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.