1871, 100 mon dark steel blue, earliest printing, plate I, position 1, tied by a large "Kensazumi" handstamp in small seal style (reisho) on the reverse of a cover from Minakuchi to Otsu.

Manuscript dateline (Meiji 4) 3.3, corresponding to 22 April 1871 (Gregorian).

A cover of extraordinary historical importance, carried during the first postal dispatch of Japan, originating from Tokyo on Meiji 4.3.1 (opening day of the national postal service). The letter was taken into the mail en route at Minakuchi on Meiji 4.3.4 (early morning) and subsequently delivered to Otsu. As the earliest recorded example associated with Japan’s inaugural postal operations, this cover represents a cornerstone artefact of Japanese postal history and an item of the utmost rarity and significance.

Rate: 100 mon basic rate, separate area rate of the first rate period.

Provenance: Dr. Ichida

Reference: Illustrated in Ichida (1959); Ichida (1971), colour plate A and p. 85; plating reference p. 92; Dragon Covers p. 2; 19th century fig. 3.

CV.

1871, 500 mon yellow green, earliest printing, two singles including position 37, used in combination with 200 mon earliest printing, plate I, bottom 500 and 200 mon, cut into at upper right, uncancelled, but with sender’s address in Tokyo and addressed to Kameyama, Ise Province.

Manuscript date "year of the ape 3rd month 16th day", or Meiji 4.3.16 (5 May 1871).

A remarkable early high-franking cover from the opening months of the postal service, of considerable postal-historical interest despite the absence of postal obliteration.

Rate: 1200 mon basic weight, separate area rate of the first rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 16; Dragon Covers, p. 131.

CV.

1871, 200 mon vermilion, earliest printing, plate I, position 1, just touched at lower right, tied by a large "Kensazumi" handstamp in regular script (kaisho) on the reverse of a cover from Ejiri to nearby Numazu.

Manuscript dateline (Meiji 4) 3.18, corresponding to 7 May 1871 (Gregorian).

An important early usage, representing the earliest recorded application of the large Kensazumi handstamp from Ejiri. The clarity of the strike and the positional significance of the adhesive further enhance the desirability of this cover within the classic Dragon issue postal history. A well-preserved and highly presentable example.

Rate: 100 mon basic rate plus an additional 100 mon for delivery beyond 2 ri outside the standard delivery circuit, yet within 1 ri under kobin regulations; separate area rate of the first rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Gallery, Vol. 2, p. 2; Dragon Covers, p. 5.

CV.

1871, 200 mon, early printing, plate I, position 21, slightly oxidised, tied by a clear strike of large "Shizuoka Kensazumi" of Shizuoka, Suruga Province, to the reverse of a cover to Kakegawa, Totomi Province.

Alongside dateline "4th month 26th day" and official manuscript "dispatched 29th day", or Meiji 4.4.29 (17 June 1871). At bottom right also showing vermilion framed "mochikomi chinsen zumi", meaning "carry-on fee settled".

A highly interesting and desirable early cover, distinguished by this rare instructional marking relating to onward courier conveyance.

Rate: 100 mon basic rate, separate area fee plus 100 mon kobin fee for final delivery by courier = 200 mon, first rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 11.

CV.

1871, 500 mon yellow green, earliest printing, plate I, position 10, tied by large "Fushimi Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover via Hirakata, Kawachi Province, to Hoshidamura, Kawachi Province.

Manuscript dateline 6th month 9th day of Meiji 4 (26 July 1871).

The earliest recorded cover bearing the large Fushimi Kensazumi, and an important early postal-history usage of the 500 mon earliest printing.

Rate: 100 mon basic weight plus additional charge for kobin area (within 3 ri square) 400 mon, separate area rate of the first rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Large Placename Kensazumi (1979), p. 52; Dragon Covers, p. 15.

CV.

1871, 200 mon vermilion, earliest printing, plate I, comprising vertical pair positions 31-39, strip of three positions 11-19-27, and at right vertical pair positions 32-40 (with official pinhole at upper right), tied by two strikes of large "Tokyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Saikyo.

The franking includes the major variety at position 31, "left dragon arm missing", as well as the variety at position 19, "right dragon hair missing". Manuscript dateline of Meiji 4, year of the goat, 6th month 27th day (13 August 1871).

Also showing a red circular framed hakoba-in "kyo" (京) of Kyobashi, a letter box mark used only during Meiji 4. The major variety at position 31 was retouched at an early stage (JSCA 3v-1-31; catalogue value loose ¥1.2 million).

A spectacular seven-stamp franking on cover, uniting major plating interest, scarce postal markings, and great exhibition value.

Rate: 1400 mon basic weight cover, Tokyo to Saikyo, separate area rate of the first rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 18.

CV.

1871, 500 mon yellow green, earliest printing, a vertical pair, plate I, upper 500 mon with point rubbing, used in combination with 200 mon vermilion, plate I, early printing, position 5, tied by large "Saikyo Kensazumi" to large part of cover-reverse.

Vermilion framed "year of the monkey 7th month 18th day / Saikyo postal bureau", or Meiji 4.7.18 (2 September 1871).

A scarce and attractive high-value franking from the first rate period, probably addressed to Fujisawa or Oiso.

Rate: 1200 mon basic weight, perhaps to Fujisawa or Oiso, separate area rate of the first rate period.

CV.

1871, 100 mon blue, plate I, position 36, tied by large "Saikyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Osaka.

Manuscript dateline "7th month 29th day" of Meiji 4.7.29 (13 September 1871). Also showing vermilion vertical frameless "29" day marking of Saikyo, together with circular framed hakoba-in "matsu" (松) of Matsubara letter box.

A desirable early Saikyo cover, additionally enhanced by the scarce Matsubara letter box marking.

Rate: 100 mon basic rate, separate area rate of the first rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 21.

CV.

1871, 200 mon vermilion, early printing, plate I, position 32, tied by a full strike of large "Tokyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Hiratsuka, Sagami Province.

Manuscript dateline "10th month 8th day", or Meiji 4.10.8 (20 November 1871). On the address side at foot, vermilion circular framed hakoba-in "Shiba" (芝) of Shiba Shinmeimae letter box.

A scarce and appealing first-period cover, especially desirable for the fine full strike of the large Tokyo Kensazumi and the rare Shiba letter box marking.

Rate: 200 mon basic weight, separate area rate of the first rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 8.

CV.

1871, 48 mon brown, earliest printing, plate I, position 34, frame cut at left, bottom luped margin to touched, otherwise large margins, tied by large "Yokohama Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover with manuscript dateline "10th month 19th day", Meiji 4.10.19 (1 December 1871), from Yokohama to Tokyo-Ushigome.

On the address side at lower right, vermilion circular framed hakoba-in "No" (野) of the Nogemachi letter box, recorded in use from Meiji 4.7 to Meiji 6.3 (1871–73).

This special rate applied only between Yokohama and Tokyo. It was set deliberately low in an effort to displace the private courier services then operating on the route. At the time, the local postal rate remained 100 mon; from the second rate period onward, beginning Meiji 4.12.5, the rate between the two places was standardised at 100 mon.

The scarcest of all 48 mon single frankings of Meiji 4, of which only a handful are recorded.

Rate: Yokohama-Tokyo special in-between rate of 48 mon per 2 momme weight, period Meiji 4.8 to 4.12.4 (19th Century, commentary volume, pp. 57/60).

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 132.

CV.

1871, 48 mon brown, plate I, a vertical pair, positions 20-28; 100 mon blue, plate I, vertical pair positions 3-11 and single in a different shade, position 17; together with 500 mon bluish green, plate I, middle period printing, a vertical pair, positions 17-25, all tied by two strikes of large "Tokyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Fushimi, Yamashiro Province.

Manuscript dateline on address side left, "year of the goat 10th month 22nd day", or Meiji 4.10.22 (4 December 1871). Also showing a vermilion circular framed hakoba-in "yu" (郵), the letter box mark of the posting box outside the gates of the Tokyo-Yokkaichi postal bureau, the first main post office of Tokyo. This hakoba is recorded from Meiji 4.4 to 4.11 only.

A most impressive and visually striking three-colour mon franking, additionally distinguished by this scarce Tokyo letter box marking.

Rate: 1400 mon to Fushimi, separate area rate of the first rate period.

CV.

1871, 100 mon dark blue, early printing, plate I, position 37, with positional pinhole, right frameline partly touched to cut in, used in combination with 200 mon vermilion, late printing, plate I, position 17, slightly oxidised, tied by a clear strike of large "Saikyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover, reduced at top right and bottom left, to an unclear destination, probably Kuwana or Yokkaichi.

Sender: Kyoto city administration. Manuscript dateline "10th month 28th day", or Meiji 4.10.28 (20 December 1871).

A scarce official mixed franking from the Kyoto administration, with strong postal-historical appeal.

Rate: 300 mon basic weight, separate area rate of the first rate period.

CV.

1871, 200 mon vermilion, earliest printing, plate I, position 1, tied by large "Osaka Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Otsu.

Manuscript dateline "11th month 10th day", or Meiji 4.11.10 (21 December 1871). On the address side at foot, vermilion circular framed hakoba-in "Oka" (岡) of Okazakibashi letter box.

A fine and attractive cover, notable for the earliest printing of the 200 mon and the scarce Okazakibashi letter box marking.

Rate: 200 mon basic weight, separate area rate of the first rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 7.

CV.

1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate I, a vertical strip of three, positions 5-13-21, partly oxidised, with two positions showing luped margin at right, tied by large "Tokyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Kakegawa, Totomi Province.

Manuscript datelines "11th month 10th day sent" and "11th month 12th day received" of Meiji 4 (22 and 24 December 1871). Also showing the red circular framed hakoba-in "kyo" (京) of Kyobashi, a letter box mark used only during Meiji 4, together with framed vermilion "adjusted 10th day dispatched", the latest known usage of this marking.

A highly attractive first-period cover, made especially desirable by the rare Kyobashi letter box mark and the late usage of the Tokyo dispatch datestamp.

Rate: 600 mon basic weight cover, Tokyo to Kakegawa, separate area rate of the first rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 133.

CV.

1871, 500 mon bluish green, early printing, a block of six, plate I, positions 3/4-11/12-19/20, position 3 cut into at upper left, tied by large "Tokyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover, address side incomplete, from the Ministry of Finance to Kyoto.

Manuscript dateline on front side, month 29th day. Positions 3 and 20 with official pinholes at upper right for sheet stacking.

A celebrated and highly important classic Dragon cover, long associated with the name of Tracy M. Woodward. The impressive block of six, together with its official origin and distinguished provenance, places this among the iconic large-multiple covers of Japan.

Rate: Triple weight, basic rate 1400 mon x 3, overpaid by 200 mon. Separate area rate of the first rate period.

Provenance: Tracy M. Woodward (H.R. Harmer auction, 1939)

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 22; Dragon Covers, p. 30.

CV.

1871, 100 mon blue, late printing, plate I, position 21, touched at right frameline, tied by large "Otsu Kensazumi" (Nakagawa type A of Meiji 4) to the reverse of an illustrated cover to Kyoto.

Official correspondence from the Otsu prefectural administration to the Kyoto city administration. At lower right, vermilion oval framed "Otsu". No dateline survives, though usage in the second half of Meiji 4 is assumed.

An attractive official and illustrated cover, combining administrative origin with the scarce Otsu Kensazumi in its early form.

Rate: 100 mon basic rate, separate area rate of the first rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 34.

CV.

1871, 48 mon brown, plate I (position 23), comprising a block of eighteen, vertical strip of four, and single, used in combination with 100 mon plate I (position 6, strip of four and two singles), all tied by six strikes of a large "Tokyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover, address side incomplete, via Shono, with framed vermilion "Shono eki tatsu", addressed to Ueno, Ise Province.

Manuscript dateline Meiji 4.12.1 (10 January 1872).

On the address side, a red circular framed hakoba-in "ba" (羽) of Akabanebashi.

An exceptional and rare example of intended usage of the 48 mon fractional value to satisfy a higher weight rate during the first rate period. Fewer than ten such covers have been recorded.

Rate: Higher weight rate: Tokyo to Shono separate area rate of the first rate period—1100 mon × 1.5 = 1650 mon, plus 100 mon for delivery beyond the standard circuit.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 35.

CV.

1871, 500 mon pale dull green, middle period printing, plate I, position 32, tied by large "Tokyo Kensazumi" to a cover to Kaso, Bizen Province. Cover slightly reduced at top; thins at centre on reverse (backed). Opened out for display.

First-month usage of the Tokyo datestamp, framed in vermilion "year of the goat 12th month 25th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 4.12.25 (5 February 1872). On the address side at lower right, vermilion circular framed hakoba-in "suji" (筋) of the letter box outside the Sujikai gate. This is the latest recorded usage of this hakoba.

A highly desirable Tokyo cover, notable both for its late use of the Sujikai letter box mark and its clear first-month datestamp.

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

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 39.

Note: The earliest printing of the 500 mon comprises the shades “greyish yellow-green” and “dull yellow-green”. Any other early green shade is classified as “early printing”. For comparison, see Dragon Plating Guide, p. 22.

CV.

1871, 200 mon, middle period printing, plate I, position 39, stamp partly cut at right, tied by large "Tokyo Kensazumi" to a cover to Mishima, Suruga Province.

First-month usage of the Tokyo datestamp, framed in vermilion "year of the goat 12th month 25th day", or Meiji 4.12.25 (5 February 1872). On the address side at lower right, vermilion circular framed hakoba-in "yon" (四) of Yotsuya-gomongai, the letter box outside the Yotsuya gate, here in its latest recorded usage.

A highly desirable Tokyo cover, of particular significance for the latest known date of the Yotsuya letter box mark.

Rate: Within 50 ri = 200 mon, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 23.

CV.

1871, 200 mon, middle period, plate I, position 35, tied by a full strike of large "Yokohama Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover, mounted on paper, to Ejiri, Suruga Province.

Alongside, vermilion framed "year of the cock 12th month 27th day / Yokohama postal bureau", or Meiji 4.12.27 (7 February 1872).

The earliest recorded example of this Yokohama datestamp, giving the cover notable postal-historical importance.

Rate: 200 mon within 50 ri distance, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 40.

CV.

1871, 200 mon, latest printing, plate I, position 36, showing the constant variety "dot of sen missing", tied by large "Saikyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Gengahama, Mino Province.

On the address side, framed vermilion "year of the monkey 1st month 4th day / Saikyo postal bureau" (12 February 1872), with manuscript notation: "Postage paid unto Kuwana, but from Kuwana to destination postage must be paid by addressee". The kobin charge was paid by latest printing plate I, position 8, with positional pinhole, tied by vermilion brush stroke.

A highly interesting due usage, combining a constant variety with postal markings and manuscript instructions of considerable specialist interest.

Rate: Up to 50 ri = 200 mon; kobin area 100 mon x 2, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 41.

CV.

1871, 200 mon vermilion, earliest printing, plate I, position 26, tied by a large "Saikyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Gifu, accompanied by a large framed "Chinsen Kitte Zumi" marking ("prepayment for return postage paid").

On the address side, a red framed "Saikyo / year of the monkey [Meiji 5] 1st month 13th day" (21 February 1872). Red manuscript notation indicates an additional 50 mon payment.

Only eight covers are recorded bearing the large "Chinsenkittezumi" marking. Notably, its precise and documented postal function remains uncertain; extant examples suggest usage upon arrival, certifying payment to a courier for delivery beyond the standard postal agency distribution network.

A rare and intriguing auxiliary marking of considerable postal-historical interest.

Rate: 200 mon up to 50 ri distance, basic weight, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Stamps Plating Book, p. 108; Dragon Covers, p. 42; listing in Dragon Stamps Plating Book, p. 104, no. 7.

CV.

1871, 100 mon blue, plate II, early printing, a block of four, positions 31-32-39-40, tied by the head section* of large "Tokyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover from Tokyo to Yamada, Ise Province.

Alongside, vermilion framed "year of the monkey 3rd month 16th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.3.16 (23 April 1872). Vermilion manuscript notation: "from Yokkaichi carry on" (持込).

A scarce and highly attractive multiple on cover, made particularly interesting by the officially regulated head-portion strike and the manuscript instruction for onward courier conveyance.

Rate: Within 100 ri distance = 3 sen, plus 1 sen delivery to a destination outside the postal circuit of the next post office, second rate period. Tokyo to Yokkaichi/Ise was within 100 ri; Yokkaichi to Yamada/Ise was carried onward by courier (approximately 18 ri).

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 137.

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

CV.

1871, 48 mon brown, earliest printing, plate I, a vertical pair, positions 15-23, tied by large "Saikyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of cover, slightly reduced at top and left, to Osaka.

Framed vermilion "year of the monkey 3rd month 25th day / Saikyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.3.25 (2 May 1872). Circular framed hakoba-in "tera" (寺) of Teramachi letter box.

A pleasing and scarce cover, further enhanced by the presence of the Teramachi letter box marking.

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

CV.

1872, 1 sen blue, plate II, a vertical pair, tied by non-standard blue framed "Ken" of Tokyo on a cover to Setogawa, Suruga Province, near Fujieda. Alongside, manuscript dateline "7th moon 12th day dispatched". On the address side, vermilion framed "year of the goat 4th month 4th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.4.4 (10 May 1872).

The framed "Ken" in blue is recorded from Meiji 5.4.4 to 5.7.12, and this is the earliest recorded usage. The medium-sized vermilion Tokyo datestamp is likewise the latest recorded usage. Sender: ekiteiryo (General Post Office).

A highly important Tokyo usage, combining the earliest recorded blue framed "Ken" with the earliest known postal use of the 1 sen Plate II.

Rate: Within 50 ri distance = 2 sen, second rate period. The revised postal regulations of Meiji 4.12.5 stated Setogawa as "within 100 ri = 3 sen", but recorded distances vary between 49 and 51 ri. Tejima suggests that Setogawa was probably reclassified as "within 50 ri" by Meiji 5.3.1 (see 19th century, fig. 49).

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 49; Dragon Covers, p. 46.

CV.

1871, 200 mon, plate I, middle printing, a vertical pair, positions 9-17, upper stamp with scraped left frame and dragon teeth at upper left, tied by two strikes of blue framed "Ken" to the reverse of a cover to Osaka.

Framed "year of the monkey 4th month 10th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.4.10 (16 May 1872). Framed "Ken" was used in Tokyo from Meiji 5.4.1 to 6.4.30. Vermilion framed arrival "year of the monkey 4th month 12th day / Osaka postal bureau" (18 May 1872).

A scarce and attractive cover, notable for the Tokyo framed "Ken" usage on a Plate I pair.

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

CV.

1871, 200 mon, plate I, two singles in different printings and shades, the upper a middle-period example from position 18, cut into at right frame, the lower a late printing from position 22, showing the retouched right dragon variety (右龍修正再刻; JSCA 3v-1-22), tied by framed non-standard "Nara station / Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Tokyo.

Blue framed arrival, tying the adhesives, "year of the monkey 4th month 21st day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.4.21 (27 May 1872).

The earliest recorded cover from Nara, further distinguished by the presence of the notable Plate I-22 retouch variety.

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

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 138.

CV.

1872, 2 sen vermilion, tied by a clear strike of large "Yokohama Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to an unclear destination, probably Yamuramachi in Kai Province. Cover reduced at top, with part of address incomplete.

Framed vermilion "year of the monkey 4th month 24th day / Yokohama postal bureau", or Meiji 5.4.24 (30 May 1872).

A scarce and attractive single-franked cover, well showing the large Yokohama Kensazumi.

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

CV.

1871, 200 mon, middle period printing, plate I, a horizontal pair, positions 38-39, tied by large "Osaka Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Tokyo.

Manuscript dateline "year of the monkey 4th month 25th day". On the address side, vermilion framed "year of the monkey 4th month 25th day / Osaka postal bureau", or Meiji 5.4.25 (31 May 1872). Below the stamps, circular framed "jo" (常) of Joanbashi Kitazume letter box. Blue framed arrival "year of the monkey 5th month 29th day / Tokyo postal bureau" (4 July 1872), together with framed vermilion "morning delivery", the earliest recorded date of this marking, known from the 4th to 9th month of Meiji 5.

A notable Tokyo destination cover, of particular interest for the earliest recorded usage of this delivery marking.

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

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 139.

CV.

1871, 100 mon dark blue, middle period printing, plate II, position 25, displaying the major variety "jaw missing from the right dragon", tied by a large "Fujieda Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover from Fujieda (Suruga Province) to Hamamatsu (Totomi Province).

Manuscript dateline [Meiji 5] 4th month 29th day (4 June 1872).

A visually striking major variety, clearly defined and well-presented on cover, greatly enhancing its appeal to the specialist collector.

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

Reference: Illustrated in Large Placename Kensazumi (1979), p. 21.

CV.

1871, 100 mon dark blue, middle period printing, plate II, position 18, slightly touched at left, tied by a large "Osaka Kensazumi" to a cover addressed to Koriyama, Yamato Province.

Alongside, a red framed "Osaka / year of the monkey 5th month 8th day" (Meiji 5.5.8; 13 June 1872). On the reverse, a circular framed hakoba-in "gen" (源) of Genzaemoncho, recorded between Meiji 4 and 8.

The adhesive shows the major variety "right dragon leg missing" (JSCA catalogue value ¥1.5 million).

A striking and desirable example combining a prominent variety with clear postal markings.

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

Reference: Illustrated in Ichida (1971), p. 93; Dragon Covers, p. 53.

CV.

1871/72, 500 mon blue, plate I, middle period printing, position 25, used in combination with Dragon 2 sen vermilion, rounded corner and some perf faults, and Dragon 1 sen blue, plate II, position 12, tied by framed blue "ken" of Tokyo to the reverse of a cover, corner clipped, to Kyoto.

Blue framed "year of the monkey 5th month 16th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.5.16 (21 June 1872), on address side; on reverse, vermilion framed arrival "year of the monkey 5th month ... / Saikyo postal bureau".

A scarce and attractive three-colour franking, notable for the mixed usage of mon and sen Dragon values during this transitional period.

Rate: Up to 200 ri distance = 4 sen, double weight = 8 sen.

CV.

1871, 200 mon vermilion, a vertical pair, plate II, positions 5-13, tied by framed blue "Ken" to the reverse of a cover, slightly reduced at top, to Osaka.

Framed "year of the monkey 5th month 18th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.5.18 (23 June 1872). Vermilion framed arrival "year of the monkey 5th month 22nd day / Osaka postal bureau".

A fine and straightforward postal usage of the 200 mon Plate II on intercity mail.

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

CV.

1871, 100 mon blue, latest printing, plate I, position 20, tied by the head section* of large "Yokohama Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover, address side incomplete at left, from Yokohama to Tokyo.

Vermilion framed "year of the monkey 5th month 27th day / Yokohama postal bureau", or Meiji 5.5.27 (2 July 1872). Blue framed same-day arrival of Tokyo postal bureau. Framed vermilion Tokyo delivery marking "morning delivery", recorded in use from Meiji 5.5 to 5.9. Addressed to the staff of the Telegraph Office (Denshinryo) within the Ministry of Public Works.

A scarce and attractive official usage, combining the regulated head-section Yokohama strike with a particularly desirable governmental destination.

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 portion only, or even with the lower three characters removed. This is therefore not an incomplete strike, but the consequence of official regulation.

CV.

1871, 48 mon, middle period printing, plate I, position 7, tied by large "Saikyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover, address side incomplete, with manuscript dateline "6th month 10th day" alongside.

Red framed "year of the monkey 6th moon 10th day / Saikyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.6.10 (15 July 1872). At upper left, circular framed hakoba-in "shita" (下) of the Shimotachiuri letter box, recorded in use from Meiji 4 to Meiji 8 (1871–75).

A scarce and appealing single-franked city drop mail cover, representing the reduced local rate introduced in the second rate period.

Rate: City drop mail rate of 1/2 sen, half the ordinary rate, introduced Meiji 4.12.5, within the second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 57.

CV.

1871, 500 mon bluish green to turquoise, five singles from plate I (2) and plate II (3), positions 1-14, 2-38, 2-31, 2-30 and 1-5, tied by framed "ken" to the reverse of a cover, corner clipped, from Tokyo to Nagasaki.

Alongside black framed "year of the monkey 6th moon 14th day", or Meiji 5.6.14 (19 July 1872). Sender: Honganji Temple Administration, Tokyo Asakusa. The cover bears the weight endorsement "17 momme 8 fun", indicating five times the basic weight.

The only recorded mixed franking of the 500 mon value from two different plates (plate I and plate II), of outstanding rarity and great importance within Dragon issue postal history.

Rate: Letter basic rate exceeding 200 ri = 5 sen; five times weight = 25 sen.

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 50; Dragon Covers, p. 58.

CV.

1871, 200 mon, plate I, latest printing, a vertical pair, positions 30-38, with retouch at position 30, tied by large "Shizuoka Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Tokyo.

Manuscript dateline "year of the monkey 6th month 18th day", or Meiji 5.6.18 (23 July 1872). Blue framed arrival "year of the monkey 6th month 20th day / Tokyo postal bureau", together with framed vermilion "afternoon delivery".

A scarce and appealing variety cover, showing the retouched position 30 clearly on postal use.

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

Provenance: Dr. Ichida

Reference: Illustrated in Ichida (1971), p. 53; Dragon Covers, p. 60.

CV.

1871, 48 mon dark brown, plate II, a vertical pair, positions 14-22, upper stamp touched at upper right frameline, tied by framed non-standard "Nara aratame / kensazumi", with framed "Nara station / postal receiving and handling agency" alongside, to a cover to Ichinomoto, Yamato Province.

Manuscript dateline "6th month 20th day", or Meiji 5.6.20 (25 July 1872).

A remarkable instance of postal fraud: already postmarked stamps, originally cancelled by large Kensazumi, were reused and passed undetected by the postal clerk. Only two such fraud covers bearing Dragon stamps are recorded.

An exceptional postal-history rarity of great interest and exhibition significance.

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

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 61.

CV.

1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate I, early printing, a vertical pair, positions 25-33, the latter with positional pinhole, tied by large "Saikyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Tokyo.

Vermilion "year of the monkey 7th month 2nd day / Saikyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.7.2 (5 August 1872). Circular framed hakoba-in "ima" (今) of Imadegawa letter box. Also struck with the large vermilion oval instructional marking "arrival delayed by river flooding" of Tokyo. Arrival framed "year of the monkey 7th month 9th day / Tokyo postal bureau", together with framed "Kojimachi / postal branch bureau" and vermilion "morning delivery".

The earliest recorded delay marking in Japanese philately, and a cover of outstanding postal-historical significance.

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

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 322; Dragon Covers, p. 63.

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1871/72, 5 sen bluish green, middle period printing, used in combination with 200 mon Plate II, tied by blue framed "Ken" of Tokyo to a cover to Kamikanbayashi, Shinano Province.

Framed "year of the monkey 7th month 3rd day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.7.3 (6 August 1872), alongside.

A highly desirable and unusual mixed franking, uniting mon and sen values in a scarce blue Tokyo "Ken" usage.

Rate: Within 100 ri = 3 sen, double weight = 6 sen, plus 1 sen to destination outside the delivery circuit, total 7 sen, second rate period.

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1871, 200 mon, plate II, a vertical pair, positions 1-9, cut into at left frame, tied by framed blue "Ken" to the reverse of a cover, partly soiled by gum, to Kamo, Mino Province.

Alongside, blue framed "year of the monkey 7th month 4th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.7.4 (7 August 1872).

A scarce and attractive provincial destination cover bearing a Plate II pair with the Tokyo framed "Ken" cancellation.

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

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1871, 100 mon blue, plate I, tied by damaged rectangular Osaka marking to the reverse of a cover to Kyoto.

Alongside, framed vermilion datestamp "year of the monkey 7th month 5th day / Osaka postal bureau", or Meiji 5.7.5 (8 August 1872), with part strike of same-day Saikyo arrival on front.

This Osaka cancellation, measuring 11 x 35 mm and classified as Nakagawa type C, is recorded in use from Meiji 5.5 to 5.8. No fully readable strike has yet been found, lending this cover particular significance as an example of the elusive so-called Osaka "mystery mark".

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

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 143.

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1872, 1 sen blue, plate II, earliest printing, tied by blue framed "Ken" of Tokyo to a cover to Yokohama.

Alongside, blue framed "year of the monkey 7th month 12th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.7.12 (15 August 1872), and framed vermilion Yokohama arrival of the same date. Framed vermilion "Yokohama night dispatch" delivery mark alongside.

The latest recorded usage on cover of both the blue Tokyo "Ken" and the blue Tokyo datestamp. A particularly desirable terminal-date usage.

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

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1872, 1 sen blue, plate II (3, one damaged), tied by large "Hodogaya Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Hakone, Sagami Province. Alongside, manuscript dateline "year of the goat 7th moon 26th day", or Meiji 5.7.26 (29 August 1872).

The earliest recorded cover from Hodogaya, and a scarce provincial Dragon usage of considerable specialist interest.

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

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 66.

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1872, 2 sen vermilion, early printing (2), tied by large "Tokyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Saikyo. On the address side, framed "year of the monkey 7th month 28th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.7.28 (31 August 1872). On reverse, framed vermilion collection mark "morning dispatch" together with framed "Kojimachi postal branch office". Vermilion framed arrival of Saikyo postal bureau of Meiji 5.8.2 (4 September 1872).

During the regular period of framed "Ken" usage in Tokyo, the large Tokyo Kensazumi was temporarily re-employed. This cover represents the latest recorded date of that temporary usage.

A highly desirable terminal-date cover of notable postal-marking importance.

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

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 45; Dragon Covers, p. 67.

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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.

CV.