Sale 1261 — The Magnolia Collection of U.S. Mail in China and Japan: Part 3
Sale Date — Wednesday, 29 June, 2022
Category — Yokohama
2c Black (73). Short perfs at left, cancelled by Yokohama "X" chop on blue wrapper with sender's notation "Printed Circular" and addressed to Cheney Brothers, Hartford, ConnecticutVERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED COVERS FROM JAPAN WITH 2-CENT BLACK JACK STAMPS PAYING THE PRINTED MATTER RATE.
A review of past auctions and The Philatelic Foundation records located only eight 2c Black Jack covers originating in Japan. Two have the "Hiogo, Japan" double-circle handstamp, and on each the 2c stamp is used with two 10c stamps for the combined 10c steamship rate and 12c treaty rate to England. Two have five 2c stamps paying the 10c rate and the "China and Japan Steam Service" oval (one is offered in lot 745). Four are printed matter rates with one or two 2c Black Jack stamps.
2c Black (73). Horizontal pair, top left corner torn off and reaffixed, each stamp cancelled by Yokohama 5-Spoke chop on wrapper with "PRINTED CIRCULAR" imprint and addressed to Cheney Brothers, Hartford, Connecticut (name cut out), perfectly clear strike of red "Forwarded by Augustine Heard & Co. Yokohama" double-oval handstamp indicating this originated from another location in China or Japan and was forwarded by Augustine Heard & Co. at YokohamaVERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED COVERS FROM JAPAN WITH 2-CENT BLACK JACK STAMPS PAYING THE PRINTED MATTER RATE.
A review of past auctions and The Philatelic Foundation records located only eight 2c Black Jack covers originating in Japan. Two have the "Hiogo, Japan" double-circle handstamp, and on each the 2c stamp is used with two 10c stamps for the combined 10c steamship rate and 12c treaty rate to England. Two have five 2c stamps paying the 10c rate and the "China and Japan Steam Service" oval (one is offered in lot 745). Four are printed matter rates with one or two 2c Black Jack stamps.
Illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 137).
2c Black (73). Horizontal strip of five, tied by four strikes of Yokohama 5-Spoke chop on blue folded letter datelined "Yokohama 27th Novb. 1868" from the trade and insurance firm of Gutschow & Co. to the banking firm of Brown Brothers in Philadelphia--carried on the PMSS Great Republic, departing Yokohama November 29, 1868, arriving San Francisco December 22--strip additionally tied by clear strike of magenta "China and Japan Steam Service" oval handstamp and "San Francisco Cal. Dec. 23" (1868) circular datestamp, strip covers sender's route directive "Via San Francisco", blue "Philada. P.O. Received Jan. 7 4 AM" (1869) circular datestamp struck twice on back, receipt docketing with origin date corrected from "1869" to "1868" (shortly after New Year's Day), nearly invisible vertical file fold thru second stamp from leftVERY FINE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED COVERS FROM THE FAR EAST WITH FIVE 2-CENT BLACK JACK STAMPS PAYING THE 10-CENT RATE--THESE TWO ARE THE ONLY RECORDED BLACK JACK COVERS WITH THE "CHINA AND JAPAN STEAM SERVICE" OVAL HANDSTAMP. ONLY EIGHT COVERS ARE KNOWN FROM JAPAN WITH ANY FORM OF BLACK JACK FRANKING. A TRULY SPECTACULAR ARTIFACT OF FAR EAST POSTAL HISTORY INVOLVING THE UNITED STATES MAILS.
A review of past auctions and The Philatelic Foundation records located only eight 2c Black Jack covers originating in Japan. Two have the "Hiogo, Japan" double-circle handstamp, and on each the 2c stamp is used with two 10c stamps for the combined 10c steamship rate and 12c treaty rate to England. Four others are printed matter rates with one or two 2c Black Jack stamps (two are offered in this sale as lots 743 and 744). In addition to the cover offered here, we located only one other from Japan or China with five Black Jack stamps paying the 10c rate (ex Magnolia Part 1, Sale 1248, lot 2081). In fact, these two covers from Japan are the only examples of the Black Jack used by itself to pay the 10c rate on a cover from China or Japan, and they are the only two Black Jack covers with the "China and Japan Steam Service" oval.
Ex Allen (illustrated in the Lane book on page 64), Kohlhepp and Faust.
10c Green (68). Deep rich color, choice centering, cancelled by Yokohama "X" chop, tied by "San Francisco Cal. Apr. 1" (1868) circular datestamp and quartered cork cancel on bluish gray cover to Mason Young in New York City, sender's directive "per 'China'"--carried on the PMSS China, departing Yokohama Mar. 8, 1868, arriving San Francisco Mar. 31--mostly clear strike of red "China and Japan Steam Service" handstamp, Very Fine, an attractive and scarce cover with the Yokohama "X" chop and "China and Japan Steam Service" oval, ex Starnes
10c Yellow Green, F. Grill (96). Straight edge at left, tied by grid of squares cancel, "San Francisco Cal. Nov. 23" (1868) circular datestamp on blue cover from U.S. Flagship Delaware in Yokohama, Japan, to Mrs. J. F. Bingham, Ridgefield, Connecticut--carried on the PMSS China, departing Yokohama Oct. 31, 1868, arriving San Francisco Nov. 22--clear strike of magenta "China and Japan Steam Service" oval handstamp, stamp with some toning and affected from placement near edge of cover, otherwise Fine, ex Clifford
10c Green (68). Rich color, used on 10c Yellow Green on White entire (U40), both cancelled by Yokohama 5-Spoke chop, from Francis Hall in Yokohama, Japan, to Frank Hall, Elmira, New York, sender's directive "Per 'China' via San Francisco"--carried on PMSS China, departing Yokohama Oct. 31, 1868, arriving San Francisco Nov. 22--10c tied by "San Francisco Cal. Nov. 23" (1868) circular datestamp and circle of wedges cancel, clear strike of magenta "China and Japan Steam Service" oval handstamp, receipt docketing in pencil at left, barely reduced at left, Fine, an unusual franking to pay double 10c rate, this Yokohama cancel is rare, illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 136), ex Haas and Perlman
10c Yellow Green on Buff entire (U41). Cancelled by Yokohama 5-Spoke chop, from Francis Hall in Yokohama, Japan, to Frank Hall, Elmira, New York, sender's directive "Per Steamer"--carried on the PMSS China, departing Yokohama Feb. 1, 1869, arriving San Francisco Feb. 23--"San Francisco Cal. Feb. 24" (1869) circular datestamp, clear strike of magenta "China and Japan Steam Service" oval handstamp, slight wrinkling around edges, barely reduced at right, Very Fine, a rare use of a postal stationery entire, this Yokohama cancel is also rare, with 1981 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Two, brilliant color and choice centering, right stamp has tiny break between two perfs, cancelled by bold strikes of Yokohama "X" chop on cover to Miss E. R. Benson, South Hadley Massachusetts, sender's route directive "Via California"--carried on PMSS Great Republic, departing Yokohama August 29, 1869, arriving San Francisco September 18--part strike of magenta "China and Japan Steam Service" oval handstamp, "San Francisco Cal. Sep. 20" (1869) duplex datestamp and cork cancel, opened at both sides, lightly cleanedVERY FINE. AN EARLY AND EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE FROM JAPAN WITH YOKOHAMA CHOP CANCELS AND "CHINA AND JAPAN STEAM SERVICE" OVAL.
The earliest recorded cover with 1869 stamps used in China or Japan is the "Miro" cover with 10c and 30c 1869 pairs, which was carried on the PMSS Japan, departing Yokohama June 30, 1869, and arriving San Francisco July 20 (offered in this sale as lot 755). The next sequential usage of 1869 stamps from Japan is represented by three covers carried on the same August 29, 1869, trip of the Great Republic from Yokohama: 1) 2c cover offered in Magnolia Part 1 (Sale 1248, lot 2083); 2) the cover offered here, with two 10c stamps and the "China and Japan Steam Service" oval; and a single 10c on cover to Rev. Bingham in Ridgefield, Connecticut, with the "China and Japan Steam Service" oval (Laurence 10c 1869 book, p. 286).
Illustrated and discussed in Chronicle 101. Ex Grunin and Coulter. With 1979 P.F. certificate.
10c Yellow (116). Vibrant color, used with horizontal pair of 2c Brown (113), cancelled or tied by quartered cork cancels, light strike of "Yokohama Japan Oct. 23" (1870) circular datestamp on bluish gray cover front only to Leon Delaporte, Paris, France, sender's directive "via America Overland"--carried on the PMSS China, departing Yokohama October 23, 1870, arriving San Francisco November 17--red "New York Nov. 26" datestamp, red "Etats-Unis Paq. Fr. H No. 2 30 Nov. 70" Compagnie Generale Transatlantique octagonal datestamp applied on board the Lafayette, departing New York November 30, 1870, arriving Havre December 9, "8" decimes due handstamp, 10c small crease at top right, cover with small stain at top leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE USAGE FROM THE U.S. CONSULAR POST OFFICE IN YOKOHAMA, JAPAN, TO PARIS, FRANCE, SENT VIA SAN FRANCISCO AND OVERLAND TO NEW YORK, THEN BY TRANSATLANTIC FRENCH LINE STEAMER TO HAVRE.
The 14c postage on this front pays the 10c transpacific rate from Japan to the U.S. and the 4c British Open Mail rate to France. Very few examples of this usage are known.
Illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 148). Ex Wiltsee and from our 2005 Rarities of the World sale. Signed Ashbrook and with his handstamp on back.
10c Yellow, Double Grill (116 var). Bright color, tied by negative star-like cork cancel, "Yokohama, Japan Jul. 22" (1870) circular datestamp on small cover to Andrew Hasboro in San Francisco, sender's directive "Per S S Japan"--carried on PMSS Japan, departing Yokohama Jul. 22, 1870, arriving San Francisco Aug. 12--receipt docketing confirming 1870 yeardate, some edge faults and toned, split on all sides and reattached with hinges, still Fine, scarce use of the 10c 1869 double-grill stamp on cover from Japan, illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 147) which notes this is the earliest recorded use of the Yokohama circular datestamp, ex Knapp and Ishikawa, with 1981 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Two, each with corner crease and one with rounded corner, bright color, tied by cork cancels, "Yokohama, Japan, Jul. 22" (1870) circular datestamp on cover with Walsh Hall & Co. "WH&Co." embossed seal on flap, to Jos. Flanders in New York City, sender's directive "per P M [Pacific Mail] Str. & Overland Mail"--likely carried on the PMSS Japan, departing Yokohama Jul. 22, 1870, arriving San Francisco Aug. 12, similar departures in 1870-73 for the same ship--slightly reduced at left, some slight overall wear, Very Fine appearance, rare double-rate 10c 1869 franking from Yokohama, the 1869 Census book records only 17 covers used from Yokohama--of these, only five have more than one 10c stamp
12c Green (117). Rich color, used with two 2c Red Brown (146), tied by quartered cork cancels, "Yokohama Japan Jul. 22" (1873) circular datestamp on gray cover to George Jepps, Assistant Secretary of the Protestant Orphan Society in Dublin, Ireland, sender's directive "via America"--carried on the PMSS chartered Quang Se, departing Yokohama July 22, 1873, arriving San Francisco August 12--magenta "San Francisco Paid Aug. 13" circular datestamp on back, "Dublin SE 1 73" backstamp, vertical fold in cover, 12c stamp defectiveVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED COVER WITH THE 12-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE USED FROM JAPAN.
In addition to this cover--the sole recorded usage from Japan--there are two 12c 1869 Pictorial covers from China, both offered in this sale (lots 572 and 722).
With 2013 P.F. certificate.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Horizontal pair, superb centering and wide margins, used with horizontal pair 10c Yellow (116) on 10c Yellow Green on White entire (U40) from Yokohama, Japan, to Lyon, France, via San Francisco and New York, 30c pair affixed over blue manuscript "2" indicating double weight class, all stamps cancelled by five strikes of identical Yokohama "X" chop, some letters of addressee's last name changed, sender's blue handstamped directive "Overland Mail"--carried on the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. Japan, departing Yokohama June 30, 1869, arriving San Francisco July 20, then by the recently completed transcontinental railroad to the East--bold strike of magenta "China and Japan Steam Service" oval handstamp, "San Francisco Cal. Jul. 20" (1869) circular datestamp, red "New York Paid 18 Jul. 29" 18c (triple 6c) credit datestamp for weight between 1/2 and 3/4 ounce--carried on North German Lloyd Rhein, departing New York July 29, arriving Southampton August 8--blue "Et. Unis Serv. Am. Calais 9 Aout 69" arrival datestamp, red "PD" in frame handstamp, Paris Gare de Lyon (August 9) railway transit and Lyon (August 10) receiving backstamps, small tear in top right cornerEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF THE 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE FROM CHINA OR JAPAN, AS WELL AS THE ONLY 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL COVER WITH THE "CHINA AND JAPAN STEAM SERVICE" OVAL. THE MOST COLORFUL AND REMARKABLE OF ALL 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COVERS, IN SUPERB CONDITION.
The 90c postage on this cover--80c in adhesive stamps plus the 10c embossed stamp--overpays the complicated progessive rates from Japan to France via the United States, but the question is, by how much? The U.S.-Japan 10c rate was per half-ounce, while the U.S.-France treaty rate was 15c per quarter-ounce. The weight of the envelope with its letter, which is no longer present, must have been over a half-ounce and probably close to three-quarters of an ounce. In Japan, the sender (or post office) would have calculated the postage at 65c (2 x 10c plus 3 x 15c) if they were confident the New York exchange office would not weigh the letter at three-quarters or more ounces--the consequence of underpaying postage was a total loss, and the cover would be charged full postage due. Rather than risk it, the sender affixed 80c postage, using pairs of the new 10c and 30c 1869 stamps which had arrived in Japan weeks earlier. Why the 10c embossed stamp was not included in the calculation is anyone's guess. Perhaps they were told to put 80c in stamps on the letter, and they followed those instructions to the word.
This extraordinary cover earned its name, the "Miro" cover, from the Parisian stamp dealer, Leon Miro, who offered it nearly 70 years ago, on October 21, 1953. Its importance in worldwide philately was undermined for years by the specter of doubt raised by Stanley B. Ashbrook, who grossly misinterpreted the postage rates between Japan and France via the United States. In 2002, with a simple but compelling analysis of the markings and rates, and using new knowledge about the availability of the 1869 Pictorial stamps in Japan, Steven Walske secured a certificate of genuineness from The Philatelic Foundation. Perhaps it is time to rename this the "Walske" cover.
In so many aspects and on so many levels, the Miro-Walske triple-rate 1869 cover from Japan to France is, in our opinion, the most beautiful and outstanding cover bearing the 1869 Pictorial Issue. We rank its importance and value alongside the 1847 "Rush" cover, the Pony Express Patriotic to Germany, and the 90c 1869 "Ice House" cover.
Illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 141). Ex Steven C. Walske. With 2002 P.F. certificate.
10c Brown (150). Bright shade, tied by circle of wedges cancel, "Yokohama Japan Sep. 6" (1872) circular datestamp on "United States Legation, Japan" imprint cover to Mary B. Johnson, Poughkeepsie, New York--carried on PMSS China, departing Yokohama Sep. 7, 1872, arriving San Francisco Oct. 2--"San Francisco Cal. Oct. 3" double-circle datestamp, pencil "1872" on back helps confirm year of use, Very Fine, a very attractive cover and rare with the imprint, ex Evans-deViolini
6c Carmine (148). Horizontal strip of three, used with 2c Red Brown (146), tied together by quartered cork cancels, "Yokohama Japan Oct. 23" (1871) circular datestamp on cover to Frank C. Tucker, Natick, Massachusetts, sender's directive "Overland"--carried on PMSS Japan, departing Yokohama Oct. 23, 1871, arriving San Francisco Nov. 15--docketing on back "Recd. Nov. 24, 1871, Wm. K. Tucker, Hiogo" indicating Hiogo origin, missing most of top flap, horizontal crease at top affects stamps, some expert cosmetic edge repairs, still Fine and unusual double-rate use originating in Hiogo, illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 177), ex Ainsworth
10c Brown (150). Rich color, used with 6c Carmine (148), identical cork cancels, partly readable strike of "Yokohama, Japan" circular datestamp on blue 1872 folded cover to Montreal, Canada--carried on PMSS America, departing Yokohama Jun. 22, 1872, arriving San Francisco Jul. 13-- sender's route directive "Overland" at upper left, Thorel & Co. Yokohama merchant's handstamp, "Montreal Jy 23 '72" receiving backstamp, file folds crease the 10c stamp, Fine appearance, only three such covers from Japan to Canada via the U.S. are recorded, this went overland by railroad to Canada, the rate from Japan to the U.S. was 10c, and the treaty rate from the U.S. to Canada was 6c
10c Brown (150). Bright color, used with 6c Carmine (148), tied by circle of wedges cancels, "Yokohama Japan Jul. 22" (1872) circular datestamp on cover to Mrs. Burton, Gravesend, England, sender's directive "Via San Francisco"--carried on PMSS Japan, departing Yokohama Jul. 22, 1872, arriving San Francisco Aug. 14--red "New York Aug. 22" circular datestamp, Gravesend receiving backstamp (Sep. 4), some slight edgewear causing small faults in 6c, still Very Fine, scarce franking paying the 10c rate to U.S. plus 6c rate to England, illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 154), ex Ishikawa and Ainsworth
6c Carmine (148). Three, tied by quartered cork cancels, "Yokohama Japan Oct. 23" (1871) circular datestamp on cover originating in Hiogo, Japan, to Putney, England, blue "L. Kniffler & Co. * Hiogo * 18 Oct. 71" double-oval company datestamp, sender's directive "Via San Francisco"--carried on PMSS Japan, departing Yokohama Oct. 23, 1871, arriving San Francisco Nov. 15--red "New York Nov. 25" circular datestamp, vertical crease affects center stamp, some gum toning around perfs, one side flap and top flap added, still Fine, scarce franking overpaying the 10c rate to U.S. plus 6c rate to England, ex Wellsted, Ishikawa and Spicer, illustrated in Riddell booklet (p. 10)
12c Dull Violet (151). Used with two 6c Carmine (148), all tied by quartered cork cancels, "Yokohama Japan May 22" (1871) circular datestamp on blue folded letter to Frederick Huth & Co., London, England, sender's directive "via U.S.A. Overland"--carried on PMSS China, departing Yokohama May 22, 1871, arriving San Francisco Jun. 12--red "New York Jun. 20" circular datestamp, file crease thru 12c stamp, still Very Fine, an extremely rare double-rate franking from Yokohama, Japan, ex Ainsworth
6c Carmine (148). Used with 10c Brown (150), the 10c a replacement hinged in place but does have an "H" cancel that is likely from Hiogo, 6c tied by cork cancel, clear strike of "Yokohama Japan Jun. 22" (1872) circular datestamp on blue folded cover originating in Nagasaki, Japan, to London, England, blue oval "Van De Pol, Nagasaki" company handstamp struck on front and back, sender's directive "Via San Francisco"--carried on PMSS America, departing Yokohama Jun. 22, 1872, arriving San Francisco Jul. 13--red "PAID" in frame handstamp with blue crayon "16" indicating payment in cash for stamps applied at Yokohama, red "New York Jul. 24" datetstamp, red "London A Paid 7 AU 72" datestampVERY FINE. A PHENOMENAL BANK NOTE ISSUE USE ON A COVER FROM NAGASAKI TO ENGLAND, SENT VIA THE UNITED STATES POST OFFICE IN YOKOHAMA.
The presence of the red "PAID" marking is significant. A reasonable scenario is the sender did not posssess any stamps and paid 16c postage in cash. The "PAID" must have been applied by a forwarder or possibly by a consular/postal agent, and the "16" notation indicated how much was received. The stamps must have come from the Yokohama post office. One other is known with the red "PAID" marking. It bears 25 copies of 2c Red Brown (146) and is used in 1874 from Yokohama to Maine (Magnolia Part 1, Sale 1248, lot 2085). On that cover, the stamps were placed partly over the "PAID" marking.
Yokohama, Japan, to Lyon, France, September 1874. Folded letter datelined "Yokohama 28 Septembre 1874" and addressed to Duplay Balay, Lyon, France, purple "G. Bolmida, Yokohama, Japan" three-line handstamp, "Yokohama Japan Sep. 30" (1874) circular datestamp--carried on PMSS America, departing Yokohama September 30, 1874, arriving San Francisco October 21--"San Francisco Cal. Oct. 22" circular datestamp, "New York Oct. 29" datestamp, bold "50" (centimes) debit handstamp for U.S. transit fee under 1874 U.S.-France postal convention in effect at this time, enigmatic "PAID" in frame handstamp--if struck in Japan, there is no indication of prepayment accepted in the U.S. and France (in fact, quite the contrary), and if struck in New York, as we suspect it was along with the "50" debit marking, it should actually read "Unpaid" in accordance with the convention--blue Cherbourg arrival datestamp (Nov. 9) with matching "24" decimes due handstamp for double 12-decimes rate, Paris (Nov. 9) and Lyon (Nov. 10) backstampsVERY FINE A REMARKABLE STAMPLESS COVER FROM YOKOHAMA TO FRANCE, SENT WITHOUT STAMPS IN 1874 UNDER THE UNITED STATES AND FRENCH POSTAL CONVENTION PROVIDING FOR A 50-CENTIMES TRANSIT FEE TO THE UNITED STATES.
For a detailed discussion of the 50-centimes transit fee on mail originating outside the United States and addressed to France, see Richard F. Winter, Understanding Transatlantic Mail Part 1 (pp. 422-423). This is an extremely rare example of mail from Japan that received the 50-centimes debit marking.
10c Brown (161). Vertical pair, tied by cross cancels, "Yokohama Japan Aug. 14" (1874) circular datestamp on blue folded cover to Lyon, France, "J. M. Jaquemot Yokohama" double-oval company handstamp struck on both back and front, sender's directive "Via U.S.A. Overland"--carried on PMSS America, departing Yokohama Aug. 14, 1874, arriving San Francisco Sep. 4--"San Francisco Cal. Sep. 5" double-circle datestamp, red "New York Paid Sep. 12" circular datestamp, Calais arrival datestamp (Sep. 23), Paris (Sep. 23) and Lyon (Sep. 24) backstamps, Very Fine, scarce franking paying the 10c rate to the U.S. and obsolete 10c rate to France by British Mail, this rate became invalid in August 1874 and the 9c rate should have applied
10c Brown (150). Horizontal pair, straight edge at right, used with 2c Red Brown (146), cancelled or tied by quartered corks, "Yokohama Japan Sep. 7" (1873) circular datestamp ties 2c on black-bordered mourning cover to Madame Henon, Lyon, France--carried on PMSS China, departing Yokohama Sep. 7, 1873, arriving San Francisco Sep. 30--"San Francisco Cal. Oct. 1" backstamp, red "New York 6 Oct. 9" circular datestamp, red "London Paid 20 OC 73" datestamp, red "PD" in oval handstamp, Calais transit (Oct. 21), receiving backstamp (Oct. 22), small edge tears, small faults in 10c stamp at right, still Very Fine, the Henon correspondence is discussed in Matsumoto's A History of the French Post Office of Yokohama (pp. 136-139, this cover shown on p. 128)
12c Dull Violet (151). Used with horizontal pair and two singles of 3c Green (147), cancelled or tied by cork cancels, bold strike of "Yokohama Japan Jul. 22" (1873) circular datestamp on small cover to J. Sisley, Lyon, France--carried on PMSS chartered Quang Se, departing Yokohama Jul. 22, 1873, arriving San Francisco Aug. 12--large "San Francisco Cal. Aug. 13" circular datestamp on back, red "New York P.D. 6 Aug. 20" 6c credit datestamp, red "London N Paid 1 SP 73" datestamp and matching "PD" oval handstamp, Calais arrival datestamp (Sep. 2), Paris (Sep. 2) and Lyon backstamps (Sep. 3), stamps with few small faults partly from placement near edge of cover, the two single 3c stamps small adherences, still Very Fine, a rare and colorful franking, slightly overpaid for the 10c U.S.-Japan and 10c British Mail rate to France, ex Evans-deViolini
12c Dull Violet (151). Used with 2c Red Brown (146) and 6c Carmine (148), stamps affixed over top edge of cover to avoid covering the address, flap opened and crease which has been opened with stamps and edge expertly repaired, tied by cork cancels, clear "Yokohama Japan Jul. 22" (1872) circular datestamp on cover to Paul Ozier, St. Etienne, France--carried on PMSS Japan, departing Yokohama Jul. 22, 1872, arriving San Francisco Aug. 14--"San Francisco Cal. Aug. 15" double-circle datestamp, red "New York Paid 6 Aug. 22" 6c credit datestamp, red London (Sep. 2) datestamp, red "PD" in oval handstamp, Paris (Sep. 3) and St. Etienne (Sep. 5) backstamps, Very Fine appearance and a scarce franking, prepaid for 10c U.S.-Japan and 10c British Mail rates to France, this correspondent almost always used the French Mail system, very few are known sent through the U.S. mails
10c Brown (161). Two, gorgeous centering, quartered cork cancels and tied by "San Francisco Cal. Aug. 25" (1874) circular datestamp on cover originating in Ikuno, Japan, to Lyon, France, red "New York Sep. 2" circular datestamp, boxed "PD" handstamp, French transit and receiving backstamps (Sep. 13-14), Very Fine and rare use, sent from Dr. Augustine Henon in Ikuno to his wife (docketing indicates July 10, 1874 origin date), mailed inside an envelope to the U.S. post office in Yokohama, this inner cover was removed and the outer discarded, placed in the mailbag for the PMSS Japan, departing Yokohama Aug. 3, 1874, arriving San Francisco on Aug. 24, then sent to New York, where it was carried on the NGL steamer Minister Roon, departing New York Sep. 2, arriving Havre Sep. 13--when this was mailed from Japan the rate to France was 10c but it was lowered to 9c during transit, so this was technically overpaid by 1c, the Henon correspondence is discussed in Matsumoto's A History of the French Post Office of Yokohama (pp. 136-139), with 2004 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (150). Cancelled by bold strikes of quartered cork, "Yokohama Japan Aug. 22" (1873) circular datestamp on cover to Weisbaden, Germany, sender's directive "pr S.S. MacGregor"--carried on PMSS chartered MacGregor, departing Yokohama Aug. 22, 1873, arriving San Francisco Sep. 10--"San Francisco Sep. 11" double-circle datestamp on back, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Sep. 18" circular datestamp, receiving backstamp (Oct. 1), left stamp tear at top left, some slight wear, still Very Fine, scarce franking paying the 10c rate to U.S. plus either 6c by direct mail or 7c by closed mail to Germany, illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 158), ex Risvold
10c Brown (150). Horizontal pair, tied by circle of wedges cancels and "Yokohama, Japan Jul. 22" (1871) circular datestamp on bluish folded cover to J. J. Haeberlin, Neukirch, Switzerland, "Ziegler & Co. Yokohama (Japan)" oval handstamp, sender's directive "via San Francisco & New York"--carried on PMSS Japan, departing Yokohama Jul. 22, 1871, arriving San Francisco Aug. 13--red "New York Paid All Aug. 22" circular datestamp, Zurich (Sep. 9) and Burglen (Sep. 5) receiving backstamps, stamps with few trivial imperfections, Very Fine, a rare use from Yokohama to Italy, paying the 10c rate to the U.S. and 10c to Switzerland by Closed Mail via England, ex "Mercedes"
10c Brown (161). Horizontal pair, superb centering, tied by cross cancels, clearly struck "Yokohama Japan Aug. 14" (1874) circular datestamp on bluish folded cover to Banco Sete Lombardo, Milan, Italy, sender's directive "via 'America' for Europe"--carried on PMSS Great Republic, departing Yokohama Aug. 14, 1874, arriving San Francisco Sep. 4--"San Francisco Cal. Sep. 5" double-circle datestamp, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Sep. 12" datestamp, Verona (Sep. 25) and Milan (Sep. 26) backstamps, "2" in circle backstamp, Extremely Fine, a beautiful franking paying 10c U.S.-Japan and 10c NGU Direct rates to Italy, illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 165)