pnti

Stamps Museum Provisional Neutrality Overprints on the Third Imperial Issue (PNTI) and Republic of China Provisional Neutrality Overprints on the Third Imperial Issue (ROCPNTI).

The Qing Dynasty was overthrown by the 1911 Revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat Sen.
T. Piry, the Director-General of Posts (a French national) preached postal neutrality after the 1911 Revolution.
Therefore from January 1912, four Chinese characters meaning provisional neutrality were overprinted on the Third Imperial issue and postage due stamps.
The stamps were first released in Fuzhou in 30th. January, 1912.
When the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Communications of the Provisional Government learned about the released, they cabled Piry to stop immediate issuance.
Piry on pretext of economising, order overprinting vertically another four Chinese characters meaning Republic of China (ROC) on the previously overprinted characters taking the form of a cross.
The later issue Republic of China Provisional Neutrality overprints on the Third Imperial Issue (ROCPNTI) were issued at Hankou, Nanjing and Changsha.

PNTI click here to view PNTI stamps

ROCPNTI click here to view ROCPNTI stamps