The first set of stamps in China, popularly known as “Dalong” or “Customs Dragon“ or “Large Dragons” or “Giant Dragons” were issued in 1878 by the imperial government led by Emperor Guangxu of Qing Dynasty. The stamps were issued in three denominations: 1, 3 and 5 candarins.
The design features a large dragon, playing with a pearl, standing over waves with its head reaching the clouds. This set was issued three times - in 1882, 1883 and 1885, with wide margins, clean perforations and rough perforations respectively. The colours and denominations remained the same in the three issues.
The stamps are bilingual - with CHINA and CANDARINS (currency equating to 1/100th of an ounce of silver) printed on top and bottom. Chinese characters that translate to Great (大) Qing (清) are printed on the top left and right corners.
Left panel has the value of the stamps inscribed in Chinese, while the right panel is the Chinese text for post office (郵政局).
Before the national postage stamp, the local post service in Shanghai, which was operated by the city municipal council, issued stamps in the year 1865.
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