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1871, 100 mon dark blue, middle period printing, plate II, position 25, showing the variety "right dragon head retouched", tied by a large "Kanbara Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Shizuoka, Suruga Province.

Manuscript dateline [Meiji 5] 8th month 4th day (6 September 1872).

A scarce and well-defined retouch variety, attractively presented on cover with clear postal markings.

Rate: 100 mon (1 sen) up to 25 ri distance, basic weight, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 68.

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1872, 1 sen blue, plate III, single franking tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo to a cover to Yokohama. On reverse, "year of the monkey 8th month 6th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.8.6 (8 September 1872). Also showing rounded-rectangular framed vermilion "Hongo" collection mark, the earliest recorded date of this marking, known in use until Meiji 7.4.13. On front, vermilion framed next-day arrival of Yokohama postal bureau, together with framed vermilion "afternoon dispatch" delivery mark.

A highly desirable Tokyo-Yokohama cover, particularly notable for the earliest recorded usage of the Hongo collection mark.

Rate: Within 25 ri = 1 sen, second rate period.

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1871, Dragon 100 mon dark blue, plate II, position 12, used in combination with 200 mon vermilion, plate I, position 22, showing the "right dragon worn out" variety (右龍損傷), tied by vermilion framed "Kensazumi" of Utsunomiya, Shimotsuke Province, with "8th month 13th day" dateline alongside, to Kakeda, Iwashiro Province.

Transit at Fukushima post office with manuscript vermilion dateline "13th day, 7th hour". Date of dispatch is Meiji 5.8.13 (15 September 1872).

The earliest recorded cover from Utsunomiya, and an important mixed-franking example further enhanced by the plated variety on the 200 mon.

Rate: Within 50 ri = 2 sen, plus 1 sen fee for delivery outside the postal delivery circuit = 3 sen.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 70.

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1872, 2 sen vermilion, middle period printing (2), tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo to a cover to Osaka.

Alongside, framed "year of the monkey 8th month 8th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.8.8 (10 September 1872). Framed vermilion "noon dispatch", partly overstruck by the datestamp. From Meiji 5.8.1, there were two daily despatches of mail to Osaka; the P.M. 1 despatch was the "noon" (晝) despatch and was marked accordingly.

A scarce and highly interesting instructional-marking cover from the period of twice-daily despatches to Osaka.

Rate: Within 200 ri = 4 sen, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 67.

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1871, 100 mon dark blue, plate II, a vertical pair, positions 32-40, tied by large "Fujieda Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover from Fujieda, Suruga Province, to Tokyo.

Manuscript dateline "8th month 21st day". Below, framed arrival "year of the monkey 8th month 23rd day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.8.23 (25 September 1872). Vermilion framed "Hongo" of Hongo postal branch bureau, together with "Morning dispatch".

A scarce and attractive provincial usage, well marked and with an interesting rate-note history. Mr. Tejima suggests that although Fujieda/Suruga to Tokyo was listed in the first printed rate tables of the second period as within 100 ri = 3 sen, it may later have been regrouped or reduced to the lower rate.

Rate: Within 50 ri = 2 sen, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 117; Dragon Covers, p. 72.

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1871, 100 mon blue, plate I, position 2, cut into at right frame, tied by the head section* of large "Yokohama Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover from Yokohama to Tokyo.

Manuscript dateline "8th month 25th day" of Meiji 5.8.25 (27 September 1872). Vermilion framed "year of the monkey 8th month 25th day / Yokohama postal bureau". Red circular framed hakoba-in "hon" (本) of Honcho letter box. Framed arrival "year of the monkey 8th month 26th day / Tokyo postal bureau", together with framed vermilion Tokyo delivery marking "morning delivery", recorded in use from Meiji 5.5 to 5.9.

A scarce and appealing Yokohama-Tokyo cover, additionally distinguished by the rare Honcho letter box mark and the officially mandated head-section strike of the large Yokohama Kensazumi.

Rate: Within 25 ri distance = 1 sen, second rate period.

Note: *Head section: the "large placename Kensazumi" postmarks were officially ordered in Meiji 4.12 to be struck with the placename head section only, or even with the lower three characters removed. This is therefore not an incomplete strike, but the consequence of official regulation.

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1872, 1 sen deep dull blue, plate III, rounded corner at upper left, single franking tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo on a local cover to Hatchobori. On reverse, framed "year of the monkey 1st month 18th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 6.1.18. On address side, vermilion framed delivery mark "afternoon".

A pleasing and scarce local Tokyo usage of the 1 sen Plate III.

Rate: Within city district, basic weight to 4 momme = 1 sen, from Meiji 5.3.1.

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1871, 100 mon dark blue, plate II, position 39, cut into at top frame, tied by tensho-style "Gose Kensazumi" of Gose, Yamato Province, to the reverse of a cover to Wakayama, Kii Province.

Manuscript dateline "8th month 29th day", or Meiji 5.8.29 (1 October 1872). Alongside, vermilion framed "Gose machi / postal receiving and handling agency".

A scarce and elegant provincial cover, notable for the attractive tensho-style Gose cancellation.

Rate: Within 25 ri = 1 sen, second rate period.

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1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate II, vertical pair, positions 10-18, tied by the head section* of large "Yokohama Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover from Yokohama to Tokyo.

Manuscript dateline "9th month 2nd day". Vermilion framed non-standard "year of the monkey 9th month 2nd day / Yokohama postal bureau" (4 October 1872). Red circular framed hakoba-in "hon" (本) of Honcho letter box. Framed same-day arrival "year of the monkey 9th month 2nd day / Tokyo postal bureau", together with framed vermilion Tokyo delivery marking "midday delivery", recorded from Meiji 5.5 to 5.9.

A scarce and attractive Yokohama-Tokyo cover, distinguished by the officially regulated head-portion strike and the Honcho letter box mark.

Rate: Within 25 ri = 1 sen, second rate period.

Note: *Head section: the "large placename Kensazumi" postmarks were officially ordered in Meiji 4.12 to be struck with the placename head section only, or even with the lower characters removed. This is therefore not an incomplete strike, but the consequence of official regulation.

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1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate II, position 19, tied by blue framed non-standard "Ken" to the reverse of an illustrated cover from Tokyo to Kofu, Kai Province.

On the address side, framed mark "year of the monkey 9th month 3rd day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.9.3 (5 October 1872). Address largely inked out.

An appealing illustrated cover, combining decorative appearance with a clear Tokyo framed "Ken" cancellation on the 200 mon Plate II.

Rate: Within 50 ri = 2 sen, second rate period.

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1871, 200 mon vermilion, early printing, plate I, position 3, with official pinhole at upper right, tied by large "Yodo Eki Kensazumi", with framed vermilion "Yodo station" alongside, on a cover from Yodo, Yamashiro Province, to Sano, Izumi Province.

On reverse, manuscript dateline "9th month 8th day sent" of Meiji 5.9.8 (10 October 1872). Transit mark in vermilion framed "Senshu / postal receiving and handling agency / Kaizuka". Senshu is an old alternative name for Izumi Province.

A highly attractive and uncommon cover, especially notable for the combination of the large Yodo Eki Kensazumi and the matching station handstamp.

Rate: 2 sen up to 50 ri distance, basic weight, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 73.

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1872, 1 sen deep dull blue, plate II, tied by non-standard intaglio "Kobe" to the reverse of a cover to Osaka.

Framed bluish-violet "year of the monkey 9th month 8th day / Kobe postal bureau", or Meiji 5.9.8 (10 October 1872). Vermilion framed arrival of Osaka the following day, with vertical single-line "Osaka morning delivery" above.

A scarce and attractive intercity cover, distinguished by the rare intaglio-style Kobe cancellation.

Rate: Within 25 ri distance = 1 sen, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 154.

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1872, 1 sen blue, plate I, probably position 20, tied by large "Saikyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Osaka.

Two strikes of red framed "year of the monkey 9th moon 14th day / Saikyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.9.14 (16 October 1872), appear on both sides of the cover. Alongside, vermilion framed "year of the monkey 9th moon 15th day / Osaka postal bureau", or Meiji 5.9.15 (17 October 1872). At top, vertical single-line delivery marking "Osaka / morning".

A great rarity of the 1 sen Dragon issue. Only ten single-franked covers of the 1 sen Plate I are recorded, making this an item of marked importance for the specialist in classic Japan.

Rate: Within 25 ri distance = 1 sen, second rate period.

Provenance: Dr. Ichida

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 74; Ichida (1971), p. 170.

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1872, 2 sen vermilion, tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo to the reverse of an illustrated cover to Kofu, Kai Province.

Also tied by framed "year of the monkey 9th month 16th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.9.16 (18 October 1872). Alongside, framed collection mark "Matsuzumi". This Matsuzumi mark is recorded from Meiji 5.9.16 to 7.9.17, and this is the earliest recorded cover showing its usage.

A highly desirable branch-office cover, made especially appealing by the earliest recorded date of the Matsuzumi marking.

Rate: Within 50 ri = 2 sen, second rate period.

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1871, 48 mon brown, plate I, a horizontal pair, positions 7-8, the latter with official pinhole at upper right, tied by two clear strikes of an oval seal-style non-standard ("fancy") cancel of Yanagimoto, Yamato Province.

Manuscript dateline "9th month 25th day", or Meiji 5.9.25 (27 October 1872). Arrival framed vermilion "year of the monkey 9th month 26th day / Saikyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.9.26 (28 October 1872).

A striking and highly decorative cover, showing this distinctive Yanagimoto fancy cancel to excellent effect.

Rate: Up to 25 ri distance = 1 sen, second rate period.

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1871, 48 mon plate II, a vertical pair, positions 24-32, used in combination with 100 mon plate I, position 8 (with official pinhole at upper right), tied by framed non-standard "ken" of Tokyo (type 4) to the reverse of a cover used within the city, from Ushigome Yugenzaka to Shiba, vertical envelope fold affecting stamps.

Framed datestamp "year of the monkey 10th month 5th day / Tokyo postal bureau", Meiji 5.10.5 (5 November 1872). Handwritten vermilion "Ushigome" of the Ushigome branch office, being the latest known usage. Also showing frameless vermilion "A.M. dispatch" collection mark, the earliest recorded example, with recorded period of use from Meiji 5.10.5 to Meiji 6.1.9.

An especially interesting Tokyo local cover, combining branch office notation, non-standard framed "ken", and the earliest known strike of this scarce dispatch marking.

Rate: City drop rate 1 sen, double weight = 2 sen, second rate period from Meiji 4.12.5 onward.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 159.

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1872, 1 sen deep dull blue, plate III, position 5, showing the plate flaw "stroke missing in sen character", single franking tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo on a local cover roughly opened from Shitaya Takemachi to Shitaya Kanesugicho. On reverse, framed "year of the monkey 10th month 11th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.10.11 (11 November 1872). Alongside, framed collection mark "Matsuzumi". Vermilion single-line "midday dispatch" delivery mark. This Matsuzumi branch office mark is recorded from Meiji 5.9.16 to 7.9.17.

A highly interesting local cover, combining a plated flaw with attractive Tokyo branch-office and delivery markings.

Rate: Within city district, basic weight to 4 momme = 1 sen, from Meiji 5.3.1.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 79.

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1872, 1 sen deep dull blue, plate III (2), tied by large "Shizuoka Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Iwabuchi, Suruga Province. Manuscript dateline "year of the monkey 10th month 19th day", or Meiji 5.10.19 (19 November 1872).

A scarce and highly appealing pair on cover, further enhanced by its provenance from the celebrated Dr. Ichida collection.

Rate: Within 25 ri distance = 1 sen, plus kobin area fee 1 sen = 2 sen, second rate period.

Provenance: Dr. Ichida

Reference: Illustrated in Ichida (1971), p. 173; Dragon Covers, p. 164.

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1872, 1 sen blue, plate II, early printing, tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo to an illustrated local cover.

On reverse, framed "year of the monkey 10th month 19th day / Tokyo postal bureau", corresponding to Meiji 5.10.19 (19 November 1872). Frameless vermilion "morning dispatch" delivery mark.

A pleasing illustrated city cover, showing the 1 sen Plate II in attractive local usage within Tokyo.

Rate: Within city district, basic weight to 4 momme = 1 sen, from Meiji 5.3.1.

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1871, 48 mon brown, plate I, a vertical pair, positions 25-33, the latter with official pinhole at lower left, tied by large "Gose Kensazumi" in tensho style of Gose, Yamato Province, to the reverse of a cover to Osaka.

Manuscript dateline "10th month 21st day", or Meiji 5.10.21 (21 November 1872). Framed vermilion "Gose town / postal receiving and handling agency" alongside. At foot, framed arrival "year of the monkey 10th month 22nd day / Osaka postal bureau", or Meiji 5.10.22 (22 November 1872).

A rare and highly attractive usage of the Gose large Kensazumi in tensho style, combining uncommon postal marking with a well-presented pair on cover.

Rate: Up to 25 ri distance = 1 sen, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 81.

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