Los-Nr. 8050

1872: Cover from Cologne to Shanghai, China (Peil correspondence) endorsed 'Pr. Engl. Post via Brindisi' at top, franked by 1872 Small Shield 1/3 gr. green, lifted pressed and replaced, 2 gr. violet and 5 gr. ochre-brown all tied by COELN / STADTPOST-EXP No. 1 datestamps (Feb 9) in black. Framed 'P.D.' in red at left and reverse with Verona cds, Brindisi cds (Feb 12) and HONG-KONG transit cds (April 1) in black. Despite imperfections a fine and scarce three colour first issue franking to China. Cert. Holcombe (1988). F. Peil was a German merchant in Hong Kong, employed by the German Krupp Steel company in 1866 after Krupp having failed to sell 1.000 cannons to China. F. Peil originally specialized in the import & export of wines and spirits. At the end of 1870 the Chinese Government finally purchased 191 Krupp cannons.