2c Brown (113). Vertical strip of three tied at left by three bold strikes of circle of wedges cancel, heavily impressed by underinked strike of "P.O.D. U.S. Con. Genl. Shanghai Sep. 20" (1870) circular datestamp on blue folded letter datelined Shanghai, September 19, 1870, to Pignatel & Co. in Nagasaki, Japan, "L. Vrard & Co. Shanghai" blue oval handstamp, sender's directive "pr New York"--carried on the PMSS branch-line steamer New York, departing Shanghai September 20, 1870, and arriving Nagasaki about one day later--docketed with September 21 receipt date

VERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED COVERS WITH 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE STAMPS PAYING THE RATE FROM THE UNITED STATES POST OFFICE IN SHANGHAI TO JAPAN, OF WHICH ONLY ONE HAS THE 2-CENT POSTRIDER STAMP.

Letters between U.S. post offices in China and Japan were carried under the blanket 10c rate until the 6c interconsular rate was introduced. Based on archival correspendence, the rate is thought to have been implemented in mid-April 1870 (see Laurence 10c 1869 book, p. 281). The Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book illustrates this cover and reports it is the earliest use of the 6c interconsular rate from Shanghai (p. 106). The earliest use of this rate in either direction is a cover from Nagasaki to Shanghai dated May 12, 1870, with three 2c 1869 stamps (ex Gross, Sale 1211, lot 523).

There are four recorded interconsular covers from Shanghai to Japan with 1869 Pictorial stamps: one with a 10c (April 1, 1870, at 10c rate), one with a 6c (offered in lot 2061), one with a 3c pair, and this cover with a 2c strip of three. In addition, there are two 1869 Pictorial covers from Japan to Shanghai (one offered in lot 2094), as well as 1869 covers between U.S. post offices in Japan.

The PMSS New York was used to carry mail between Shanghai and Japan if the mail was not connecting with a PMSS steamer at Yokohama for outbound eastbound trips. For all connecting mail, the PMSS Great Republic was used (Frajola-Perlman-Scamp, p. 106).

Ex Riddell (illustrated in their pamphlet, p. 9) and Mizuhara.

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