India: CEF Stamps - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: India: CEF Stamps (/showthread.php?tid=74)

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India: CEF Stamps - Hugh - 14-08-2025

Not a fugitive stamp, but definately an unexpected one. I found this in a stockbook of stamps I bought at the club (mostly for the stockbook).

Stamp:
Series: India Military Stamps
Queen Victoria / Empress of India
Issued in 1900
3p, Carmine-rose, Overprint C.E.F. [China Expiditionary Force] on Sc. 54
Sc. M1

Two brigades of Indian troops were sent to China in 1900 during the Boxer Uprising 义和团运动 ... a postal unit was sent with the troops and I understand that the first recorded use of these overprinted military stamps was August 1900. Most of the Indian troops were withdrawn by 1906. 

[attachment=131]

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RE: India: CEF Stamps - Webmaster - 14-08-2025

Here is an an Edward VII example on a postcard of China, 1910 (from my "Sold Database")

[attachment=144]

[attachment=145]


Roy

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RE: India: CEF Stamps - Hugh - 14-08-2025

Hi Roy ... very nice postcard! And, interesting.

It looks to me like a late use (1910) Indian FPO N9? (my best guess based on the low resolution scan). The Indian CEF was largely wound down by 1906 although some use continued at some of the treaty ports.

The Indian CEF used FPO numbers 1 - 20. If it is FPO 9, that number was assigned to the forward position at Yangstum (Yaangcun) during the 1900 campaign -- about 15-20 miles south of Tientsin. By 1910 Yangstun's military and postal function would have been long over. It may be that the CDS and the number was reassigned or that a small detachment of Indian troops under British Officers was still in North China and using the hammer on remaining CEF adhesives. 

[attachment=146]
Sc. M22

I also notice that it was mailed via Siberia to a woman in England. No message and no OAS notation. And, no message or return address. 

Interesting. (smile)

Source: https://www.indianpostagestamps.com/military/Military_Stamps_CEF.html?utm_source=chatgpt.comI

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