3c Red on Buff Nesbitt entire (U2). Red "Philadelphia Pa. Paid Jan. 20" (1854) circular datestamp, matching "PAID" straightline handstamp with manuscript "45" rate, crossed out in magenta ink with matching "24" credit marking and cancel over embossed stamp, addressed to "Dr. Arthur M. Lynah, U.S.N., U.S. Steam Frigate Mississippi, Care of the American Consul, Hong Kong, China" and sender's ship-name directive "Baltic", red "New-York Am. Packet. Jan. 21" backstamp, red London "Paid CA 3 FE 3 1854" circular datestamp, "Hong-Kong 27 AP 1854" datestamp on back (lightly inked and difficult to read), slight edgewear

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 3-CENT NESBITT ENTIRE TO THE FAR EAST, AND HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT AS A COVER DELIVERED TO A MEMBER OF COMMODORE PERRY'S RETURN EXPEDITION TO JAPAN ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER THE TREATY OF KANAGAWA WAS SIGNED ON MARCH 31, 1854.

The U.S.S. Mississippi was the steam vessel commanded by Commodore Matthew C. Perry on his historic voyage to China and Japan in 1852-53. At Shanghai in May 1853 Perry's flag was moved from the Mississippi to the Susquehanna. The Mississippi took part in the July 1853 expedition to Edo Bay and returned with Perry's squadron in February 1854 for the second expedition and treaty signing. It was still in Japan in June 1854, as documented in Perry's narrative, so Dr. Lynah should have received this cover in May.

Ex Barkhausen.

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