Culture: Postal Connections

文化—国际交流

Philately—the study of stamps and postal history—offers many glimpses of Chinese-U.S. relations. The countries have collaborated on philately and stamp design, including a joint issue of stamps in 1994. In both nations, stamp enthusiasts also publish research, join societies, exchange ideas, and form international friendships, in part through major global stamp exhibitions. The Chinese and U.S. postal services also work closely to ensure better service between the two countries and around the world.

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29c Black-Necked Crane single, 1994
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29c Whooping Crane single, 1994
 
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Joint issue Endangered Cranes autographed first day cover, USA, China, 1994

The endangered North American whooping crane and Chinese black-necked crane appear on stamps jointly issued in 1994 by China and the U.S., advancing wildlife conservation as they represent friendship. Artists at the Clarence Lee Design Studio in Honolulu developed eight concept designs; Chinese nature artist Zhan Gengxi created the final artwork, influenced by one of the concept designs.

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Designer Clarence Lee (left) and artist Zhan Gengxi planned the joint issue design.
Courtesy Terry McCaffrey
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29c Black-Necked Crane stamp art, 1993
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29c Black-Necked Crane stamp art, 1993
 
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29c Black-Necked Crane stamp art, 1993
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29c Black-Necked Crane stamp art, 1993
 
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29c Black-Necked Crane stamp art, 1993
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29c Black-Necked Crane stamp art, 1993
 
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29c Black-Necked Crane stamp art, 1993
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29c Black-Necked Crane stamp art, 1993
 

Loan courtesy United States Postal Service, Postmaster General’s Collection


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Vermont postmaster Gordon Hipko and Chinese letter carrier,
Zhang Fu Cheng, Beijing, 2000

Vermont postmaster Gordon Hipko and his wife Lan Xiang Hipko visited her family in Beijing in 2000. While there, Gordon met a Chinese letter carrier, Zhang Fu Cheng. The two spent the day at China Post and shared carrier stories before exchanging caps.

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USPS carrier cap, 2013
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China Post carrier cap, 2000
 

Theodore Siddall was the first American member of the Shanghai Philatelic Society, the oldest stamp club in China. It met at the Kalee Hotel, site of the U.S. consulate and post office from 1933 to 1936.

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Shanghai Philatelic Society banner
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Advertisement for Theodore Siddall
 
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American stamp dealer in Shanghai to USA, British Agencies, 1917
Loan courtesy Ian Gibson-Smith
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Kalee Hotel
Courtesy Lan Zhang
 

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Aeropex Bejing medal, 2009
Loan courtesy anonymous

International stamp exhibitions offer philatelists from China and the United States, as well as other countries, a chance to share their knowledge and passion for stamps and mail, exhibit collections, and find new acquisitions. The Universal Postal Union, which currently includes 192 countries, sets the rules for international mail exchanges.

 
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Washington 2006 World Philatelic Exhibition souvenir sheet, Hong Kong, China, 2006
 
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Ameripex 86 souvenir sheet, China, 1986
 
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Universal Postal Union Congress and Beijing’s China 99 stamp show first day cover, 1999