10c Green (68). Dark shade, tied by quartered cork cancel on folded cover to Carlowitz & Co., Canton, China, "M. C. G. Witte, 94 John St., New-York" blue oval handstamp and manuscript ship-name directive "Steamer Henry Chauncey", manuscript "4" pence due rate, "Hong-Kong JA 31 67" circular datestamp on back, manuscript docketing "1867, M. C. G. Witte, New York, 10 December 1866, Recd 31 Decbr [sic] Answd." (the correct month of receipt was January)

VERY FINE. AN IMPORTANT POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT--A COVER CARRIED TO CHINA ABOARD THE COLORADO ON THE INAUGURAL TRIP OF THE PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY CONTRACT MAIL ROUTE.

This cover was carried from New York to Panama on the Henry Chauncey, a Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer launched in 1864 and operated on the New York-Aspinwall route from November 1, 1865, until 1869. It left New York December 11, 1866, and arrived in Aspinwall December 18. After the trans-isthmian railroad trip, the PMSS Golden City carried it from Panama City to San Francisco, departing December 18 and arriving December 31. It arrived in time to be carried to Hong Kong on the first contract sailing of the PMSS Colorado, departing January 1, 1867, and stopping at Yokohama on January 24. It continued on its westbound voyage the next day and arrived in Hong Kong on January 31. An additional 4-pence was charged to the addressee for postage to Canton.

Illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 56).

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