Lot 2016

A pair of stampless covers: 1864 (3 Dec) a stampless cover from U.K. to Shanghai, endorsed by via Marseilles (deleted) and amended to Southampton, with two manuscript rates of “2/-” and “2”. On the reverse side, Hong Kong Index C c.d.s. in blue (25 Jan) and Shanghai arrival c.d.s. in blue as well (31 Jan). The first rate “2/-” stands for a double rate, and the latter “2” represents the inter-Treaty ports rate charge from HK to Shanghai. 1865 (4 July) a stampless cover from Shanghai to the U.S.A., cancelled by double ringed “SHANGHAE BAU FRANCAIS / 1 JUIL 65”, French transit c.d.s. “PAQ. AN. V. SUEZ AMB. MARS No.2 / AOUT 65”, a U.S. depreciated currency c.d.s. (N.Y. 60 AM PKT. / OR U.S. 80 NOTES / SEP 11”. The New York depreciated currency date stamp with “60” cents (in coin) at the top, “OR U.S. NOTES 80” at the bottom was not recorded in North Atlantic Mail Sailings, or in Winter’s 1996 update of New York Exchange Office markings. Depreciated U.S. currency marks are rare on covers from Far East, especially to those routing through French P.O. On the obverse side, a rate mark “2” (double weight) in blue crayon, and another rate “42” in blue crayon as well. The “42” rate was the amount of the French debit, leaving the U.S. 18 cents (i.e. 60 minus 42 = 18, and then 18 divided by 2 = 9 cents per quarter ounce). The American portion was composed of 6 cents sea postage and 3 cents internal postage per quarter ounce according to Mr. Hargest’s guidance.

1864及1865年一對往來上海之史前封，鈐上海法局日戳，另見多處中轉及郵船日戳。