$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in China, Double Surcharge (K16a). Bottom left corner selvage single with "J.A.M." siderographer's initials, slightly disturbed tropical original gum, perfs very slightly in at left

FINE. AN IMPORTANT RARITY OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE. THIS DOUBLE SURCHARGE ERROR STAMP SHOWS A WIDELY-SHIFTED SECOND SURCHARGE AND COMES FROM THE CORNER OF THE SHEET WHERE THE PLATEMAKER'S INITIALS APPEAR.

The Office in China double surcharge error occurred during the overprinting of stamps for use at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai. It has been reported that the errors were among the last stamps to be put on sale before the agency closed on December 31, 1922. The Deputy Postal Agent, Mr. E. H. Murray, knew of the error but allowed it to be put on sale, as he was retiring and the Agency was closing.

This stamp comes from the George Brett estate. The exact number of error sheets sold by the U.S. Postal Agency has never been established, but it is likely that no more than two from this position exist.

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