Lot Details

1871, 200 mon vermilion, earliest printing, plate I, comprising vertical pair positions 31-39, strip of three positions 11-19-27, and at right vertical pair positions 32-40 (with official pinhole at upper right), tied by two strikes of large "Tokyo Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Saikyo.

The franking includes the major variety at position 31, "left dragon arm missing", as well as the variety at position 19, "right dragon hair missing". Manuscript dateline of Meiji 4, year of the goat, 6th month 27th day (13 August 1871).

Also showing a red circular framed hakoba-in "kyo" (京) of Kyobashi, a letter box mark used only during Meiji 4. The major variety at position 31 was retouched at an early stage (JSCA 3v-1-31; catalogue value loose ¥1.2 million).

A spectacular seven-stamp franking on cover, uniting major plating interest, scarce postal markings, and great exhibition value.

Rate: 1400 mon basic weight cover, Tokyo to Saikyo, separate area rate of the first rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 18.