China 1873, Treaty Port issue from Shanghai featuring a 4 cent purple Small Dragon stamp with blue overprint surcharged to 1 candarin, cancelled in red with a clear strike of "Local Post Office Shanghai." Printed by Nissen & Parker in London using typography and perforated 12, this stamp belongs to the early local postal issues of Shanghai prior to national unification of postal services. The Small Dragon design, a stylized symbol of imperial authority, was adapted with surcharges to reflect the evolving monetary and postal systems in use within treaty ports. The vivid red cancellation adds visual appeal and authenticates its postal usage within the localized Shanghai system. This issue is cataloged as Scott SH 43, Michel CN-SH 44, Yvert et Tellier CN-SH 29, Stanley Gibbons CN-SH 44a, and Stamp Number CN-SH 52. Condition Very fine used with crisp perforations, intact overprint, and beautifully struck red cancel. Estimate "$190 – 230"