1875, 1/2 sen to 30 sen, complete set including two examples of 20 sen, all overprinted "Mihon" (specimen). The 1 sen with bottom margin and the 4 sen being syllabic 2; except for one the 10 sen and one example of 20 sen, all with tone spots, and the 6 sen without gum. Opinions Florian Eichhorn BPP (2020) for the 10 sen and the 20 sen in good condition; the 4 se3n and 40 sen signed Kruger. (JSCA ¥117,000). (Image)

1875, Group of thirteen stamps mainly unused (11), including 1/2 sen black, three original gum corner-sheet examples, one used with "kiban" cancel, and a beautiful block of four from the upper left corner of the sheet, with all syllabics being represented; 1 sen brown with five unused mostly with original gum, syllabics 13 (wa), 14 (ka), 15 (yo), 16 (ta), 17 (re); as well as 1 sen brown with crossed branches "butchi" from pos. 39, cancelled by blurred negative "kiban" type, top left corner thinned. A useful group. (Michel 28, 29, 35; €1,995). (Image)

1875, 1 sen brown, syllabic 5 (ho), position 33, wove western wove paper, good centring, hinged with original gum. Slight gum corner crease at lower left not detracting from the great freshness. (JSCA ¥75,000). (Image)

1875, 1 sen brown, syllabic 12 (wo), western wove paper, a right margin example with positional pinhole in bottom left corner and originating from position 8, mint with paper hinge remnant. Outstandingly well centred. Cert. I.S.J.P. (2014, F. Eichhorn). (JSCA ¥300,000; Michel 29). (Image)

1875, 1 sen brown, assembly comprising 25 stamps comprising syllabics 5, 7, 8, 12-17, including syllabic 13 pl. 1 pos. 33 with original gum and plate 2 ovpt. "mihon" (specimen), syllabic 14 (ka) plate 1 pos. 40 unused, otherwise used, with a good variety of plates and positions, useful cancellations for the specialist including one red early-non standard usage of Soya (Sagami province), several corner-sheet examples. Mainly in very fine condition. (Image)

ONE OF JUST SEVEN 6 SEN SYLLABIC 15 (YO) IN EXISTENCE 1875, 6 sen dull orange, privately made plates, syllabic 15 (yo), the so called "Tamaroku Yo", Ichida serial number 36, with cancellation skillfully removed. Well centred within narrow margins. Stamp backed on reverse and with upper perforation added, although the design was complete prior to this repair, this does not undermine the stamp as all but one of the examples known have faults. Cert. Florian Eichhorn BPP (2023). The only example of the seven syllabic "yo" recorded resembling an unused example. A great gem of Japanese philately. (JSCA unpriced; JHES ¥18,000,000; Michel €250,000). Note: This example is registered as Ichida serial no. 36, in Dr. Ichida Soichi's "Sumiroku" monograph on the 6 sen violet-brown native paper (1968), as the 6 sen orange syllabic 15 was produced with the same plate used for the 6 sen violet-brown native paper , this enabling a tentative serial number to be given. Other Ichida serial numbers are indicated in the census of examples recorded below. Provenance (the previous references as originating from the Peplow and Caspary collections can not be proven): A. M. Tracey Woodward (H. R. Harmer, London, 26-28.6.1939, lot 785) King Carol II of Romania Census -based on 1968 Dr. Ichida Soichi's monograph on "Sumiroko" and on Yoshida Takashi's " 'YO' of Egg-brown-6; The New Discovery, 7th found" article included in the "Philatelic Journal" (2012, pages 147-148 published by Stampedia)-: -A bit centred to top, used with negative postmark (Ichida serial no. 1), ex Caspary -Centred to lower left, red postage-due usage (Ichida serial no. 1) -Centred a bit to left, red postage-due usage (Ichida serial no. 7), sold for ¥8,500,000 in 1991 (JPS auction) -Centred a bit to left, red postage-due usage (Ichida serial no. 28), (see following lot) -Centred to top right, used with negative postmark, pinhole type D, the only example faultless (Ichida serial no. 33) -The example presented here (Ichida serial no. 36) -Centred to lower left, red postage-due usage (Ichida serial no. 37) (Image)

1875, 6 sen orange, group of ten unused singles, mainly with original gum, all with different syllabics including 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17 -from the privately made plates- with two extremely fine marginal examples (syllabic 16 from the sheet corner position 40); and syllabics 19, 20, 21(2) from the Government printing. Also a 1879 Hakodate-Osaka cover paying the registration fee in combination with "Old Koban" 2 sen olive. All in remarkably fresh condition and generally very fine. (Image)

1875, 6 sen orange girdle, syllabic 20 (ne), together with "Old Koban" 2 sen olive, used on registered cover to Kobe, tied by two strikes of type KG Kochi Tosa province -.5.19 double circle, type KB1 Kobe-.5.23 backstamp. The 6 sen orange paid the 6 sen registration fee. The sender was an official of the Tosa prefectural administration. Very fine and fresh. (JSCA ¥70.000+) (Image)

1875, 6 sen dull orange, Government made plate, syllabic 22 (ra), porous cotton paper, very attractive as a result of its vivid shade and crisp impression, unused without gum. A rare and very fresh example in delightful condition. Cert. Florian Eichhorn BPP (2023). (JSCA ¥850,000). (Image)

1875, 10 sen ultramarine, syllabic 4 (ni), paid the foreign rate to UK via USA (1 April 1876 - 19 June 1877) on cover to Cambridge, tied by kiban te-16 for Rikuchu.Kamaishi, alongside showing "Yokohama Paid All Jul 11" cds and two-line "5. / cents" (U.S. credit) handtsamp, both struck in red, as well as transit of San Francisco. On reverse KG Kamaishi -.6.26 cds and arrival. Printed sender's address "Kamaishi Mine Branch Administration / Asuri" on back, this being one of the British engineers hired as foreign advisors (oyatoi) for the Kamaishi iron mine project (1874/1880). Lepach, on his "Meiji Portraits"website, mentions J. B. W. Casley as under contract at the Kamaishi mine, from 2 Feb-1876 to 31 Jan 1878; as the sender's address was probably printed in Japan, "Asuri" may be an error for "Casuri" or "Casley". Cover partly backed, but the stamp in very fine condition. An interesting postal histtory example from a British Foreign Advisor (oyatoi) involved in the Kamaishi iron mining project. (Image)

1875, 10 sen ultramarine, syllabic 4 (ni), tied by "golfball" foreign mail cancel to 1877 entire letter endorsed "p. City of Tokio" from Yokohama to Lyon, France. Large red "Yokohama Paid All Jan 23" cds and "5. / cents" in two lines (U.S.credit), transit "San Francisco Cal. Feb 11 ship", all on obverse, and arrival on reverse. Carried at 10 sen foreign rate to France via USA (1st April 1876 to 19 June 1877). An extremely fine and fresh cover from the Bolmida correspondence. (Image)

1875, 10 sen ultramarine, syllabic 4 (ni), and 4 sen green, syllabic 2 (ro), each tied by kiban ta-1 of Saikyo, Yamashiro, with type N1B1 "Saikyo 8.12.25" (25 Dec. 1875) cds below on cover to Tsuruga, Echizen province. Cover on top slightly reduced, but the franking is in very fine condition. Sent from the famous Honganji (temple) in Kyoto, with large senders handstamp "Honganji / Temple Administration Office" on reverse. The high 14 sen rate paid the seventh weight for an inland letter, Meiji 6.4.1-15.12.31 (1873/83). A very unusual high-rate franking without registration involved. The 10 sen ultra is much scarcer on inland cover than used on foreign mail. Cert. Florian Eichhorn BPP (2015). (Image)

1875, 10 sen dull blue, syllabic 4 (ni), paying the single external rate on 12 Jul 1877 cover endorsed "pr City of Tokio", sent from Yokohama to Lyon (France), tied by damaged “golf ball” cancel, with accompanying “Yokohama Paid All” cds in red alongside and blue French entry also tying the franking, "San Francisco Jul 29 St. SHP” backstamped in transit, together with Lyon cds. A very fine cover from the Bolmida correspondence. (JSCA ¥130,000). Provenance: Takahashi private treaty, July 2001, lot 84, 180.000¥. (Image)

1875, 10 sen dull blue, syllabic 4 (ni), wove western paper, tied by small-size "golfball" foreign mail cancel (Nishino-type YH76D) on cover to Salem, Massachusets, USA, paying the double weight letter rate to U.S., introduced on 1st April 1876. On front red “Yokohama Paid All Apr 23” and “San Francisco May 14 Paid All ” cds's. Corner imprint "U.S. Flag Ship 'Tennessee'./Asiatic Station.". Perforation a bit irregular, otherwise an attractive and clean cover with very fine strikes. Note: The "Tennessee" was a screw frigate built of wood, which entered in service in 1865 as "Madawaska", refitted and enlarged in 1869 and renamed "Tennessee" (3,281ts). Between 1873 and 1877 it became the flagship of the Asiatic Squadron under the Rear Admiral William Reynolds, with Captain William W. Low being in command. (Image)

1875, 20 sen red, syllabic 8 (chi), a selection of ten stamps including seven unused with perforation 12.5 comprising a magnificent plate 1 block of four with corner sheet margins from lower left (positions 25-26 / 33-34), position 23 "lightly etched leaf of cherry blossom NW" plate flaw, plate 2 single with corner sheet margins from lower left displaying "tonbo" cross, and single with perforation 11 (unused without gum); the used display with perforation 11:10 position 8 showing "light etching top right" plate flaw, as well as plate 4 with top right corner pair with sheet margins featuring "tonbo" cross, positions 7-8, cancelled by double circle of Urawa. A very desirable and unusual choice group. (JSCA ¥300,000+). (Image)

1875, 20 sen red, syllabic 8 (chi), perforation 12 1/2:11, position 35, very good colour, exhibiting complete strike of "SHIP" stright-line handstamp. A scarce and desirable perforation. (JSCA ¥100,000+). (Image)

1875, 20 sen red, syllabic 8 (chi), perforation 9, vertical pair with sheet margin at right, positions 8 / 16, extremely fresh, cancelled by double circle of Urawa. A rare used multiple with this perforation. Superb. (JSCA ¥60,000+). (Image)

1875, 20 sen carmine syllabic 8 (ri), plate 2, sheet reconstruction of 40 made up of single used examples, and as to be expected for this high denomination, almost all possessing foreign mail cancellations, mainly from Tokyo and Yokohama, but also from Shanghai, plus two "kibans". Very attractive and scarce. (Image)

1875, 20 sen red, syllabic 8 (chi), plate 4, a remarkable sheet reconstruction of 40, including plate variety in position 10, only featuring used examples. As expected for this high denomination, almost exclusively foreign mail cancellations are exhibited, except for an example with inland double circle of Nagano. The plate 4 is very rare and has just recently been confirmed to be fully reconstructed. No unused sheet of the 20 sen red plate 4 has survived, so this reconstruction is of high significance. (Image)

1875, 20 sen carmine, syllabic 8 (chi), paying the double weight of UPU rate (introduced on 20 June 1877) on envelope endorsed "Via 'Gaelic' " from Yokohama to Mostyn Quay, Great Britain, tied by large negative cross of Yokohama (Nishino type YH81B) applied on foreign mail, with associated "Yokohama Jun 23 1882" cds at left, on reverse transits struck in the country of destination. In fine condition except for a some tone spots. (JSCA ¥450,000). (Image)

1875, 20 sen carmine, syllabic 8 (chi), together with Old Koban 4 sen green, both being very fine examples, tied by positive cross of Yokohama (Nishino-type YH 79C) with "Yokohama Nov 12 1879" cds alongside on cover to Berlin, Germany. On reverse "Hong Kong No 20 79" and Berlin 27.12 cds's. Endorsed by the sender to be sent by German Navy Mail system "via Imperial Court Post Office" (Kaiserliches Hofpostamt Berlin), but deleted on arrival. The 24 sen paid the double foreign rate via Hong Kong and Brindisi (from 1877.6.20-1892.6.30). A very rare cover paying the double 12 sen rate via Brindisi to Europe, sent during the "S.M.S Prinz Adalbert" Far East tour. Illustrated in "Gallery of Japanese Stamps". Note: Sent by "C. Saltzmann S.M.S. Korvette Prinz Adalbert" as indicated on reverse. The "Prinz Adalbert" was the Imperial German Navy corvette which made a world tour in 1878-80 having on board the Prince Heinrich, grandson of Emperor Wilhelm I. The sender of the cover was the famous marine painter Carl Saltzmann (1847-1923); many of his paintings, including some from this stop in Japan, are exhibited in various German museums. (Image)

1875, 30 sen violet, syllabic 4 (ni), applied on piece and tied by gift-book large "Bota" cancellation of Tokyo, with perforations partly trimmed by scissors as usually found. The scarcest syllabic of this denomination with this specimen cancellation. (JHES ¥120,000). (Image)