Tibet Chinese Post Offices 1911 set of 11 to 2r claret and bright yellow, SGC1/11

Tibet Chinese Post Offices 1911 set of 11 to 2r claret and bright yellow surcharged at Shanghai, SGC1/11.

A fine and fresh mint set with part to large part original gum.

A very scarce set of surcharged stamps with interesting historical context.

In the latter half of 1909 a large force of Chinese troops marched into Tibet and defeated the Tibetan army at Chamdo. The Chinese troops occupied Lhasa in February 1910 and the Panchen Lama, rival to the Dalai Lama, was installed there.

Chinese post offices were opened at Lhasa, Chabdo (Chamdo), Gyantse, Pharijong, Shigatse and Yayung. Initially, these offices used contemporary Chinese stamps until March 1911 when surcharged stamps were issued. Letters sent via India had to be franked with Indian stamps as well.

After the Chinese Revolution of 1911, a revolt broke out in Tibet. The Chinese troops there were cut of from their supplies and had to be shipped home via India in 1912. The Dalai Lama was restored.

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