Description
Cover to the United States, superscribed “Via S.S. Empress of Russia from Yokohama March 31st. Via Airmail from Vancouver”, the date presumably referring to the sailing date of the vessel that was to carry this letter. Return address of S.S. Lurline on reverse. Franked by Japan 6s and 10s to pay surface postage, each tied by neat Kobe cancellation of March 28th. Additionally franked in combination by United States Air mail 1932 8c to pre-pay the Air Fee per first ounce within the United States. The 8c, just overlapped by the Japan 6c, is cancelled by the edge of a United States duplex type cancel. This cover was carried under the scheme whereby mails from overseas, instead of being carried by slower surface transport, could be accelerated by Air within the United States provided that the current Air Fee was pre-paid in United States stamps. The necessary stamps were made available in various countries by special arrangement to allow the scheme to operate and is specifically mentioned in the Post Office Guide of at least one participating country, Australia. A most uncommon example originating in Japan.