Lot Details

1871, 100 mon blue, plate I, tied by damaged rectangular Osaka marking to the reverse of a cover to Kyoto.

Alongside, framed vermilion datestamp "year of the monkey 7th month 5th day / Osaka postal bureau", or Meiji 5.7.5 (8 August 1872), with part strike of same-day Saikyo arrival on front.

This Osaka cancellation, measuring 11 x 35 mm and classified as Nakagawa type C, is recorded in use from Meiji 5.5 to 5.8. No fully readable strike has yet been found, lending this cover particular significance as an example of the elusive so-called Osaka "mystery mark".

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

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 143.