THE POSTAL MARKINGS OF

THE POSTAL MARKINGS OF

TIBET

0 Copyright 1996 Dr. Wolfgang C. Hellrigl

P.O. Box 349
1-39100 Bozen
Italy

Copyright notice: The contents OF t h s Catalogue, including the numbering system and the
drawings made by the author, are Fully protected by copyright. No part of t h s publication
may be reproduced without the prior permission OF the author. As an exception to the above
conditions, the drawings made by the author may be copied exclusively For the purpose of
writing up philatelic exhbits, provided that the source is mentioned in the introductory pages
of such exhbits.

Published by: Geoffrey Flack

Box 65987
Station F
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V5N 5L4
 CONTENTS

Publisher's Foreword ...............................................................................................page 4

Introduction .....................................................................................................................5

THE POSTAL MARKINGS:

The British-Indian Period (1903-1955) ............................................................................7

The Imperial Chmese Period (19 10-1914) ..................................................................... 22

The Independent Tibetan Period (1912- 1956) ..............................................................28

The Early Period of the Chinese People's Republic (1953.1959) ..................................41

APPENDICES:
Private Expedition Cachets (1924- 1939) .......................................................................52

Forged and Bogus Postal Marlungs (1920- 1994) ...........................................................55

The Post Offices in Tibet .............................................................................................. 65

Selected Bibliography ..................................................................................................... 67

 PUBLISHER'S FOREWORD

I am very pleased to be associated with the publication of Wolfgang Hellrigl's

The Postal Markings of Tibet. I believe it is an important addition to the already rich
philatelic hlstory of this fascinating country.
The study has brought together, in one volume, all the known Tibetan postal
markmgs in use between 1903 and 1959. Each marlung has been clearly illustrated
and this should prove invaluable to new collectors and specialists alke. I believe
the information on dates of use and scarcity is also a major contribution to our
knowledge of Tibet's postal hstory.
Over the years Tibet has been collected and studied by a number of important
philatelists. Through their efforts and writings Tibet has become a "modern classic"
whose stamps and postal history are respected at the highest levels of philately.
Wolfgang Hellrigl's contributions are well known. The number of research articles
he has written and the quality of hls work have put him at the forefront of studies
relating to the stamps and postal history of Nepal and Tibet.
Wolfgang has been President of The Nepal and Tibet Philatelic Study Circle since
1989, but his reputation and standing go far beyond the Himalayan area. The
philatelic world has acknowledged his literary contributions, honouring him with
numerous awards including International Gold Medals. In September 1994 the
Philatelic Congress of Great Britain invited him to sign the Roll of Distinguished
Philatelists. In the philatelic world, an honour second to none.
This work, The Postal Markings of Tibet, is an important addition to the philatelic
literature. To attract collectors, researchers and writers of the level of WolFgang
Hellrigl speaks well of the tremendous possibilities offered by Himalayan philately.
This is a very exciting area for the collector, a field with a rich future, with books
still to be written and mysteries to be solved.

Geoffrey Flack
 INTRODUCTION

"In collecting the stamps of a country like Tibet, where

the number of letters written and received is extremely
small, the acquisition and listing of all the different
postmarks, employed by the postal service is absolutely
impossible of achievement, and the notes that follow
probably touch no more than the fringe of the subject."
H.R. Holmes, RDP, 1940

Whde the postage stamps normally constitute the focal point of any philatelic
collection, the postal marlungs can contribute considerably towards a better
understanding of the circumstances under which the various issues were introduced,
used and eventually replaced. In the specific case of the postal history of Tibet,
much of its fascination would be lost if we had no knowledge of, say, the postal
marlungs of the Younghusband h l i t a r y Expedition, or the cancellations of Imperial
China.
Over the last seventy years, several philatelists have written about some aspects of
the postal marlungs of Tibet. The names of H.R. Holmes, Robson Lowe, Theodore
M. Newman, George S. Russell, H.D.S. Haverbeck, Robert D. West, C.W. Chiu and,
above all, Arnold C. Waterfall, readily come to mind. Between them, they have
recorded most of the marlungs we know today.
Nevertheless, I feel that the present Catalogue can claim a number of significant
improvements on the works of these pioneers, such as a comprehensive listing, an
entirely new classification, a simple, but efficient numbering system, clear drawings
of the over 300 marlungs treated, a thorough revision of all periods of use, and a
uniform point system. As a special feature, the numerous forged marlungs of Tibet -
containing many previously unrecorded types - are listed and illustrated.
Since the periods of use constitute the heart of this Catalogue, I have taken great
pains in checlung literally thousands of dates. With the exception of a few abso-
lutely reliable sources - notably Watedall - any dates quoted by earlier references
have largely been ignored. Although I was able to introduce and/or extend numerous
periods of use, there are, obviously, still several gaps. The greatest difficulties in this
respect arise with the dateless marlungs of the independent Tibetan period, to which
an approximate date can normally be attributed only when they are found in
conjunction with marlungs of other postal administrations; hence,these marlungs
had to be recorded with the year of use only, while all other types are quoted with
the DAY, MONTH and YEAR (in that order).
Unless otherwise indicated, all postal marlungs are in black ink. Where strikes in
different colours are known, they are listed under the same type-number, but in
separate lines. For simplicity's sake, I made no distinction between rather similar
colours of ink, e.g., violet and purple.
In order to establish a uniform Point Valuation System for the postal marlungs of
the different periods of Tibet's postal hstory, the following rarity scale has been
devised:

Points Degree of Rarity Approximate Number

of Covers Known
100 Extremely rare 1-4
90 - 95 Very rare 5-9
80 - 85 Rare 10 - 19
55 - 75 Scarce 20 - 49
30 - 50 Medium 50 - 100
5 - 25 Common over 100
i

This Catalogue contains every known postal markmg used on Tibetan territory,
from 18th August, 1903 to 10th March, 1959. The 1903 date refers to the earliest
recorded Khamba-Jong marlung of the Tibet Frontier Commission.
A recently recorded datestamp of the Experimental P.O. C-7 was alledgedly used by
the S~klumField Force of 1888 at a camp just inside the Tibetan border, but, in my
opinion, the evidence at hand is not sufficiently strong to prove beyond doubt that
t h s P.O. operated on Tibetan territory.
The final date sadly coincides with the abortive Tibetan revolt against the Chinese
invaders, which led to the flight of the Dalai Lama to India, the official dissolution
of the Tibetan government and the loss of human rights for the Tibetan population.
I am
- -- most grateful to the m a y--collectors, who, over the years, have shown me their
.

holdings or sent me photocopies featuring postal marlungs of Tibet. In particular, I

would llke to thank those who have lundly granted me permission to reproduce
illustrations from their earlier publications: the American Philatelic Society (for the
use of some sixty of Robert West's drawings of marlungs of the Chinese People's
Republic, published in The American Philatelist); the Collectors Club of New York (For
the use of twelve illustrations from H.D.S. Haverbeck's book, The Postage Stamps and
Postal History of Tibet, that were later used to create photographically reproduced
forgeries); Mr. Robson Lowe (for the use of four illustrations from his booklet, The
Gee-Ma Forgeries).
My appeal goes to all collectors of Tibet, to check the postal marlungs in their
collections against the types and periods of use quoted in the present publication.
If any new types or unrecorded dates are Found or if anything can be added to
complete the date tables, would readers please contact me or, alternatively, publish
their Findings in the pages of Postal ~ i m a lthe
, quarterly journal of The Nepal and
Tibet Philatelic Study Circle. If sufficient new material can be collected, a second
edition of this Catalogue might be considered.

Wolfgang C. Hellrigl
 THE BRITISH-INDUGGERIOD
(1903-1955)

In 1903, British India sent a special Frontier Commission into Tibet to negotiate a
trade agreement and settle incidents in the Siklum border area. In the course of thls
mission, the first British-Indian Post Office in Tibet was opened at Khamba-Jong,
the base of the Commission. The earliest known postal marlung on Tibetan territory
(Type B30) was applied there on 18th August, 1903.
This unsuccessful attempt was followed, in 1904, by the Younghusband M i t a r y
Expedition to Lhasa. This mission was provided with full postal facilities and several
Temporary, Experimental or Field Post Offices were established between the Base
Office located in Siliguri, India, and Lhasa, the furthest point reached by the
expeditionary forces. The exact locations and subsequent movements of the various
types of Post Offices that operated during these two missions, can be traced in Brig.
D.S. Virk's handbook, Sikkim-Tibet 1903-1908, to which interested readers are
referred.
The present listing is strictly confined to Tibet and therefore does not include types
or dates of any postal marlungs applied at either the Tibet Frontier Commission's or
the Younghusband Expedition's Post Offices located in Siklum.
The Post Offices of both missions used British-Indian stamps and standard-type
cancellations, datestamps, namestamps, handstamps, etc. It should be noted that
the impressions of the postal marlungs of t h s early period are usually faint and poor.
As a result of the h l i t a r y Expedition, which saw the defeat of the Tibetan army, a
Treaty was signed at Lhasa that included a provision For the appointment of
permanent British-Indian Postal Agencies in Tibet. Thus, upon the withdrawal of
the British-Indian troops from Tibet, in November, 1904, the Field Post Offices of
Gyantse, Pharijong and Yatung were converted into Agencies of the British-Indian
Post Office, though some F.P.O. marlungs were retained in use for some more years.
A fourth P.O. was opened at Gartok, in Western Tibet, but this appears to have
functioned only temporarily and is reported to have been closed down in 1943.
These four civilian Post Offices were primarily intended to maintain a communi-
cations link between the British Trade Agents in Tibet, and India. Since they Formed
part of the British-Indian postal territory, inland rates applied to mail sent from
Tibet to India (including Nepal), and vice-versa.
The British-Indian postal authorities also established various Government Telegraph
Offices (G.T.0.s) in Tibet, but telegraphic marlungs have only been recorded for
Chumbi and Gyantse.
Following India's independence, in August, 1947, the three remaining British-Indian
Post Offices were taken over by the Dominion of India and continued to operate
until they were officially closed down on 11th April, 1955.
 CANCELLATIONS

B1 B2 B3
KHAMBA-JONG FIELD P.O. No. 24 FIELD P.O. No. 25

B4 B5 B6
FIELD P.O. No. 26 FIELD P.O. No. 31 FIELD P.O. No. 32

B7 B8 B9
FIELD P.O. No. 34 FIELD P.O. No. 70 FIELD P.O. No. 81

I 31 JA. 0 3 I

B10 B11 B12

PHARIJONG F.P.O. No. 81 FIELD P.O. No. 82 FIELD P.O. No. 83

B13
FIELD P.O. No. 85
 B14 B15
GYANTSE YATUNG

B16 B17
GYANTSE PHARIJONG

B18 B19
PHARIJONG YATUNG
 CANCELLATIONS
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. earliest latest

Bl KHAMBA-JONG 08.09.1903 04.12.1903 100

B2 FIELDP.0.24 Black 23.01.1904 05.10.1904 95

n n n
B2 Violet 1904 100

B3 FIELDP.0.25 15.01.1904 21.06.1904 95

B4 FIELD P.O. 26 18.02.1904 10.05.1905 95

B5 FIELD P.O. 31 02.06.1904 18.06.1904 100

B6 FIELD P.O. 32 Black 08.05.1904 05.10.1904 95

n n
B6 91
Violet 24.08.1904 100

B7 FIELD P.O. 34 28.07.1904 08.10.1904 100

B8 FIELD P.O. 70 17.01.1907 11.06.1908 95

B9 FIELD P.O. 81 16.01.1904 22.05.1909 95

B10 PHARIJONG F.P.O. 81 02.05.1911 12.01.1915 95

B11 FIELD P.O. 82 31.01.1904" 100

B12 FIELD P.O. 83 26.04.1904 20.07.1904 95

B13 FIELD P.O. 85 02.11.1904 100

B14 GYANTSE 03.02.1906 21.09.1918 35

B15 YATUNG 04.04.1909 05.04.1940 55

B16 GYANTSE 13.05.1918 02.01.1954 25

B17 PHARIJONG 30.05.1920 02.04.1955 25

B18 PHARIJONG 24.12.1948 20.01.1955 50

B19 YATUNG 16.05.1952 25.03.1955 65

' ' B11:The year digits are erroneously shown as '03."

 DATESTAMPS

B30
KHAMBA-JONG
B3 1
FIELD P.O. NO.24
0 0 . p . o.*
2 I8 FEB g

B32
FIELD P.O. NO. 25

B33 B34 B35

FIELD P.O. No. 26 FIELD P.O. No. 31 FIELD P.O. No. 32

B36 B37 B38

FIELD P.O. No. 34 FIELD P.O. No. 70 FIELD P.O. No. 81

,3 MY. 5 20MY.
04

B39 B40 B4 1
PHARIJONG F.P.O. No. 81 FIELD P.O. No. 83 FIELD P.O. No. 88

B42 B43
LHASA LHASA
 B44 B45
GARTOK GYANTSE

B46 B47
EXPERIM. P.O. B-519 YATUNG
(PHARIJONG)

B48 B48 B49

GYANTSE GYANTSE TEMP. P.O. C-622
(Die 1) (Die 2) (GYANTSE)

B5 1
YATUNG
 DATESTAMPS
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. earliest latest
B30 KHAMBA-JONG 18.08.1903 04.12.1903 100
B31 FIELDP.0.24 04.02.1904 05.01.1905 95
B32 FIELD P.O. 25 08.02.1904 18.02.1905 100
B33 FIELD P.O. 26 21.01.1904 27.01.1907 95
B34 FIELD P.O. 31 08.05.1904 02.06.1904 100
B35 FIELD P.O. 32 10.05.1904 06.10.1904 95
B36 FIELD P.O. 34 05.08.1904 21.08.1904 100
B37 YATUNG F.P.O. 70 23.09.1908 100
B38 FIELD P.O. 81 16.01.1904~) 08.01.1910 95
B39 PHARIJONG F.P.O. 81 02.02.1910 05.01.1913 95
B40 FIELD P.O. 83 20.05.1904 20.07.1904 100
B41 FIELD P.O. 88 03.09.1904 100
B42 LHASA ("LAHSSA") 3' 03.08.1904 22.09.1904 75
B43 LHASA ("LHASSAn) 31.08.1904 20.09.1904 100
B44 GARTOK 15.09.1913 14.06.1936 100
B45 GYANTSE 15.11.1905 16.05.1918 35
B46 L
A
- P.O. B519 07.02.1922 100
B47 YATUNG 27.02.1909 02.07.1932 45
B48 GYANTSE (Die 114) 20.05.1919 02.03.1935 15
B48 GYANTSE (Die 2)4) 03.04.1936 19.05.1954 10
B49 TEMPORARY P.O. C-622 31.07.1954 04.1955 95
B50 PHARIJONG 29.05.1918 28.09.1953 10
B51 YATUNG 11.11.1949 18.06.1954 80

The datestamps were used as departure, transit and delivery marlungs and as
cancellations, respectively.

" B38: The year digits on the earliest strike are erroneously shown as '03" instead of '04."

B42: The strikes violet. dated 10.08.1904, are favour impressions made in the 1950s.
)'
B48: Die 1 has a wider dateband; the right fleuron stands higher, and the word CYANTSE is narrower than in Die 2.
13
 REGISTRATION HANDSTAMPS

B60 B61
FIELD P.O. No. 24 CHUMBI F.P.O. No. 70

IFIELD P.O.

B62
81

B63
FIELD P.O. No. 81 TEMP. P.O. Y (GYANTSE)

1 YATUNG-T18Ef
V I A SILICURI

B64 B65
GYANTSE YATUNG

REGISTRATION HANDSTAMPS
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. earliest latest
B60 FIELD P.O. 24 14.09.1904 14.09.1906 100
B61 CHUMBI F.P.O. 70 17.05.1907 11.12.1907 100
B62 FIELD P.O. 81 09.04.1908 1912 100
B63 TEMPORARY P.O. Y 30.03.1906 20.10.1908 95
B64 GYANTSE 03.01.1909 25.04.1912 90
B65 YATUNG 07.01.1911 04.03.1913 80
 BOXED NAMESTAMPS

B70 B71
FIELD P.O. No. 24 FIELD P.O. No. 26

B72 I373
FIELD P.O. No. 31 FIELD P.O. No. 32

GARTOK
BRANCH O F F I C E
W E S T E R N - T I B E T 01STRICT

B 74 B75
FIELD P.O. No. 70 GARTOK

I
GYANTSE
TIBET I
B76 B77
GYANTSE GYANTSE

PHARl J O N G
I JLY54

B78 B79
PHARIJONG PHARIJONG

YATUNG-TIBET
VIA-SILIGURI 1
B80
YATUNG
 OTHER NAMESTAMPS

B81 B82
GYANTSE SIKKIM-TIBET (CHUMBI)

YAT VMS-TIBET
F.P.O. NO.7 0

B83 B84
YATUNG F.P.O. No. 70 PHARIJONG F.P.O. No. 81

GYA NTSE GYANTSE-TIBET

B85 B86
GYANTSE GYANTSE

B87 B88
PHARIJONG PHARIJONG

B89 B90
YATUNG YATUNG

B65A
YATUNG
r

NAMESTAMPS
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. earliest latest
B70 FIELD P.O. 24 08.04.1904 10.07.1904 100
B71 FIELD P.O. 26 01.07.1906 31.12.1906 100
B72 FIELD P.O. 31 08.05.1904 100
B73 FIELD P.O. 32 26.08.1904 100
B74 FIELD P.O. 70 19.05.1907 100
B75 GARTOK 1933C 100
B76 GYANTSE 24.04.1908 26.10.1908 90
B77 GYANTSE 07.12.1923 19.05.1954 35
B78 PHARIJONG Black 1922 1955 85
n
B78 Red 1924 85
B79 PHARIJONG 01.07.1954 100
B80 YATUNG 25.02.1921 02.07.1932 95
B81 GYANTSE Violet 1912 21.06.1917 95
B82 SIKKIM-TIBET Violet 01.07.1906 19.05.1907 95
B83 YATUNG F.P.O. 70 Violet 29.08.1911 04.09.1911 80
B83 17 n
" Black 02.09.1911 03.04.1915 80
B83 77 71
" Red 04.03.1913 15.05.1913 85
B84 PHARIJONGF.P.O.81 Red 27.04.1912 14.08.1913 90
B85 GYANTSE Purple 1911 75
B86 GYANTSE Brown 04.04.1913 02.09.1913 75
B86 77
Violet 26.02.1914 21.05.1921 75
B86 71
Red 1917 1922 75
B86 77
Black 1917 25.07.1922 75
B87 PHARIJONG Red 29.05.1918 1920 80
B88 PHARIJONG 08.08.1935 02.04.1955 60
B89 YATUNG Violet 13.03.1917 10.10.1917 55
B89 17 Black 1921 1922 55
B90 YATUNG 02.01.1923 1955 50
B65A YATUNG 17.04.1922 50

The majority of these namestamps was used as registration marlungs, and was
either applied directly t o covers, or to registration labels.
 POSTAGE-DUE HANDSTAMPS

BllO Blll B112

TEMP. P.O. Y TEMP. P.O. Y GYANTSE
(GYANTSE) (GYANTSE)

fi AS.

B113 B114 B115

GYANTSE PHARIJONG PHARIJONG F.P.O. No. 81

B116
(PHARIJONGC)

POSTAGE-DUE HANDSTAMPS
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. earliest latest
BllO TEMPORP.O.Y(GY.ANTSE) 30.09.1908 21.01.1918 100
Bill TEMPORP.0.Y (GyANI'SE) 21.09.1918 100
B112 GYANTSE 11.04.1922 31.08.1928 95
B113 GYANTSE 08.03 1922 03.09 1934 85
B114 PHARIJONG 26.05.1922 01.07.1954 85
B115 PHARIJONG F.P.O. 81 27.05.1927 04.12.1943 55
B116 "T"(PHARIJONGC) 30.05.1904 10.09.1904 95
 TELEGRAPHIC MARKINGS

B130 B131 B131

CHUMBI GYANTSE (Die 1) GYANTSE (Die 2)

B132
GYANTSE

TELEGRAPHIC MARKINGS
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. earliest latest
B130 CHUMBI 20.04.1908 22.05.1908 100
B131 GYANTSE (Die 1)') 11.04.1910 25.09.1917 90
B131 GYANTSE (Die 2)') 26.05.1910 01.07.1925 90
B132 GYANTSE 27.08.1943 10.03.1953 85

" B131:Die 1 features shghtly larger characters and a narrower Y nm GYANTSE. Die 2 shows a very wide Y . "
20
 MONEY ORDER MARKINGS

B140 B141
PHARIJONG YATUNG

MONEY ORDER MARKINGS

TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. earliest latest
B140 PHARIJONG 01.07.1954 100
B141 YATUNG 18.06.1954 100
 - ~

THE IMPERIAL CHINESE PERIOD (1910-1914)

In late 1909, Chma sent an expeditionary force to occupy Lhasa, prompting the
Dalai Lama to seek refuge in India. Following the example of British India, the
Chinese established Imperial Post Offices at Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Pharijong,
Yatung (all opened about July/August, 1910) and Chamdo (opened in 1911).
Official sources claim that Chinese Post Offices were also opened at Gyamda and
Shobamdo, but, so far, no postal marlungs of these two towns have been reported.
Initially, Chmese stamps were used at the Imperial P.O.s, but they were replaced,
in February, 1911, by a special set of trilingually surcharged stamps. The use of the
unsurcharged Chinese stamps in Tibet is particularly rare. However, the hghest
level of rarity of this period is represented by covers bearing a combination of
unsurcharged and surcharged stamps.
A considerable number of surcharged stamps was philatelically used. Some covers
bear short sets of t h s issue while others bear odd franiungs (often made up by a pair
and a single stamp) that do not represent correct postal rates.
As a result of the fall of the Manchu Dynasty, the Chinese were forced to leave
Tibet. Their P.0.s in central Tibet were closed in December, 1911, with Pharijong
and Yatung following in 1912. Only the Chamdo P.O., in Eastern Tibet, was
retained, alledgedly until 1918 when Tibetan authority was re-established in that
area.
Of the marlungs of the Imperial Chinese period, only the large "dollar-chops" are
dated, whereby the dates of the 1910-1911 period are expressed according to the
Chinese (lunar) calendar; from 1912 onward, the Gregorian (solar) calendar came
into general use in China.
Since dated covers are worth a premium, every possible effort should be undertaken
to date such markings. The following steps must be Followed in order to establish
the exact date of a "dollar-chop":
1'' step: literal translation of the Chinese date characters - w h c h are always shown
in the sequence Day/Month/Year;
2nd step: consultation of a special conversion chart, in order to find the Gregorian
equivalent of the Chinese date. Incidentally, the Hsuan-T'ung 3rd year
(which began on 30.01.1911 and ended on 17.02.1912) comprised an
intercalary month between the 6th and 7th Chinese month.
Commercial combination covers bearing Chinese stamps (whether unsurcharged or
surcharged) and British-Indian stamps are rare. Since China was not a member of
the U.P.U. until 1914, mail originating from the Chinese Post Offices in Tibet and
addressed to India or beyond, had to be handed over to the British-Indian P.O. at
Yatung, where the British-Indian stamps were cancelled.
 EARLY IMPERIAL MARKINGS

LHASA

C1 C2 C3
GYANTSE LHASA PHARI

C4
@YATUNG

C5
SHIGATSE YATUNG

C6
LHASA

EARLY IMPERIAL MARKINGS

TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. earliest latest
C1 GYANTSE 10.09.1910 10.01.1911 100
C2 LHASA 01.08.1910 02.01.1911 95
C3 PHARI 31.12.1910 29.11.1911 90
C4 SHIGATSE 03.11.1910 23.12.1910 95
C5 YATUNG 09.08.1910 03.05.1912 100
C6 LHASA 07.09.1910 07.01.1911 100
 DATESTAMPS (YDOLLARCHOPS")

C11 C12
GYANTSE LHASA

C13 C14 C15

PHARI SHIGATSE YATUNG

C16
LHASA

DATESTAMPS ("DOLLAR CHOPS")

TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. earliest latest
C10 CHAMDO 15.06.1913 20.04.1914 95
C11 GYANTSE 21.12.1910 20.11.1911 90
C12 LHASA 09.01.1911 29.06.1911 85
C13 PHARI 15.06.1911 28.10.1911 100
C14 SHIGATSE 07.01.1911 05.10.1911 85
C15 YATUNG 23.03.1911 29.11.1911 80
C16 LHASA 21.06.1911 28.11.1911 85
 REGISTRATION HANDSTAMPS

C20 C2 1 C22
GYANTSE LHASA YATUNG

REGISTRATION HANDSTAMPS
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. earliest latest
C20 GYANTSE 29.08.1911 01.11.1911 100
C21 LHASA 14.12.1910 24.09.1911 90
C22 YATUNG 01.09.1911 27.11.1911 90
 ACKNOWLEDGEMET-OF-RECEIPT HANDSTAMPS

C30 C31
GYANTSE LHASA SHIGATSE

C33 C34
LHASA YATUNG C

ACKNOWLEDGEMET-OF-RECEIPTHANDSTAMPS
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. earliest latest
C30 GYANTSE 1910 100
C31 LHASA 11.1910 100
C32 SHIGATSE 24.02.1911 08.07.1911 95
C33 LHASA 14.12.1910 20.09.1911 95
C34 YATUNG (C) Cerise 1911C 100

RR stands for "Registration with Return Receipt."

AR stands for the internationally recognized "Avis de Reception."

A.C. Waterfall also claims the existence, "during the use of the unsurcharged
Chinese stamps," of single "R" handstamps of Lhasa and Shigatse, respectively. Since
I have never seen these single "R"s, I prefer not to include them in this Catalogue,
but - if confirmed - they would definitely qualib as separate types of registration
handstamps.
 POSTAGE-DUE HANDSTAMPS

C40
GYANTSE

POSTAGE-DUE HANDSTAMPS
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. earliest latest
C40 "T"(GYANTSE) 21.03.1911 100
 THE INDEPENDENT TIBETAN PERIOD (1912-1956)

In 1912, following the withdrawal of the Chinese and the subsequent return to
Lhasa of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan government decided to establish an
autonomous postal service for the conveyance of internal mail. Apparently, four
Tibetan Post Offices were opened in 1912 (Lhasa, Nangartse, Gyantse and Phari) and
nine more followed soon thereafter. In December, 1912, the Tibetan postal
authorities issued a first set of stamps and introduced appropriate postal marlungs.
New types of postal marhngs were subsequently brought into use together with the
third set of stamps, issued in May, 1933.
It is interesting to note that the allocation of the different types of postal marlungs
of independent Tibet followed a geographic pattern: with a couple of exceptions
(Oga Dzong and Penam), the Post Offices located in particular areas (e.g., east of
Lhasa; on the main route from Lhasa to Gyantse; within the central triangle Lhasa-
Shigatse-Phari) all had specific types of marlungs that distinguished them from those
of other areas.
The postmarks of independent Tibet are undated. Their inner circles are inscribed
with the Tibetan characters for "Month," "Day" and (in most cases) "Hour," but
only a negligible fraction actually bear the intended manual dates; the Year,
however, is never shown. For this reason it is virtually impossible to date internal
covers. On the other hand, covers addressed to, or arriving from abroad and bearing
marlungs of other postal administrations, enable us to date the Tibetan marlungs
thereon, at least approximately. However, since this method does not allow us to
pinpoint a date to the exact day, I have recorded only the years of use. The
additional column "presumed period of use" should merely serve as a provisional,
rough guide, in view of the numerous gaps amongst the recorded periods of use.
Between 1953 and 1956, in the course of the so-called "peaceful liberation" of Tibet,
the Chinese opened their own Post Offices, which led to the repression and definite
closure, by 1956, of all Tibetan Post Offices.
The postage stamps of independent Tibet can be found in the following
combinations with the stamps of other countries:
a) with British India (1912-1956): These combinations occur on mails from India
(including Nepal) to Lhasa, and from Lhasa to India and beyond.
b) with Nepal (1937-1956): These combinations occur from 1st March, 1937
onwards (Indo-Nepalese postal agreement), on mail originating from Nepal and
addressed to Lhasa.
c) with the People's Republic of China (1953-1956):These mixed franlungs would
only be justified on commercial mail leaving Tibet. However, in my view, almost
all such combinations are unnecessary and, therefore, presumably of philatelic
origin.
d) with any other countries (1912-1956): Numerous combinations exist, most of
which are addressed to a Mr. G. Tuladhar. All those covers where the Tibetan
stamps were cancelled on arrival, at Lhasa, are clearly cases of favour-
cancellations. The dates of such marlungs have been disregarded in this
Catalogue. The only combination covers that might possibly pass the test are
inward covers to Lhasa bearing Tibetan stamps cancelled at Phari or Gyantse.
 BILINGUAL NEGATIVE POSTMARKS

T1 T2 T3
CHUSHUR DONGKUR GYANTSE

T4 T5
LHASA I NANGARTSE
 BILINGUAL NEGATIVE POSTMARKS
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE POINTS
NO. RECORDED PRESUMD
T1 CHUSHUR Black 1915 1913 - 1933 95

T1 11 Blue 1913 - 1933 100

n
T1 Green 1913 - 1933 100

T2 DONGKUR Black 1924 - 1926 1913 - 1930 100

n
T2 Blue 1913 - 1930 100
T2 11
Violet 1913 - 1930 100
T3 GYANTSE Black 1913 - 1933 1912 - 1933 35
n
T3 Brown 1913 - 1914 1912 - 1933 60
T3 11
Blue 1912 - 1933 70
T3 11
Violet 1914 - 1933 1912 - 1933 60
T3 11
Rose 1912 - 1933 90
T3 11
Red 1912 - 1933 90
T4 LHASAI Black 1913 - 1914 1912 - 1920 75
n
T4 Blue 1914 1912 - 1920 60
T4 11
Violet 1915 1912 - 1920 70
T5 NANGARTSE Black 1915 - 1933 1912 - 1933 90
n
T5 Blue 1912 - 1933 100
T5 11
Mauve 1933 1912 - 1933 100

T6 PELT1 Black 1916 - 1920 1913 - 1933 90

T6 11
Violet 1915 1913 - 1933 100
 BILINGUAL LHASA POSTMARKS

TI0 T12
LHASA I1 LHASA I11 LHASA IV

T13 T14
LHASA V LHASA VI LHASA VII

-
BILINGUAL LHASA POSTMARKS
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE POINTS
NO. RECORDED PRESUMED
TI0 LHASAII Black 1914 - 1925 1913 - 1933 80
n
TI0 Blue 1913 - 1933 100
TI1 LHASA I11 1916 1915 - 1917 100
TI2 LHASAIV 1915 - 1917 90
T13 LHASAV 1917 - 1928 1916 - 1930 35
T14 LHASAVI 1920 - 1924 1919 - 1925 80
TI5 LHASA VII 1926 - 1950 1925 - 1950 30
 ALL-TIBETAN FLOREAL POSTMARKS

T20 T22
DECHEN GYAMDA MEDAGONGKUR

ALL-TIBETAN FLOREAL POSTMARKS

TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE POINTS
NO. RECORDED PRESUMED
T20 DECHEN 1913 - 1922 100
T21 GYAMDA 1913 - 1922 100
T22 MEDAGONGKUR 1913 - 1922 100
 ALL-TIBETAN ORNAMENTAL POSTMARKS

T30 T31 T32

DECHEN GYAMDA MEDAGONGKUR

T34
OGA DZONG PHARI

T35 T36
PENAM SHIGATSE
r

ALL-TIBETAN ORNAMENTAL POSTMARKS

TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE POINTS
NO. RECORDED PRESUMED
T30 DECHEN 1920 - 1933 100
T31 GYAMDA 1920 - 1933 100
T32 MEDAGONGKUR 1920 - 1933 100
T33 OGADZONG 1913 - 1933 100
T34 PHARI 1916 - 1933 1912 - 1933 35
T35 PENAM 1916 - 1926 1913 - 1933 70
T36 SHIGATSE Black 1915 - 1932 1913 - 1933 50
T36 YY
Blue-Green 1914 1913 - 1915 100
 BILINGUAL POSTMARKS OF 1933

T40 T41 T42

CHUSHUR GYANTSE LHASA

T43 T44
NANGARTSE PHARI

T46
SHIGATSE
P

BILINGUAL POSTMARKS OF 1933

TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE POINTS
NO. RECORDED PRESUMED
T40 CHUSHUR 1933 - 1956 85
~ 4 1GYANTSE~) Black 1933 - 1955 1933 - 1956 10
T41 11
Violet 1956 1955 - 1956 100
~ 4 2LHASA~' 1933 - 1956 1933 - 1956 10
T43 NANGARTSE 1933 1933 - 1956 80
T44 PHARI 1933 - 1952 1933 - 1956 10
T45 PELT1 1954 1933 - 1956 80
T46 SHIGATSE 1936 - 1955 1933 - 1956 40

" T41 & T42:Due to heavy use and wear, later strikes of Cyantse and Lhasa show one thck outer ring instead of double rings.
 ALL-TIBETAN POSTMARKS OF 1933

T50 T5 1 T52
CHOMORAK DECHEN GYAMDA

T53 T54 T55

MEDAGONGKUR OGA DZONG PENAM

ALL-TIBETAN POSTMARKS OF 1933

TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE POINTS
NO. RECORDED PRESUMED
T50 CHOMORAK 1933 - 1956 90
T51 DECHEN 1933 - 1956 90
T52 GYAMDA 1933 - 1956 90
T53 MEDAGONGKUR 1933 - 1956 90
T54 OGADZONG 1933 - 1956 90
T55 PENAM 1933 - 1956 90
 POSTAL INK SEALS

T60
GYANTSE

T62 T63
PHARI SHIGATSE

POSTAL INK SEALS

TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE POINTS
NO. RECORDED PRESUMED
T60 GYANTSE 1917 1915 - 1925 100
T61 PENAM 1920 - 1933 100
T62 PHARI 1922 - 1933 1920 - 1933 100
T63 SHIGATSE 1915 - 1930 100
 EARLY REGISTRATION HANDSTAMPS

T70 T71
CHUSHUR GYANTSE

T72 T73
LHASA I LHASA I1 LHASA I11

T75 T76 T77

LHASA IV LHASA V LHASA VI

T78
LHASA VII

T79
PHARI SHIGATSE
 LATE REGISTRATION HANDSTAMPS

T90 T9 1 T92 T93

GYANTSE LHASA VIII LHASA IX LHASA X

T94 T95 T96 T97

LHASA XI LHASA XI1 LHASA XI11 PHARI

REGISTRATION HANDSTAMPS
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE POINTS
NO. RECORDED PRESUMED
T70 CHUSHUR 1913 - 1933 100
, T71 GYANTSE 1913 - 1933 100
, T72 LHASA I 1916 - 1920 1912 - 1925 95
T73 LHASAII 1920 1920 - 1933 95
T74 LHASA I11 1920 - 1933 95
T75 LHASAIV 1920 - 1933 95
T76 LHASAV 1928 1920 - 1933 95
, T77 LHASAVI 1920 - 1933 95
T78 LHASAVII 1930 1920 - 1933 100
T79 PHARI 1913 - 1933 100
T80 SHIGATSE 1913 - 1933 90
T90 GYANTSE 1951 - 1956 1945 - 1956 75
, T91 LHASA VIII 1946 1945 - 1950 100
T92 LHASAIX Blue 1948 - 1950 1945 - 1952 80
, T92 77 77
Carmine 1945 - 1952 80
T92 77 77
Violet 1945 - 1952 80
T93 LHASAX 1952 - 1953 1950 - 1955 75
T94 LHASAXI Black 1952 - 1953 1950 - 1955 70
T94 77 77
Purple 1950 - 1955 75
T95 LHASA XI1 Violet 1954 - 1955 1952 - 1956 50
, T96 LHASA XI11 1954 - 1955 1952 - 1956 50
T97 PHARI Violet 1953 - 1954 1945 - 1955 75
T97 77
Blue 1945 - 1955 75
 TELEGRAPH CANCELLATION

TlOO
LHASA

r 'I

TELEGRAPH CANCELLATION
TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE POINTS
NO. RECORDED PRESUMED
TlOO LHASA Black 1950 1950 - 1956 70
TlOO r1
Violet 1950 1950 - 1956 80

CUSTOMS MARKING (C)

TllO
YATUNG

CUSTOMS MARKING (F.)

TYPE POST OFFICE PERIODS OF USE POINTS
NO. RECORDED PRESUMED
TllO YATUNG 1933 - 1935 100
THE EARLY PERIOD OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC (1953-1959)

The People's Republic of China was proclaimed on 1st October, 1949. The Following
years saw the beginning of the so-called "peacehl liberation" of Tibet, by thousands
of troops, whlch led to Chinese rule being gradually established over the whole
country. Between 1951 and 1955 the Chmese constructed major lorry roads to
connect central Tibet with China. In 1953, the Chinese authorities established
various M i t a r y Post Offices, their earliest known marlungs being dated August,
1953.
During the period From 1953 to 1956, some Forty civilian Post Offices. were opened
in Central and Eastern Tibet. Unconfirmed reports place the opening dates of the
earliest P.0.s on 1st July, 1953. Obviously, Chinese stamps had to be used to prepay
the postage. The earliest types of postal marlungs in use at these Post Offices bear
all-Chese inscriptions, showing the name of the Province of Tibet in the upper
segment, and the name of the respective towns in the lower (Types C150-C191).
Incidentally, six of these towns situated in Eastern Tibet were originally allocated to
the Province of Slkang, dissolved in 1955, and bear the latter's name (Types C154,
C156, C160-C162, C190).
The next group of postal marlungs shows the Chinese names of the respective
towns in the upper segment and their Tibetan names in the lower (Types C220-
C226). The marlungs of the two most important P.0.s show the bottom
inscriptions in English instead of Tibetan (Types C200-C201). The final group of
early postal marlungs features similar inscriptions, but now the name of the
Province, in Chinese and Tibetan, respectively, is placed before the top and bottom
inscriptions (Types C230-C294). Of this group, Waterfall lists the marlungs of
Gyandie, dated 25.2.1956, and Kerong (Girang Dzong), dated 14.3.1956, that I have
never seen and, hence, not listed.
The dates of the markmgs of the Chinese People's Republic follow the Gregorian
calendar and are expressed in the sequence Year/Month/Day and, occasionally,
Hour. Although for a certain period (1953-1956) Tibetan and Chinese Post Offices
appear to have co-existed, the presence of covers bearing mixed franlungs of these
two distinct systems, would primarily indicate philatelic use.
As stated in the introduction, this Catalogue lists all known marlungs up to 10th
March, 1959, the day of the abortive Tibetan revolt against Chinese rule. These early
types of postal marlungs represent the most interesting period of the current era and
are far scarcer than the subsequent types of the Autonomous Region of Tibet
(Xizang), proclaimed on 9th September, 1965. From the 1960s to this day, many
more Post Offices were opened throughout Tibet and new types of standard
bilingual (Chinese/Tibetan and Chinese/English, respectively) postmarks replaced
the marlungs listed in this Catalogue. The main articles dealing with these later
types are included in the Bibliography.
 ALL-CHINESE DATESTAMPS
MILITARY M R K I N G S

ClOO ClOl C102

MILITARY P.O. MILITARY P.O. MILITARY P.O.
No. 40332 No. 43060 (HONGMA) No. 48266 (SHIGATSE)

ALL-CHINESE DATESTAMPS
DOTTED CIRCLE

C150 C151 C152 C153

GYAMDA GYANTSE JENCHINLI LHASA

C156
MARKHAMDZONG NAGCHHU DZONG PIENPA
 C158 C159 C161
RULANG SHIGATSE TSELA DZONG

C162 C163 C165

TSUNG DZONG TUNG-MEH YATUNG

MOBILE P.O. No. 2

ALL-CHINESE DATESTAMPS
SOLID CIRCLE

C190
GYAMDA
 ALLCHINESE DATESTAMPS
TYPE POST OFFICE P.O. Nos. in EARLIEST POINTS
NO. d a t m ~ DATE RECORD.
C100 MILITARY P.O. 40332 09.08.1953 95
C101 MMI'ARYP.O.43060 Blue 24.10.1953 95
C102 MILITARY P.O. 48266 17.03.1956 95
C150 GYAMDA 04.10.1955 70
C151 GYANTSE 21.01.1955 60
Cl52 JWCHINLI Black 25.03.1956 70
C152 II
Blue 11.05.1956 90
n
C152 Violet 24.10.1956 80
C153 LHASA Black 14.09.1954 30
R
C153 Violet 09.06.1954 60
C154 MARKHAM DZONG* 22.1 1.1955 70
C155 NAGCHHU DZONG 28.05.1955 70
C156 PIENPA* 26.03.1956 70
C157 POMI 11 21 3 07.01.1956 70
C158 RULANG 05.11.1956 70
.-
C159 SHIGATSE 15.08.1956 70
~ 1 6 0SHOBAMDO* 2 28.06.1955 70
C161 TSELA DZONG* 2 27.09.1955 70
C162 TSUNG DZONG* 1 16.06.1955 70
C 163 TUNG-MEH 22.10.1955 70
C164 YANWU 19.10.1955 70
C165 YATUNG 19.07.1954 50
C180 MOBILE P.O. No. 2 28.05.1956 95
~ 1 9 0GYAMDA* 30.10.1955 70
C191 SHETANG Black 09.07.1957 70
C191 IY
Blue 25.07.1957 90

* These marhngs bear SIKANC Province inscriptions.

 BI-LINGUAL DATESTAMPS (CHINESE/ENGLISH)

C200 C201
LHASA YATUNG

BI-LINGUAL DATESTAMPS (CHINESE/ENGLISH)

TYPE POST OFFICE P.O. Nos. in EARLIEST POINTS
NO. datestamp DATE RECORD.
C200 LHASA Black 31.03.1954 45
C200 1r
Blue 06.09.1960 90
C201 YATUNG 25.04.1955 40
 BI-LINGUAL DATESTAMPS (CHINESE/TIBETAN)
SMALL DOTTED CIRCLE

C220 C222 C223

GYANTSE KANGTOK LHASA NAGCHHU DZONG

C224 C225 C226

SHETANG SHIGATSE YATUNG

BI-LINGUAL DATESTAMPS (CHINESEAIBETAN)

LARGE DOTTED CIRCLE

C230 C231 C232

PHARI SHIGATSE YATUNG

BI-LINGUAL DATESTAMPS (CHINESE/TIBETAN)

TYPE POST OFFICE P.O. Nos. in EARLIEST POINTS
NO. datestamp DATE RECORD.
, C220 GYANTSE 31.01.1955 60
C221 KANGTOK 12.06.1955 70
C222 LHASA 15.09.1953 35
C223 NAGCHHU DZONG 25.01.1955 70
C224 SHETANG 20.07.1955 70
C225 SHIGATSE 20.01.1955 60
C226 YATUNG 28.05.1955 55
, C230 PHARI 1 23.04.1955 70
, C231 SHIGATSE 1 26.04.1957 70
C232 YATUNG 1 08.09.1955 70
 BI-LINGUAL DATESTAMPS (CHINESE/TIBETAN)
S M A L L SOLID CIRCLE

C250 C25 1 C252 C253

BOMDA GOMPA CHAMDO CHWGTA DENCHIN

C254 C255 C256 C257

DRAYA YAMDUN DZOKANG DZONG GONKOK GYALTHANG

C258 C259 C260 C261

GYAMDA KANGTOK LHASA LHATO

C262 C263 C264 C265

LHO DZONG MARKHAMDZONG OGA DZONG PASU

C266 C267 C268 C269

RIBOCHHE RIM SANYEN SHETANG
 C270 C273
SHOBAMDO SHOWA TOBA TSUNG DZONG

C274
TUNG-MEH

BI-LINGUAL DATESTAMPS (CH1NESEflIBETA.N)

LARGE SOLIQ CIRCLE

C290
LHASA NAGCHHU DZONG SHIGATSE

C293 C294
TSELA DZONG YATUNG
r
BI-LINGUAL DATESTAMPS (CHINESWIBETAN)
TYPE POST OFFICE P.O. Nos. in EARLIEST POINTS
NO. datestamp DATE RECORD.'
C250 BOMDA GOMPA 2 03.03.1956 75
C251 CHAMDO Black 3,5,8,9,10 27.12.1955 70
n
C251 Blue 3 04.03.1956 75
C252 CHIANGTA 1,2,3 31.01.1956 70
C253 DENCHIN 12 16.03.1956 70
C254 DRAYA YAMDUN 1 14.03.1956 70
C255 DZOKANG DZONG 22.01.1956 70
C256 GONKOK 1,2 14.03.1956 70
C257 GYALTHANG 18.03.1956 70
C258 GYAMDA 1,2,3,4 01.01.1956 70
C259 KANGTOK 28.09.1955 70
C260 LHASA lack^ 30.11.1955 25
n
C260 Violet 9,13 11.1955 60
C260 11
Blue 7 11.1959 75
C260 11
Red 6 07.12.1963 75
C261 LHATO 28.03.1956 70
C262 LHO DZONG 42 28.01.1956 70
C263 MARKHAM DZONG 1 25.03.1956 70
C264 OGA DZONG Blue 1 14.01.1956 80
C265 PASU Violet 07.03.1956 70
C266 RIBOCHHE 07.05.1956 70
C267 RIM 1 26.03.1956 70
C268 SANYEN 02.11.1956 70
C269 SHETANG Black 1 31.12.1959 70
n
C269 Violet 1 12.1959 75
C270 SHOBAMDO 16.03.1956 70
C271 SHOWA 2,3,5,6 30.03.1956 70
C272 TOBA 17.08.1956 70
C273 TSUNG DZONG 12 22.01.1956 70
C274 TUNG-MEH 1 08.03.1956 70
C275 YAKALO Black 42 09.04.1956 70
n
C275 Blue 2 01.1957 75
C276 YANWLJ 08.12.1955 70
C290 LHASA 1,2,3,4 19.12.1954 40
C291 NAGCHHU DZONG 2,3 31.01.1958 70
C292 SHIGATSE 2 23.05.1957 60
C293 TSELA DZONG Black 1 27.09.1955 70
n 75
C293 Violet 1 17.03.1957
C294 YATUNG 1,2,3 28.08.1956 60

')C260 LHASA exists with P.O. Nos. 3,6,7,8,9,13,14,16,17119120. P.O. No. 14: In an attempt to create Fake combination
covers, str~kesdated "1.58 2 14." were subsequently added to a number OF o t h e ~ r l s egenuine covers.
50
 REGISTRATION HANDSTAMPS

C400 C401
LHASA SHIGATSE

C410 C411 C412

LHASA SHIGATSE YATUNG

REGISTRATION HANDSTAMPS
TYPE POST OFFICE EARL1EST POINTS
NO. DATE RECORD.
C400 LHASA Red 29.04.1955 75
C401 SHIGATSE Red 23.03.1956 75
I

C410 LHASA Red 1957 75

C411 SHIGATSE Red 05.09.1958 75
C412 YATUNG Red 29.07.1959 75
 PRIVATE EXPEDITION CACHETS (1924-1939)

Thls chapter includes only those private marlungs that were actually used on
expedition mail emanating From Tibet. Hence the Following categories OF marlungs
are listed:
a) cachets used on expedition mail sent From Tibet and postmarked in Tibet;
b) cachets used on expedition mail actually carried by private runners From Tibet
into S I . or~India and postmarked in Siklum (Gangtok) or India (Darjeeling).
The Following categories are excluded From t h s Catalogue, since the mail in
question did not actually travel on Tibetan territory:
a) cachets used on philatelic expedition cards sent From Calcutta;
b) cachets used For various Everest flights;
c) cachets used on expeditions that attempted to reach Everest From the Nepalese
side.
The First seven types OF cachets listed in t h s Catalogue were used by British Everest
expeditions. The eighth cachet, however, was used by a German scientific
expedition whose aim was to explore central Tibet.
The cachets ef the 1924 Everest expedition were used to cancel a private "local
stamp," specially designed For the private conveyance OF mail between the
expedition camps and British-Indian Post Offices.
 PRIVATE EXPEDITION CACHETS

U NDER CERTIFICATE OF POSTING Deutsche Tibetexpedition

Ernst ~ e h 6 f e t
 PRIVATE EXPEDITION CACHETS
TYPE EXPEDmONCARDS/COVERS PERIODS OF USE RECORDED POINTS
NO. l D s r ~ I N ~ / I N D I A earliest latest
El PHARIJONG Black 25.06.1924 29.06.1924 90
El YATUNG Black 25.06.1924 25.07.1924 90
E2 YATUNG Black 09.07.1924 100
E3 PHARIJONG' Black 29.06.1924 85
E3 DARJEELING' Red 18.08.1924 03.09.1924 50
E4 YATUNG Violet 23.06.1924 25.07.1924 95
E5 GANGTOK Violet 16.05.1933 08.07.1933 85
I

E6 GANGTOK Violet 22.04.1936 01.06.1936 85

E6 DARJEELING Violet 17.06.1936 14.07.1936 80
I

E7 GANGTOK Violet 04.05.1938 31.05.1938 50

I

E8 IHASA&GYANTSEViolet 09.03.1939 100

" E3: The souvenir cards sent horn Calcutta, bearing or black impressions of the cachet (October, 1924) did
not emanate horn Tibet. The violet strkes, on piece, represent favour unpressions.
54
 FORGED AND BOGUS POSTAL MARKINGS (1920-1993)

The existence of a large number OF Forged and bogus postal markmgs of Tibet has
made it absolutely necessary to include relevant details in this Catalogue. The
purpose is to give the reader a clear indication of whlch forgeries he may come
across. Whde this is certainly not the right place to emphasize the Finer points of
distinction between genuine and spurious marhngs, the illustrations should make it
relatively easy to identify the Forgeries.
Thls is a Fairly comprehensive listing OF all Forged and bogus markmgs of Tibet that
have appeared on the scene, From c. 1920 to this day. Some of the early Forged
markmgs were First recorded by A.C. Waterfall. Unfortunately, the 1970s and 1980s
brought a flood of new types, resulting in so great a variety of Forgeries that it would
be difficult to name another country that has been plagued to the same extent. With
regard to the newer forgeries, George Bourke has done important research work,
placing a number of types on record. I must thank hun For h d l y bringing various
new markmgs to my attention.
The approximate dates indicated in the Following charts refer to the earliest records
of the various types of forged marlungs. Several types were photographically
reproduced, by the forgers, from illustrations in Haverbeck's book, The Postage
Stamps and Postal History of Tibet. Since these forgeries are identical with the original
illustrations (except for the scale), I copied the latter and brought them down to
exactly the same size as that used by the forgers. These perfect copies should
definitely help in identifying the forgeries in question.
Recent technological improvements have made it relatively easy to create dangerous
imitations. For example, the very latest postmark forgeries were not produced from
conventional dies but were photocopied onto stamps and/or covers. This means that
we must continue to take every possible care in unmaslung any unrecorded types of
forged marlungs if and when they should arise.
FORGED AND BOGUS POSTAL MARKINGS
BRITISH-INDIAN PERIOD

.
OPENED BY CENSOR
F. P. 0. 70
GYhNTSE TIBET

[ NOT OPENED BY 1
 FORGED AND BOGUS POSTAL MARKINGS
IMPERIAL CHINESE PERIOD

GYM GTSE
FORGED AND BOGUS POSTAL MARKINGS
INDEPENDENT TIBETAN PERIOD

FlOO

FlOl
FORGED AND BOGUS POSTAL MARKINGS
INDEPENDENT TIBETAN PERIOD

FlOl
 F124
(partial drawing)

F128 F129 F130

(partial drawing)
(partial drawing)
 FORGED AND BOGUS POSTAL MARKINGS
FORGED IMITATION OF TYPE APPX. REMARKS
TYPE DATE
F1 YATUNG B15 1940 on 1933 Forgeries (1st set)
F2 PHARIJONG B17 1978 on genuine British-Indian stamps
F10 KHAMBA-JONG B30 1993 reproduced From Haverbeck's book
F11 LHASA B42 1993 on genuine British-Indian stamps
F12 YATUNG B47 1970 undated; on genuine 1912 stamps
F13 GYANTSE B48 1920 on 1912 Forgeries (2nd set)
F14 GYANTSE B48 1938 on genuine British-Indian stamps
F15 GYANTSE B48 1990 used in combination with F164
F16 GYANTSE B48 1990 used in combination with F 164
F17 PHARIJONG B50 1978 used in combination with F141
F18 PHARIJONG B50 1979 used in combination with F173
F30 GYANTSE - 1983 by Lodha; bogus censor mark
F31 PHARIJONG - 1983 by Lodha; bogus censor mark
F32 PHARIJONG - 1983 by Lodha; bogus censor mark
F50 GYANTSE C1 1993 on genuine unsurcharged stamps
F5 1 LHASA C2 1955 by Gee-Ma; on unsurcharged stamps
F52 LHASA C2 1991 reproduced From Haverbeck's book
F54 PHARI C3 1993 reproduced From Haverbeck's book
F57 YATUNG C5 1993 on genuine unsurcharged stamps
F60 LHASA C6 1955 by Gee-Ma; on unsurcharged stamps
F70 LHASA C12 1955 by Gee-Ma; use unknown
F71 YATUNG C15 1935 on genuine surcharged stamps
F75 LHASA C16 1935 on genuine surcharged stamps
F76 LHASA C16 1955 by Gee-Ma; use unknown
F77 LHASA C16 1994 on genuine unsurcharged stamps
F80 LHASA C21 1935 in combination with F75 and F71
FlOO CHUSHUR T1 1989 reproduced From Haverbeck's book
FlOl GYANTSE T3 1973 reproduced From Haverbeck's book
F102 GYANTSE T3 1989 ditto, but smaller
F103 LHASA T4 1937 on 1912 and 1933 forgeries
F104 LHASA T4 1920 only on genuine stamps
F105 LHASA T4 1973 reproduced From Haverbeck's book
F106 LHASA T4 1989 ditto, but smaller
 FORGED AND BOGUS POSTAL MARKINGS
FORGED IMITATION OF TYPE APPX. REMARKS
TYPE DATE
F120 LHASA TI0 1973 reproduced From Haverbeck's book
F121 LHASA TI0 1989 ditto, but smaller
F122 LHASA TI3 1973 reproduced From Haverbeck's book
F123 LHASA TI3 1989 ditto, but smaller
F124 LHASA Tly15 1935 on 1912 & 1933 forgeries
F125 LHASA TlW5 1937 on 1912 Forgeries (4th & 5th set)
F126 LHASA TlW5 1937 on 1912 Forgeries (4th & 5th set)
F127 LHASA TIM5 1939 on 1912 & 1933 forgeries
F128 LHASA TIM5 1978 on 1912 Forgery (1/6 tangka)
F129 LHASA TIM5 1980 on 1912 & 1920 forgeries
F130 LHASA T13/15 1990 bogus; on 1933 Forgery (2 tangka)
F140 PHARIJONG 1990 bogus; on 1933 Forgery (2 tangka)
F141 PHARI T34 1978 on 1912 Forgery (1/6 tangka)
F142 SHIGATSE T36 1955 on 1 sang Forgeries
F143 SHIGATSE T36 1989 reproduced From Waterfall's book
F150 GYANTSE T41 1937 on 1933 Forgeries (1st set)
F151 GYANTSE T41 1937 on 1912 & 1933 Forgeries
F152 GYANTSE T41 1973 reproduced from Haverbeck's book
F160 LHASA T42 1937 on 1933 Forgeries (1st & 2nd set)
F161 LHASA T42 1970 on bogus 3 tangka revenue stamp
F162 LHASA T42 1973 reproduced From Haverbeck's book
F163 LHASA T42 1979 on 1933 forgery (2/3 tangka)
F164 LHASA T42 1990 on 1912, 1920 & 1933 Forgeries
F168 NANGARTSE T43 1989 reproduced From Haverbeck's book
F170 PHARI T44 1939 on 1933 Forgeries (1st & 2nd set)
F171 PHARI T44 1970 on genuine stamps
F172 PHARI T44 1970 on genuine stamps
F173 PHARI T44 1979 on 1933 Forgery (2/3 tangka)
F174 PHARI T44 1989 reproduced From Haverbeck's book
F180 GYAMDA T52 1980 on genuine 1933 & on 1 sang Forg.
F181 OGADZONG T54 1970 on genuine stamps
F190 - 1920 bogus; on 1912 & 1933 forgeries
F191 GYANTSE - 1937 bogus Nepal-type backstamp
F192 - - 1959 bogus; on bogus Human kghts set
F200 SHIGATSE T80 1989 reproduced From Haverbeck's book
 THE POST OFFICES IN TIBET

(An alphabetical list of the Post Offices in Tibet, 1903-1959, with their
different names and/or spellings)

BOMDA GOMPA PANG-TA, PANGTU, BAMDA

CHAMDO CHABDO, CH'ANG-TU, CH'A-MU-TO, CHANGDU,
oD
Ml fQ
CHIANGTA JIANGDA, "NEW GYANDIE," TAICHU
CHOMORAK CHOMOHRA, CHORAGHA, TSHOMORA, TSOMO-
RAG, CHOMO DZONG, TSU-MU, CHUEH-MO
CHUMBI
CHUSHUR CHUSHU, CHUSHUL, CHITSHUT, CH'U-SHUI,
KWSHUI,QUXU, XOI
DECHEN DACHEN, THACHAN, DOCHEN, DHEJAN,
TE-CH'ING, TA-TZU, DAGZE, DEQEN
DENCHIN TEHCHIN, TING-TSIN, TING-CH'ING, TIN CHAN,
DENG-CHEN, DENGQEN
DONGKUR DONKAR, DUNGGAR, GONGKA, KONGKA,
KONG-KO, KONAKO, KUNG-KA,
DRAYA YAMDUN CHAYA, ZHAG'YAB, YEN-TO, YENDUM
DZOKANG DZONG TSOKUNG, TSOGON, ZOGANG, YA-CHUNG,
WANGDA
GARTOK GAR, KUTAKO
GONKOK GON-HSIEN, KUNGHSIEN, KUNG-CHIEN, KUNGKA,
MO-LO, GONJO
GYALTHANG CHITAN
GYAMDA GYANDA, GYAMTHA, KUNG-PU-CHIANG-TA,
GONGBO-GYAMDA, TAIZHAO, T'AI-CHAO
GYANDIE TAICHI
GYANTSE GYANGTSE, GYALCHE, CHIANG-TZU, GYANGZE
HONGMA KHANGMAR
JENCHINLI RINCHHEN LING
KANGTOK GANGTO, "EAST GARTOK," TUNG-PU, RANGSUM,
JOMDAC
KHAMBA-JONG KANG-PA, KAMPA, GAMPA, GAMBA
KERONG KIRONG, G I W G DZONG, GYIRONG ZONGGA,
CHILUNG, KIULUNG
LHASA LHASSA, LASA
LHATO LA-TO, TENGK'O, TANGKO
LHO DZONG LOLUNG DZONG, LHORUNG, RULAND
MARKHAM DZONG MARKAM GARTOK, MARKAM, GARTOG,
NINGCHING, NINGTSIN
MEDAGONGKUR MEDAGONGKAR, METO-GHYNGKA, MEDU
KONGKAR DZONG, MALGHUNG,
MAIZHOKUNGGAR, MO-CHU-KUNG-K'A,
KUNG-K'A, KUNGGAR
NAGCHHU DZONG NACHU, NA-CH'U, NAGACHU, NAGAWACHE,
NAGQU, HEI-HO
NANGARTSE NAGARTSE, NAGARZE, NANGARCHI, GNACHI,
LANGKOTSE, LANGGEZE
OGA DZONG HOLKAR, HOLGHA, HOLDGA, WOLKHA, WOSEL,
SHOKA DZONG, SHOKAH, SHOLAH, SZOKU,
0-KHA, HSUEH-PA, HSUEH-K'A,SUJONG,
DONGJUGC
PASU PAHSU, BASU, BAXOI, BAIMA
PHARI PHARIJONG, PHAGRI, PAGRI, P'A-LI, PAL1
PELT1 PAILI, PAYLY, PALTI, PEDE, PEHTE DZONG
PENAM PANAM, PENA, PAI-LANG, BAINANG
PIENPA PEMBAR, BIANBA, BANBAR, BAR1
POMI BOMI, BOW0
RIBOCHHE RIWOCHE, RIWOQE, LEI-WU-CH'I, NEIWUTSI,
LAIWUQI
RIMA LIMA, CHAYU, ZAYW,CHI-KUNG, GYIGANG
RULANG LULANG, LUNANG
SANYEN KUNGCHIAO, WUCH-ENG
SHETANG TSE-TANG, ZETANG, TSECHE, CHETUNG
SHIGATSE JIH-K'A-TSE, ZHIKATSE, XIGAZE, DIGARCHE,
SHICHE
SHOBAMDO SOBANDO, CHOBANDO, SHO-PANDO,
SHUO-PAN-TO, SHUMLA, SHIHTU, ZIT0
SHOWA DZAMU, CHA-MU, PAKRAMO
TOBA TO-PA
TSELA DZONG TSE LHA, NYINGCHIC
TSUNG DZONG SUNG-TSUNG, SUMZOM
TUNG-MEH T'UNG-MAI, TANGMAI, TANG, PELUNG
YAKALO YENTSING, YENCHING, YANJING
YANWU JAN-WU, RAWU, RHAHU
YATUNG YADONG, CHOMO, DHOMO, GROMO
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