Sale 1280 — The Magnolia Collection: Japanese Foreign Mail and Post Offices
Sale Date — Wednesday, 29 March, 2023
Category — French Military Markings
FRANCE, 1862, 20c Blue (26; Yvert 22). Tied by "5118" dotted diamond cancel, clear strike of "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama 18 Janv 68" double-circle datestamp and red "PD" framed handstamp on small cover to Professor Beaudie, l'Orient, France, backstamped Marseilles (Mar. 5), Paris (Mar. 6) and l'Orient (Mar. 7), very trivial light soilingVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE COVER FROM THE FIRST FRENCH MILITARY MISSION TO JAPAN (1867-1868).
The First Military Mission, comprising 15 members, left Marseilles for Japan on November 19, 1866, and arrived at Yokohama January 13, 1867, aboard the Alphee. Additional personnel arrived later, bringing the total to 19 (6 officers and 13 non-commissioned officers). Their purpose was to train Japanese soldiers in infantry, cavalry and artillery techniques and tactics. On March 8, 1868, the Japanese government ended military training by French instructors, and the First Military Mission's employment contract was terminated effective September 14, 1868. The first group left Yokohama on October 17, and the rest followed on November 2, except for five members who defected and joined the anti-Mikado forces. (See Matsumoto book, pp. 48-50, for a more detailed account, from which this synopsis is drawn).
The "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama" (Correspondence of the Armies) datestamp was used to designate the special reduced rate for military mail. The earliest recorded use of this marking is April 16, 1867, on a cover illustrated in the Matsumoto book (p. 35). Covers from the First Military Mission in Yokohama, which must be dated in the period from January 1867 to November 1868, are extremely rare, a fact discussed in the Matsumoto book (pp. 49-50). One explanation for their rarity is the possibility most of the officers' mail was put into diplomatic bags and sent without passing through the French Post Office in Yokohama.
FRANCE, 1867-68, 20c Blue, 80c Rose (33, 36; Yvert 29, 32). One of each used on separate covers addressed in different hands to Captain Jourdan, Yokohama, Japan, 20c tied by "20" dotted star cancel, "Paris St. Domque-St. Gn. 7E/12 Juil 68" double-circle datestamp, manuscript "8" decimes due marking, Marseilles (Jul. 14) and "Yokohama Bau Francais 7 Sept" double-circle datestamps on back; 80c tied by numeral dotted diamond cancel, "Lyon Les Terreaux 1(8) Juil 68" double-circle datestamp on black-bordered mourning cover, red "PD" framed handstamp, trace of Marseilles backstamp, mostly clear "Yokohama Bau Francais 6 Sept. 68" double-circle datestamp on back, flap tear extends slight into top edge--Very Fine pair of covers with one showing interesting attempt to pay 20c military concession rate, which appears to have been rejected in Paris, the two probably arrived in Yokohama together, but the underpaid cover was backstamped at the French Post Office one day later, covers related to the First Military Mission to Japan are extremely rare
FRANCE, 1862, 20c Blue (26; Yvert 22). Tied by three strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel--two in black and one in red--exceptionally bold strike of "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama 17 Fevr. 68" double-circle datestamp and red "PF" framed handstamp on small cover to Madame Denans, Toulon, France, backstamped Marseilles and Toulon (Apr. 7), half of backflap missingEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB STRIKE OF THE "CORR. D. ARMEES" DATESTAMP ON A RARE COVER FROM THE FIRST FRENCH MILITARY MISSION TO JAPAN (1867-1868). THE "5118" CANCEL STRUCK IN RED SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A MISTAKE THAT WAS CORRECTED--NO OTHERS ARE REPORTED IN RED.
The First Military Mission, comprising 15 members, left Marseilles for Japan on November 19, 1866, and arrived at Yokohama January 13, 1867, aboard the Alphee. Additional personnel arrived later, bringing the total to 19 (6 officers and 13 non-commissioned officers). Their purpose was to train Japanese soldiers in infantry, cavalry and artillery techniques and tactics. On March 8, 1868, the Japanese government ended military training by French instructors, and the First Military Mission's employment contract was terminated effective September 14, 1868. The first group left Yokohama on October 17, and the rest followed on November 2, except for five members who defected and joined the anti-Mikado forces. (See Matsumoto book, pp. 48-50, for a more detailed account, from which this synopsis is drawn).
The "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama" (Correspondence of the Armies) datestamp was used to designate the special reduced rate for military mail. The earliest recorded use of this marking is April 16, 1867, on a cover illustrated in the Matsumoto book (p. 35). Covers from the First Military Mission in Yokohama, which must be dated in the period from January 1867 to November 1868, are extremely rare, a fact discussed in the Matsumoto book (pp. 49-50). One explanation for their rarity is the possibility most of the officers' mail was put into diplomatic bags and sent without passing through the French Post Office in Yokohama.
Corr. D. Armees Yokohama 16 Mars 68. Mostly readable strike of double-circle datestamp and "30c" due handstamp on small cover to Madame Louis, Rochefort, France, backstamped Marseilles (May 4), Paris (May 5), Tours and Rochefort (May 6), sailing itinerary noted as Phase, Dupleix and Hoogly, Fine, a rare "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama" cover from the First Military Mission
Cor. D. Arm. Lig. S. Paq. Fr. No. 1 11 Juil. 68. Full and clear strike of Ligne S double-circle datestamp, manuscript "3" decimes due on small cover to Madame Louis, Rochefort, France, backstamped Marseilles (Sep. 3 or 4), Paris (Sep. 4) and Rochefort (Sep. 4), Extremely Fine, carried on the Messageries Imperiales Phase, departing Yokohama July 11, 1868, extremely rare "Cor. D. Arm. Lig. S" Ligne S datestamp for military concession rate on a cover from the First Military Mission, Pothion backstamp
FRANCE, 1867, 20c Blue (33; Yvert 29). Tied by Anchor in dotted diamond cancel, mostly clear strike of "Corr. D. Arm. Lig. N P. Fr. No. 3 4 Nov. 68" Ligne N datestamp and red "PD" framed handstamp on small cover to Madame Bouguen, Brest, France, with original letter on printed "Division Navale de L'Ocean Pacifique" imprint changed in manuscript to "mis' D' Chine et Japon" and printed ship name "Corvette cuirassee la Belliqueuese", manuscript dateline "En rade de Singapore le 31 8bre 1868" ("Out of Singapore, 31 October 1868"), four-page letter in tiny handwritten French which mentions time spent in Japan (we cannot decipher the signature), backstamped Marseilles (Dec. 4), Paris (Dec. 5) and Brest (Dec. 6), stamp has tiny corner crease from placement over edge of coverVERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY COVER FROM A MEMBER OF THE FIRST MILITARY MISSION TO JAPAN WRITING ON BOARD THE FRENCH NAVAL VESSEL AT SINGAPORE AFTER LEAVING YOKOHAMA. THE "CORR.D. ARM." LIGNE N DATESTAMP IS EXTREMELY RARE, AND THIS USAGE IS OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE IN THE HISTORY OF FRENCH-JAPANESE POSTAL HISTORY.
The First Military Mission, comprising 15 members, left Marseilles for Japan on November 19, 1866, and arrived at Yokohama January 13, 1867, aboard the Alphee. Additional personnel arrived later, bringing the total to 19 (6 officers and 13 non-commissioned officers). Their purpose was to train Japanese soldiers in infantry, cavalry and artillery techniques and tactics. On March 8, 1868, the Japanese government ended military training by French instructors, and the First Military Mission's employment contract was terminated effective September 14, 1868. The first group left Yokohama on October 17, and the rest followed on November 2, except for five members who defected and joined the anti-Mikado forces. (See Matsumoto book, pp. 48-50, for a more detailed account, from which this synopsis is drawn).
The French ironclad Belliqueuse ("Bellicose") was a wooden-hulled, armored corvette, built for the French Navy in the 1860s and designed as a cheap ironclad. She was the first French ironclad to sail around the world, which she did between December 1867 and May 1869 (source: Wikipedia).
This cover was sent by a member of the First Military Mission to Japan in 1867-1868. The writer was on board the Bellqueuse and used the printed letterhead, changing the geographic identity from "L'Ocean Pacifique" to "Mis' D Chine et Japon." The letter was carried on the Messageries Imperiales Donnai and Peluse, arriving at Marseilles December 4, 1868.
Cor. D. Arm. Lig. S Paq. Fr. No. 1 3 Oct. 69. Clearly struck Ligne S double-circle datestamp and "30" centimes handstamp on small cover to Mons. Perroux, Faverges, France, backstamped Marseilles (Nov. 20), Lyon (Nov. 20), Albertville (Nov. 21) and Faverges (Nov. 21), toned, otherwise Fine, sent by a member of the French military somewhere in the Far East and carried on a packet of the Messageries Imperiales Ligne S
FRANCE, 1867, 10c Bister (32; Yvert 28). Horizontal pair tied by bold "5118" dotted diamond cancel, clearly struck "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama 13 Avril 71" double-circle datestamp with red "PD" framed handstamp on small cover to Madame Brenoud, Serres, France, backstamped Marseilles (Jun. 5), Sisteron and Serres (Jun.6), small part of flap removed when opened, Extremely Fine, unusual franking for 20c military concession rate and scarce with the "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama" datestamp
FRANCE, 1868, 80c Rose (36; Yvert 32). Tied by perfect strike of "5118" dotted diamond cancel on cover to Ch. Chevier, Rosey via Givry, Saone-et-Loire, France, blue Ravel Blanc & Co. framed handstamp, sender's directive "Par Messagries Maritimes 7/6/71", originally struck with "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama" double-circle datestamp, the clerk realized his mistake and applied the "Yokohama Bau Francais 5 Juin 71" double-circle datestamp precisely on top of the "Corr. D. Armees" marking (truly a miracle), the Bureau Francais datestamp struck again, red "PD" framed handstamp, backstamped Marseilles (Jul. 30), Macon (Jul. 31) and Givry (Aug. 1), Extremely Fine, with 1959 R.P.S. certificate--the fact that a Royal certificate was sought in 1959 is an indication of how rare and valuable this cover was even 64 years ago
FRANCE, 1867, 20c Blue (33; Yvert 29). Tied by "5118" dotted diamond cancel with "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama 7 Mai 72" double-circle datestamp both struck in blue on small cover to Mons. Perroux, Faverges, France, red "PD" framed handstamp, backstamped Marseilles (Jun. 29) and Faverges (Jun. 30), top right corner of the front of cover torn off and patched with paperFINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE COVER WITH THE "CORR. D. ARMEES YOKOHAMA" DATESTAMP STRUCK IN BLUE AND SENT FROM YOKOHAMA TEN DAYS BEFORE THE SECOND MILITARY MISSION ARRIVED.
According to the Matsumoto book (p. 115), members of the Second Military Mission arrived in Yokohama on board the Messageries Maritimes Godavery on May 17, 1872. This May 7, 1872, cover and the October 3, 1869, cover offered in lot 549 are addressed to Monsieur Perroux in Faverges, so the sender (whose name we do not know) must have resided in Yokohama between the two military missions. Matsumoto notes that a few French officers returned to Japan and taught at the military school in Osaka (book, p. 49).
FRANCE, 1868, 80c Rose (36; Yvert 32). Used with 1862, 5c Yellow Green (23; Yvert 20) and 1871, 15c Bister (56; Yvert 59), tied by three strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, bold "Yokohama Bau Francais 23 Dec. 72" double-circle datestamp and red "PD" framed handstamp on small cover with blue "Mission Mre. de France au Japon, Le Chef de la Mission" double-circle handstamp on front and matching blue official Chief of the French Military Mission handstamp in Japanese on back, addressed to Captain de Stabenrath, Gournay-en-Bray, France, redirected to Verneuil, backstamped at Marseilles (Feb. 5) and Paris (Feb. 6-8), slightly worn vertical fold in cover, 5c tear and 80c rounded cornerFINE. THE ONLY RECORDED YOKOHAMA COVER FROM CHARLES ANTOINE MARQUERIE, THE FIRST CHIEF OF THE SECOND FRENCH MILITARY MISSION TO JAPAN.
This cover is illustrated and described in Matsumoto's book (p. 130), where he states: "[Charles Antoine Marquerie was] the first Chef of the Second French Military Mission to Japan, who came to Japan on 17 May 1872. He resigned from illness on 23 December 1873 to go home. In contrast to the survival of a number of letters of Munier, his successor, the letter of Marguerie was not known until 1999, when the Author discovered the cover in Paris and he reported the discovery to the philatelic world in 2001. No other examples of Marquerie's letters are not reported [sic] up to the present." The blue circular handstamp was used by Marquerie's successor. The framed Japanese-character backstamp is noted as one of two known in the 2007 Roumet sale where this was acquired.
FRANCE, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57). Two, used with 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60), 1873, 10c Bister on Rose (55; Yvert 58) and 1872, 5c Yellow Green (53; Yvert 53), tied by multiple strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, partly clear "Yokohama Bau Francais 11 Oct. 75" double-circle datestamp and red "PD" framed handstamp on small cover with blue "Mission Mre. de France au Japon, Le Chef de la Mission" double-circle handstamp on back, from Colonel Munier to Madame Munier, Versailles, France, backstamped Marseilles (Nov. 24) and Versailles (Nov. 25), minor edgewear, Very Fine, a beautiful four-color franking for the double 100c rate by French Packet and one of the few covers known with the Chief of the Military Mission handstamp, Calves handstamp
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Tied by "3981" dotted diamond cancel, "Toulon-S-Mer 6E/26 Oct. 72" double-circle datestamp on small cover to Mons. Revertegat (?), "Ensigne de Vaisseau a bord de l'avisot le Linois, Division navale d. Chine et du Japon", red "P.P." framed handstamp, manuscript notation on back "Embarquer sur le Cosmos a Shanghai, China", part of backflap removed, Fine, it is unclear where this was marked with the "left for Shanghai" notation, but locating the departure point of the Cosmos might provide the answer
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Two, tied by lightly struck "5118" dotted diamond cancel, clearly struck "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama 17 Juin 73" double-circle datestamp on cover to Mons. Charles Lebeau, Boulogne, France, red "PD" framed handstamp, backstamped Marseilles (Aug. 9), Paris (Aug. 10) and Boulogne (Aug. 11), a few minor toned spots, Very Fine, scarce use of "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama" datestamp on mail from the Second Military Mission to Japan
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Tied by one of two light strikes of "Cor. D. Arm. Lig. S Paq. Fr. No. 1 14 Juin 76" Ligne S double-circle datestamp on small cover to A. Lefournier, Landerneau, France, Marseilles (Aug. 2) and Landerneau (Aug. 3) backstamps, small piece out of top left corner, lightened docketing, otherwise Fine, scarce use of French Packet military datestamp on cover from Japan
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Tied by one of two clear strikes of "Corr. D. Arm. Lig. S. Paq. Fr. No. 3 23 Aout 76" Ligne S double-circle datestamp on European-size cover to A. Lefournier, Landerneau, France, Marseilles (Oct. 7), Paris (Oct. 8) and Landerneau (Oct. 9) backstamps, receipt docketing indicates sent from Hakodate July 20 with a photograph, stamp slightly creased, Very Fine, rare French Packet military datestamp, the Messageries Maritimes Tibre was in Yokohama on August 23 and departed for Hong Kong
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Tied by one of two mostly clear strikes of "Cor. D. Arm. Lig. S Paq. Fr. No. 1 3 Janv. 77" Ligne S double-circle datestamp on small cover to A. Lefournier, Brest, France, Marseilles (Feb. 13), Paris (Feb. 14) and Brest (Feb. 15) backstamps, couple toned spots, Fine, scarce use of French Packet military datestamp on cover from Japan, ex Matsumoto
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Tied by one of two partly clear strikes of "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama 14 Avril 77" double-circle datestamp on small cover to A. Lefournier, Brest, France, Marseilles (Jun. 7), Paris (Jun. 8) and Brest (Jun. 9) backstamps, neat docketing, minor toning, Fine, scarce use of French Packet military datestamp on cover from Japan
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Tied by one of two mostly clear strikes of "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama 4 Avril 77" double-circle datestamp on small cover to Madame Vallet, Cherbourg, France, Marseilles), Paris (May 23) and Cherbourg (May 24) backstamps, sealed tear at bottom, otherwise Fine, scarce use of French Packet military datestamp on cover from Japan
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Tied by one of two partly clear strikes of "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama 30 Juil 77" double-circle datestamp on cover to Mons. Coullaut, Paris, France, redirected to Longeau, blue "Col. F. V. Suez Paq. F. 3 Mars. 3 2E/25 Sept. 77" octagonal datestamp, backstamped Paris (Sep. 25) and Longeau (Sep. 26), docketing on back, minor toning and part of flap removed, Fine, scarce use of French Packet military datestamp on cover from Japan
FRANCE, 1876, 25c Ultramarine, Ty. II (81; Yvert 78). Tied by "5104" dotted diamond cancel, bold "Corr. D. Armees Shang-Hai 31 Aout 77" double-circle datestamp on cover to A. Lefournier, Landerneau, France, docketing indicates origin at Hakodate, Japan, bold strike of "Shang-Hai Chine 9 Sept. 77" double-circle datestamp on back, along with Marseilles (Oct. 21), Paris (Oct. 22) and Landerneau (Oct. 23) datestamps, Very Fine, the "Corr. D. Armees Shang-Hai" datestamp would be scarce enough with the Sage Issue, but this cover's origin in Hakodate adds a significant extra dimension of rarity
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Tied by one of two partly clear strikes of "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama 4 Decr 76" double-circle datestamp (with month inverted) on small cover to A. Lefournier, Brest, France, Marseilles (Jan. 16) and Brest (Jan. 18) backstamps, neat docketing, minor toned spots, Fine, scarce use of French Packet military datestamp on cover from Japan, ex Matsumoto, with copy of 1985 Robineau certificate
FRANCE, 1876, 25c Ultramarine, Ty. II (81; Yvert 78). Tied by one of four clear strikes of "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama 9 Mai 78" double-circle datestamp on cover to A. Lefournier, Brest, France, Marseilles (Jul. 11), Paris (Jul. 12) and Brest (Jul 13?) datestamps, small piece of backflap missing, minor toning, otherwise Very Fine, very rare use of Sage Issue with "Corr. D. Armees Yokohama" datestamp
FRANCE, 1876, 15c Gray Lilac, Ty. II (80; Yvert 77). Tied by one of two clear strikes of "Cor. D. Arm. Lig. S Paq. Fr. No. 1 10 Juil. 78" double-circle datestamp on cover to A. Lefournier, Brest, France, Marseilles, Paris (Aug. 25) and Brest (Aug. 26) backstamps, minor toning, Very Fine, rare use of 15c Sage Issue from Japan and especially desirable with "Cor. D. Arm." Ligne S datestamp, with copy of 1997 Robineau certificate