U.S. Consulate General./Shanghai, China. Blue two-line handstamp fully struck but second line is lightly inked, matching blue segmented circular cork cancel on 10c Yellow Green on White entire (U40) to William E. Blunt, Haverhill, Massachusetts, sender's directive "Via S.F. & Panama", top right of entire rounded and extended with tiny piece of paper

VERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE RARE "U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL. SHANGHAI, CHINA." TWO-LINE HANDSTAMP ON MAIL AFTER THE OFFICIAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES POSTAL AGENCY IN SHANGHAI ON OCTOBER 14, 1867.

George Frederick Seward (nephew of the Secretary of State) was appointed U.S. Consul at Shanghai on December 23, 1861. On June 10, 1867, the creation of the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai was authorized by the U.S. postmaster general and State Department. The orders were sent by the Pacific mail route and reached Yokohama on September 26, 1867. From there they were carried on the PMSS branch-line steamer Costa Rica, departing September 28 and arriving Shanghai October 4. The vice consul, Willie Person Mangum, acknowledged receipt of the government authorization on October 14, 1867, which effectively established the newly formed U.S. Postal Agency in the U.S. Consulate building at 12 Chinkiang Road (source: Frajola-Perlman-Scamp, p. 88).

The "U.S. Consulate General./Shanghai, China." handstamp used before October 14, 1867, is properly defined as a consulate forwarding mark. After October 14 it is an official U.S. Post Office marking, applied with the authority of the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai. This distinction is not insignificant. Although undated, this cover can be assigned to the first eastbound mail after October 14, 1867. It was carried on the PMSS Costa Rica, departing Shanghai October 17, 1867, and arriving Yokohama October 24. It was then carried on the PMSS Great Republic, departing Yokohama October 25 and arriving San Francisco November 19. The three recorded covers carried on this trip are illustrated in the Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (pp. 88-90, see lot 2044 for another). All three have the same blue segmented cork cancel applied in Shanghai. Only this cover has the two-line consulate handstamp.

Ex Bilden.

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