Today in Postal History
China to Germany
February 16, 1901
This unusual, worn cover is a German 'Feldpost'
(see script endorsement on top front)
sent by a member of the German East Asia Expeditionary Corps that
provided part
of the multi-national force sent from Tientsin to
relieve the besieged foreign legations in Peking during the Boxer
Rebellion.
The siege was lifted on August 14, 1900.
I cannot determine the location from which this
cover was sent.
The cover was sent without stamps.
Its destination was Halle an der Saale in
Germany, a
city about 125 km southwest of Berlin near Liepzig.
There is a boxed handstamp near the script
'Germany' on the front.
It is illegible but perhaps someone can identify it.
I don't know why the English version of Germany was used rather than
Deutschland.
Its 'ANKUNFT' (arrival) in Halle an der Saale was noted by the clear March 4 backstamp.
Somehow or other, the back also has had a short
piece of selvage from a sheet of German stamps attached.
The placement appears not to have been functional although it might
have been used to repair a tear.
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