Lot
1033 
Via San Francisco, Per China, 2-line handstamp on 1867 folded letter from Boston to "Mr. J. Howard Nichols" (China), otherwise unaddressed, cover with blue company handstamp of "G.A. Gardner & Co." on reverse, repaired upper left, Very Fine appearance, the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 220 Estimate $200 - 300.
John Howard Nichols was born in 1838, in Kingston, New Hampshire, and grew up in Exeter, New Hampshire, where he attended Phillips Academy. After graduation, he taught at a school in Stratham, New Hampshire for a year, before moving to Boston to work as a clerk for a tea importing house on Central Wharf. It was there that Nichols was noticed by John L. Gardner, who hired him as a supercargo on the bark "Arthur", which was bound for China in 1858. Once he arrived in China, Gardner requested that Nichols remain in China to act as an agent. He accepted the position and remained in China for ten years, returning to America once during this time.
Realized: $325