364 / März 2017

1865: 1861/63, 10¢ green vertical strip of four used with 3¢ rose and 1863, 2¢ black on cover addressed to “U. S. Ship Relief, Care American Consul, Macao China”; scarce large red “Portland Me. Am. Pkt. 24 Paid Mar 4” exchange mark and London transit at left; manuscript “Via Southampton England” at lower left; stamps cancelled with manuscript “Milo Maine U. S. America”, “Charleston was after Feb 20” with a “Milo Me Feb 28” town marking below stamps; blue 1865 Hong Kong backstamp; stamps with small flaws including a vertical crease in the 2¢ from being folded over the right edge of the cover; still an attractive three color franking with the scarcer Portland Me exchange marking; interesting usage as both Milo and Charleston are inland cities in Maine; stamps paid the 45¢ rate for ½ oz by British Mail via Southampton. 2016 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott 68,65,73). USS Relief was a supply ship in the United States Navy lauched in 1836. In 1864 she was ordered to the Pacific and delivered supplies at Rio de Janeiro, on her way to China. USS relief arrived at the Portuguese colony of Macao in December 1864. After service in the Asiatic Station, she returned to New York in late 1866.

1865: 1861/62, 10¢ green horizontal strip of four, 3¢ Rose and 1863, 2¢ Black, all cancelled with target cancels on cover from Stratham NH to Swatow China; manuscript “Overland via Southampton” at top; red London transit and red crayon “24” and “1” (Hong Kong) credit markings, proper Hong Kong back stamp; Very Fine; stamps properly pay the 45¢ British Mail rate via Southampton; attractive three color franking from the Wingate correspondence. 2016 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott 68,65,73).

1865: 1861/66, 24¢ grayish lilac, horizontal pair used with 5¢ brown on cover addressed to Russell & Co., Hong Kong; the 53¢ postage fully pre-pays the ½ oz rate by British Mail via Marseilles however there is a two line “INSUFFt. STAMPED/VIA MARSEILLES” handstamp and manuscript “over ½ oz” at upper left plus a red crayon “2” Colonial credit marking which would indicate that the letter was overweight; red numeral “48” and London transit markings on front, proper Hong Kong back stamp; the right 24¢ stamp with a couple of small tears at right; otherwise Very Fine. 2016 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott 78a,76). Russell & Company was founded by William H. Russell and cousin Samuel Russell in Canton as early as 1824. It became the largest and most important American trading house in Quing dynasty China from 1842 to its closing in 1891. Russell & Company was dealing mostly in silks, teas and opium.  

1866 : 1861/63, 30¢ orange and 5¢ brown, both used on 1861 10¢ yellow green on buff entire, cancelled with light grid cancels; addressed to Shanghai China; Searsmont ME town marking at upper left; red “Boston Br. Pkt. 40” exchange and London transit marks at right; blue Shanghai receiving back stamp; entire with light staining from moisture and reduced at left; Very Fine and attractive three color franking and an uncommon usage with the 10¢ entire; franking pays the 45¢ rate for ½ oz sent by British Mail via Southampton. 2016 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott 71,76,U40). The addressee, Olyphant & Co., was a merchant trading house in 19th-century China. From its initial involvement in the ‚Old China Trade‘ , the firm expanded into other countries including Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand. In the beginnings the company continued to grow  in competition with other traders including Augustine Heard & Co., Russell & Co. and Wetmore & Co. Nevertheless Olyphant & Co. was a vociferous opponent of the opium trade, and the firm was one of the only large foreign trading firms not to engage in opium smuggling. The firm’s anti-opium stance led to its offices becoming known as „Zion’s corner“. Olyphant & Co. business dealings in Peru caused the company to collapse in 1878.  

1867: 1861/66, 15¢ black and 1861/62, 30¢ orange, with circular grid cancels on  cover from Exeter NH to Swatow China; red New York exchange and London transit marks along with matching numeral “24” and “1” Colonial credit markings; manuscript “Overland via Southampton” at top; proper Hong Kong and Swatow handstamps; Very Fine; stamps fully pay the 45¢ rate for British Mail via Southampton. 2016 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott 77,71).

1868: 1861 30¢ orange and 1868, 12¢ black “F” grill (split), both tied by excellent strikes of NYFM pre-cursor 12 segment leaf cancels (Skinner NYFM 68-7) on printed address cover addressed to “..Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company, Hong Kong”; manuscript “pr. China, via Marseilles” at lower left; red London transit marks and numeral “32” credit at top; on reverse NY transit and very rare double circle “Hong Kong & Singapore Marine Sorter B” ; Extremely Fine and attractive cover with scarcer fancy cancel; stamps full pre-pay the 42¢ rate for ½ oz by British Mail via Marseilles which started in January 1868. 2016 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott 71,97 var.). The Pacific mail Steamship Company was founded in 1848 by a group of New York City merchants, William Aspinwall, Edwin Bartlett, Henry Chauncey, Mr. Alsop, G.G. Howland and S.S.Howland. These merchants had acquired the right to transport mail under contract from the United States Government from the Isthmus of Panama to California. In 1867, the company launched the first regularily scheduled trans-Pacific steamship service with a route between San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Yokohama, and an extended line to Shanghai.

1885 (Sept 1): Cover franked by 1882 Garfield 5 c. brown used from Exeter N.H. addressed to J. C. A. Wingate, the U.S. Consul in Foochow, China, struck with unusual and rare SAN FRANCISCO TRANSIT / INTERRUPTED handstamp in black as the cover was mailed contrary to instructions with reverse showing datestamps of New York (Sept 2), London (Sept 11), red French Paquebot 'Ligne N / Paq. Fr. No. 7' cds and carried on the 'Saghalien' to Hong Kong. British P.O. FOOCHOWFOO cds on reverse (Oct 21) of arrival. 

1883: 5 kr. red postal stationery card mailed from 'Ottakring' (Jan 4) to Yokohama, Japan with 'T' mark in black and YOKOHAMA / JAPAN thimble datestamp of receipt (Feb 21) at left. Charged Postage Due and franked for this service with Jan 1883 Koban 2 s. carmine tied by framed Due chop in red with circular 'Due' handstamp in black. Returned to sender with further YOKOHAMA / JAPAN thimble datestamp (March 1) in black and reverse with New York (March 25) transit. Rare and fine. Cert. Holcombe (1989).

1865: Single rate cover from Somain to Yokohama, mailed to a passenger on board the French Paquebot 'Dupleix' bearing 1862 40 c. orange pair tied by  3428 gros chiffres, with 'SHANG-HAI / BAU. FRANCAIS' backstamp on restored flap and double rate cover from Paris to Shanghai, China franked by 1862 80 c. carmine pair tied by Star '2' with 'SHANG-HAI / BAU. FRANCAIS' datestamp of receipt (June 12) in black. A scarce and attractive pair. Signed Goebel.

1867: Cover from Lyon to Randon & Co., Yokohama, Japan endorsed 'via Marseille' franked by 1862 80 c. carmine, three examples, all tied by 2145 gros chiffres, with Lyon cds of despatch (April 28) and framed 'PD' in red at left. Partial backstamp but with internal docketing of receipt (June 15). An attractive triple rate usage. Randon & Co. was a short living merchant in Yokohama from 1864-1868, founded by Maurice Randon and Joseph Raud.

1868: Cover at single rate from Marseille to Bernard Eccard & Raud, Yokohama, Japan endorsed 'Par Vapeur Francais', franked by 1862 40 c. orange, two examples, tied by dotted 'Anchor' lozenge with framed 'PD' in black and Paquebot 'LIGNE V / PAQ: FR: No. 3' datestamp alongside (Salles fig 887) and posted on board the Paquebot 'Said'. Reverse with superb strike of YOKOHAMA / BAU. FRANCAIS datestamp (July 6) of receipt. A charming and rare usage. Signed Goebel. After liquidation of Randon & Co. (see lot 8122) in 1868, Joseph Raud joined the business of Bernard & Eccard.  

1871: Entire letter at single rate (applicable from Aug 1, 1871) from Lyon to Yokohama, Japan endorsed 'via Marseille & Suez', with fine franking of 1863 laureated 10 c. bistre (9 examples) and 1870 Siège 10 c. yellowish-bistre, single exaample, all tied by 2145A gros chiffres with 'Lyon / Les Terreaux' cds (Nov 25) of despatch and framed 'PD' in red. Reverse with Marseille transit and YOKOHAMA / BAU. FRANCAIS cds (Jan 13, 1872) in black. Slight pressed file fold of no significance, a most unusual and attractive cover.

1872: Cover from Paris to Yedo, Japan (Captain Lebon correspondence) endorsed 'voie de Brindisi' franked by 1863/68 laureated 80 c. carmine and 1871 Cérès 25 c. blue pair tied by Paris Star '15' with despatch cds at left (May 31) in black. Framed PD' overstruck by framed 'P.P.' at right in red, the reverse with fine YOKOHAMA / BAU. FRANCAIS in black of arrival (July 13). A fresh and fine cover. Opinion Holcombe (1987). Note: This and the following three covers are all addressed to Captain Lebon (1845-1923). He was an Artillery Captain who arrived in Japan in May 1872 to train Japanese troops, leaving some four years later in July 1876. A full summary of his career can be found in 'The French Post Office in Yokohama' by Jun Ichi Matsumoto on pages 107-114.

1872: Cover from Paris to Yedo, Japan (Captain Lebon correspondence) franked by 1871 Cérès 25 c. blue in a block of four tied by Paris Star '15' with despatch cds (May 24) alongside. Framed 'P.P.' in red at left. Reverse with partial missing flap and part of Bau Francais arrival datestamp. Pencil graffiti removed from front of cover but a scarce usage and destination.

1873: Entire letter at triple rate from Lyon to Mess. Raud & Co., Yokohama, Japan with 1870 Siège 40 c. orange, 1871/75 5 c. green, 25 c. blue and 80 c. carmine (4 examples) all tied by 6316 gros chiffres with 'Lyon / Les Terreaux' cds of despatch (June 27) and framed 'PD' in red at right. Reverse with Marseille transit and partial YOKOHAMA / BAU. FRANCAIS cds with internal docketing of arrival (Aug 10). Minor imperfections but a most unusual four colour franking for the triple rate. Cert. E. Diena (1987). Already in 1871 Joseph Raud (see also lots 8122 and 8123) founded his own merchant company, active in trade until 1877 when Raud left Japan.

1874: Cover from Paris to Yedo, Japan (Captain Lebon correspondence) endorsed 'voie de Marseille' franked by 1871/75 Cérès 5 c. green, 15 c. bistre and 80 c. carmine tied by Paris Star '20' handstamps with despatch cds at right (Feb 13). Framed 'P.P.' in red also on front with reverse, flap missing, showing complete YOKOHAMA / BAU. FRANCAIS datestamp (April 5) in black. A fine and appealing cover.

1874: Cover from Paris to Yedo, Japan (Captain Lebon correspondence) franked by 1871/75 Cérès 10 c. brown on rose in a vertical pair and single 80 c. carmine tied by Paris Star '20' handstamps with despatch cds (Dec 18) at left alongside framed 'P.P.' in red. Reverse with scarce YOKOHAMA / JAPON datestamp of receipt in black (month missing). A fresh and fine cover.

1892: Cover to Yokohama franked on reverse with Type Sage 1 c. black (nine examples) all tied by Bordeaux datestamps (June 3). Underpaid and struck with triangular 'T' marking and taxed on arrival with circular cachet and Japan 1892 Koban 3 s. red-lilac (2) each tied by Due chops in brown. The envelope sensibly opened for Exhibit display and with tiny repair to inclusion in the address panel but of great scarcity. Signed Calves. 

1871: 1 gr. rose postal stationery envelope, up-rated with 1869 2 gr. blue and 5 gr. ochre-brown tied by KÖTZSCHENBRODA datestamps (Jan 26), endorsed 'via Triest' addressed to Lieutenant Commander Hegerman of 'USS Colorado' in Yokohama, Japan . Manuscript 'Wf 7' at left and reverse with HONG-KONG cds (March 10) in black and British P.O. in YOKOHAMA cds in blue (March 18). The cover was re-addressed to Hongkong, docketed 'April 6, Shanghae' in manuscript. A few minor imperfections but an attractive and scarce cover. Cert. Mehlmann (2016). Note: 'USS Colorado' was the Flagship of the Asiatic Squadron, on station from April 1870 to March 1873. She carried the US Minister to China & Korea on a diplomatic mission in 1871. In June 1871 an unprovoked attack was made on the Colorado by shore batteries from two Korean forts. A punitive expedition known as the 'Sinmiyangyo' was mounted and this destroyed both forts with heavy casualties.

1862: 1856, 6 d. lilac used with extraordinary overlapped franking of 1862 9 d. bistre, no less than 8 examples, all tied to cover front and part back endorsed 'via Marseilles' and addressed from London to Nagasaki, Japan care of Messrs. Siemssen & Co. in Hong Kong; all tied by London '47' obliterators in black. The 6 d. and two the 9 d. adhesives with cut wing margins and with manuscript '4' in red crayon for the Hong Kong share of postage. Reverse with London datestamp (Feb 26)  and HONG KONG transit (April 11). Despite imperfections (incl. filing crease through one adhesive), an astonishing 6 shilling rate cover (quadruple weight) being the earliest recorded stamped cover from Great Britain to Japan whilst also bearing the largest recorded franking of the 1862 9d. adhesive. Certs. Holcombe (1987), K. Louis (2016). Note: Kniffler & Co. of Nagasaki is believed to be the first German trading Company in Japan. It was founded by Louis Kniffler (1827-1888), who was also appointed as Vice Consul for Prussia between 1861 and 1865, and Martin Hermann Gildemeister a merchant from Bremen. The Hong Kong forwarder ‚Siemssen & Co.‘ was a German merchant company from Hamburg, founded by Georg Theodor Siemssen in 1846 in Canton and Fuzhou.  The firm soon became one of the most important merchants in the early China trade, still existing today.

1865: Cover with full original contents, from Portishead to Captain Mairis on 'H.M.S. Severn' at Yokohama, Japan endorsed 'via Southampton', franked by single 1864 6 d. lilac, hairlines, tied by 'Bristol / 134' duplex (Feb 3) in black. Reverse with Portishead cds and London transit cds. A fine and scarce cover to an unusual destination.  

1867: Entire letter from London to Yokohama, Japan endorsed 'via Marseilles & Shanghai' franked for Late Fee only with 1858 1 d. red tied by London '11' obliterator with 1/4 d. prepaid in cash. 'Lombard Street / F.O./ Paid' cds in red below (Oct 10) and reverse with HONG-KONG cds of transit (Nov 23) in blue and British P.O. YOKOHAMA arrival cds (Dec 8) in black. A fine and unusual entire. The addressee, Thorel, Ziegler & Co., Thorel, Ziegler & Co. was a silk merchant in Yokohama from 1865-1868. After Karl Thorel left the company , the remaining swiss owner Karl Ziegler run the business under the name Ziegler & Co. from 1868 – 1889.

1869: Entire letter from London to Yokohama, Japan endorsed 'p. French Mail via Marseilles' franked by 1867/80 6 d. bright violet pl. 6 and 1 s. green pl. 4 tied by 'London / 106' duplexes (Jan 21). Fine framed 'L2' Late Fee marking in red at left and reverse with British P.O. YOKOHAMA arrival cds (March 13) in black. A fine and attractive entire. Cert. Holcombe (1988). Thorel, Ziegler & Co. was a silk merchant in Yokohama from 1865-1868. After Karl Thorel left the company , the remaining swiss owner Karl Ziegler run the business under the name Ziegler & Co. from 1868 – 1889.

1870: Entire letter from London to Yokohama, Japan endorsed 'per French Packet', franked by 1858 1 d. red, 1867 6 d. mauve pl. 8 and 10 d. red-brown all tied by London '103' duplexes (May 12). Framed 'L1' at left denoting the Late Fee paid and reverse with fine British P.O. YOKOHAMA cds (June 27) struck in blue. A charming entire. Thorel, Ziegler & Co. was a silk merchant in Yokohama from 1865-1868. After Karl Thorel left the company , the remaining swiss owner Karl Ziegler run the business under the name Ziegler & Co. from 1868 – 1889.

1870: 1867/80, 1 s. green, pl. 4 a fine example used on entire letter to Yokohama, Japan tied by London '96' duplex (Oct 8) in black. The entire unusually endorsed ´via San Francisco' probably due to the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, with red 'New York Paid All' transit cds on front (Oct 16) aand internal docketing of receipt (Nov 25). Fresh and very fine, a scarce entire. Thorel, Ziegler & Co. was a silk merchant in Yokohama from 1865-1868. After Karl Thorel left the company , the remaining swiss owner Karl Ziegler run the business under the name Ziegler & Co. from 1868 – 1889.

1870: Entire letter from London to Yokohama, endorsed 'via Brindisi', franked by 1865 4 d. vermilion pl. 12 and 1867 1 s. green pl. 5 tied by London '103' duplexes (June 2). Framed 'L1' at left denoting the Late Fee paid and reverse with HONG KONG transit cds in black (July 12) and fine British P.O. YOKOHAMA cds (July 19) struck in blue. A fresh and fine entire. Cert. Holcombe (1988). Thorel, Ziegler & Co. was a silk merchant in Yokohama from 1865-1868. After Karl Thorel left the company , the remaining swiss owner Karl Ziegler run the business under the name Ziegler & Co. from 1868 – 1889.

1873: Cover  from Oldham to the British Consulate in Hiogo, Japan franked by 1867 3 d. rose pl. 9 and 1 s. green pl. 7 tied by 'Oldham / 591' duplexes (April 10). Reverse of cover with HONG KONG cds (May 18) in black. The cover should have been prepaid 1/4d. via Marseilles and thus a double deficiency '2d.' marking was applied in black. Unusual and most attractive cover.

1874: Cover from Oban to Yedo, Japan, sensibly opened for Exhibit display, franked by 1858 1 d. red pl. 150 in two horizontal strips of six, all tied by 'Oban / 273' duplexes in black (June 2). Reverse with HONG KONG / MARINE SORTER / SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG datestamp (July 12) and British P.O. YOKOHAMA cds in blue (July 27). A most attractive and unusual franking for the 1 shilling rate.

1874: Entire letter from London to Yokohama endorsed 'via Brindisi', franked for double rate by 1867 2 s. blue and 1873 6 nd. grey pl. 13 tied by London '87' duplexes (Nov 3). Reverse with HONG KONG / MARINE SORTER / SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG datestamp (Dec 15) and British P.O. YOKOHAMA cds in blue (Jan 3, 1875). A fine and unusual entire. Already in 1871 Joseph Raud (see also lots 8122 and 8123) founded his own merchant company, active in trade until 1877 when Raud left Japan.​ Provenance: Ryohei Ishikawa (Sotheby's 1981)

1874: 1873/80, 1 s. green pl. 9, a superb marginal example with part imprint at top, used on cover to Yedo, Japan tied by neat 'Oban / 273' duplex (Sept 7) in black. Reverse with HONG KONG / MARINE SORTER / SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG datestamp (Oct 20) in black and British Post Office 'YOKOHAMA' datestamp (Nov 4) in blue. A delightful cover in outstanding quality.

1875: Entire letter from London to Nagasaki, Japan franked by 1873/80 3 d. rose pl. 17 and 1 s. green pl. 11 tied by 'London / 100' duplexes (Aug 17) with framed L2 'Late Fee' handstamp at left in red. Underpaid 1d. for Marseilles route and struck with '2d.' handstamp for double the deficiency in black. Reverse with fine HONG KONG / MARINE SORTER / SINGPORE TO HONG KONG datestamp (Sept 19) in blue. A fresh and fine entire.

1867: Double rate entire letter from Milan to Yokohama, Japan endorsed 'via Brindisi' franked by 1863 London printing 40 c. carmine and horizontal pair of 60 c. violet (Sassone L20+L21) tied by '17' numeral obliterators with 'Milano' despatch cds at left (May 11). Red oval 'P-D' and boxed PIROSCAFO / POSTALI / ITALIANI in black, British P.O. 'Alexandria' cds of transit (May 17) and reverse with partial HONG KONG transit cds (June 17). A fresh and fine entire to a scarce destination. Cert. Colla (2016). The addressee, Thorel, Ziegler & Co., Thorel, Ziegler & Co. was a silk merchant in Yokohama from 1865-1868. After Karl Thorel left the company , the remaining swiss owner Karl Ziegler run the business under the name Ziegler & Co. from 1868 – 1889.

1867: Entire letter written from Bergamo to Yokohama, Japan endorsed 'via Messina' franked by 1863 London printing 40 c. carmine (2) and single 20 c. on 15 c. blue (Sassone L20+24) tied by '17' numeral obliterators with 'Milano' despatch cds at right (Jan 17). Black framed 'P.P.' at right and reverse with Messina cds, Malta transit cds (Jan 29) and HONG KONG transit cds (March 10) and internal docketing of receipt (March 22). A fresh and fine entire to a scarce destination. Cert. Colla (2016). Thorel, Ziegler & Co. was a silk merchant in Yokohama from 1865-1868. After Karl Thorel left the company , the remaining swiss owner Karl Ziegler run the business under the name Ziegler & Co. from 1868 – 1889.

1868: Single rate entire letter from Milan to Yokohama, Japan franked by 1867 20 c. blue, London printing, four single examples (Sassone L26) all tied by '17' numeral obliterators with 'Milano' despatch cds at left (May 20). Red oval 'P-D' and British P.O. 'Alexandria' cds of transit (June 5) on obverse. Reverse with Brindisi cds (May 30), HONG KONG transit cds (July 14) and British P.O. YOKOHAMA cds of receipt (July 28). A fresh and fine entire to a scarce destination. Cert. E. Diena (1988).

1870: Cover from Bergamo to Yokohama, franked with 1863, Turin printing 40 c. carmine, two examples, tied by dotted numeral handstamps with Bergamo cds (Dec 18) and unframed 'P.P.' alongside. Reverse with Milano transit cds, Brindisi cds, British P.O. in Alexandria cds, Hong-Kong cds (Jan 29, 1871) and British P.O.'Yokohama' datestamp (Feb 6) of arrival in blue. A scarce and attractive cover. Cert. Colla (2016). Thorel, Ziegler & Co. was a silk merchant in Yokohama from 1865-1868. After Karl Thorel left the company , the remaining swiss owner Karl Ziegler run the business under the name Ziegler & Co. from 1868 – 1889.

1873: Single rate entire letter from Venice to Yokohama, Japan endorsed 'via Brindisi i P&O Steamer' franked by 1863 Turin printing 10 c. brown-orange, 40 c. carmine and 1867 20 c. blue (Sassone T17+T20+T26) tied by '196' numeral obliterators with 'Venezia' despatch cds alongside (April 12). Reverse with Brindisi cds (April 12), HONG KONG transit cds (May 27) and British P.O. in YOKOHAMA cds in blue (June 6). File fold well away from the adhesives, a fine entire to a scarce destination. Cert. Colla (2016).