Lot
4003 
Hong Kong, 1867 (Feb. 16) Hong Kong to San Francisco, Cal., cover franked with Hong Kong, 1865, 8¢ orange buff (13) tied by barred "B62" oval handstamp, manuscript "Per "Colorado"" and "Navy Letter U.S. Asiatic Squadron" endorsements at left, reverse with two strikes of "Hong Kong, Fe 16, 67" cds, entered the U.S. mails with "San Francisco, Cal., 10, Mar 20" integral due cds additionally tying stamp and bold straight line "Steam China" handstamp, Very Fine, ex-Canmen & Wm. Bilden. Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
ONE OF TEN RECORDED COVERS CARRIED ON THE FIRST RETURN PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP CO. VOYAGE FROM HONG KONG.
Carried aboard the steamship "Colorado" departing Hong Kong on February 17th and transiting Yokohama to San Francisco arriving on March 20th. Mail from Hong Kong addressed to San Francisco was processed on the same day with all other mail processed the next day to correspond to the overland mail dispatch. This is only one of three examples receiving the "Steam China" handstamp struck in black for this trip.
Sent by naval personal in the U.S. Asiatic Squadron, warships stationed in East Asia during the latter half of the 19th century. Vessels of the squadron were primarily involved in matters relating to American commerce with China and Japan.
Realized: $13,500