This web page, published by the Military Postal History Society, contains the text content of the single frame Postal History of the American Forces in China 1900-1941. This exhibit was created by, and is the property of the late Al Kugel, and is being supplied by his heirs as a courtesy to the Military Postal History Society.
This exhibit documents through contemporary postal material the history of the American military forces in China from our participation in the multinational intervention to suppress the Boxer Uprising at the beginning of the 20th Century until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which brought us into World War II. The story gives emphasis to the large variety of postal markings used on mail from the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine personnel during the relevant period, although postal rates and routes are discussed where significant. Reflecting the rules developed during the Spanish-American War, cards and letters from the troops paid only the relevant domestic rates, at times even being handled without prepayment of postage, with the appropriate amount being collected from the addressee as postage due.
To view the exhibit page images, see: web page containing the image content of the exhibit frame.
Updated 11/11/2022
POSTAL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FORCES IN CHINA 1900-1941
This exhibit documents through contemporary postal material the history of the American military forces in China from our participation in the multinational intervention to suppress the Boxer Uprising at the beginning of the 20th Century until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which brought us into World War II. The story gives emphasis to the large variety of postal markings used on mail from the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine personnel during the relevant period, although postal rates and routes are discussed where significant. Reflecting the rules developed during the Spanish-American War, cards and letters from the troops paid only the relevant domestic rates, at times even being handled without prepayment of postage, with the appropriate amount being collected from the addressee as postage due.
Presentation of the material is divided into ten “chapters,” each of which represents a specific activity involving U.S. forces. These are developed chronologically, based on the beginning of each event as detailed in the Exhibit Plan on the following page. An attempt has been made to achieve reasonable balance between the events, but some chapters are clearly longer than others, which reflects the length of time involved and the number of men deployed.
Extraordinary official cover sent by Vice President Teddy Roosevelt from his home at Oyster Bay NY to Major Ives with the China Relief Expedition at Peking. On the reverse is an arrival marking of the “Mil. Postal Sta. No.1/China” dated 21 April 1901.
A substantial portion of the material displayed in this exhibit is extremely elusive, and it has required several decades to assemble this showing. In general, the size of the forces sent to China was quite modest, with the largest contingent being the 6,300 men during the Boxer period. In most of the other actions, the participants can be numbered from a couple of thousand down to a hundred or less. As a result, the supply of commercial mail actually sent by the troops is quite limited. Because the exhibit emphasizes earliest and latest known uses of many of the postmarks, it has been necessary in some cases to flesh out the showing with philatelically-created examples made up by collectors eager to obtain unusual postmarks from the other side of the world.
Plan of the Exhibit
This exhibit is presented in ten "chapters," each relating to a specific military activity. The arrangement is chronological, based on the earliest events for each activity. The specific sections are are follows:
1. China Relief Expedition -- Boxer Uprising 1900-1901.
2. Legation & Embassy Guards in Peking -- 1901-1941.
3. U.S. Navy Yangtze River & South China Patrols -- 1903-1941.
4. U.S. Army Detachment in Tientsin -- 1911-1938.
5. U.S. Navy Purchasing Office in Shanghai -- 1923-1940.
6. West Coast Expeditionary Force - Marines in Shanghai -- 1927-1930.
7. Tientsin Expedition - Third Marines -- 1927-1929.
8. Fourth Marines in Shanghai -- 1930-1941.
9. Second Marines Reinforcing Shanghai -- 1937-1938.
10. Tientsin Marine Detachment -- 1938-1941.
General-to-General letter from the U.S. Military Postal Station in Peking to South Carolina. No return address is provided, but there is a handwritten notation reading "from Gen'l. Chaffee,” probably added by Gen. Randolph upon receipt. Chaffee was Commander of the U.S. forces in China Relief Expedition.
CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION - BOXER PERIOD
In response to the Boxer Uprising in 1900, during which many foreigners and Chinese Christians were murdered
by nationalistic insurgents, a group of the Great Powers sent troops to North China. The American contribution to
the multinational force was called the China Relief Expedition, commanded by Major General Adna R. Chafee. It
consisted of 6,300 men, including 5,000 regular Army personnel, 780 in the First Marine Regiment and about 500
sailors and Marines from the ships of the U.S. Far Eastem Squadron. The first to arrive were Army units sent
from the Philippines, which landed at Taku on 6 July 1900. There were no plans to remain in China after the
suppression of the uprising, and nearly all Americans were withdrawn by May 1901.
"Peking, China"
19 August 1900
Forerunner Mail sent through San Francisco
SANFRANCISCO:
Z pene et se
a5 SEP 22 6- AM*00
Between the arrival of the first American troops in July 1900 and the opening of the first military post office on
18 September, soldiers' letters were sent by military pouch to San Francisco, with or without postage, for
forwarding to addressees. (Unfranked mail was routinely accepted under rules established during the Spanish-
American War, with postage due being collected from the recipients.)
CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION I.J.P.O. Tientsin
13 August 1900
5 September 1900
Forerunner Mail sent through Japanese Post Office
ARMY AND NAVY DEPARTMENT ; “ =
OF THE , i a
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE 3 : : =
=~ YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS,
3 West 29TH STREET, N. Y. City.
Tf not called for in Five Days,
OO
return to S ae
| Pron <<
aa ole RE a ee ee pe ae eee : et ho
ee. te
2tt.J, a. ‘ dor fitp, 91 bo, batfowir , ‘,
An alternative to sending forerunner mail by military pouch was to send it via one of the Post Offices Abroad
operated in China by various of the Great Powers. The Japanese postal service was favored because it offered the
most frequent eastbound Trans-Pacific steamship departures to the U.S. However, postage had to be paid at the
full UPU rate of 10 sen for letters. (Upper cover overpaid by 4 1/2 sen, presumably as a souvenir.)
CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION Tientsin I.J.P.O.
Sent via Japanese P.O. 21 September 1900
: ; = a. er Ses SS) ec ee ae , ie
“aah Part GHG ce Tee aa
ee SE gee Z US a.
acd ce OAL leeds ME cs Sa Sa ae ce
This Japanese postal card represents an important piece of postal history because the message confirms that the
U.S. military postal station opened at Tientsin on 18 September, the day before it was written, and notes that no
mail has come from San Francisco since the writer arrived a China a month earlier.
CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION Mil. P. Sta. No.1 Tientsin/China
19 September 1900
Mil. Postal Sta. No.1/China
15 August 1901
Earliest & Latest Recorded U.S. Military Station Mail
The earliest recorded cover from the U.S. Postal Station in China was postmarked on 19 September 1900 as
shown above. The annual report of the Postmaster General states that the military stations “conducted
business until about the 15" of May (1901) and were formally discontinued August 31%.” All but one
company of U.S. troops had left by May 1901, so mail sent after that date is very scarce.
CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION Mil. P. Sta. No.1 Tientsin
20 September 1900
Only Recorded Examples of the "Due Cents " Handstamp
e
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
PEKIN, CHINA.
Diplomatic cover sent
from Peking without
postage, but assessed
postage due of 2 cents
when handled at the
MPS. in Tientsin.
+
Although fully paid at the
UPU rate in theory, the
Indian stamps were not
recognized at the M.P.S.
in Tientsin and postage
due was assessed.
4 io Ar tyf (
f ec
ACG
wo
Dy
Jit4
"
f
Yr
\
af
These covers were sent prior to the opening of the Military Postal Station in Peking on 30 September 1900. They
traveled by military pouch to the postal station in Tientsin where they were processed.
CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION Mil. P. Sta. No.1 Tientsin
12 February 1901
8 May 1901
Vy
“TRI -RBSAL POSTAL i
mrokse BF
& Ig O} x
—? 8,
. a e
y¥Yrom W. C, Horton,
U, S.-Mble Servies,
China,
GEORGIA.
The duplex postmark inscribed with the name "Tientsin" is recorded as used from 19 September 1900 to 18 May
1901. It is shown above on properly paid 2 cent rate international postcard and domestic soldier's letter.
CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION Mil. P. Sta. No.1 Tientsin
7 November 1900
~
“~= Civilians were allowed
: to use the U.S. Military
Postal Stations in
China. However, letters
s E SESRERLSO
Se 8 2 wai
(BB Suro BE wa
ASS ERS“ E% 26S
SD 55 O0o83 SM
Aw om 5M ;
Q bh te GH CO ~” oO
ovooodg -5 M248
Z2E S€92UR ES G
O64 SO = On 6
UVUSxceVOAO 2H 8B @é,
rcp ol ie
Ww ect *A
*JT(80 ‘OdstTouURIg uss
6
990298 UTE gg
‘kueduo0yn ® PLTWosyAouN snttne
EH
: aE] faa
v9 ‘ODSISNvad NV LSVNLSOd 0/9
dIHSOv 1d ‘OVNVCNIN “S‘S‘N
1OU¥LVvVd VNIHD Hinos
LAaTA OILVISV SALVLS GALINN
ee et LINaAW
2] onononon | ee its ius
LINENLYVaEa KAYN
NOILYSIAYN oavzung
RMP oyrerettsc001 = iyemeiemrmen, .
Sere nena
WNIHO 4
Bee 2 : P|
SSANISNG TvldidasoO
“IvV9 ‘ODSIDNVY4 NVS ‘YS1SVN1LSOd 0/9
diIHsOv13 ‘OVNVGNIW 'S'S'N
TOULVd VNIHD HLNOSs
LAaTA OILVISV SALVLS G3aLINN
INAWLYVdad AAYN
SOUTH CHINA PATROL
ARMY TROOPS - TIE
Another condition of the Peace Protocol signed by China following the Boxer Uprising was that the intervening
powers had the right to garrison lines of communication between Peking and the coast. There was great unrest in
China during the revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, which resulted in the overthrow of the Manchu dynasty.
Consequently, the 15th Infantry was sent to China in December 1911 for garrison duty in Tientsin, which was on
the line of communication from the Yellow Sea, where they remained until withdrawn in late 1938.
Outbound Mail via the Japanese P.O. Tientsin
6 October 1914
The United States never opened a post office to handle the mail of the U.S. Army garrison in Tientsin. Thus, it
was necessary for the troops to use either the Chinese postal service or those of the post offices abroad operated
by various of the Great Powers. Generally, the Japanese service was preferred because it was very reliable and
offered a wider choice of eastbound Trans-Pacific steamship sailings.
ARMY TROOPS - TIENTSIN
Tientsin
Outbound Mail via Japanese P.O.
11 October 1915
Earliest recorded registered
4 mail from the Army 15th
= Infantry located in Tientsin.
Backstamped with transit
marking of San Francisco of
8 November and receiving
mark of Washington dated
13 November.
ARMY TROOPS - TIENTSIN
Inbound Mail via Chinese P.O.
pac se Earns
Return in 5 Days to
| TOLEDO STAMP CO.,
Wholesale and Retail Dealers in
Postage Stamps and Coins
BUYING LIST 10C
fe LIE 2S ee ge
St. Clair Bldg., TOLEDO, OHIO, U. Seas
ee eS
—
Tientsin
13 July 1913
Unusual cover sent (by a stamp dealer) to China via the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai (with transit marking of
4 July) to Foochow. It was then endorsed "try Tientsin." The addressee was unknown there, where a previously
unrecorded marking "Not with U.S. troops in China" was applied before returning to sender.
ARMY TROOPS - TIENTSIN Tientsin
Outbound Mail via Chinese P.O. 18 February 1924
13 March 1926
:
| . a oe
4
& pe ~ Ss ee
Col. I. Newell,
15th U.S. Infantry,
Tientsin, China,
The Internetional Book Review,
“S54 = 360 Fourth Avenue, 18
New York, N.Y.
B, S.A.
At the end of 1922 the foreign post offices abroad in China were closed down, thus forcing the troops to use the
Chinese service. At the same time, problems arose with the theft of stamps from letters, either before they were
delivered to the post offices or after. Thus, a new practice came into being -- that of defacing the stamps so that
they would not have any resale value. Examples shown show typical straight-line markings used for this purpose,
worded "Hdqrs. China Expedition" and "China Expedition."
ARMY TROOPS - TIENTSIN Tientsin
Outbound Mail via Chinese P.O. 22 June 1925
12 August 1927
v.d.Bggleston
c/o Hq. U.S. Forces in China,
Pientsin, China.
Miss MW. K, Schultz,
Salem,
New Hampshire,
Us Ba Be
At least two other defacing devices were used to prevent theft. The examples shown here are worded "American
Forces in China" and "Headquarters, American Forces in China/Tientsin, China."
ARMY TROOBS - TIENTSIN Tientsin
Inbound Mail via Chinese P.O. - 19 April 1932
Extraordinary usage of a letter from an officer in the French Armee du Levant, mailed from FPO 616 in Syria to the
American Barracks in Tientsin. No postage was paid or assessed as postage due, but the cover arrived in China a
month and a half later.
ARMY TROOPS - TIENTSIN
Outbound Mail via Chinese P.O.
Official. mail sent by
Army members from
Tientsin to the U.S.
through the Chinese
post office in Tientsin.
One from the Judge
Advocate sent by
ordinary mail; example
from the Post Exchange
sent by registered mail.
Tientsin
11 January 1920
%,. 14 November 1930
ARMY TROOPS - TIENTSIN
Outbound Mail via Chinese P.O.
Wes oe Rov on Si :
STATION HOSPITAL,
U.S. ARMY TROOPS IN CHINA,
Cw 2 oa tf fi.
yf . Z,¢
cag
TIENTSIN, CHINA.
as
_——
r
John J. Cuddy
£ HEADQUARTERS
_ UNITED STATES ARMY TROOPS IN CHINA
TIENTSIN, CHINA
Tientsin
21 July 1932
24 July 1933
Riteareiy j
‘
No. 14373
fa 7 Den
6 hens MK daastasst
2?
sgt
ete
ae
Mr. John We Matera, os Fee
fee”
Sehoel Street, ws yo"
Thorndike, Massachusetts a -
UeSode
There was apparently sufficient need for health services among the troops that a hospital was operated on the
Tientsin station. Examples of registered and ordinary letters sent through the Chinese postal service are shown.
ARMY TROOPS - TIENTSIN
Outbound Mail via Chinese P.O.
Tientsin
4 May 1935
Official business cover sent
from Tientsin. However,
the official nature of the
correspondence did not
exempt the letter from
Chinese postage, which was
paid at the international rate
of 25 Chinese cents.
ARMY TROOPS - TIENTSIN
Outbound Mail via Chinese P.O.
Tientsin
6 July 1937
Official business cover sent
from HQ in Tientsin to the
Commanding General of U.S.
troops in the Philippine
Islands. Sent by airmail from
Tientsin via Shanghai and
Hong Kong to Manila, where
it was backstamped for receipt
15 July. Postage paid was
$2.85 Chinese.
ARMY TROOPS - TIENTSIN Peiping
Sent via Marine P.O. in Peiping 22 September 1937
9 November 1937
15TH U. S. INFANTRY
TIENTSIN, CHINA.
- 35
fo —_ y
Z 2 Se ye a
ee L L ‘On me 2 V=— ox
: >} ¥ ow J
~ ?\ 2 A
“ A io
es Say = e
=e C :
dl 4. GE Ayvim Tel. a —=
c > = “s
4 fae Va rt B <6 me y
’ ee : < \
an coy = a 5 i? RED EO Rice es # ad
i S £ é
Piealsein, Ching = ee 2 FA
War between Japan and China broke out on 7 July 1937, and Japanese forces occupied both Peiping and Tientsin
in that same month. At that point, it was considered safer to deliver the Army mail to the Marine P.O. in the
American Embassy in Peiping, where it could be sent on to the U.S. by diplomatic pouch. In the following year,
the Army garrison in Tientsin was withdrawn back to the United States.
ARMY TROOPS -CHINWANGTAO
Outbound Mail via Chinese P.O.
One small detachment
(consisting of Companies K
and M of the 15th Infantry)
was stationed at Chinwangtao
near the Manchurian border.
The long cover represents
early registered mail from the
15th Infantry and was carried
by military courier to
Tientsin, where it was mailed
through the civil P.O.
Tientsin
13 August 1916
Chinwangtao
9 July 1931
Small cover mailed
to Denmark from
Chinwangtao. The
international letter
rate of 25. cents
Chinese was paid
by an adhesive of
that denomination.
ARMY TROOPS -CHINWANGTAO Chinwangtao
Outbound & Inbound Mail via Chinese P.O. ca. 1935
Tientsin
29 June 1933
We ie CARROLL, U. Se MARINE.
PERMANENT DETACHMENT ?
CAMP HOLCOMB,
CHINWANGTAO, CHINA.
bee egttt™
— - MRS. JOHN F. CARROLL SR.
95: iS Ely
WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS,
Ue De Ae
VIA SIBERIA
CORRESPONDENCE
< = oc
=
— | st 2 CLittemintsoenr="Bs prcice RS
Ei, : ae a
: “ ? topeh
i 2. A thy eheay)
Upper cover mailed by a member of the Permanent Detachment in Chinwangtao via the local post office, with
postage of 25 cents Chinese being paid by appropriate adhesives. Below is a picture postcard mailed as printed
matter from Batavia, Netherlands East Indies with postage of three Dutch Indies cents affixed on the picture side.
Addressee was a member of the American Army in Tientsin who had been assigned to Chinwangtao; a previously
unrecorded forwarding marking was applied.
NAVAL PURCHASING OFFICE -- SHANGHAI
A second naval activity in
China was the Navy
Purchasing Office which
provided food, fuel and
other supplies for the
gunboats and other U.S.
warships making port-of-
call stops in Shanghai.
Although a purchasing
agent was reportedly on
duty as early as 1923, the
first recorded use of a
special postmark was 31
July 1928. This office
closed on 17 August 1940.
U.S.N. Purchasing Office
22 August 1929
There were three
distinctly different
postmarks used on
ordinary mail by the
Purchasing Office, plus
some minor variations
of one of them, which
are shown subsequently.
NAVAL PURCHASING OFFICE Shanghai Local Post
Inbound Mail through Chinese P.O. 24 June 1927
Only Example of Local Post Marking on
American Intervention Mail
AMERICAN CLUB
SHANGHAI.
Capt. A. W. domson,
ce
U. & 8. Bismeond,
This letter sent within Shanghai from the American Club to the U.S.S. Richmond care of the Navy Purchasing
Office. A fee of 1 Chinese cent was paid for local delivery.
NAVAL PURCHASING OFFICE U.S.N. Purchasing Office
23 January 1931
20 September 1933
Earliest and Latest Recorded Examples of This Postmark
XK
x LIGGETT & MYERS TOBACCO Co. (CHINA) LTD.
2A KIUKIANG ROAD
Se (PER Sth
he
BX SHANGHAI
Bl ®
Supply Officer
Uy 5 ® 5 ° BLACK HAWK
i
In early 1931, a second postmark with the wording in a continuous circle was introduced. Shown above are the
extreme dates of use of this marking.
NAVAL PURCHASING OFFICE ®
Co
>
U.S.N. Purchasing Office 2 £
5 October 1932 uf. *
re
Yo
x?
y aa
eo
&¢
ag
ye
2
2 ww
eo
a AY a
fag
a ”
Unfranked official cover
<= from the Purchasing
~~ Office to the U.S.S.
<< Black Hawk. Only
~~ example of this postmark
<= in a color other than
black seen by exhibitor.
NAVAL PURCHASING OFFICE U.S.N. Purchasing Office
3 April 1934
28 March 1938
Earliest and Latest Recorded Examples of This Postmark
Miss Irene Northcott
44 Asquith Street
Gainsborugh,
Lincplinshire
England
Navy Y.M.C.A,
SHANGHA!, CHINA.
P. O. BOX 1683
A second version of the initial Purchasing Office postmark, but without comma at the end of "Office" and with
comma between Shanghai and China, was used between 1934 and 1938. Note that the cds had assumed an oval
shape toward the end of this period, possibly due to becoming overheated in the sunlight.
NAVAL PURCHASING OFFICE U.S.N. Purchasing Office
26 May 1936
4 January 1940
Earliest and Latest Recorded Examples of This Postmark
ITALIAN LINE
“ITALIA” = FLOTTE RIUNITE - GENOVA
UNION TRUST COMPANY
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
S. W. COR. 15TH AND H STREETS
WASHINGTON, D. C.
A third different postmark of the Purchasing Office, with only "U.S.N." at the top of the cds, was used between
1936 and 1940, sometimes with a slogan between the killer bars.
NAVAL PURCHASING OFFICE U.S.N. Purchasing Office
Registered Mail 18 January 1929
24 March 1931
Earliest and latest recorded usage of this marking
URITED STATES EAYY PUPCUASIED & DReeBReMe errey’
SHANGHAI, CHINA.
‘ 7
The first version of the special double-circle marking for registered letters had its wording entirely in upper case _
letters. However, it was soon replaced by a postmark using both upper and lower case letters, thus is seldom seen.
NAVAL PURCHASING OFFICE U.S.N. Purchasing Office
30 October 1934
10 November 1937
17 August 1940
Navy Mail Clerk; U. S.' Navy Furcha
Shanghai . China.
fe
Last Day of Use
of Purchasing
Office Postmark
These covers show examples of the registration marking with upper and lower case letters. The first is on an
inbound registered letter from the Philippines; the second on an outbound letter to San Francisco. Lower cover is
highly philatelic, no doubt sent over to be postmarked on the last day of operation. However, it has an example of
the third minor version of the regular postmark, with periods after "Office" and "China."
NAVAL PURCHASING OFFICE U.S.N. Purchasing Office
30 October 1937
Only Recorded Example of Receiving Postmark
Special double-circle markings were provided for use on inbound mail and registered letters. The receiving mark
shown above has its wording entirely in capital letters.
FIRST EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - SHANGHAI
In the mid-1920s various factions, including the Nationalists and Communists, were vying for control in China.
These well-armed groups represented a threat to the security of the International Settlements in Shanghai. In
response, several of the Great Powers with interests there, including France, Great Britain, Italy and the United
States, sent troops to the area. The first American contingent, consisting of 130 Marines, arrived in Shanghai on 6
October 1924 and was withdrawn on 8 February 1925.
Inbound Mail Shanghai
; 29 January 1925
Only Recorded Example of First Expeditionary Force Mail
This New Year's greeting card sent to a Marine Sergeant at Cavite in the Philippine Islands. It was posted in San
Diego in mid-December 1924 and forwarded to the China Expedition in Shanghai, where it arrived on 29 January
1925 as shown by the backstamp of the Chinese civil post office.
SECOND EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - SHANGHAI
It was soon apparent that the internal. turmoil in China had not ended and that a larger force was required for the
protection of foreigners. As a result, a Second Expeditionary Force, consisting of 1,500 men of the Fourth Marine
Regiment,was embarked on the U.S.S. Chaumont in San Diego and sent to China, disembarking at Shanghai on
21 March 1927.
Fourth Regiment
27 March 1927
22 August 1929
Earliest & Latest Recorded Use of this Postmark
Only Example of Registered Mail
serge gre “s Seceesrg ace
FCURTH. -——
REGIMENT.”
L MAR 27 1987
SHANGHAI
CHinA
NRE ZT
The small headquarters unit of the Second Shanghai Expedition put into service almost immediately a provisional
postmark inscribed "Fourth/Regiment/USMC/Shanghai/China." Examples of mail with this postmark are very
elusive. There was no special registry marking for this unit, so the postage was cancelled with the same
datestamp as ordinary mail.
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - SHANGHAI
U.S.S. Chaumont
8 April 1927
In the meantime, mail from
the rest of the members of
the WCEF did not have a
post office immediately
Re available. Some of them
—_ sent letters via the post
— Nea office on board Chaumont.
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - SHANGHAI
Fourth Regiment
15 August 1928
Mail from the West Coast
Expedition was handled at
the domestic letter rate of 2
cents, carried by diplomatic
pouch to the U.S.
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - SHANGHAI West Coast Expeditionary Force
June 1, 1932
Only Recorded Example of Registration Postmark
Although philatelically franked, this cover is the discovery copy and thus far the only recorded
example of the West Coast Expeditionary Force registration postmark. Interestingly, it is struck
without date as a killer for the postage on the front but includes the date in the strikes on the reverse.
Initially sent to Coco Solo, Canal Zone and then forwarded to Pennsylvania.
West Coast Expeditionary Force
10 September 1927
24 November 1928
20 December 1928
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - SHANGHAI
Earliest and Latest Reported Examples of this Postmark
Only Example of Special Delivery Mail
FIS LE Vu
tah
¢
gee %
on
Some months later a new postmark inscribed "4th Reg. U.S.M.C./West Coast Expeditionary Force" was placed in
service. Dates of usage are from 10 September 1927 to 20 December 1928.
a
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - SHANGHAI
U.S.T.P. Sea Post/S.S. President Grant
10 August 1929
Official Mail
Only recorded example of
Sea Post marking on
official mail of the Fourth
Marines. Sent via the
steamer President Grant
from Shanghai to San
Francisco.
FE TH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI
By early 1930, it had become clear that the Marines were no longer operating as an expeditionary force but would
have to be assigned to China indefinitely. Thus, on 13 February 1930, the WCEF was officially renamed the
Fourth Marines. The size of the garrison in Shanghai fluctuated from time to time as smaller units rotated in and
out of China, but on average the Regiment consisted of about 1,500 men. Because of the increasing tension
around Shanghai by the Japanese in the early 1940s, the Marines were withdrawn to the Philippines on 28
November 1941, just before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
a ae - = 4th Reg. U.S.M.C.
i Peto Sf ae S eo.
ol ayo. eS b> ee GS be
7 e_o'S - Sie Se £8
ppt Se NS eee es
ek - —— —— oh A
re EF Se Ee Se eee See,
Pete Ste See de
Moroes & eee? .
Lee ee
Lo pC SC .¢ Soe a7
ae es cs \ — | > 2
Neder ees Ids ee . ds ——
i oe 5
a ait Pn, = acd e: S
ei a Ce Cae —
Se Se SS oe “Ce i eo
Pee Ce t.e seus Hdj
gee a\ S= + = ee ee ES fe PN Be a dhe
Pas & PR Shere et Cane |
= °C \ ~ NM acre << \
{ = 4 e & oss — e
ee 6 ( ae ie , J
The change in nomenclature meant that an appropriate postmark would have to be introduced eliminating the
“Expeditionary Force" designation. A new metal cds with elliptical killer bars was used for much of the period of
the early 1930s.
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI 4th Reg. U.S.M.C.
30 October 1935
17 April 1941
Earliest and Latest Reported Examples of this Postmark
T,SYWISGd UNDA SY
' SGNOG ,
| SONIAYS SN ANG
During the eleven years of the Fourth Marines in China, six different postmarks were used on first class mail.
The one shown here had the longest career and was used contemporaneously with several of the other postmarks.
Its distinguishing characteristics included the spelling "Reg." and the lack of a comma after "Shanghai."
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI 4th Reg. U.S.M.C.
No Postage Available 30 November 1936
FOURTH MARINE MAIL
No postage, availabl:
Gollect on Delivery,
Ne: ee
Golonel,
OU. 8. Marine Corps.
MISS EVA F, GRAY,
VETERANS HOSPITAL,
CASTLE. POIN?,
NEW YORK.
apse Ne sees renee
9 postage available
a woliset on Delivery,
ag ee
7 j
“a =) a z ;
os se : 4 we
tf FO), ug
eS
AGO. AGH MUR... . CENTS
On two occasions, when the supply of stamps ran out due to dockworker strikes in the U.S., a special provisional
marking was employed to designate the situation so that postage could be collected from recipients. The first time
this was done was in November-December 1936. (The handstamp applied by Col. Price was official, but the
added image of Buddha and a dragon was privately applied.)
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - SHANGHAI West Coast Expeditionary Force
Registered Mail 27 December 1927
20 May 1935
Earliest Reported Example of this Postmark
A special double circle postmark was provided for backstamping WCEF registered mail. Examples are very
uncommon, and the extreme dates recorded are 27 December 1927 to 20 March 1937.
IONA
Fearing disorders elsewhere in China, 1,500 men of the Expeditionary Force were disembarked at Tientsin on 30
June 1927. This group was later renamed the Third Marine Brigade and, after the threat to the International
Settlement eased , the troops were withdrawn to the Philippines in early 1929.
Forerunners sent through the Chinese P.O.
CORRESPONDENCE
Won ALLEL Ea
(nite) States Harine Corps.
‘expeditionary 5 urces
Eee Sane
127 Cientsin, Ohina Loe
' ADDRESS
ON A ft ZL
es /
a
A } ¢
a en LD
3
u
rH
&
a
S At fh Or
38 2
Tientsin
23 July 1927
3 December 1927
The Tientsin Expedition did not have its own post office until April 1928. As a result, all of the earlier mail had
to be sent through the Chinese postal service.
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - TIENTSIN Tientsin
Forerunners sent through the Chinese P.O. 9 November 1927
21 January 1928
Two of the five recorded covers from the Marine Aircraft Squadron
that was stationed at the Hsin Ho landing field.
Ypad ese flied ae A
Ya Ctant Art
ee as : . fez “ Lb oe as : oe
ical es 3
One small aircraft squadron was sent to China to act as a scouting force for the Marines stationed in Tientsin.
Examples of mail from this group are extremely elusive.
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - TIENTSIN
4th Reg. U.S. M.C.
19 June 1928
Registered Mail
er:
gee
§35
awd ,
bbe 2
os 2
m™ ©.
sb
ais
a9v
gaz
ZaS
of the Fourth
example was sent through
the P.O.
Marines in Shanghai, but
has a straight line marking
of "3rd Brg. USMC. Reg.
No.... Ser..."
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - TIENTSIN Third Brig.
1 May 1928
24 June 1928
| band. Co-ed Bp states Ia,
«bl hRegl Ce jnes )}
7ien bgin Ching.
To San rane -Ca I.
ae
per
4
“ie
{
A post office was established to serve the Third Marines in Tientsin, and the extreme dates of use of its postmark
are from 28 April 1928 to 18 January 1929. Examples of mail from this unit are relatively scarce because of the
limited period of time in service.
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - TIENTSIN
| Third Brig. U.S. Marines
| 18 January 1929
Latest recorded use
of this marking
Official Mail
Official mail was handled
by the Third Marine post
office without charge, as
shown per the above front
of a cover carried by
diplomatic pouch to
Washington, D.C.
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - TIENTSIN
Sent through the Chinese P.O.
The large cover was
sent through the
Chinese P.O, on the
day after the U.S.P.O.
in Tientsin ended
operations. The Third
Marines left China on
23 January 1929.
Tientsin
6 March 1928
19 January 1929
Return address on the
small cover is very
specific as "15th M.G.
Co., lst Battalion, 12th
Regiment, Third Brigade
of Marines, Tientsin,
China, % Postmaster,
Seattle, Wash." However,
the sender was not
named!
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI 4th Regt. U.S.M.C.
No Postage Available 27 November 1937
13 December 1937
The second emergency period, when no stamps were available, was from November 1937 to February 1938. In
this case, Col. Price's handstamp was applied in purple and mauve rather than black. Note that in some cases
there is no evidence that the postage due was actually collected.
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI 4th Regt. U.S.M.C.
27 October 1937
25 December 1937
Lte David M. Owens
Quartermaster's Depot
4th Ret., U. §. M. C.
Shanghai, China
Chief of Starf
Bureau of Insular Affairs
Navy Department
Washington, D. CG.
4
A third type of Fourth Marines cancel was used between 1937 to 1940. It was similar to the second type, which
was in service contemporaneously, but had a "t" added to "Regt." and a comma was added between "Shanghai"
and "China." Killer bar slogans shown above for "Navy Day" and "Christmas Day."
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI 4th Regt. U.S.M.C
2 May 1938
13 May 1938
THE FOREIGN eae
OF THE
UNITE TATES OF AMERICA
SE
Col. C.F.B. Price, USMC., : | ee
HEADQUARTERS, FOURTH MARINES, : A & — =
mice
Care, Postmaster
J
2
: Pier 2 Lo
San Francisco, Mialiv.
V4 AY
Ce
LP fs
See 4
ff Yov Ke. CQ:
at
Oy :
Ce
\ ey e1 John d.:Dooley, :
* National Lead Company,
NS Room 2020,
11l1lBroadway,
NEW YORK, N.Y.
Additional examples of third cancel, with upper cover used from a member of the Foreign Service. Lower cover
has very unusual franking of 21 cents to pay surface rate for sending a "Marine Corps Emblem" weighing
between six and seven ounces.
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI 4th Regt. U.S.M.C.
20 April 1938
25 June 1938
ar W al Vi e
PAR AVION
The Marines could also use the Trans-Pacific airmail service for an extra charge. Upper cover shows payment of
50 cents airmail postage for Pan-Am Clipper from Manila to California. Lower cover shows special rate of 10
cents to pay the single-leg Clipper postage from Manila to Guam -- a very unusual usage.
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI 4th Regt. U.S.M.C.
12 January 1939
7 July 1941
Earliest and Latest Reported Examples of this Postmark
ANN H. HUIZENGA, M.D.
ST, ELIZABETH’S HOSPITAL,
LANE 361/2 AVENUE ROAD,
SHANGHAI.
The fourth cancel used on first class mail sent by the Fourth Marines had the same inscription as the third, but it
was worded continuously around the dial instead of having lettering at top and bottom.
FOURTH MARINES - SHANGHAI
4th Regt. U.S.M.C.
17 April 1939
Letter sent by air from
Manila to Guam at special
single-leg rate of 10 cents.
4th Reg. U.S.M.C.
1 May 1940
16 June 1940
19 December 1940
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI
Earliest and Latest Reported Examples of this Postmark
Form 4416 ee
- UNITED STATES POST OFFICE
DIRECT PACKAGE =
Firm Case Mail
ALL FOR FIRM ON FACE
Impression of Clerk’s Case Stamp must
appear below: ;
Upon opening this package you will kindly
note whether or not errors are found. If so,
please enter your firm name and date on this
slip, and return it together with the wrongly
delivered mail to the post office.
Example of cancel on ‘ ? 2 :
This cooperation on your part will enable
instruction slip provided to - this office to place responsibility and event- _
addressee of package. This - ually give you better service.
usage not previously seen by oe * POSTMASTER.
exhibitor. oe
eee
A fifth cancel not often seen was used by the Fourth Marines only during 1940. It was another version with a
combination of a steel cds and a set of elliptical killer bars.
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI U.S. Marines
4 August 1941
Only Reported Example of this Postmark
a
Seat:
This cover from Capt. Newton of the Fourth Marines in Shanghai to his wife in Vermont is a most unusual
example. It is self-censored and has a generic "U.S. Marines” cancel not reported in the literature.
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI
ae
Captain WH Wilterdink USN
US Navy Purchasing Office
Shanghai China cyo PM
_ San Francisco California
MRS W H WILTERDINK
917 SAN ANSELMO AVENUE
SAN ANSELMO CALIFORNIA USA
Latest Recorded Example of this Postmark
la
Zt
4th Reg. U.S. M.C.
2 September 1941
22 November 1941
F
|
|
|
|
The final postmark used on first class mail by the Fourth Marines was a reprise of the original rubber cds
introduced in 1935. However, it can be distinguished by the comma inserted between "Shanghai" and "China."
Only four covers are recorded on the final date. Most of the Regiment embarked on the S.S. President Madison
for the Philippines on 27 November 1941, and the rest followed on the S.S. President Harrison the following day.
4th Reg. U.S.M.C.
2 May 1936
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI
Registered Mail
13 December 1937
c
* registereg
Three different Fourth Marine double-circle registry cancels were used, but determining the dates of usage is
hampered by the fact that fewer than ten examples have been recorded. The two shown here differ in that the "th"
of "4th" is in lower case letters on the earlier cover (inbound from Bangkok, Thailand) and in upper case on the
other (outbound to Philadelphia).
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI 4th Reg. U.S.M.C.
Registered Mail 22 June 1937
29 December 1937
iii i ch mnie lsat
The undersigned declares that the article described on the other side was duly delivered
Le soussigné déclare que Venvoi mentionne d’autre part & été diment lire
on pol Ose
le 19
SIGNATURE 1
Postmark of the office of destination
Timbre du bureau destinataire of the addressee: of the agent of the office of destination ©
du destinatatre: de Vagent du bureau destinataire es
i
1 This receipt must be signed by the addressee, or, if the regulations of the country of destination so provide, by
Cet avis doit Gre signé par le destinataire, ou, si les réeglements du pays de destination le comportent, par Vagent du bureau destinataire
the agent of the office of destination, and returned by the first mail direct to the sender.
ef renooyé par le premier courrier directement & V expéditeur.
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE §—11654
Upper registered cover from Great Britain has unusual marking of "Received in bad condition at 4th U.S.
Marines, Shanghai, China" not reported in the literature. Lower example is a return receipt for a registered letter
from Washington, D.C. to a Marine at Shanghai.
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI
Registered Mail
4th Regt. U.S.M.C.
9 February 1939
The third version of the
Fourth Marines registry
cancel was similar to
the others but the
abbreviation used for
Regiment has a "t." It
was used here on an
official cover to the
U.S. Naval Hospital in
Washington. Postage
was free, but the
Regimental Hospital in
Shanghai had to pay 15
cents for registration
and 3 cents for a return
receipt.
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI 4th Reg. U.S.M.C.
Parcel Post 1 July 1939
~ 13 August 1939
CONTENTS:— MERCHANDISE
USES Fo Oeererer tat rerehnaranee eae
RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED
Ss
CONTENTS MERCHANDISE
POSTMASTER: This parcel may
be opened for postal inspection
if necessary.
FROM:
Regimental Exchange, Fourth
Marines 026
Shanghai, China. sates
Return Postage Guaranteed
The parcel post killer and double circle cds from the Fourth Marines are seldom seen. Examples shown are on
package fronts. The upper piece is franked at 15 cents postage for up to one pound plus 5 cents for insurance to a
$5.00 valuation. Lower piece pays the parcel post fee for one to two pounds.
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI
Money Order
28 November 1940
4th Reg. U.S.M.C.
that it
cancel differed from the
in
identified Shanghai as a
the Fourth Marines
others
The M.O.B. version of
branch of the New York
Example
obviously
post office.
is
philatelic, but it is the
shown
only recorded money
ed
S38
3a o
dues
Essa
63%
2 sy
Q
g EAS
o4 ae
Ges o
Bao
ero
OA ao
Cpa
686s
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI 4th Reg. U.S.M.C.
Auxiliary Markings 12 April 1937
June 1938
Sgt.R.L.Tyson,.
Recrnit’ Depot.
Marine Corps Base. “« ” a
san Diego, »Californigar 7 as
2 aK FN ‘
Koby
VIA;Naval Pangea. tee oS CO Ath teers.
¢ Canton Road.
Mr. & Mrs. Waldo ¢.
4th Marines, .
COREL, GUAR»
a Postmaster. Be Pes
: ce y RE CVOGey pee TP Rgenatine ay
Examples of two different special markings in inbound mail. The upper one may be a military mark rather than
postal, but the "Received in bad condition at 4th Marines" is clearly an official post office marking. Note that 70
cents paid in postage on this cover was the correct rate for the full Trans-Pacific journey via Pan Am from San
Francisco to Hong Kong.
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI February 1937
Inbound Mail February 1941
i AFTER 5 DAYS, RETURN TO
* SECOND FLOOR FRONT
4677 FRANKFORD AVE.
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
ae
a
qe Set. Harold § Smallwood
- ly Bs Marine Detachment
i fies :
Air Mail oer) oe .
Special Bolivdes oy fray of| Clee Clipper :
a
C.S. Todd, ist i; ven
: The Post Exchange. officer
oe » Rourth Marines.
Shanghet, : atime.
Wha +
eee a
Examples of inbound Clipper airmail from the mainland and Guam. The upper cover was forwarded from Guam
to Shanghai. The lower cover was properly paid at 30 cents (the total of 10 cents Guam to Manila and 20 cents
Manila to Hong Kong). As it transited the latter port, it was "Not Opened by Censor."
FOURTH MARINE REGIMENT - SHANGHAI November 1936
Inbound Mail August 1937
| ® eo
wast |
© Rt
Ss
. ; ;
Re re ae Ss Sere ABN os 9-7
In the period before the U.S. post office opened to serve the Second Brigade of the Sixth Marines, mail could be
sent by the troops through the Chinese postal service. As shown by the examples above, airmail letters could be
sent at a cost of $1.20 Chinese via Pan Am Clipper from Hong Kong to San Francisco.
SECOND MARINE BRIGADE - SHANGHAI
Second Mar. Brig.
17 November 1937
Clipper Mail
Mail requiring rapid
service could be sent via
Pan Am Clipper from
Manila to the mainland. In
this event, 3 cents postage
was charged to _ the
Philippines and 50 cents
for the Trans-Pacific flight.
SECOND MARINE BRIGADE -— SHANGHAI
Registration Marking
Hi. I, parton, Cpl.
2nd Marine Brigaac
Shanghai, China
Offre Bepartnwnt
a SAN
POST OFFICE,
DEAD LETTER BRANCH
OFFICIAL. BUSINESS
(No. 28)
returned direct to the sender from the Post
Office to which addressed,
G2 Letters beating the name and address
of the writer or sender are not sent to the
Dead Letter Office to be opened, but are
ese
ON DELIVERY
OV A Wa
Coek
Second Mar. Brigade
6 November 1937
1 January 1938
_ PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID
= a PAYMENT OF. POSTAGE: $3007
Donald Compton,
6th sarines ,second Marine Brigade,
Asiatic Station,
IePeie SAN Francisco, Calif,
A registration cancel was provided for the Second Marines, although it is not discussed in the literature.
Only this single example of an outbound registered letter has been recorded. The cover below shows the
registry cds used as a receiving mark on an inbound cover from the Post Office Department in San Diego.
SECOND MARINE BRIGADE - SHANGHAI Shanghai
Inbound Mail January 1938
11 February 1938
LSC AGN
©" peg 29 ON
a
937 of
= a 2 \exF P
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anatomy Me lh ern RO sade termi oman
\ ‘e
e ‘
Re a
te Xd
> } aot ng q
€ ae A 3 : ;
z - j Re — §
Because of the limited time they spent in China, inbound mail to the Second Marines is especially elusive. The
airmail - special delivery letter apparently was delivered as addressed. However, the ordinary letter first went to
the post office for the Legation Guards in Peiping and did not arrive in Shanghai until after Pvt. Dabbert and the
Second Marines had left for San Diego.
SECOND MARINE BRIGADE - SHANGHAI Second’ Mar. Bric.
Unfranked Mail 29 December 1937
18 February 1938
Latest recorded use of this postmark
v.s. ° MARINE WATC
SECOND MARINE BRIGAD :
7 Ne postage available =
onan E. HAYES | :
Capt. U.S. Marine Corps 3
Mre, ROY E. Vogetsiant
1670 Guy Ste, :
oaed
E . : San Diego,
California.
awn:
From time to time, supplies of stamps ran out and Capt. Hayes applied a special marking indicating that no
postage was available. Above examples in purple and mauve, the latter being used on the final day in Shanghai.
MARINE DETACHMENT - TIENTSIN
In July 1938, 100 Marines were transferred from the Legation Guard in Peiping to establish a detachment in
Tientsin. They remained there until being taken as POWs by the Japanese following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Mail from this unit is scarce, with non-philatelic usage being limited to an estimated 20 examples.
Marine Detachment
24 August 1938
5 June 1939
Earliest recorded use of this postmark
GIFIG INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION ||
I535-SAN DIEGO-I935 Ir
A special postmark was provided for use by the Tientsin Detachment. The extreme dates of use are recorded as
24 August 1938 to 10 December 1941. Lower cover is the only example to a foreign address seen by exhibitor.
MARINE DETACHMENT - TIENTSIN Marine Detachment
Registration Marking 17 November 1938
Only Reported Example of this Postmark
Registered mail from the Marine Detachment is extraordinarily elusive, with only this one example having been
recorded in over a half century. As was usual for the period, the postage on the front was cancelled with an oval
killer, and the strikes of the double circle registration marking were applied on the reverse.
MARINE DETACHMENT - TIENTSIN Tientsin
17 April 1940
Sent through the Chinese P.O.
Mail could be sent by members of the Marine Detachment via the Chinese postal system. The above cover was
assessed 5 cents postage due on arrival in the U.S., presumably because it was over the 1 ounce first weight step.
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Marine Detachment
30 January 1941
yu »
fers
The personal mail of
members of the Marine
Detachment was franked at
the 3 cent domestic rate
and carried by diplomatic
pouch to the U.S.
MARINE DETACHMENT -
Marine Detachment
20 October 1941
Official Mail
—
~~
TIENTSIN
Official mail was handled
by the Marine Detachment
post office without charge,
as shown per the above
cover carried by diplomatic
pouch to the U.S.
LATE SENDING PRIOR TO PEARL HARBOR 4th Regt. U.S.M.C.
Registered Mail 11 November 1941
THE FOREIGN SERVICE
OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Kobe, Japan
Mre Rella Warner
973 Coronado Drive
Glendale,
Cover sent by the U.S. Foreign Service office in Kobe, Japan during the intense U.S.-Japanese diplomatic
negotiations to stave off the onset of war in the Pacific. It was sent by pouch to the nearest American post office,
which was that of the Fourth Marines in Shanghai. There it was mailed to California, with postage of 27 cents
being paid (quadruple weight x 3 cents plus 15 cents registration) by a most unusual franking of all 1 cent
"Defense" stamps. The way that it actually traveled is uncertain since it would have been caught en route by the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It eventually arrived in San Francisco seven weeks later on 29 December 1941
and was delivered in Glendale on the following day.