The Elliott H. Coulter Collection of The United States 1869 Pictorial Issue continued...

FINE. ONLY A FEW 1869 PICTORIAL COVERS TO AUSTRALIA ARE RECORDED. THE USE OF MACONDRAY & CO. TO FORWARD THIS COVER IS MOST UNUSUAL.

Although the U.S. rate to Melbourne, Victoria, would have been 10c per half-ounce whether mailed at Boston or San Francisco, for some reason this letter was forwarded outside the regular mails to Macondray & Co. in San Francisco and posted there. It was carried on the first sailing under the new direct service to Australia by American Packet and should have been delivered without any additional charges. However, on arrival it was treated as partially prepaid with two shillings (48c) due from addressee. (Image)

VERY FINE. A PRISTINE COVER AND MOST UNUSUAL USE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 TO PAY THE TREATY RATE TO NEW ZEALAND THAT REMAINED IN EFFECT DURING THE G.P.U.-U.P.U. PERIOD.

Of the five 12c 1869 covers to New Zealand listed in the 1869 PRA Census, four are 1869-70 usages with the 10c to pay the 22c rate via British Mail. This late usage from California is an extraordinary single franking for the 12c treaty rate, which remained in effect until Australian States started joining the U.P.U. in the early 1890's.

Ex Wunsch. With 1978 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE. A RARE MIXED-ISSUE COVER TO SWATOW, CHINA, IN UNUSUALLY CHOICE CONDITION FOR THE WINGATE CORRESPONDENCE.

With 1974 P.F. certificate (Image)