Lot
4011 
Hong Kong, 1868 (Nov. 10) Swatow, China to Bristol, N.H., cover franked with Hong Kong, 1865, 8¢ brownish orange, horizontal pair (13b) canceled by barred "B62" oval handstamps, manuscript "Per Pacific Mail" endorsement at upper left, reverse with "Swatow, No 10, 68" origin cds and front with red "Hong Kong, Paid All, No 11, 68" cds, entered the U.S. mails with red "San Francisco, Paid All, Dec 22" cds on reverse and front with matching "China and Japan, Steam Service" oval handstamp additionally tying pair, with original lengthy five page enclosure, Very Fine and choice; with 2003 B.P.A. certificate. Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
A WONDERFUL DOUBLE RATE PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP USAGE CARRIED ABOARD THE STEAMSHIP "GREAT REPUBLIC".
Carried aboard the steamship "Great Republic" departing Hong Kong on November 16th and arriving in San Francisco on December 22nd.
Realized: $5,250
Lot
4012
Hong Kong, 1868 (Nov. 11) Amoy, China to Providence, R.I., cover franked with Hong Kong, 1865, 8¢ orange buff (13) canceled by barred "B62" oval handstamp, manuscript "Via California" endorsement at upper left, reverse with "Amoy, No 11, 68" cds and front with red "Hong Kong, Paid All, No 11, 68" cds, entered the U.S. mails with red "San Francisco, Paid All, Dec 22" cds on reverse and front with matching "China and Japan, Steam Service" oval handstamp; cover with repaired tears at bottom edge and lightly cleaned, F.-V.F.; with 2000 P.F. certificate. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Carried aboard the steamship "Great Republic" departing Hong Kong on November 16th and arriving in San Francisco on December 22nd.
Realized: $725
Lot
4013
Hong Kong, 1869 (Dec. 8) Cannonville, N.Y. to Singapore, East Indies, cover franked with 1861, 10¢ green, F. grill (96) canceled by target handstamp with matching "Cannonville, N.Y., Dec 8" origin cds below, addressed "Mr. Robert McLellan Belfrage, American Ship Castine, Care of American Consul, Singapore, India", red "New York, Dec 24" exchange office cds and red "Singapore, Paid, Fe 2, 70" receiving cds; stamp with nibbed perf and cover with some edge soiling, F.-V.F. Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
ONE OF TWO REPORTED COVERS CARRIED ON THE EXTENDED MAIL ROUTE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO SINGAPORE, EAST INDIES.
A postal treaty between the United States and Great Britain governing mails to be carried beyond Hong Kong to the Strait Settlements or British East Indies was signed on July 28, 1868 (effective November 1, 1868). This treaty did not alter the terms of the treaty with Hong Kong, but not allowed for additional mails made up for further British Colonies to be carried by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company.
This cover arrived in San Francisco on January 1st, 1870 and placed aboard the P.M.S.S. steamer "China" via Yokohama and Hong Kong.
Lot
4014
Hong Kong, 1874 (Sept. 4) Hong Kong to Acushnet, Mass., cover franked with pair of Hong Kong 8c orange tied by barred oval numeral "B62" and addressed to Massachusetts, postmarked HONG-KONG A SP 3 74 cds on reverse, manuscript "8(d)" (6¢) and manuscript "Pacific Mail Str. 'Alaska'," bold red "VASCO DE GAMA" steamship handstamp, cancelled in transit by magenta "San Francisco Paid All Oct. 3" cds, backstamped "New Bedford, Mass. Oct. 10" arrival, blue "Vogel, Hagedorn & Co Hong Kong & Canton" firm handstamp front and back, some minor cover wear, Very Fine, a wonderful cover for the connoisseur. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
AN IMPORTANT COVER STATED TO BE THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE OF THE VASCO DE GAMA HANDSTAMP.
Despite the directive, this cover was carried on the "Vasco de Gama". Mail had been backed up in Hong Kong and to help expedite the back log, this cover was placed on the non-contract steamer, "Vasco de Gama", which departed Hong Kong first, arriving in San Francisco on Oct. 3rd.
The cover was franked at the PMSS treaty rate of 8c (HK), or 16¢ in this case, as a double rate. The rate for a non-contract steamer was 10¢ (US) or 20¢ for a double rate, with the Hong Kong postage ignored. The cover should have been charged 20¢ in San Francisco. Perhaps the "per Alaska" notation confused things.
Realized: $9,000
Lot
4015
Hong Kong, 1872 (Apr. 20) S.S. Rising Star to Providence, R.I., cover and lengthy 11 page enclosure datelined "Rising Star Apr 20/72, In Lat 23o 37' Long 74o 21'", cover franked with Jamaica 1870, 1d blue, horizontal pair + 3d green (7+9) tied by barred oval handstamps, reverse with "Kingston, Jamaica, Ap 22, 72" cds and St. Thomas transit date stamp, "New York, 10, May 17" integral due cds; cover and stamp flaws, Fine, an interesting usage originating on the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. Atlantic line steamer Rising Star. Estimate $200 - 300.
Lot
4016
Hong Kong, Pacific Mail Steamship Company, illustrated steamship advertising cover promoting travel to and from "California, Japan and China, Sandwich Islands, New Zealand and Australia, And to British Columbia, Washington Territory and Oregon.", to Chelsea, Mass. franked with 1873, 1¢ ultramarine tied by "Newton, Mass., Aug 19" cds and duplex killer, Very Fine. Scott Nos. 156 Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $3,250
Lot 4017 o
Hong Kong, Steamer Costa Rica, P.M.S.S. Co., circular Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company cancel on two stamps; partial strikes on 1869, 3¢ ultramarine & 1870, 10¢ brown, F.-V.F.Scott Nos. 114, 150 Estimate $200 - 300.
Lot 4018 o
Hong Kong, Steamer Costa Rica, P.M.S.S. Co., full neat strike of Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company circular cancel on 1869, 6¢ ultramarine, rich color, a Very Fine strike of this rare cancel; with 2014 P.F. certificate.Scott Nos. 115 Estimate $500 - 750.
ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS CANCEL ON THE 1869 6¢ ISSUE.
Realized: $850
Lot 4019 o
Hong Kong, Steamer Costa Rica, P.M.S.S. Co., full strike of Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company circular cancel on United States 1869, 10¢ yellow, well centered with fresh color, Very Fine and a nice example of the this rare cancel.Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $150
Lot
4020
Hong Kong, Pacific Mail Steamship Co. Balance, of three items; includes cover to U.S. minister to Japan John Bingham franked with 10¢ Banknote tied by blue straight line Pacific Mail S.S. Co. handstamp and matching Ship (cover opening tear at top), fake wrapper to P.M.S.S. in S.F. franked with manuscript canceled H.K. 4¢ gray issue, and unused P.M.S.S. post card "On Board S.S. "Korea"". Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $650