1872, 1/2 sen greyish brown, plate I, a vertical pair, positions 28-36, used in combination with Cherry Blossom 2 sen yellow "Ribbon", tied by two strikes of kiban i-he 7 of Takasago, Harima Province, to the reverse of an illustrated cover, reduced at top, to Naruo, a destination outside the postal delivery circuit.

The 1/2 sen pair paid the 1 sen messenger surcharge. Manuscript dateline "1st month 27th day" and double-circle type KG Takasago -1.5. Date is Meiji 9.1.5 (5 January 1876) at the earliest.

A scarce and attractive mixed franking, notable for the use of the 1/2 sen pair to satisfy the messenger fee.

Rate: Letter nationwide 2 sen, plus 1 sen to a place outside the postal delivery circuit = 3 sen, unified rate period from Meiji 6.4.1.

Provenance: Consul General Dr. Borchers (Rapp auction, 1986)

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 122.