The postal history of the Qing Dynasty (清朝, Shinchō) reflects a gradual move toward modernization. China’s first official postage stamps, known as the "Large Dragons," were issued in 1878 by the Imperial Customs Post, established the same year in Shanghai. Early printings were small-scale and handled by local printers with limited resources. As the system developed, the Qing postal authorities began working with foreign printing firms such as Waterlow & Sons in London and the American Bank Note Company, resulting in higher quality production. Throughout this period, foreign-run post offices operated alongside the Chinese system, particularly in treaty ports and coastal cities.