Los 8105
1860: 1857, 3¢ Dull red, Type IV, eleven singles all tied by St. Louis Mo. May 22 1860 postmarks on amber cover addressed to “Lieut. R. L. Law, U. S. Ship Hartford, Hong Kong, China”; red numeral “12” credit at center and manuscript “1” of Hong Kong; manuscript “Via Southampton” at lower left; Hong Kong receiving and red NY transit back stamps; the top right stamp with a small piece out at bottom right of the stamp; A spectacular example of the 33¢ rate to China via Southampton paid only with the 3¢ stamp, Extremely scarce usage. 2016 Philatelic Foundation certificate which states this is a genuine usage and notes the flaw in the upper right stamp (Scott 26).
USS Hartford, launched in 1858, sailed in 1859 for the Cape of good hope and the Far East carrying Flag Officer Cornelius K. Stribling, the newly appointed commander for the East India Squadron. In November 1859 USS Hartford embarked the American Minister to China, John Elliot Ward, at Hong Kong and carried him to Canton, Manila, Shanghai, Swatow and other Far Eastern ports to settle American claims and to arrange for favorable consideration of the US Nation’s interest.
