30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Used with 12c Black, F. Grill (97), cancelled by cork, "New-Haven Ct. May 10" double-circle datestamp on yellow cover to Hong Kong, China, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit May 11" backstamp, red 1869 London transit and matching "32" credit handstamp, also with "Hong-Kong Marine-Sorter Singapore-to Hong-Kong, JU 24/1 69" backstamp (Webb Ty. A), docketed at left

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL COVER TO HONG KONG, BEARING THE RARE HONG KONG MARINE SORTER BACKSTAMP.

According to the Webb book, the sorting of mail on board ship was first tried in 1857 and was found to speed the delivery of the mails on arrival in Hong Kong. The Governor of Hong Kong petitioned to make this a permanent position, but the scheme was not implemented. Seven years later, after the GPO decided that Hong Kong should assume greater responsibilities, the scheme was green-lighted. An official from the Hong Kong post office would meet the P & O steamer in Singapore, and sort the mails during the trip to Hong Kong. The mails could then be delivered immediately on arrival, or forwarded faster to their final destination outside of Hong Kong. The new service started at the end of July 1868. The marking on the cover offered here was introduced at the end of 1868 and consists of five different sub-types. The one offered here is one of the rarest.

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