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1872, 1/2 sen, plate II (2), upper stamp with corner fault and small rubbing spot, tied by framed non-standard "Nagoya Ken" to the reverse of a cover to Tokyo.

Manuscript dateline "10th month 26th day". Green framed non-standard "10th month 27th day / Nagoya station postal receiving and handling agency" on address side, corresponding to Meiji 5.10.26/27 (26/27 November 1872). Arrival framed non-standard "year of the monkey 10th month 30th day / Tokyo postal bureau" with vermilion vertical "A.M. dispatch" delivery mark alongside.

A scarce and well-marked cover, especially notable for the rare Nagoya fancy cancellation.

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

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 165.

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1871, 100 mon blue, plate I, two singles, positions 17 and 24, tied by tensho-style "Tsuruga / Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover via Imajo to a village near Honbo, all in Echizen Province.

At foot, vermilion framed "10th month 28th day / Tsuruga port / postal receiving and handling agency" of Meiji 5.10.28 (28 November 1872). Also showing framed transit "Imajo / postal handling agency".

A scarce and attractive cover, notable for the elegant tensho-style Tsuruga cancellation and clear postal route markings.

Rate: Within 25 ri distance 1 sen, plus 1 sen for delivery beyond the postal delivery circuit = 2 sen, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 52.

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1871, 200 mon, middle period printing, plate I, position 18, tied by four strikes of a vermilion framed seal-style marking, the private seal of the postmaster of Hokota, Hitachi Province, to the reverse of a cover initially addressed to Tokyo, with manuscript "11th month 8th day dispatched" alongside. Also showing framed vermilion "morning dispatch" delivery mark of Tokyo.

In Tokyo, Cherry Blossom native paper 1 sen and 2 sen (2) were added, tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo, and the letter was forwarded to Tomimura, Bizen Province. Framed "year of the monkey 11th month 11th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.11.11 (11 December 1872), alongside. Also transit framed non-standard "Okayama postal receiving and handling station".

A unique and highly important forwarded cover, combining mon and sen mixed franking with an exceptional red private seal cancellation.

Rate: Up to Tokyo, within 50 ri = 2 sen; from Tokyo, within 200 ri = 4 sen, plus 1 sen for delivery outside the postal delivery circuit, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 84.

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1871/72, 500 mon late printing, plate II, position 38, with 200 mon plate II and 1 sen plate II, tied by the private seal of the postmaster of Jizodo, Echigo Province, to a cover to Kyoto.

Sender’s black manuscript "11th month 13th day dispatched". The franking is cancelled by two strikes of the tensho (seal-style) private name seal of the local postmaster (probably Miyashige), together with vermilion manuscript "year of the monkey 11th month 19th day / postal agent" of Meiji 5.11.19 (19 December 1872).

Transit markings include Teradomari, with very clear strike of the vermilion "Hokurikudo / Postal receiving and handling agency / Teradomari station", also red framed mark "-.11.24 / Kanazawa postal bureau". On address side, arrival "year of the monkey 11th month 27th day / Saikyo postal bureau", and below, small framed vermilion "morning delivery".

One of only seven known covers bearing the 500 mon Plate II, and an outstanding three-colour franking of great rarity and exhibition value.

Rate: Within 200 ri distance = 4 sen, double weight = 8 sen, second rate period.

Provenance: Arnold Ebel auction (Frankfurt, 1980)

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 87.

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1871/72, 5 sen bluish green on “tough paper” (Tejima term) and Cherry Blossom 2 sen vermilion tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo to an underpaid cover to Shimamura, Kozuke Province.

Manuscript date "year of the monkey 11th month 19th day", or Meiji 5.11.19 (19 December 1872). Also showing 500 mon Plate II (2, damaged, one only a small remainder, including position 33) and Cherry Blossom 1 sen blue, native paper (2), all with vermilion postage-due brush strokes and vermilion text “500 mon stamps 2 pieces” and “1 sen stamps 2 pieces”. The amount due to be collected from the addressee was 12 sen. Framed Tokyo datestamp of Meiji 5.11.19 appears below the 1 sen Cherry Blossoms.

Despite the faults, this is a most extraordinary and complex cover, combining 5 sen and 500 mon Plate II usages. One of only eight recorded covers bearing the 500 mon Plate II.

Rate: Within 50 ri = 2 sen, triple weight = 6 sen, plus 1 sen to destination outside the delivery circuit, total 7 sen, second rate period. It appears the cover remained triple-weight underpaid and the missing 6 sen was charged double to the addressee.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 167.

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1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate II, probably position 31, used in combination with Cherry Blossom 1 sen blue, tied by blue non-standard "Ken" of Tokyo on the reverse of a cover to Takahashi, Shinano Province.

Alongside framed "year of the monkey 11th month 10th day / Tokyo postal bureau" and corresponding "11th month 11th day" (21 December 1872).

A pleasing mixed franking from Tokyo, showing the 200 mon Plate II in combination with the 1 sen Cherry Blossom for a properly adjusted composite rate.

Rate: Within 50 ri = 2 sen, plus 1 sen for despatch to a place outside the postal delivery circuit = 3 sen, second rate period.

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1872, 1 sen deep dull blue, plate II, middle period printing, perforation fault at upper right, tied by non-standard oval framed "Yamaguchi station" to a cover to Yoshida, Nagato Province. On reverse, vermilion framed non-standard "Suo Province Yamaguchi station / postal receiving and handling agency". No dateline, though usage is most probably Meiji 5 (1872).

A scarce and attractive provincial cover, distinguished by this unusual oval Yamaguchi station fancy cancellation.

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

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1871, 200 mon vermilion, latest printing, a vertical pair, plate I, positions 26-34, tied by framed early non-standard "Nagasaki Kensazumi" to a cover to Osaka.

On reverse, vermilion framed "year of the cock 1st month 22nd day / Nagasaki postal bureau" (22 January 1873), with matching manuscript dateline. Arrival framed vermilion "year of the cock 1st month 27th day / Osaka postal bureau" (27 January 1873).

Position 26 shows the rare "right dragon worn" variety (右龍損傷), in the state before retouching (JSCA 3v-1-26).

A scarce and attractive variety cover from Nagasaki, combining plating importance with clear postal markings.

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

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 91.

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1871, 200 mon vermilion, latest printing, plate I, position 26, retouched (修正再刻), tied by framed early non-standard "Samegai Kensazumi" of Samegai, Omi Province, to the reverse of a cover to Iwatemura, Mino Province.

Manuscript dateline "1st month 22nd day", or Meiji 6.1.22 (22 January 1873). Position 26 shows the retouched right dragon variety (JSCA 3v-1-26).

A scarce and desirable variety cover, combining a plated retouch with an attractive provincial fancy cancel.

Rate: Within 25 ri = 1 sen, plus 1 sen fee for destination outside the delivery circuit = 2 sen, second rate period.

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1871/72, 500 mon dark bluish green, latest printing, plate I, in a Plate II shade, used in combination with Cherry Blossom 1 sen blue, native paper, tied by framed tensho-style non-standard "Hiroshima Kensa", with manuscript dateline "1st month 25th day dispatched" to the reverse of a cover to Osaka.

Alongside, vermilion vertical single-line mark "25th day dispatched", or Meiji 6.1.25 (25 January 1873). At lower centre, vermilion framed "Postal receiving and handling agency / Hiroshima Shioyamachi". Arrival framed vermilion "year of the cock 1st month 27th day / Osaka postal bureau", together with vermilion two-character "morning dispatch".

A highly attractive mixed franking, notable for the scarce Hiroshima fancy cancellation and strong postal markings throughout.

Rate: Within 100 ri = 3 sen, double weight = 6 sen, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 170.

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1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate II (2), tied by framed non-standard "Ken" of Tokyo to the reverse of an illustrated local mail cover. At foot, vermilion framed "Azabu branch office", the earliest recorded usage of this marking. Also framed non-standard "year of the cock 2nd month 4th day / Tokyo postal bureau" of Meiji 6.2.4 (4 February 1873). On the address side, vermilion framed "night" delivery mark. From Surugadai to Azabu.

An important Tokyo local cover, combining earliest-recorded branch office usage with attractive illustrated-envelope appeal.

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

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 92.

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1871, 500 mon bluish green, latest printing, plate I, tied by non-standard framed seal-style "Ueno station" of Ueno, Ise Province, to a cover, lower reverse corner missing, to Tokyo.

Manuscript dateline "2nd month 27th day dispatched". At foot, an unclear framed transit mark "...postal receiving and handling agency...". On reverse, arrival "year of the cock 3rd month 4th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 6.3.4 (4 March 1873), together with small vermilion framed "A.M." of Tokyo. The earliest recorded cover from Ueno, Ise Province.

A scarce and highly attractive long-distance cover, distinguished by this rare seal-style station marking.

Rate: Exceeding 200 ri = 5 sen, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 171.

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1871, 100 mon blue, plate II, position 34, middle period printing, slightly touched at upper right frame, used in combination with 200 mon plate I, position 32, late printing in damaged state, cancelled by framed tensho-style non-standard marking of Hongo, Aki Province, on the reverse of a cover to Saikyo.

Alongside, framed non-standard "Hongo / postal receiving and handling agency". Manuscript dateline "3rd month 2nd day" of Meiji 6.3.12 (12 March 1874). Addressed within Honganji Temple.

The earliest known cover from Hongo, and a scarce and appealing example of this unusual tensho-style fancy cancellation.

Rate: Within 100 ri = 3 sen, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 172.

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1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate II, earliest printing, a horizontal pair, tied by two strikes of framed non-standard "Ken" of Tokyo to the reverse of a local mail cover, slightly reduced at top. At lower left, framed "Matsuzumi" branch office mark. Framed non-standard "year of the cock 3rd month 25th day / Tokyo postal bureau", incomplete strike, of Meiji 6.3.15 (15 March 1873). On the address side, vermilion square framed "night" delivery mark. From Kanda Izumicho to Tokiwabashi.

A scarce and appealing city-district cover, especially notable for the combination of Matsuzumi branch office and "night" delivery markings.

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

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1872, 5 sen greenish blue, middle period printing, tied by framed "Ken" to the reverse of a cover from Tokyo to Kaminakashima, Kii Province.

Framed "year of the goat 3rd month 16th day / Tokyo postal bureau" (16 March 1873). At lower right, "Ginza / postal receiving and handling agency", the only recorded cover bearing this marking. Transit mark in vermilion: larger double-circle "Osaka postal agency Meiji 6.3....".

A cover of outstanding rarity and significance, unique for the presence of the Ginza agency marking.

Rate: Within 200 ri = 4 sen, plus 1 sen to destination outside the delivery circuit = 5 sen, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 153; Dragon Covers, p. 95.

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1871, 100 mon blue, plate I, position 6, tied by large "Yokkaichi Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Kanbe, both in Ise Province.

Alongside manuscript dateline "3rd month 1st day", or Meiji 6.3.16 (16 March 1873). On front, framed red non-standard "Yokkaichi station / postal receiving and handling agency".

A pleasing provincial cover with clear strike of the large Yokkaichi Kensazumi and well-matched auxiliary handstamp.

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

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 96.

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1872, 2 sen vermilion with Cherry Blossom 1 sen blue, tied by framed "Ken" of Yokohama to the reverse of a cover, small part of reverse backed, to Kamimuro, Mikawa Province.

Manuscript dateline "3rd month 23rd day" with unclear Yokohama postal bureau framed datestamp, or Meiji 6.2.23 (23 March 1873).

A scarce and attractive mixed franking from Yokohama, combining Dragon and native-paper Cherry Blossom issues.

Rate: Within 50 ri = 2 sen, plus 1 sen to destination outside the postal delivery circuit, second rate period.

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1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate II, cut into at upper right, cancelled by vermilion brush circle and also tied by oval non-standard "Senshu postal receiving and handling agency / Ueno" of Ueno, Iga Province, as postage due on the reverse of a cover in transit from Osaka; Cherry Blossom 1 sen, address side incomplete, tied by framed non-standard "Osaka Ken" to Nabari, Iga Province.

Senshu is an old alternative name for Iga. Vermilion double-circle "Osaka postal bureau / Meiji 6.3.24 7 o'clock" (24 March 1873). This large double-circle type was used only from the 3rd to 5th month of Meiji 6 before being superseded by the standard double-circle dater from Meiji 6.4.1 onward.

A rare and highly interesting postage due usage, combining Dragon and Cherry Blossom issues with scarce auxiliary postal markings.

Rate: Within 25 ri = 1 sen, plus despatch to a place outside the delivery circuit = 1 sen; the latter unpaid and therefore charged double, as shown by the vermilion manuscript note at right, total 2 sen.

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1871, 200 mon, early printing, plate I, position 29, tied by intaglio non-standard "Yao" of Yao, Kawachi Province, to the reverse of a cover to Saikyo.

Transit vermilion double-circle N1B1 "Osaka 6.4.11" alongside; on address side, arrival red double-circle N1B1 "Saikyo 6.4.12" (12 April 1873).

A scarce and attractive cover, especially desirable for the rare intaglio-style Yao cancellation.

Rate: Unified nationwide rate of 2 sen from Meiji 6.4.1.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 173.

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1872, 2 sen vermilion vertical pair, cancelled by black brush strokes on an unpaid cover, address side with small insect holes, inbound to Osaka from Kochi.

Manuscript date "5th month 14th day dispatched". Arrival large double-circle "Osaka Meiji 6.5..." (May to June 1873).

A scarce and highly interesting postage due usage, with the 2 sen pair applied to collect doubled unpaid postage under the unified tariff.

Rate: Letter 2 sen, unpaid and therefore doubled = 4 sen, nationwide tariff from Meiji 6.4.1.

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