This mint never hinged block of four from the 1893 Shanghai Local Post Office represents the 5 cent value of the early postage due series issued by the semi-autonomous postal authority of Shanghai during the treaty port era. Printed in red by Barkley & Fira of London using typography on watermarked paper bearing Chinese characters for “Ministry of Industry,” the stamp features a bilingual design with “SHANGHAI MUNICIPALITY” and “POSTAGE DUE” inscriptions framed in classic Victorian ornamental borders. Issued to collect unpaid local postage, these stamps served as vital fiscal tools in Shanghai’s hybrid postal and customs administration. With perforation 13½ x 14 and no gum, as was standard for many local fiscal issues of the period, this block shows crisp impressions and uniform spacing. Catalogued as Michel CN-SH P15, Scott CN-SH J17, Yvert et Tellier CN-SH T17, Stanley Gibbons CN-SH D172, and China Stamp Society CN-SH 1217. Condition Mint never hinged with strong typographic clarity, clean margins, and full selvage on one side. Estimate "$110 – 140".