10c Brown (150). Bright shade and remarkably fresh, tied by bold strike of blue "PACIFIC MAIL S.S. CO." straightline handstamp with matching "SHIP" handstamp on cover from Eli T. Sheppard to U.S. Minister Bingham in Tokyo, Japan, sender's initials "E.T.S.", "Russell & Co. Shanghai China" embossed oval on back, receipt docketing "Sheppard, Ansd 11 Sep 76 c/o Jas Negley, Shanghai, Japan B" in Bingham's hand, small part of backflap missing and flap tears extend to top edge, otherwise Very Fine, only a few covers are known with these markings, which were applied to letters carried privately by the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. to Japan, the 10c postage was required even though they never entered the U.S. mail, in our opinion this was carried to Japan by a PMSS steamer well before it was answered by Bingham in September 1876, with 1996 P.F. certificate

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