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1872, 1 sen blue, plate II, used in combination with Cherry Blossom native paper 1 sen blue, tied by double-circle N1B1 "Osaka 6.6.20" (20 June 1873) on a cover from Osaka to Akashi, Harima Province.

Also showing red circular framed hakoba-in "kame" (瓶) of Kamebashi letter box.

A scarce and attractive "same denomination" mixed franking, further enhanced by the uncommon Kamebashi letter box marking.

Rate: Nationwide letter, basic weight = 2 sen, unified standard rate of the third rate period from Meiji 6.4.1.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 105.

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1872, 2 sen vermilion, a vertical pair, cancelled by red brush strokes as postage due on an overweight cover bearing Cherry Blossom native paper 2 sen yellow, tied by double-circle N1B1 "Tokyo Meiji 6.6.24" (24 June 1873), addressed to Naitoshinjuku.

Also showing framed non-standard "Koshukaido / postal bureau / Naitoshin station" and red "insufficient" marking of Naitoshinjuku.

A highly unusual and desirable postage due cover, combining Dragon and Cherry Blossom issues in a rare mixed-franking deficiency usage.

Rate: Letter double weight = 4 sen; unpaid deficiency of 2 sen doubled = 4 sen, nationwide tariff from Meiji 6.4.1.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 177.

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1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate II, early printing, a horizontal strip of four, positions 5-6-7-8, upper stamp faults, each stamp with full strike of a circular framed non-standard tensho-style marking, probably the postmaster’s seal of Kanazaki, Shimotsuke Province, on the reverse of a cover, a few insect holes not affecting the adhesives, to Tomita within the same province.

Manuscript dateline "7th month 17th day dispatched" of Meiji 6.7.17 (17 July 1873). The earliest recorded cover from Kanazaki.

A rare and highly attractive provincial cover, notable for the repeated full strikes of this probable postmaster seal on a handsome strip of four.

Rate: Letter nationwide = 2 sen, unified rate period from Meiji 6.4.1.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 178.

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1872, 5 sen and 1/2 sen Plate II, tied by framed non-standard "Tottori Ken" to an official wrapper to Tawara, Hoki Province.

At lower left, framed non-standard "Inaba Province Tottori / postal receiving and handling agency". At upper right, imprinted "Tottori Prefecture" of the sending authority.

A highly unusual and important official wrapper, showing the rare special printed-matter rate in a striking mixed franking.

Rate: Postal special rate of 1 1/2 sen per 16 momme for bound official printed matter; triple weight = 4 1/2 sen, plus 1 sen to destination outside the delivery circuit = 5 1/2 sen. Rate in force Meiji 6.4.1 to 6.12.31 (1 April to 31 December 1873).

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 112.

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1872, 2 sen vermilion, middle period printing, tied by double-circle N1B1 "Tokyo 6.9.14" (14 September 1873) to a cover to Sakura, Kazusa Province.

On reverse, framed collection mark "Matsuzumi" and dispatch mark N1B1 "Tokyo 6.9.16".

A pleasing and well-marked Tokyo branch-office cover from the unified tariff period.

Rate: Letter 2 sen nationwide, unified tariff from Meiji 6.4.1.

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 83.

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1871, 200 mon, latest printing, plate I, tied by double-circle type N1B1 "Tokyo Meiji 6.10.9" (9 October 1873) to a cover to Kazo, Musashi Province.

The standard double-circle type is uncommon on Dragon stamps. On reverse, transit framed vermilion "Okegawa yubin" of Okegawa post office. A notably late Dragon usage from Tokyo.

Rate: 2 sen, basic weight inland cover of the unified rate period from Meiji 6.4.1.

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 83; Dragon Covers, p. 181.

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1871, 100 mon blue, plate I, position 36, and 200 mon vermilion, late printing, plate I, position 27, upper frameline largely luped margin to touched, tied by framed non-standard "Komoro Kensazumi" of Komoro, Mikawa Province, to the reverse of a cover to Hamamatsu, Totomi Province.

Manuscript dateline Meiji 6, 11th month 9th day (9 November 1873).

The earliest recorded cover from Komoro, and a scarce and attractive mixed franking with this rare fancy cancellation.

Rate: Standard letter rate nationwide, basic weight 2 sen, plus 1 sen for despatch to a place outside the postal delivery circuit = 3 sen, unified letter rate from Meiji 6.4.1 onward.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 99.

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1872, 1/2 sen reddish brown, plate II, a top margin block of four, positions 5-6 / 13-14, tied by two strikes of circular framed non-standard "Saganoseki" of Saganoseki, Bungo Province, to the reverse of a cover, address side incomplete, to Kobe, with arrival double-circle type N1B1 6.12.13 (13 December 1873).

On the address side, two strikes of single-line "postage insufficient", apparently not pursued at Kobe. Dragon usages on Kyushu are uncommon. This is the earliest recorded cover from Saganoseki.

A highly desirable provincial rarity, combining earliest recorded status with uncommon Dragon usage from Kyushu.

Rate: Letter nationwide = 2 sen, unified rate period from Meiji 6.4.1.

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1871/72, 100 mon blue, plate I, position 5, used in combination with 1 sen blue, plate III, both tied by oval non-standard "Kochi Meiji 7.1.3" (3 January 1874) to the reverse of a cover to Osaka, with large double-circle arrival marking of Meiji 7.1.7.

A late and highly unusual usage of the 100 mon issue, made particularly notable by the same-colour, same-denomination mixed franking. Such combinations are seldom encountered and possess strong specialist appeal.

Rate: 6 sen, triple-weight inland cover of the unified rate period from Meiji 6.4.1 (1 April 1873).

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 182.

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1872, 2 sen vermilion, late printing, tied by framed non-standard "Ueno station", with double-circle KG "Ueno. Ise 10.19" alongside, to Tsu, Ise Province.

Manuscript dateline "10th month 18th day" of Meiji 7.10.18 (18 October 1874).

A scarce and attractive provincial cover, notable for the rare Ueno station fancy cancellation.

Rate: Letter 2 sen nationwide, unified tariff from Meiji 6.4.1.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 114.

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1872, 1 sen blue, plate II, position 25, tied by double-circle N1B1 "Hakodate Meiji 7.11.13" (13 November 1874) to the reverse of a local cover, slightly reduced at top.

Dragon stamp usages on Hokkaido are scarce, and this represents a desirable local usage from Hakodate during the unified-rate period.

Rate: Within city district = 1 sen per 2 momme, unified rate from Meiji 6.4.1 onward.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 115.

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1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate II (2), late printing, in two different shades, olive brown and brown, positions 13 and 8, tied by framed non-standard "Yamagata Kensazumi" to the reverse of an unsealed cover to District No. 27.

No dateline, though Meiji 7 (1874) is suggested.

A scarce and appealing local official usage, notable for the uncommon unsealed format and the attractive two-shade franking.

Rate: 1 sen, administration reply unsealed within the same district at half-letter rate, introduced Meiji 6.5.1.

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1871, 200 mon vermilion, late printing, plate I, touched to cut at left frame, slightly oxidised, tied by framed non-standard "Yuge Kensa", with vermilion framed "Sakushu / postal receiving and handling agency / Yuge" alongside, to the reverse of a small cover to Yamanoshiro, Mimasaka Province.

Sakushu is an old alternative name for Mimasaka. No dateline is present, though usage is assumed to fall in Meiji 8 (1875). The Yuge post office opened on Meiji 7.12.16 (16 December 1874).

The earliest recorded cover from Yuge, and a highly attractive example of this rare fancy cancellation.

Rate: 2 sen, unified nationwide rate from Meiji 6.4.1 onward.

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1871, 48 mon, early printing, plate I, a horizontal strip of four, positions 5-8, tied by three strikes of kiban ra-14 (Tarui, Mino Province), with double-circle type KG "Tarui -7.13" alongside, to the reverse of a cover to Osaka, with arrival type N1B1 Meiji 8.7.15 (15 July 1875).

One of very few recorded 48 mon covers cancelled by kiban postmark, and the latest recorded usage of the 48 mon Plate I on cover.

Rate: Nationwide letter, basic weight 2 sen, unified standard rate of the third rate period from Meiji 6.4.1 onward.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 119.

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1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate I, a block of 10 (2 x 5), tied by eight strikes of kiban i-he 26 (Nakamura, Harima Province) to the reverse of a cover to Himeji.

Manuscript dateline Meiji 8.11.31 (31 November 1875).

The largest recorded multiple of the 1/2 sen Plate I on cover, a remarkable showpiece of the sen issue and an item of considerable rarity.

Rate: Half letter rate for official mail, five times weight = 5 sen.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 121.

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1872, 1/2 sen tan brown, plate I (1), with 1/2 sen dark brown, plate II (3, including a pair), tied by two strikes of kiban te-26 (Iwayado, Rikuchu Province) to the reverse of an illustrated cover to Ishinomaki, Rikuzen Province.

Double-circle type KG Iwayado -.6.24 alongside, with transit KG Ichinoseki -.6.26 on the address side. Contents still enclosed. This cover dates from Meiji 8 or 9 (1875 or 1876).

A most attractive mixed-plate franking on cover, additionally enhanced by the rare Iwayado kiban cancellation and retained contents.

Rate: Letter nationwide = 2 sen, unified rate period from Meiji 6.4.1.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 118.

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1872, 1/2 sen greyish brown, plate I, a vertical pair, positions 28-36, used in combination with Cherry Blossom 2 sen yellow "Ribbon", tied by two strikes of kiban i-he 7 of Takasago, Harima Province, to the reverse of an illustrated cover, reduced at top, to Naruo, a destination outside the postal delivery circuit.

The 1/2 sen pair paid the 1 sen messenger surcharge. Manuscript dateline "1st month 27th day" and double-circle type KG Takasago -1.5. Date is Meiji 9.1.5 (5 January 1876) at the earliest.

A scarce and attractive mixed franking, notable for the use of the 1/2 sen pair to satisfy the messenger fee.

Rate: Letter nationwide 2 sen, plus 1 sen to a place outside the postal delivery circuit = 3 sen, unified rate period from Meiji 6.4.1.

Provenance: Consul General Dr. Borchers (Rapp auction, 1986)

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 122.

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1872, 2 sen vermilion, tied by kiban i-nu 10 (Miyoshi, Bingo Province) to the reverse of a cover to Tokyo.

Alongside, double-circle "Miyoshi. Bingo 12.1" of Meiji 9.12.1 (1 September 1876). Transit double-circle KG "Onomichi. Bingo 12.2" on the address side, and arrival double-circle N2B2 "Tokyo Meiji 9.12.7".

A notably late usage of the 2 sen Dragon, further enhanced by the scarce Miyoshi kiban cancellation.

Rate: Letter 2 sen nationwide, unified tariff from Meiji 6.4.1.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 125.

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1871, 48 mon brown, plate I, middle period printing, complete full sheet, unused without gum as issued.

A highly impressive and rarely encountered full-sheet multiple of the first issue, preserved in pristine unused condition as issued. A major showpiece for the specialist in classic Japan.

Catalogue Value: (JSCA cat. ¥2,400,000)

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1871, 48 mon dark brown to blackish brown, plate I, early to late printing, full sheet reconstruction by unused and used stamps, including a mint block of six, used block of four, and mint mirror-L unit, together with two clear strikes of standard double-circle type N1B1 in late usage, as well as fancy cancellations.

A particularly engaging reconstruction, notable for its combination of mint and used material and its strong range of cancellations.

Catalogue Value: (JSCA cat. ¥2,000,000)

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