10c Green, F. Grill (96). Cancelled by Nagasaki "X" chop, used on folded letter in French datelined Nagasaki, January 25, 1870, to "Monsieur le Directeur du Comptoir d'Escompte de Paris" Comptoir banking house in Shanghai, China, "Pignatel & Co. Nagasaki (Japon)" double-oval handstamp, sender's directive "Per Oregonian"--although directed to go by the Oregonian, it was carried on the PMSS branch-line steamer New York, departing Yokohama January 27, 1870, and arriving Shanghai February 8, picking up mail at Nagasaki on the route--receipt docketing on inside panel, minor toning along file fold

VERY FINE. ONLY FOUR COVERS FROM THE U.S. POST OFFICE IN JAPAN TO CHINA WITH 1861-68 ISSUE STAMPS PAYING THE 10-CENT RATE ARE RECORDED.

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).

There are four recorded interconsular covers from Japan to Shanghai with the 10c 1861 or 1868 Grilled Issue paying this rate. In addition, there are two 1869 Pictorial covers (both 6c rates--one offered in lot 2094) and a number of Bank Note Issue covers. One of the four 10c 1861-68 covers is in the Kanai collection of Japan, which is now part of a museum display and might never be sold.

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