The Issue of Postage and Postal Route for the Registered Cover Mailed from Berlin, Germany to Harbin, Heilongjiang Province in Northeast China on February 14, 1923

    Appeal to all philatelic experts for assistance with several questions:

    1. This registered cover was sent from Berlin, Germany to Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China on 14 February 1923. What is the meaning of the purple circular postmark marked with the number 212? Is it a censorship mark? Where was it stamped and applied?
    2. How was the postage calculated on this cover? What was the tariff for international registered mail to China at that time, and what were the respective rates for ordinary mail and the registration fee?
    3. By which postal route did this registered cover arrive in China? Did it pass through the Siberian postal route? There are remnants of labels with Russian letters on the back of the cover; what do they signify?

    I sincerely invite postal history experts to provide analysis and answers. Thank you very much.

    My email address: czyuzhe@163.com

    Hello KX,

    From 15.1.1923 to 28.2.1923 the rate for a letter up to 20 g was 150 marks. Registration was 40 marks. So the cover is overfranked by 1 mark. (Michel postal rates handbook)

    That's all I am able to help you with.

    Best regards,

    David

    Hello Kian XIAO,

    the markings on the letter front may have been applied by the German exchange control (Postüberwachung/Devisenkontrolle). This did not constitute censorship in the sense of the word, but letters would be opened if they were suspected to contain German or foreign currencies to be smuggled over the border. The control was in force between November 1918 and 1925. A colourfully franked registered letter such as this almost begged to be controlled. :)

    Usually the letters were opened and closed with a paper seal after inspection, which seems to be missing here (with no conspicuous traces left).

    There is an expert in this field, Robin Pizer FRPSL, who can be contacted through the ABPS. Use the homepage’s search function to find his email address.

    Viele Grüße aus Erding!

    My, you’re big and strong.
    —Actually it’s the tailor, and I come from a long line of pygmys.

    From “The Saint Steps In” with Roger Moore, br. November 1964

    Zitat von Erdinger

    Usually the letters were opened and closed with a paper seal after inspection, which seems to be missing here (with no conspicuous traces left).

    In my collection of SCADTA registered letters from the period 1921-1923 i have about 6 covers from Colombia to Germany, all went through currency/exchange control, but NONE were closed with a paper strip/seal.

    Zitat von Elch

    Unfortunately Robert Pizer passed away on March 11.

    Indeed, and i miss the detailed exchange of information with him on the topic of exchange/currency control (and SCADTA)…