1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate II (2), tied by framed non-standard "Ken" of Tokyo to the reverse of an illustrated local mail cover. At foot, vermilion framed "Azabu branch office", the earliest recorded usage of this marking. Also framed non-standard "year of the cock 2nd month 4th day / Tokyo postal bureau" of Meiji 6.2.4 (4 February 1873). On the address side, vermilion framed "night" delivery mark. From Surugadai to Azabu.

An important Tokyo local cover, combining earliest-recorded branch office usage with attractive illustrated-envelope appeal.

Rate: Within city district, basic weight to 4 momme = 1 sen, from Meiji 5.3.1.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 92.