1871, 48 mon brown, plate I, a vertical pair, positions 25-33, the latter with official pinhole at lower left, tied by large "Gose Kensazumi" in tensho style of Gose, Yamato Province, to the reverse of a cover to Osaka.

Manuscript dateline "10th month 21st day", or Meiji 5.10.21 (21 November 1872). Framed vermilion "Gose town / postal receiving and handling agency" alongside. At foot, framed arrival "year of the monkey 10th month 22nd day / Osaka postal bureau", or Meiji 5.10.22 (22 November 1872).

A rare and highly attractive usage of the Gose large Kensazumi in tensho style, combining uncommon postal marking with a well-presented pair on cover.

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

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 81.