5c Chocolate (223). Used with China, Chinkiang, 1894, 1c Blue (2), both tied by bold "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai Dec. 1 94" duplex on cover to Macon, Ga., 1c also tied by "Chinkiang Postal Service 5PM 94 29.NV" double circle datestamp, second strike on back which also has ultramarine "Shanghai Local Post NO. 30 94", San Francisco (Dec. 22) and Macon receiving (Dec. 28) backstamps, embossed U.S.S. Concord with minuteman illustration on flap, cover endorsed "Via Empress of India" in lower left corner, few minor toned spots affect a few perfs

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE COMBINATION OF CHINKIANG TREATY PORT AND UNITED STATES 1890 ISSUE STAMPS.

According to the Pratt book, towards the end of 1893, the Chinkiang Municipal Council decided to take over the postal service, effective as of August 6, 1894. New stamp designs were prepared and a printer in Shanghai was selected, but a fire on June 29 at a cotton shop next door spread and the presses and stones were damaged. A new printer was quickly found in Japan, who was able to produce and deliver the new stamps in time for the August 6 start of service. The service was absorbed into the Imperial Chinese Post on Feb. 2, 1897.

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