Lot Details

1872, 1 sen blue, plate II, a vertical pair, tied by non-standard blue framed "Ken" of Tokyo on a cover to Setogawa, Suruga Province, near Fujieda. Alongside, manuscript dateline "7th moon 12th day dispatched". On the address side, vermilion framed "year of the goat 4th month 4th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.4.4 (10 May 1872).

The framed "Ken" in blue is recorded from Meiji 5.4.4 to 5.7.12, and this is the earliest recorded usage. The medium-sized vermilion Tokyo datestamp is likewise the latest recorded usage. Sender: ekiteiryo (General Post Office).

A highly important Tokyo usage, combining the earliest recorded blue framed "Ken" with the earliest known postal use of the 1 sen Plate II.

Rate: Within 50 ri distance = 2 sen, second rate period. The revised postal regulations of Meiji 4.12.5 stated Setogawa as "within 100 ri = 3 sen", but recorded distances vary between 49 and 51 ri. Tejima suggests that Setogawa was probably reclassified as "within 50 ri" by Meiji 5.3.1 (see 19th century, fig. 49).

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 49; Dragon Covers, p. 46.