U.S. & Worldwide Stamps & Postal History

1869 10c yellow, well centered, with light toning, tied by large "St. Louis Mo. Aug. 27" circular datestamp and circle of wedges cancels on small cover addressed "To the Government of China, Kingkitao", probably carried to Shanghai by Pacific Mail Steamship Co. branch line steamer, thus no other markings necessary (other 10c 1869 covers to Japan or China via PMSS steamers also lack transit markings), little toning on backflap, minor cover mending, still fine, with 1999 PFC (in the 1869 period, Korea was isolated from the rest of the world and communicated only through Chinese diplomatic channels. Kingkitao was the Chinese name for the administrative district in west-central Korea in the Pyonggi-do Province. This cover to Kingkitao travelled from Shanghai via diplomatic courier into Korean territory. At various times in the 1860s and early 1870s, American missionaries and adventurers who had made their way into Korea were killed. This cover may have contained a plea for information related to Americans in Korea). A fascinating piece of postal history, the only recorded 1869 Pictorial cover addressed to Korea and certainly one the earliest pieces of mail from anywhere directed to Korea. Illustrated in Laurence 10c 1869 book (p.261), ex-Gordon Eubanks (Siegel Auctions May 2011, $5,250 hammer)
Estimate: $2500