Supporting Philatelists Since 1952
The fascinating history of Sechang Corporation, a pioneering foreign trading company in Korea, is intricately tied to the modernization of the Joseon economy and early international trade relations. Founded by Edward Meyer of Hamburg, Germany, Sechang Corporation established Korea’s first foreign trading branch in Jemulpo (modern-day Incheon) in 1884, marking a significant milestone in East […]
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This article delves into the contributions of V. E. Clémencet, a French postal advisor who played a pivotal role in the development of the Korean Empire’s postal services in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From training officials to advising on stamp production, Clémencet’s efforts helped modernize Korea’s postal infrastructure and expand its international […]
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In the world of Korean philately, covers from the early 1900s offer a unique window into the complex postal history of Korea under Japanese influence. One such cover, adorned with Korean stamps and canceled in Hanseong (modern-day Seoul), provides rich historical details when closely examined. This article explores the details of this rare piece, including […]
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The telegraph revolutionized communication in 19th century Korea, playing a crucial role in the nation’s modernization efforts and geopolitical struggles. This article explores the introduction and development of telegraph technology in the Joseon Dynasty, examining its economic, political, and social impacts.
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This remarkable philatelic artifact offers a fascinating view into Korean postal history during the late Joseon Dynasty’s transformation into the Korean Empire. The cover, dated from the Gwangmu era, includes an intricately designed orange postage stamp and a detailed cancellation mark, shedding light on both the aesthetic and functional aspects of Korean postal items from […]
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This fascinating envelope captures a remarkable moment in the history of mail service in East Asia, traveling between multiple significant locations during a tumultuous era. Postmarked with a rich array of stamps, hand-written addresses, and various cancellations, this cover provides us with a glimpse into the intricate web of postal connections and maritime logistics during […]
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An exceptional collection of postal artifacts from early 20th-century Korea will be featured at the upcoming CHRISTOPH GAERTNER 60th Auction, scheduled for October 14–18, 2024. These covers and postcards, sent between 1902 and 1904, offer a rare glimpse into the postal exchanges from the Korean Peninsula to Copenhagen, Denmark. Beyond their philatelic interest, these items […]
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The year 1924 marked a significant period in the industrial history of Joseon (the former name for Korea), as depicted in the richly detailed postcard from the era. This card, more than a mere souvenir, encapsulates the era’s economic landscape and the underpinnings of the imperialistic infrastructural developments by Japan in Korea.
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This postcard, a relic of the Japanese colonial era, visually presents the growth of Korea’s railway system, delineating the lengths and passenger capacities of the national and private railroads in both 1910 and 1924.
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Recently, I received a very unusual philatelic entire. It was franked with 5, 10 (x2), 25, and 50 poon stamps featuring a red “DAEHAN” overprint on the “TAEGEUK” stamps issued by the Korean Empire on October 14, 1897. The stamps were tied by a “CHEMULPO 1 MAI 01 COREE” postmark as a registered postal matter […]
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This postcard from the Japanese colonial period captures the state of transportation in Korea, contrasting figures from 1921 and 1925, and providing a prelude to the situation in 1927. It graphically depicts the growth of the country’s transport infrastructure within those four years, reflecting the broader colonial economic agenda.
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This postcard, drawn from the Japanese colonial period in Korea, is a graphical representation of the National Tax survey conducted on October 1, 1925, with a focus on transportation statistics. It conveys the progressive expansion of the country’s transportation infrastructure over a span of fourteen years.
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The year was 1889, a time when communication across continents was a matter of weeks, if not months. A particularly noteworthy envelope from this era has been discovered, addressed to a Dr. John G. Lee, who is believed to have been serving in the military of His Majesty in Seoul, Korea. The envelope, sized 143mm […]
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This postcard, dating back to 1914, provides a snapshot of the early Japanese colonial era’s impact on the railway infrastructure in the Honam region of Korea. Honam, encompassing the southwestern provinces of North and South Jeolla, became a focal point of colonial transport development.
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This 1922 postcard from the Japanese colonial period in Korea is a compelling historical document, providing a glimpse into the infrastructure and logistics of the era. Specifically, it presents statistics about the transportation network in 1922. The card highlights the extensive railway system, which was approximately 1,200 Ri long, equivalent to around 373 miles or […]
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The turn of the 20th century brought with it many marvels, not the least of which was the intricate and expansive postal system that connected even the most distant lands. Among the fascinating postal artifacts from this era is an envelope sent in the year 1900, corresponding to various calendars as Dan-Gee 4233, Kwang-Mu 4, […]
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In the fascinating realm of philately, the classification and study of stamps often reveal intriguing insights into history, culture, and even the nuances of artistic expression. A striking example of this is presented in an enlightening article titled “The truth about the classification of ‘Cheon’ handwriting surcharge stamp plates” by Oh Byeong-yoon, published on December […]
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The postcard presented here is a significant historical artifact that encapsulates a critical period in Korea’s history under Japanese colonial rule. The intricate design of the postcard, adorned with a traditional Korean structure and overlaid with statistical graphs, belies the grim narrative that the data represents—a narrative of a population under the strain of foreign […]
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In the world of stamp collecting, the interest in historical stamps is clear, particularly those from Korea that date back to 1884. This article looks at Korea’s first issued 5 and 10 mun stamps, highlighting the controversies and questions over the authenticity of cancellations on these stamps by describing a few items from recent auctions.
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In the world of philately, the distinction between different editions of stamps can be a matter of intense debate and interest. A prime example of this is found within the Korean stamp collecting community, particularly regarding the ‘Taegeuk’ stamps and the ‘Cheon’ surcharged series stamps. Traditionally, these stamps have been categorized into first and reprint […]
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