Corinphila Auction 291-297 Day 5

1898: 5 c red, coiling dragon, horizontal pair with narrow gutter on left in mixed franking with JAPAN 1888, 10s orange-brown on envelope from SHANGHAI to ST.AUGUSTINE Florida, USA. The letter was posted at the Chinese PO and received the large dollar chop SHANGHAI on the reverse, dated 18. Jan. 1898, then transferred to the Japanese PO. The Japanese stamp was cancelled the following day, the transit to FLORIDA via YOKOHAMA and SAN FRANCISCO is documented on the reverse. Slightly uneven, albeit usual perforations. An attractive and rare double franking from the pre UPU period.