1871, 48 mon brown, plate 1, group of five unused examples, including early printing (position 13), the rest being intermediate printings, with position 2 featuring the "right dragon's flame missing" variety (small thin spot). All with good to wide margins, and three in very fine condition. (Image)

1871, 48 mon dark brown and dark reddish brown, plate 2, two examples showing famous plate flaws, including "right dragon´s flame missing" in position 11, four wide margins, cancelled by large "kensazumi" handtsmap (just a minute imperfection on reverse), as well as "half moon dragon" (curved line) in position 27, unused in very fine condition. A desirable and difficult-to-obtain duo. (JSCA ¥150,000). (Image)

1871, 48 mon light reddish brown, plate 1, block of four, positions 30-41 / 38-39, slightly cut into in two places, otherwise wide margins, tied by neat strike of large "Kuwana Kensazumi" postmark to large piece of cover front, alongside showing red framed early non-standard "Kuwana Station / Postal Agency" handstamp. An attractive block of four displaying a bright colour and a very fine strike. Cert. H. Hunziker (1964) and Florian Eichhorn BPP (2009). Provenance: Robert S. Levy (Robson Lowe, 18.11.1964, lot 86) Chiani auction, 11.5.2009, lot 2889 Cherrystone auction, 1.2.2022, lot 845 (Image)

1871, 48 mon reddish brown, early printing, vertical pair, positions 27 / 35, large balanced margins all around, showing at top the well-known "original plate crack" flaw, tied by large "Sakyo Kensazumi" postmark on reverse of cover (opened for display) to Minakuchi, Omi province, docketed alongside "(Meiji) 4th moon 27th day" (Gregorian 13 June 1871). Front displaying circular framed "yu" (for "yubinyakusho" = near the postal bureau) "hakoba" (mail deposit place) postmark in red. A rare franking displaying stamps in super condition. Note: The 100 mon corresponded to the single weight rate for a letter between Saikyo and Minakuchi, according to the 1st postal rate period of Meiji 4.3.1-4.12.4 (1871/72). (Image)

1871, 48 mon reddish brown, plate 1, position 38, 100 mon dark blue, plate 1, positions 11 and 12 in two singles, and 200 mon vermilion, plate 1, intermediate printing, all tied by large "Tokyo Kensazumi" handstamp to large fragment during the first rate period, all with good margins except for the 100 mon at bottom, which has one margin touched. An extremely scarce usage of the 48 mon value in the first rate period, which was required to pay fractions of higher weight rates. (JSCA ¥3.000,000+ on complete cover). Note: The total postage of 448 mon paid the 300 mon distance rate for the 5 momme basic weight; the additional 5 momme of the double weight were paid with 148 mon, or half the distance rate (48 mon being accounted as 50 mon). Consequently, single frankings of this stamp were not possible in the first rate period (Meiji 4.3.1-4.12.4), as 100 mon was the basic letter rate). (Image)

1871, 48 mon dark brown, plate 2, native laid paper, block of four, positions 25-26 / 33-34, showing constant plate flaw on position 26 consisting in left arm of the dragon broken, large margins all around except for a slightly rounded corner at lower left. Very fine and scarce. (JSCA ¥260.000; Michel 1 IIy €2,200+). (Image)

1871, 48 mon dark brown, plate 2, vertical strip of four, positions 4 / 12 / 20 / 28, only pos. 28 with left margin slightly touched, otherwise being very fine with good to large margins all around, tied by two strikes of early non-standard square "Kozuchi / ken" handstamp of Kozuchi, Mino province, on reverse of an entire letter sent to a postal official at Hotaka town, Shinano province. On address side framed early-non standard "(year of the) rooster 8th month 24th day / Kozuchi Postal Receving and Handling Agency" (Gregorian 24 August 1873) datestamp in red. The 200 mon postage paid the unified nationwide single weight letter rate of the 3rd rate period, Meiji 6.4.1-15.12.31. A very attractive and rare franking of the scarce second plate of the first postage stamp of Japan. (Image)

1871, 100 mon blue, plate 1, three unused singles from positions 1, 20 and 27, all with full to mainly large margins and in very fine to extremely fine condition, including a remarkable example in deep shade from an early printing. (Image)

1871, 100 mon blue, plate 1, intermediate printing, complete sheet of 40, including constant varieties in positions 3, 7 and 8 in the ornate surrounding the dragons, type R pinholes arrangement, unused without gum as issued, with wide margins all around. A pristine example of this rare first-issue sheet, in refulgent colour for exhibition. (JSCA ¥2,400,000). (Image)

1871, 100 mon dark blue, plate 1, intermediate printing, position 28, tied by large "Saikyo Kensazumi" handstamp to reverse of cover addressed to Fushimi, struck at top with red circular framed "Hori" of Sanjo-Nishihorigawa, "hakoba” (mail deposit place) type postmark. Cert. Florian Eichhorn BPP (2009). A single franking in outstandingly fine quality, rarely found with such a perfect strike of the large Saikyo Kensazumi on a superb stamp with exceptional wide margins, further enhanced by the full contents, this being a rare characteristic in postal history of the "Dragon" issues. Provenance: Chiani auction, 11.5.2009, lot 2890 (sold for 13000 CHF); Cherrystone auction, 1.2.2022, lot 847. (Image)

1871, 100 mon blue, plate 1, late printing, two examples, positions 9 and 17, just touched at base of the upper stamp, otherwise good margins, tied by superb strike of framed early non-standard "Fushimi-ken" handstamp of Fushimi, Yamashiro province, applied on reverse of small cover to Osaka, alongside showing early non-standard postmarks, small-size framed "15th day" (of Fushimi) datestamp and large "Osaka postal bureau Meiji 6 8th month 16th day" (16 August 1873) cds on arrival. The 200 mon postage paid the unified nationwide single weight letter rate of the 3rd rate period, Meiji 6.4.1-15.12.31. A very attractive usage. (JSCA ¥300,000). (Image)

1871, 100 mon indigo, plate 1, large margins on three sides, being clear at base, applied on reverse of slightly reduced cover to Otsu, tied by large "Minakuchi kensazumi" postmark, with both towns being located in the Omi province, correctly paying the 100 mon basic weight letter rate for the Minakuchi-Otsu distance. (JSCA ¥250,000). (Image)

1871, 100 mon grey-blue, plate 2, selection of five used examples mostly cancelled by large "kensazumi" handstamp, the position 12 cancelled by intaglio of Kobe, the others being positions 23, 29 (two in pale blue and one in deep blue) and 36, with the typical border plate flaw. Two stamps printed on native laid wove paper, otherwise on native wove paper. Slight faults except for position 29, being very fine and well margined. (JSCA ¥500,000; Michel 2 IIy and x). (Image)

1871, 100 mon blue, plate 2, position 34, very slightly touched at top right corner, otherwise with large to very large margins, tied by large "Kambara kensazumi" handstamp to reverse of small entire letter to Shizuoka, Suruga province, paying the single rate for a distance up to 25 ri in the 2nd rate period. "Year of the water monkey 8th moon 7th day" (Gregorian 9 September 1872) docket of dispatch. The kensazumi postmark of Kambara is of the highest rarity according to the 2007 JHES catalogue (rated with three stars on page 29). In addition, "Dragon" letters with contents are scarce. (Image)

1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate 1, selection of six examples, of which five being unused, including a very fine position 36 originating from the scarce earliest printing in dark shade, the other four comprising positions 2, 9, 24 and 33; the used example representing the earliest-printing and position 19, featuring "right dragon's hairs missing" plate flaw except for the position 2, slightly touched in part of one margin, good to large margins in other respects. A very fine and desirable group. (Image)

1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate 1, clear early printing, two blocks of four from positions 11-12 / 27-28 and 19-20 / 35-36 with pos. 19 showing "Right Dragon´s hair missing." plate flaw, with each stamps of both blocks cancelled by circular framed vermilion "zumi" (settled) postmark in red, and brush strokes applied vertically per each pair, thus being probably related to a postage due usage. Some tiny imperfections like minute marginal tear and wrinkles, but very attractive and rare. (JSCA ¥900,000). (Image)

1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate 1, early printing, detailed impression, vertical pair from positions 16 / 24, full to wide margins, paying the single weight letter rate up to 200 ri distance during the 2nd rate period, tied by framed early non-standard "ken" (inspected) handstamps of Tokyo to reverse of cover (opened for display) to Saikyo. On address side struck with red framed early non-standard “(year of) Water Monkey 9th Moon 5th Day/Saikyo P. O.” (Gregorian 7 October 1872) datestamp on arrival. Two manuscript characters in red at top left, stating "yubin" (government posts), in order to differentiate this mail from that of private courier companies. A very fine and rare franking. (Image)

1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate 1, sharp impression characteristic of the early printing, vertical pair and strip of three, positions 6 / 14 and 7 / 15 / 23 respectively, together with 100 mon, plate 1, earliest printing in dark steel-blue, position 36, all very fresh and with good margins except for position 23, which is slightly touched at base, all tied by neatly struck large "Kuwana kensazumi" handstamp to reverse of cover Kuwana, Ise province to Tokyo with handwritten date of Meiji 4th year "6th month 11th day 9th hour dispatched" (Gregorian 28 July 1871). Alongside displaying red framed "Kuwana station / postal agency" early non-standard postmark. Cover opened for display, slightly reduced at left and rebacked. A very fine and spectacular colourful cover from the first rate period and featuring early printings. Note: The 1,100 mon corresponded to the basic weight letter rate covering the distance between Kuwana and Tokyo in the first rate period, Meiji 4.3.1-4.12.4. Provenance: Christoph Gärtner auction No. 10 (27.5.2009 were it sold for €12,500) (Image)

1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate 2, thick wove paper of 78 microns, position 35, rich colour, ample or large margins on three sides, touched at right, showing a quite complete strike of framed "Ken" cancellation of Tokyo, scarcely struck in blue. A rare thick-paper variety from the second plate. (JHES ¥600,000; Michel 3IIx €5,500, unrecorded unused). (Image)

1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate 2, position 36, featuring "Ten Ochi" constant variety consisting in a missing dot in the sen-character, surrounded by ample margins and being outstandingly fine in this respect, tied by large "Nagoya Kensazumi" to reverse of illustrated inland cover (folded from old letter contents), showing framed "Fee Paid" hs alongside, on front vermilion framed "9th Moon 4th Day/Nagoya Station Postal Handling Agency" datestamp at bottom left. Cover with small area affected by insect fault clear away of the stamp. An attractive and colorful plate 2 cover. (Image)

1871, 500 mon pure green, plate 1, early printing, two examples unused without gum as issued, one from position 33 with ample margins all around, the other from position 7, featuring a sharp detailed printing, full margins with few tiny nicks, one entering the frame line. A very fresh duo. (JSCA ¥640,000). (Image)

1871, 500 mon pale blue green, plate 1, horizontal block of six, positions 25-27 / 33-35, with positional pinhole in bottom left corner where a tiny crease is just touching the corner frame line, clear to predominantly large even margins, unused without gum as issued. A spectacular multiple as a result of its rich delightful colour and excellent strong printing. (JSCA ¥660,000+; Michel 4by €4,800+). (Image)

1871, 500 mon dull yellow green, plate 1, earliest printing, native wove paper, position 12, cancelled by head portion of large "Otsu Kensazumi" handstamp, full to wide margins, nick in upper frame line has been improved. A rare shade and from a valuable printing. (JSCA ¥240,000+). (Image)

1871, 500 mon pale and dark blue green, plate 1, group of six stamps including five unused from different positions and featuring rich shades, of which two in extremely fine condition with large margins, and one used on piece tied by early non-standard framed "Osaka ken" handstamp with adjacent red double circle N1B1 "Osaka 6.4.29" (29 April 1873), this being a scarce late usage. (Image)

1871, 500 mon, plate 1, intermediate and late printing, complete sheet reconstruction of 40, made up of 27 unused and 13 used examples, mostly featuring singles but also including a vertical strip of three with positions 23 / 31 / 39 cancelled by full strike of large "Gifu Kensazumi" postmark. Several positional varieties are exhibited, including position 14 featuring "right dragon flame missing", and position 29 with "right dragon backside flame missing". A very difficult reconstruction of great appearance. (Image)