Lot no. 1666

“CHEEFOO 20 IX (18)99” large cds (T&S Type 1, Gregorian calendar), superb strike on “KITAI” 10 k. horizontal pair with adjacent framed “R Tchéfou, Chine N°. 254” to registered envelope to Austria, re-addressed to Bohemia, reverse transit Russian cds “SHANGHAI 10 SEP. 1899” (T&S Type 2, Julian calendar), “HONG KONG SP 29 99” and arrival cds, endorsed on back flap “Imperial Russian Post Master”, very fine. A remarkable cover, probably the earliest registered mail from the Russian Post Office at the Treaty Port of Cheefoo (opened 1896) and an extremely scarce registration mark