2c-$2.00 Offices in China (K1-K16). Complete set, tied by "U.S. Pos. Service, Shanghai China Dec. 30, 1922" duplex cancels on two matching covers sent to Astor House Hotel in Shanghai

VERY FINE. A SCARCE AND COLORFUL PAIR OF COVERS WITH THE ENTIRE SET OF SIXTEEN STAMPS OVERPRINTED BY THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING FOR USE AT THE POSTAL AGENCY IN CHINA. USED ON THE NEXT TO LAST DAY THE U.S. POSTAL AGENCY IN SHANGHAI WAS OPEN.

As U.S. economic interests in China increased, the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai requested a supply of stamps that could be used at local post offices. At the time, the exchange rate between U.S. and Shanghai dollars was 2:1, and a series of Washington-Franklin stamps were officially overprinted by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. These were placed on sale on July 1, 1919. After World War I, provisions were made to close almost all foreign post offices in China. The U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai closed after December 31, 1922.

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