Lot 90217 – Kanagawa, 1866. Forwarded by U.S. Consul, Kanagawa, Japan.

Kanagawa. 1866, Cover with “W.H. & Co.” (Walsh, Hall & Co.) embossed seal from Francis Hall addressed to Charles C. Hall, Elmira, New York, endorsed “P. ‘Ann Sanderson’” and dated “Japan June 2d”, bearing very fine strike of “Forwarded by U.S. Consul, Kanagawa, Japan” double-oval handstamp surrounded by stars, with “Ship6” and San Francisco cds alongside, dated September 17th. Carried on the British brig “Ann Sanderson” from Yokohama on June 7, 1866, arriving to San Francisco on September 16 after a delayed trip, when there was speculation that she was lost at sea; the journey lasted 98 days from Yokohama and 31 days from Honolulu.On of three examples recorded of mail forwarded through the United States Consulate with the Kanagawa oval handstamp, this being the earliest recorded, before the establishment of the U.S. post office in July 1867.Provenance:George W. Brett“Magnolia” (Part 4, Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sale 1271, 13.12.2022, lot 311)