Lot
4008 
Hong Kong, 1867 (Nov. 26) Hong, Kong to Hamilton, N.Y., cover franked with Hong Kong, 1863, 8¢ bright orange (13a) canceled by barred "B62" oval handstamp and tied by "San Francisco, Cal., Jan 1 transit" cds, in combination with 1861, 10¢ green (68) canceled by light cork handstamp, full clear strike of red "China and Japan, Steam Service" oval handstamp and manuscript "per "China"" and "Pacific Mail Steamship Co." endorsements at left, the latter denoting the contact between the U.S. Post Office and P.M.S.S. Co. for monthly mail service, reverse with "Hong Kong, No 26, 67" cds and portion of Thomas Hunt & Co. oval cachet handstamp, Very Fine, illustrated and reviewed in Frajola et al The United States Offices in China and Japan 1867-1874 (page 63), ex-Ishikawa & Kramer; with 1981 & 2003 P.F. certificates. Estimate $50,000 - 75,000.
A REMARKABLE AND UNIQUE DUAL MIXED FRANKING USAGE CORRECTLY PREPAYING THE PRE-TREATY RATE FROM HONG KONG TO THE UNITED STATES - ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PACIFIC MAIL COVERS KNOWN.
This cover was sent on 5th Pacific Mail Steamship Co. contact sailing and was the maiden voyage of the steamship "China" which departed Hong Kong on November 26 transiting Yokohama (December 6th) and Honolulu arriving in San Francisco on December 31st. Cover entering the U.S. mails (beyond San Francisco) with the next day San Francisco date stamp and red "China and Japan" handstamp applied.
Prior to the 1867 treaty, the only way to prepay mail from Hong Kong to the U.S. was to prepay both the 8¢ Hong Kong postage and the U.S. 10¢ steamship rate. The 1867 treaty between Hong Kong and the United States was to take effect on November 1, 1867 but was not fully executed by the U.S. until November 12th. The news of this new treaty agreement could not have reached Hong Kong prior to the sending of this cover.
Realized: $45,000