Lot Details

1871, 200 mon, middle period printing, plate I, position 18, tied by four strikes of a vermilion framed seal-style marking, the private seal of the postmaster of Hokota, Hitachi Province, to the reverse of a cover initially addressed to Tokyo, with manuscript "11th month 8th day dispatched" alongside. Also showing framed vermilion "morning dispatch" delivery mark of Tokyo.

In Tokyo, Cherry Blossom native paper 1 sen and 2 sen (2) were added, tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo, and the letter was forwarded to Tomimura, Bizen Province. Framed "year of the monkey 11th month 11th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.11.11 (11 December 1872), alongside. Also transit framed non-standard "Okayama postal receiving and handling station".

A unique and highly important forwarded cover, combining mon and sen mixed franking with an exceptional red private seal cancellation.

Rate: Up to Tokyo, within 50 ri = 2 sen; from Tokyo, within 200 ri = 4 sen, plus 1 sen for delivery outside the postal delivery circuit, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 84.