1871, 48 mon light reddish brown, plate 1, late printing, three examples unused without gum as issued, all featuring prominent positional varieties, including: position 1, spines retouched; position 16, plate crack and dot missing in denomination's script; position 27, large crack. All well margined. A very fine and unusual ensemble. (JSCA ¥180,000). (Image)

1871, 48 mon reddish brown, plate 1, early printing, block of six (2x3) showing positions 23-24 / 31-32 / 39-40, unused without gum as issued, good uniformly balanced margins. Very fine and fresh appearance. (JHES ¥370,000). (Image)

1871, 48 mon light reddish brown, plate 1, late printing, complete sheet of 40, unused without gum as issued, displaying margins all around and being large on two sides; bright shade and detailed impression, including the four positional pinholes (type R) -mostly respecting the designs- used to simultaneously fix various sheets before being cut. Very fine and rare. An essential exhibition item in a highly advanced collection. (JSCA ¥2'500'000). (Image)

1871, 48 mon brown, plate 1, late printing, complete sheet of 40, unused without gum as issued, showing the constant varieties in positions 1, 2, 16, 27 & 35, intense shade and quite fresh impression, slightly touched at top left, with margins ranging from good to very large in other respects, clearly showing part of the positional pinholes in positions 20 and 38 (type R). Very fine and rare. An essential exhibition item in a highly advanced collection. (JSCA ¥2,500,000). (Image)

1871, 48 mon deep reddish brown, plate I, earliest printing, position 28, three large margins to clear at top, in an uncommonly strong shade, cancelled by large "Kensazumi" type with three characters in regular script. Very fine. Provenance: Dr. Tani Takashi (Image)

1871, 48 mon brown, plate 1, block of four, positions 21-22 / 29-30, together with pair from positions 7-8, both with large margins and an infrequent deep shade, tied to piece by complete strike of large "Tokyo-Kensazumi" hs. A magnificent showpiece. (JSCA ¥590'000+). (Image)

1871, 48 mon brown, plate 1, position 39, a well margined single displaying an excellent impression and rich colour, ideally tied by framed "Saikyo Ken" to reverse of Saikyo local cover, showing on front clear strikes of framed "(year of ) Water Ape 11th Month 13th Day / Saikyo Post Office" (Gregorian 13 December 1872) and framed "Afternoon Delivery" hs, both in red, and circular "Muro" of Muromachi "Hakoba" (mail deposit place). Cover backed up and opened for display having slight insect damage not affecting the stamp. Certs Philatelic Federation of Japan (2011), Florian Eichhorn BPP (2023). To our knowledge, twelve single frankings of the 48 mon are recorded, of which eight are in private hands, with this undoubtedly being one of the finest. Note: A special reduced inner-city mail rate of 48 mon per each 4 momme was introduced at Saikyo/Kyoto and Osaka at Meiji 4.12.5 . Before that date, the 48 mon value was intended to pay the fractions certain postal increment above the single weight, as it did not suffice to pay the single weight letter rate. Saikyo was a temporary renaming of Kyoto during the Meiji era, between Meiji 4 and Meiji 9 (1871-ca1876). Provenance: Frederick H. Gloeckner (Kanai Stamp Co. June 25th 1967 lot 1) Census of the twelve 48 mon single frankings on cover we have documented: -The example presented here -17.9.1871: Yokohama to Tokyo, in the Tejima collection -14.10.1871: Yokohama to Tokyo, in the Kanai collection (The Philatelic Culture Museum) -14.11.1871: Tokyo to Yokohama, ex Fukuhara collection -1.12.1871: Yokohama to Tokyo, in the Tejima collection -2.12.1871: Yokohama to Tokyo, in the Suzuki collection -27.5.1872 Saikyo City drop letter, in the Nathaniel collection -15.7.1872: Saikyo City drop letter, in the Tejima collection -24.12.1872: Saikyo City drop letter, in the Tejima collection -20.1.1873: Saikyo City to Osaka area, ex Peplow and in the Suzuki collection -30.1.1873: Saikyo City drop letter, in the Kanai collection (The Philatelic Culture Museum) -16.2 (year unavailable): From Tokyo to Yokohama, in the Kanai collection (The Philatelic Culture Museum) (Image)

THE ONLY RECORDED COMBINATION COVER WITH A PRIVATE COURIER BEARING THE "NUMBER ONE" 1871, 48 mon brown, plate 1, vertical strip of four, positions 8 / 16 / 32 / 40, mainly good margins, tied by large "Nagoya Kensazumi" hs to reverse of cover (opened for display) from Nagoya (Owari) to Yamada (Ise), dated lunar 1st month 11th day (Gregorian 27 February, 1872), showing below superb strike of framed three-line Ise Yamada handstamp of the local Suzukiya Takeuemon courier company. Insect hole damage, affecting the stamp at base and parts of the cover (backed), still though perfectly preserving the superb strike of the courier company. Cert. Florian Eichhorn BPP (2023). Fourteen State Post - private courier combination covers are documented exhibiting the "Dragon" (10) or "Cherry Blossom" (4) stamps. See "Hiyaku to Yubin" (private couriers and state mails) by Mr. Yamazaki Yoshiyuki, Narumi publishers 2016, pp. 135/148 and 306/318. This is the only known cover with the first stamp of Japan, which was carried through the state postal service and then a local private courier mail handler. Illustrated in the Dr. Ichida's handbook on "Dragon" issues, second edition of 1971, page 13. Note: The state postal connection between Nagoya and Yamada (Ise) existed only up to Yokkaichi (Ise). Consequently it required the service of a "hikyaku" (literally "flying feet", private courier company) to deliver the mail. The company Suzukiya Takeuemon, which was used in the carriage of this letter, was already established since 1776 (Ansei 5). The 200 mon rate covered the Nagoya-Yokkaichi route and was paid with the stamps, according to the single rate for 4 nomme within a distance of 50 ri. The combination service of State Post and "hikyaku" west of Osaka was possible during 18 months only, between Meiji 4.8. and Meiji 6.3.31. Provenance: Watanabe Yoshio (Image)

1871, 48 mon brown, plate 2, vertical block of six, positions 23-24 / 31-32 / 39-40 including the "Blind Dragon" prominent variety in position 24, positional pinhole (type R disposition) at top left of the upper second stamp, barely touched at top, otherwise margins varying from good to very large, unused without gum as issued. A remarkable multiple. (JHES ¥380,000+). (Image)

THE "CASPARY" - "NUMBER ONE" COMPLETE SHEET 1871, 48 mon dark brown, plate 2, complete of sheet of 40, unused without gum as issued, including constant varieties in a deep shade uniformly distributed and crisp impression, positional pinholes type R, excellent margins all around being nicely balanced as well, positions 11, 18, 20, 26 & 27, unused without gum as issued. (JSCA ¥2,600,000). An exquisite quality example of this rare "Number One" plate 2 sheet. Provenance: Alfred H. Caspary (H.R. Harmer New York, 28.10.1958, lot 54) (Image)

1871, 48 mon yellowish brown, plate 2, vertical pair from positions 8 / 16, good margins all around except in upper right corner as a result of the positional pinhole at top right, showing very fine strike of seal-style (tensho) "Sakurai Kensazumi" framed postmark of Sakurai (Yamato Province). A decidedly appealing and rare showpiece. (JHES ¥380,000). Note: The printing period of plate 2 was short and almost no variable shades but dark brown are known. The yellowish shade is rare and the few existing pieces emanate from Sakurai. (Image)

1871, 100 mon indigo, plate 1, early printing, block of four, positions 17-18 / 25-26, ample even margins, unused without gum as issued, position 25 with tiny surface scuff in upper left corner. A scarce block in a very appealing bright indigo shade. (JSCA ¥240,000). (Image)

1871, 100 mon intermediate printing, plate 1, complete sheet of 40, including constant varieties in positions 3, 7 and 8 in the ornate surrounding the dragons, unused without gum as issued, positions 8 and 16 touched at right due to an irregular cut by the printers, otherwise clear to large margins. Faint horizontal fold between the second and third horizontal rows and vertical in centre, not affecting the designs and not detracting. A very fine example of this rare first-issue sheet, of great visual impact with this radiant and appealing shade. (JSCA ¥2,400,000). (Image)

1871, 100 mon dark steel-blue, plate 1, earliest printing, very fresh possessing very good and even margins all around, showing a very fine strike of the upper part of large "Kensazumi" handstamp with three characters in seal script (Tensho), also known as "Eguchi type". A superb example with this very rare cancellation. Note: The "Eguchi" type cancellation, named after the philatelist and author Eguchi, is a local variety of the three-character "Kensazumi" handstamp in Reisho script, up to now confirmed to be used in Saikyo and Osaka only. It is assumed that, due to the increasing number of mail in the first week of issue, the "ekiteiryo" (G.P.O.) of Osaka branch office manufactured two extra postmark devices Reisho script in the first week of Meiji 4.3, which clearly differed in character style from the standard type distributed in Meiji 4.2. The three recorded covers confirm the usage of these additional postmarks during the period of Meiji between 4.3.7 and 4.4.7; Eguchi mentioned them for the first time in his classic "Early Meiji period postmarks of Japan", although back in the 1950s nobody believed these to be genuine. (See the recent work by Yamazaki Yoshiyuki: "Dragon Stamps Plating Book", Tokyo (Narumi) 2017, pages. 101-103). Provenance: Eguchi H. (Image)

1871, 100 mon dark steel-blue, plate 1, earliest printing, a magnificent and fresh example displaying large balanced margins on all sides, cleanly cancelled by large "Kensazumi" three-characters postmark. Most desirable in this outstanding condition. (JHES ¥150,000). (Image)

1871, 100 mon dark steel-blue, plate 1, earliest printing, position 11, strong colour, full to very large margins, neatly cancelled by large "Kensazumi" three-characters postmark. A desirable example exhibiting the typical sharp impression of the earliest printings and enabling a well detailed design to be admired. (JHES ¥150,000). (Image)

1871, 100 mon dark steel-blue, plate 1, earliest printing, a large margined example boasting a very unusual intense shade, tied to piece by the "head portion" of large "Kensazumi" postmark featuring three characters in Reisho script hs to piece. An extremely fine and unusual earliest-printing example, further enhanced by the rare "Eguchi" type cancellation (only three covers recorded). (Image)

1871, 100 mon blue, wove paper, plate 1, position 35, mainly very large margins, glowing colour, tied to piece by a clear strike of framed seal-style (tensho) postmark from Iwamuro P.O. in the province of Kawachi, rare partial "Iwamuro..." framed hs adjacent. Cert. Philatelic Museum Foundation (2008). (Image)

1871, 100 mon blue, plate1, block of four from positions 5-6 / 13-14, excellent and balanced margins all around, deep shade and clear impression, showing the "head portion" of large "Tokyo-Kensazumi" hs. Very fine and rare. (JSCA ¥300'000). (Image)

1871, 100 mon dark steel-blue, plate 1, earliest printing, position 6, very good impression, wide margins all around, used on reverse of Meiji 4.3.9 (29 April 1871) folded envelope from Maisaka (Totomi Province) to Futagawa (Mikawa Province), tied by large "Kensazumi" handstamp with three characters in regular script (Kaisho), which was used in the post offices and agencies east of Atsuta and Nagoya ("East Zone"). Includes original letter dated 3rd month 9th day, sent by the Maisaka postmaster to the Futagawa postmaster. This cover was dispatched eight days after establishment of postal services in Japan. Envelope with some insect damage not affecting the franking. Cert. Philatelic Museum Foundation (2014). It is also included a letter written by the Maisaka postal agent and addressed to another postal agent in Futagawa. This document ads an additional degree of rarity, as this is a rare feature encountered in this period. Nine covers and three cover fronts are documented bearing the large "Kensazumi" in Kaisho script; this is the earliest recorded date for a cover with Kaisho script postmark, together with a cover front from Toyohashi. A very early postal history example on the ninth day of the establishment of Japanese postal services (1871). Illustrated on page 86 of the 2017 "Dragon Stamps Plating Book" by Yamazaki Yoshiyuki (JHES ¥6,000,000). (Image)

1871, 100 mon dark steel-blue, plate 1, earliest printing, position 26, well margined except for being touched in a very small place at right, rich colour, tied by large "Kensazumi" handstamp featuring three characters in clerical script (Reisho) and used in the West Zone, on cover from Otsu to Minakuchi, both in Omi Province. Manuscript date unclear, although presumably during the week after the establishment of postal services in Japan. Cover opened for display, backed up with two small portions of paper missing. Illustrated on page 96 in the "Dragon Stamps Plating Book" by Yamazaki published in 2017. Cert. Philatelic Federation of Japan. Cert. Philatelic Federation of Japan (2000). Sixteen covers are documented to exist with this desirable cancellation in Reisho, half of them exhibiting a neat strike. (See the recent work by Yamazaki Yoshiyuki: "Dragon Stamps Plating Book", Tokyo (Narumi) 2017, pages. 101-103). Provenance: Takahashi private treaty 2001, used for the title page illustration (estimated at ¥4,800,000 = €35'000) (Image)

1871, 100 mon blue, plate 1, position 6, applied on reverse of small Western-style envelope to Yokohama, tied by head portion of large "Tokyo (Kensazumi)" hs, showing framed red "(year of) Water Monkey ... Moon 15th Day/Tokyo P. O." (Gregorian spring 1872) datestamp alongside. Harmless filing fold through centre well clear of the franking. Mon Dragon covers used between foreign residents are rare. Note on the date: The practice of using the head of the cancellation only went into force when the G.P.O. ordered the cutting-off of the bottom three characters of the large place name-kensazumis handstamps; according to Mr. Tejima, the head-portion usage periods for Tokyo are: Meiji 5.2.1-5.4.2 (the first period of usage) and Meiji 5.7.14-7.28 (the second period of usage, being shorter); the framed datestamp in red was only used from Meiji 5.4 to 5.4. Consequently, this allow us to date the cover within the earlier period. Note on the addresses: The cover was addressed to "R. B. Baker Esqr. No 78" in Yokohama, and sent by "Tsukiji / Loureiro". The sender, Eduardo Loureiro, was the Portuguese consul for Kanagawa and Yedo residing in the Tokyo-Tsukiji foreign concession, while the addressee Mr. Baker was the manager of the Chartered Mercantile Bank. (Image)

1871, 100 mon dark steel-blue, plate 1, earliest printing, vertical pair from positions 5 & 13 and single from position 24, together with with 200 mon vermilion, plate 1, position 31 featuring retouched "Missing Arm", all well margined, used on reverse of cover from Shizuoka (Suruga Province) to Yokohama, tied by large "Shizuoka Kensazumi" framed handstamp. Manuscript date 5th moon 8th day ( Gregorian 25 June 1871). The 500 mon rate corresponded to the first postal period, Meiji 4.3.1-4.12.4. A very appealing and scarce first-issue combination cover. Provenance: Maurice Burrus (Kanai Stamp Co., 12.10.1963, lot 89) Dr. Tani Takashi (Image)

1871, 100 mon blue, plate 2, position 18 featuring the prominent "Right Dragon Arm Missing" variety, close but clear margins at left, good to large in other respects, unused without gum as issued. Cert. Florian Eichhorn BPP (2023). (JSCA 2v-2-18, ¥2,000,000). As a result of the detailed impression and rich shade, a very fine example of this very rare and desirable variety. Note: This striking omission in the dragon design was never retouched, as evidenced by the reappearance of this error in the 1 sen dragon plate 2. The high catalogue value of this error in the JSCA catalogue clearly reflects the rarity of this variety and the very low number issued of the 100 mon plate 2 in comparison with the 1872 1 sen blue with the same error, as the former is priced over eighteen times higher. (Image)

1871, 100 mon blue, plate 2, position 26, with the right dragon's hair retouched variety, full margins all around, lightly cancelled. Paper adherence's on reverse and thinned. (JSCA 2v-2-26, ¥400,000). According to Lois M. Evans-de Violini, only nine examples of this variety are recorded, of which five are in used condition. (Image)