Lot
1197 
U.S. Postal Agency, Shanghai, China, Oct 1, 1918, well struck duplex postmark on "Officer's Mail" endorsed cover to Los Angeles, Cal., purple boxed censor handstamp; central file fold, Very Fine, a rare forerunner postmark which seldom appears clear and more often barely legible, ex-W. Spicer. Estimate $400 - 600.
The first American troops of the A.E.F. arrived in Siberia in September of 1918. Since there was no cancelling device available, the Shanghai duplex was provisionally used for three weeks until October 17th when the assigned canceller arrived.
Realized: $525