The First Issue, 'Large Dragons'
In 1878 a postal service was established between the various Treaty Ports by the Customs and a set of 3 stamps was printed for the collection of mail taxes. The first issue was composed of 3 values, 1, 3 and 5 candareens.
The First Printing of December 1878 was on thin hard paper in sheets of 25 stamps. Size of the stamp was 24.5mm. The stamp exists both perforated and imperforated. The imperforated stamps are believed to be proofs.