30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Rich colors and proof-like impressions, used with 12c Green (117), each tied by large circle of wedges cancel on folded letter datelined "New York 4 June 1869" to Yokohama, Japan, addressed to to Charles Thorel & Co., red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Jun. 5" backstamp with month slug inverted, sender's directive "pr City Paris & Via Marseilles", carried on the Inman Line's City of Paris, which departed New York June 5 and arrived Liverpool June 16, red "London Paid" transit datestamp (June 16), Hong Kong (July 27) and Yokohama (Aug. 4) backstamps, red "32" credit handstamp (24c for England plus 8c for French fast transit via Marseilles), red crayon "1" British colonial credit, light horizontal file fold well away from stamps not mentioned on accompanying certificate

FRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE. A PHENOMENALLY RARE USE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ON COVER TO YOKOHAMA, JAPAN, FROM THE FAMOUS THOREL CORRESPONDENCE. ONLY THREE SUCH COVERS ARE RECORDED. THIS IS ALSO A VERY EARLY USE OF THE 30-CENT STAMP AND ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COVERS EXTANT.

The U.S. rate to Japan via England and Marseilles prior to January 1, 1870, was 42c. The U.S. share of postage was 10c; therefore, 42c rate covers show a 32c credit to England, which includes 8c to France for expedited transit.

The 1869 Pictorial Issue census book confirms that there are three 30c covers to Japan, all addressed to Thorel & Company (this one is unlisted, because it has only recently come to light). The covers are as follows: 1) June 4, 1869, to Thorel & Co., 42c rate with 32c credit, the cover offered here; 2) July 1869, to Thorel & Co., 42c rate with 32c credit, 1984 Rarities sale (Siegel Sale 632, lot 291); and 3) Dec. 3, 1869, to Thorel & Co., prepaid for 42c rate but incorrectly credited 26c, marked "Insufficiently Stamped via Marseilles" due to short-paid credit, ex Gibson, Ishikawa, Rose (Siegel Sale 794, lot 632, realized $57,500 hammer in 1997).

The earliest documented date of use for the 30c 1869 is reported by Berkun (and listed in Scott) as May 22, based on the cover to Hong Kong with a May 22 docketing date. This June 4 letter (postmarked June 5) is a very early use of the 30c.

With 2014 P.F. certificate

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