Issued on October 1st, 1897 during the final decade of the Qing dynasty, this ½ cent stamp is part of the “Dragon, Jumping Carp, and Flying Goose” issue, notable for its dynamic designs and refined lithographic printing. The central motif features a traditional five-clawed imperial dragon encircled by intricate framing and the bilingual inscription "CHINESE IMPERIAL POST." Printed in brown-lilac by the Tsukiji Type Foundry Co., the stamp reflects Japan’s early influence on Chinese philately following the First Sino-Japanese War. The design’s complexity was enhanced through a lithographic process, and this example bears a partial yet distinctive blue circular cancellation from Tientsin (天津), an important postal and commercial hub during the late imperial period. The stamp has a variable gauge perforation and shows signs of use, with reinforcement on the reverse from a hinge or old repair. It is listed as Michel CN-IM 35, Scott CN-IM 86, Yvert et Tellier CN-IM 34, Stanley Gibbons CN-IM 96, and China Stamp Society CN-IM 101. Estimate "$25 – 35"