一组九枚福州初版票设计样票, 使用相片厚纸贴于奶黄色纸, 计有设计为:半分水牛, 一分长桥, 二分提水桶女人及龙舟比赛, 五分北门守䘙岗亭, 十分金山寺, 十五分元福寺及二十分中国帆船; 一枚半分票为无齿, 其馀都带齿孔. 虽然样票上有些小皱痕或斑痕, 但不对这存世罕品做成丝毫影响. 在1894年9月11日由外国领事等组成之福州公共事务委员会, 发佈一则通告公开徵选设计十二种不同邮票图案, 结果阿尔美达 (G. dAlmeida) 入选四图, 瓦克尔 (A. Walker) 入选二图, 而棉嘉里尼 (J. Mancarini) 入选六图. 最后只有赛龙舟被採用为福州书信馆全套各面值的邮票上.
FoochowLocal Post OfficeFirst IssueEssaysA set of nine proposed photographic designs in black on cream paper. The designs consist of ½c. A Water Buffalo and Kusan Monastery1c. Long Bridge2c. A Bucket Woman and Dragon Boat Regatta5c. Guard House at North Gate of City Wall10c. Chin San Chi Monastery15c. Yuen Foo Monastery and20c. A Native JunkOne ½c. is imperforate, the other with perforation holesThere are a couple of creases and a few light age marks which barely detract from this evocative and unique set. Photo
