China Postage Due Stamp, Blue

China · 1904 · 1/2c

This is one of China's first postage due stamps, featuring a simple typographic design. The denomination '1/2 CENT' is centrally located within an ornate frame, with Chinese characters indicating its purpose. The stamp is printed in a distinct blue color.

Issued by the Imperial Chinese Post at the end of the Qing Dynasty, these stamps were used to collect insufficient postage from the recipient of a letter. This series marks a key step in the standardization of China's postal system.