Introduction

Manchukuo

Search

1932 - 1935

1936 - 1939

1940 - Jul 1942

Jul 1942 - 1944

Scenic Cancels of Manchukuo

Special Cancels

Tourist Cachets

Shaped Railway Cachets

KLT Cancels

Scenic Cancels of KLT/SMRZ

Contact

Monitor
this page
it's private
powered by
ChangeDetection

 

 

Commemorative Cancellations used in Manchukuo

Jul 1942 to 1944

 

Image courtesy of Travis Searls  

Zirkle 67 - 24th July, also 7th to 8th August 1942.
This example was issued in 哈爾濱 Harbin.

慶祝建國十周年郵票展覧會紀念 reads Commemorating the Stamp Exhibition Celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of the Founding of the State.

Designed to promote two stamp fairs at 新京 Hsinking and 哈爾濱 Harbin (above), which is why there were two release dates for this cancel.  Of the two exhibitions, the Hsinking example is hardest to find, maybe because it was staged on a single day. To see an example click here.

Size 36mm dia. Known colours - red and reddish brown.

 

Zirkle 68 - 26th July 1942.
This example was issued in 隹木斯 Kia Mu Sze

郵政十周年紀念  reads Postal Service 10th Year Commemoration.

10th Anniversary of the Manchukuo Postal Service. A Map of Manchukuo with a chain of envelopes passing through the zero of the 10, plus the postal emblem.

Size 34mm dia, from which the wingtip extends an extra 4.5mm. Known colours - deep violet (above) and reddish brown.

     
 

Zirkle 69 - 5th to 7th August 1942.
This example was issued in 新京 Hsinking.

満洲建國十周年記念慶祝大東亜操觚大會紀念 reads The Tenth Anniversary of the Founding of Manchoukuo Celebrating the Great East Asia Literary Congress.

To commemorate the Greater East Asia Literary Congress, the design includes crossed writing brushes and the 10th Anniversary Emblem.

Zirkle only shows a date of the 5th for this cancel although the above clearly reads the 7th, it is likely therefore that a cancel for the 6th exists and there may be more dates to discover.

Size 35.5mm dia. Known colours - reddish brown.

 

Zirkle 70 - 8th - 12th August 1942.
This example was issued in 新京 Hsinking.

慶祝建國十周年郵票展覧會紀念 reads Commemorating the Stamp Exhibition Celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of the Founding of the State.

In recognition of the East Asia Games and the Japan-Manchukuo Military Arts Congress.

Strangely, the picture shown in Zirkle's book has been reversed and so is a mirror image of this. Zirkle also only lists the 8th for this issue. The Western dating is changeable and can read 8 (above), 9, 10, 11 or 12.

Size 35.5mm x 36mm. Known colours - red and reddish brown.

     
 

Zirkle 71 - 12th August 1942.
This example was issued in 新京 Hsinking.

満洲建國十周年記念大東亜建設博覧會紀念 reads Commemorating the Tenth Anniversary of the Founding of Manchoukuo “Founding of Great East Asia” Exhibition.

To commemorate the Exposition of the Founding of Greater East Asia. The exposition was held in 新京 Hsinking between the12th August and the 30th September 1942.

The Western dating is changeable and can read any date in between 12th August (above), to 30th September. Zirkle only lists 12th August. Click here to see an example dated 27th August.

Size . Known colours - reddish brown only.

 

Zirkle 72 - 18th August 1942.
This example was issued in 奉天 Mukden.

建國十周年慶祝大東亜厚生大會紀念 reads Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Founding of the State Great East Asia Welfare Congress.

To commemorate the East Asia Welfare Congress, the design includes a sprouting plant and 10th Anniversary Emblem. 奉天 Mukden Post Office - (The meeting was held in 奉天 Mukden 18th - 20th August).

Size 35mm dia. Known colours - red and reddish brown (above).

 

Note - The two images shown above appear to have been reversed in Zirkle's book (see page 100), the numbering shown above is based upon the description and not the image..

 

 

Zirkle 73 - 15th to 18th September 1942.
This example was issued in 排泉 Pai-chuan.

慶祝建國十周年  reads Commemorating the Celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of the Founding of the State. 

Size 35.5mm x 35.5mm. Known colours - red, blue and reddish brown.

 

Zirkle 74 - 20th to 23rd September 1942.
This example was issued in 新京 Hsinking.

航空日紀念 reads Commemorating Aviation Day.

This  cancel is to celebrate the annual Aviation Day event. The aircraft featured is a Nakajima Ki.27 Army fighter, code-named "Nate" by the Allies.

Size 35.5mm dia. Known colours - reddish brown only.

(Image courtesy of Ron Casey, aircraft identification by Dick Bennett.)

 

   
 

Zirkle 75 - 1st October 1942.
This example was issued in 新京 Hsinking.

郵政生命保険創始五周年紀念 reads Commemorating the Fifth Anniversary of the Founding of Postal Life Insurance.

This cancel commemorates the 5th anniversary of the establishment of postal life insurance.

Size 34mm dia. Known colours - deep violet, red and reddish brown.

  8th December 1942.
This cancel was only issued at 新京中央 Hsinking Central P.O.

必勝 reads Certain Victory.

The top characters 必勝 Chinese: bìshèng meaning Certain Victory (Used on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Pacific War) Japanese: Hisshō (Not listed in Zirkle but recognized by Nihon Yushu Kyokai as a commemorative cancel).

Size 48mm dia. Known colours - reddish brown as listed in the Encyclopaedia of Japanese Philately, revised edition 1974.

     
 

Zirkle 76 - 7th February 1943.
This example was issued in 新京 Hsinking.

建國十周年慶祝東亜競技冬季大會紀念  reads Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Founding of the State East Asian Games Winter Meet.

In celebration of the East Asia Games this cancel features a athletes on skates and skis together with the 10th Anniversary of Manchukuo emblem.  Note - Zirkle lists this cancel as 1942, this is an error. The tenth anniversary logo would be in use until the 1st March 1943.

This cancel has a changeable date, the right hand Chinese day date figure can read 7 (above), 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 1st, making this the cancel with the most date options.

This is the Final Special Cancel in respect of the 10th Anniversary of the State of Manchukuo.

Size 36.5mm dia. Known colours - reddish brown.

 

Zirkle 77 - 1st April 1943.
This example was issued in 間島 Chientao.

間島市制施行紀念 reads Commemorating the Establishment of Chientao City.

This cancel commemorates the renaming of Yenki (the capital of Chientao province on the border with Korea). This became Chientao City. The cancel is made from a large stylized  Chien character.

Size 28.5mm x 35mm. Known colours - red and reddish brown.

     
 

Zirkle 78 - 26th April 1943.
This example was issued in 新京 Hsinking.

新京特別市制施行十周年紀念 reads Commemorating the Tenth Anniversary of the Establishment of Hsinking Special Municipality.

Issued in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of 新京 Hsinking as a special Municipality. In her book, Zirkle seems unsure about the above symbol and its link to 新京 Hsinking. She may not have been aware that there is a 新京 Hsinking local revenue stamp issued in 1933 that also shows this logo.

Size 34mm dia. Known colours - deep violet, dark blue and reddish brown. 

  1st May 1943 (not listed by Zirkle)
Town of issue not yet translated.

郵政儲金創始十周年紀念 reads Commemorating the Tenth Anniversary of the Establishment of Postal Savings.

10th anniversary of Postal Savings, the design represents "cash".

Size 33.5mm Dia. Known colours - purple and red.

     
 

Zirkle 79 - 1st May 1943.
This example was issued in 隹木斯 Kia Mu Sze.

郵政儲金創始十周年紀念 reads Commemorating the Tenth Anniversary of the Establishment of Postal Savings.

The tree shown here is the emblem of Manchukuo's Postal Savings which celebrated its 10th anniversary on 1st May 1943.

Size 30.8mm x 34mm. Known colours - blue, pink and reddish brown.

 

Zirkle 80 - 24th & 25th July 1943 錦州 Chin-chou, 29th and 30th July, Ying-k'ou.
This example was issued in 營口 Ying-k'ou.

時局與郵票展覧會紀念  reads Commemorating the ‘Postage Stamps and Current Events’ Exhibition.

This cancel is the emblem of the Stamps and Current Events Exhibition which took place in Chin-chou City (Jinzhou) and is mentioned by Zirkle. She may not have known that the exhibition then moved the short distance to Ying-k'ou where it opened from 29th to 30th July.

The design features a bell, circles and a map of Eastern Asia. A literal translation would be 时局兴邮票展览会纪念 (shiju xing youpiao zhanlanhui jinian) = "Current Political Situation Encouraging/Prosperous Postal Exhibition Commemorative".

Size 35mm dia. Known colours - deep violet and reddish brown. Red and deep violet versions can be found for both of the exhibition towns.

     
 

Zirkle 81 - 1st - 7th August 1943.
This example was issued in 哈爾濱 Harbin.

大東亜戦争完遂哈爾濱大博覧會紀念 reads Commemorating the Harbin Exposition for the Successful Completion of the Great East Asia War.

This cancel is based upon the emblem of the 哈爾濱 Harbin Grand Exposition.

Zirkle only shows 1st August for this cancel, however it looks like this exhibition went on for a week.

The date is changeable and may read 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 (above).

Size 35mm dia. Known colours - red (as above) and reddish brown.

 

Zirkle 82 - 20th Sept 1943.
This example was issued in 新京 Hsinking.

航空日紀念 reads Commemorating Aviation Day.

This cancellation celebrates Aviation Day, this was an annual event established in 1941. The design shows a saluting pilot.

Size 35mm dia. Known colours - reddish brown and red.

     
 

Zirkle 83 - 1st October 1943.
This example was issued in Hsing-an.

興安総省設置紀念 reads Commemorating the Establishment of Hsing-an Bureau General.

This cancel celebrates the unification of the four Mongolian Provinces, Hsing-an North, South, East and West under the control of the newly established Hsing-an Bureau. The map shows the four provinces and the central inscription is in Mongolian.

Size 34.5mm dia. Known colours - reddish brown.

 

Zirkle 84 - 1st October 1943.
This example was issued in 新京 Hsinking.

満洲國赤十字社創立五周年紀念 reads Commemorating the Fifth Anniversary of the Founding of the Manchoukuo Red Cross.

This cancel recognises the Fifth Anniversary of the establishment of the Red Cross in Manchukuo. This features orchids (the national flower of Manchukuo) and a cross, this is the emblem found on the Manchukuo Red Cross Medal.

Size 35.5mm dia. Known colours - red and reddish brown.

     
 

Zirkle 85 - 3rd July 1944.
This example was issued in 哈爾濱 Harbin.

擧衆感謝争先援護   軍事援護強調週間 reads Week to Stress Aid to Soldiers and Their Families

The soldier's helmet is to promote aid for soldiers and their families.

Size 34mm x 32.5mm. Known colours - red and reddish brown.

  November 1944 (no day date and not listed by Zirkle) This example was issued in Hsing-an.

成吉思汗廟落成落成紀念 reads Commemorating the Completion of the Genghis Khan Temple

This is an official commemorative cancellation. The cancel is in memory of the completion of the Genghis Khan Temple, the temple is located on the top of Mount Hanshan in Wulanhot City, Inner Mongolia.

Size 50.5mm x 37.5mm. Known colours - black.

     
 
11th November 1944 (not listed by Zirkle)
This example claims to have been issued in 尚武合 Shang Wu Tai and is probably bogus.

武台郵局開局紀念 reads Commemorating the Opening of the Shang Wu Tai Post Office.

This appears to be the final official commemorative cancellation. It shows a dove with a letter in its beak.

 The place name of  "Shang Wu Tai " is not known in Manchukuo or Manchuria and the Official Gazette of Manchukuo has no announcement of the opening of a Shang Wu Tai Post Office. If a Manchukuoan post office was opened, the Japanese Post Ministry would have announced it in the Official Gazette of Post for Postal Money Order Exchange, this does not list a Shang Wu Tai Post Office. (Thanks to Hiromasa Iitsuka for this information).

Size 36mm Dia. Known colours - red. 

  For further reading (in Chinese only) I recommend this book. Puppet Manchoukuo Philatelic Catalogue by Ding Shi-min.

The book lists virtually the full range of stamps, postcards and commemorative cancels of Manchukuo.

It is very well illustrated, quite inexpensive and can usually be found on eBay. You will learn from it even if you don't read Chinese.

 

 1932 - 1935        1936 - 1939       1940 - Jul 1942      Jul 1942 - 1944

I have found the "Philatelic Gazetteer of Manchoukuo and Kwantung Leased Territory, South Manchurian Railway Zone" by George A Fisher very useful in researching the place names shown in this section.  For cancels only available from Japanese PO's see The Large Commemorative Datestamps of Japan 1902 -1944 by Charles A. L. Swenson. Both booklets are available from the International Society for Japanese Philately Inc.