24c Purple (153). Used with 3c Green (158), tied by segmented cork cancels and "Del Norte Colo. Aug. 10" Colorado Territory circular datestamp on 3c Green entire to James Bassel, in care of American Consul at Yokohama, Japan, clear strike of "Yokohama Japan Sep. 26 4 P.M." receiving datestamp on back, with original letter enclosure datelined "Del Norte, Rio Grande Co. Colorado, Aug. 9th 1875" from Charles C. Upham, also accompanied by newspaper clippings, slightly reduced at left

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 24-CENT 1870 BANK NOTE ISSUE ON COVER FROM COLORADO TERRITORY TO JAPAN, PREPAID 30 CENTS FOR THE DOUBLE 15-CENT RATE.

The 7-page letter contained within this double-rate cover to Japan was written by Charles C. Upham to his friend, James Bassel, while Upham travelled through Colorado and Bassel was in the Far East, following his short-lived service in the Khedive Ismail's army. Upham's letter is full of juicy details about expeditions in Colorado and the Black Hills, as well as references to military officers, Indian confrontations, Fort Garland, etc. Upham also asks Bassel to secure Japanese coins for his collection and laments not asking for Egyptian coins when Bassel was there. The 1875 clipped newspaper articles which accompany the letter refer to the Hayden Expedition.

This was carried on the PMSS China, departing San Francisco Sep. 1, 1875, and arriving Yokohama Sep. 26 (Frajola-Perlman-Scamp sailing tables). The 15c treaty rate to Japan was in effect for only one year, from January 1 to December 31, 1875. This is one of two recorded covers with the 24c 1870 Issue paying the treaty rate to Japan, both from the Bassel correspondence. The second cover was postmarked at Del Norte on Sep. 1 (ex Ishikawa).

From the Magnolia collection.

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