1865: Signed letter from QUEEN VICTORIA to the TYCOON OF JAPAN (Emperor Komei) including the cover, carried by diplomatic mail. The letter concerning the visit of Sir Harry Parkes in Japan, has been signed by the Queen and her Secretary of State Lord John Russel, and beginning "Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, ... to the most High, Mighty, and Glorious Prince, His Imperial and Royal Majesty the Tycoon of Japan ...". The cover with the Royal dry seal (defected when opened). A SCARCE AND EARLY QUEEN VICTORIA-TENNO KOMEI LETTER FROM THE PERIOD WHEN JAPAN STARTS TO OPEN OUT. (Image)

1871: Dragon 48 mon deep brown, Plate II, on native wove paper, bottom right corner block of four (Pos. 31-32/39-40) in combination with 1872 2 Sen vermilion, Matsuda printing, used on piece, all tied by the scarce boxed "CHINSENAIZUMI" (postage paid) handstamp in black of Yoshida. The block of four with complete/wide margins around, top left stamp with a small scrape at top right and the last stamp enclosed paper fibre missing, otherwise fine. Ex. Konsul Weinberger coll., signed Thier and W. Sellschopp, and Eichhorn 2004 certificate. ÷ Drachen 48 mon dunkelbraun, Platte II, auf ungestreiftem Japanpapier im Viererblock der Positionen 31/32 und 39/40 (rechte untere Bogenecke), in Mischfrankatur mit Kirschblüten 2 sen zinnober, Matsuda-Druck, auf Briefstück. Die gut- bis breitrandig geschnittene Einheit ist sehr fein erhalten und mit seltenem Rahmenstempel "chinsenaizumi" (Porto erledigt) von Yoshida. Dieser Stempel wurde nur kurze Zeit (Image)

1875, the 3rd recorded bird 45 sen cover: bird 45 Sen syll. 2, a top margin copy with 15 Sen syll. 3 and small cherry blossom 20 S. syll. 8 resp. koban 2 s. violet canc. intaglio "R" on registered cover endorsed "via Brindisi" w. octagonal "REGISTERED YOKOHAMA FEB 11 1882" alongside, to Kitzingen/Bavaria and fwd. to Linz/Austria. On reverse blue embossed seal of german consulate Yokohama. The rate of 82 Sen consists of, UPU via Brindisi 7th weight = 72 Sen (12 + 10s x6) + 10 Sen registration. - Addressee Theodor Weidenweber was an oyatoi (paid advisor) to the japanese government recorded in 1881 at the Tokyo-Koishikawa Artillery Arsenal. 45 Sen point thin and continues with closed tear 5 mm, 20 S. torn. Cover is rugged with creases and small tears, but complete. A new find, up to now only one foreign single and one inland mixed franking cover are recorded for Bava 45 S. bird. This is #3 and the only one of syll. 2 as well the only reco (Image)