Lot
572 
1834 Whampoa, China to Salem, Mass., folded letter with "pr Globe" ship endorsement and datelined "Whampoa, Apr 5, 1834" with full strike of red Full Rigged Ship in octagon handstamp, matching "Phila, Oct 8" octagon date stamp, manuscript "39½" rate (2¢ ship fee + double 18¾¢ inland), letter regarding full ship of tea and bound for Hamburg, later trip to India, etc.; some slight edge wear, otherwise Very Fine, one of two known examples of the Philadelphia illustrated Full Rigged Ship in octagon handstamp originating from China. Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
A RARE USAGE FROM WHAPPOA CHINA BEARING THE PHILADELPHIA FULL RIGGED SHIP HANDSTAMP.
Realized: $8,000
Lot
573
1867-1871 Seaman Sanford P. Proctor Correspondence including "The Corean War", group of 5 letters including two with original envelopes, first three letters of Dec. 4th 1867, Jan. 29th 1868 and Apr. 4th 1868 were written on board the U.S.S. Sabine, a training ship in New London Conn., some interesting content including "I have four months to serve and then I can leave the Navy if I like. I have been in the Navy now nearly 4 years and it seems almost like a home, but I can tell you one thing I don't like to be in the Navy and be on the coast of the U.S. I had rather be on a foreign station…In my last I mentioned of the discovery of some money in the Frigate Colorado, there was only 5 or 6 hundred dollars found instead of 60,000.", the next letter is datelined "U.S. Flag Ship Colorado, Hong Kong China, Feb 11th. 71" accompanied by the original cover to East Peru Me. with bold strike of red "China and Japan Steam Service" oval handstamp and "San Francisco Cal. Mar 19" duplex with matching "10" cent due rating for the 10¢ Trans-Pacific rate, he writes, "We arrived here yesterday from Japan. We made passage in 5 days, 1200 miles. The last night that we were in Japan the water in a bucket froze 2 inches. Down here in hong kong it is almost too warm for a singlet…I have been here 7 years I have been in almost all parts of the world and I dont find any place as good as America.it takes about 4 months for a letter to go and come from home."; and the final letter is datelined "USS Colorado Japan Aug 17th 1871" accompanied by original cover with "San Francisco Steamship Sep 13" cds and blue crayon "10" cent due rating for 10¢ transpacific rate to East Peru Me., its mentions the Corean War, "We went up there on a peaceful mission, but it has turned out the other way. We had a small fight with the Coreans and lost 3 killed and 15 wounded, but their loss was very heavy. We took 5 of thier Forts and in one we found 243 of their dead, we lost 1 Officer and 2 Men. The Coreans Fired upon us first. The Admiral landed 2000 Sailors and gave them a good whiping. We was on shore 3 days. We stoped there about a month after that and then went across the Yellow sea to the China coast and came from there here. We are going to leave to morrow for Yokohama Japan and there to await to see what the US is going todo about this Corean afaire…., Very Fine group. Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
The Corean Affair was headline news, which started because of the treatment given to shipwrecked sailors of "civilized nations" when they were cast upon the Corean shores. They were made slaves, murdered, and otherwise ill treated. An expedition was undertaken to endeavor to make a treaty with the Corean authorities for the protection of shipwrecked sailors of civilized nations. Accordingly, the U.S. Minister at China, Frederick F. Low, was charged with the negotiations and proceeded to the West Coast of Corea with a squadron of American naval vessels commanded by Rear Admiral John Rodgers aboard his flagship U.S.S. Colorado. The fleet arrived at the mouth of the Salt River at Jerome Gulf (the entrance to Seoul) on May 20, 1871. As the navigation charts of the area were scant, the Americans spent 10 days surveying the bay and adjoining waters, finally anchoring at Isle Boisee for three days. A number of Coreans of 3rd and 5th rank came aboard the "Colorado" and were distinctly told that the Americans would send a surveying party up the river and that the mission was peaceful. The Americans sent launches up the river and they received fire from two forts and approximately 2,000 troops near a narrow portion of the river. The analysis of this operation by Admiral Rodgers and his staff was that the Coreans treacherously lured the surveying party where they expected that they would easily destroy it. Minister Low immediately sent a dispatch to the Corean officials demanding an explanation and apology for the insult. Every effort was made to have the wrong acknowledged and peacefully redressed, but to no avail, the Coreans actually replied in an insulting message. To save the honor of the American flag, it was therefore concluded to go up the river and destroy the forts. The punitive expedition was accomplished on June 10th and 11th with 945 officers and men (644 were a landing party). They destroyed 5 forts and the citadel with 481 guns. The victory would do little to advance any diplomatic gains. A treaty with the United States was not signed until May 22, 1882, when the U.S. secured extra-territorial rights and permission to trade.
Realized: $8,500
Lot
574
1889-91, Three Covers From U.S. To Kanagawa, Japan, three covers addressed to Rev. A. Taylor or his wife, 1889 bearing #216 from Mich. with Japanese rice paper label; 1891 cover bearing #216, 223 at the double rate, and 1892 cover bearing #223 at single rate; some faults, F.-V.F. group. Estimate $300 - 400.
Lot
575
1893 San Francisco, Cal. to Yokohama, Japan, correspondence of 4 covers forwarded from Yokohama to Miyanoshita; two with correct 5¢ postage paid - one with 5¢ Columbian and other with 5¢ small banknote, other two franked with 2¢ Columbian, each with different type "T" due handstamp, different Japanese frankings (one on reverse) and rice paper forwarding slips, one forwarded several types with 7 slips attached, one with original enclosure; some cover edge flaws, F.-V.F., an interesting correspondence. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $2,100
Lot
576
U.S. Postal Agency, Shanghai, Oct 23 '99, duplex ties two 5¢ Trans-Miss (288) singles on cover to New York City at double the 5¢ rate; San Francisco and New York (11.21) backstamps; sealed opening tears at right, F.-V.F. and rare use. Scott No. 288 Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $290