Lot
4005 
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"" endorsement at left, reverse with "Hong Kong, Fe 16, 67" cds and red oval company cachet handstamp, 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, enclosure from Hong Kong mentioning…"On the regular establishment of Steamer communication with you we expect to be able to do better business with you."; cover file folds and internal hole in address panel apparently caused during addressing, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
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.
Realized: $12,000