation

A description of the various Official instructions (Postal Circulars), Postal Notifications, and Postal Notices, with the relevant documentation, used by the Imperial Post, in 1897, and their usage.

7. Postal Circulars published in 1897

This Chapter records - the contents of the Postal Secretary's Circulars - Nos. 1 to 5. Of these - Circular No. 4 is of prime importance, due to the fact, that it lays down the day to day rules for the handling of the Imperial Post Office's - "Ordinary Post" and "Registered Mail", the workings of the "Money Remittance" System; the withdrawal of the "PAID" and "MAIL MATTER". Hand-stamps, and the regulations for the operation of the Special Winter Courier Service to be operated in the Winter of 1897-98.

8. The Foreign Post Offices on China

This chapter records any major events (postally), which affected the operations of the Foreign Post Offices in China during 1897.

Bibliography


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