Auction Detail
The Yasushi Tejima Collection Japan Dragon Stamps Part 1
1871, 48 mon plate II, a vertical pair, positions 24-32, used in combination with 100 mon plate I, position 8 (with official pinhole at upper right), tied by framed non-standard "ken" of Tokyo (type 4) to the reverse of a cover used within the city, from Ushigome Yugenzaka to Shiba, vertical envelope fold affecting stamps.
Framed datestamp "year of the monkey 10th month 5th day / Tokyo postal bureau", Meiji 5.10.5 (5 November 1872). Handwritten vermilion "Ushigome" of the Ushigome branch office, being the latest known usage. Also showing frameless vermilion "A.M. dispatch" collection mark, the earliest recorded example, with recorded period of use from Meiji 5.10.5 to Meiji 6.1.9.
An especially interesting Tokyo local cover, combining branch office notation, non-standard framed "ken", and the earliest known strike of this scarce dispatch marking.
Rate: City drop rate 1 sen, double weight = 2 sen, second rate period from Meiji 4.12.5 onward.
Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 159.
1872, 1 sen deep dull blue, plate III, position 5, showing the plate flaw "stroke missing in sen character", single franking tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo on a local cover roughly opened from Shitaya Takemachi to Shitaya Kanesugicho. On reverse, framed "year of the monkey 10th month 11th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.10.11 (11 November 1872). Alongside, framed collection mark "Matsuzumi". Vermilion single-line "midday dispatch" delivery mark. This Matsuzumi branch office mark is recorded from Meiji 5.9.16 to 7.9.17.
A highly interesting local cover, combining a plated flaw with attractive Tokyo branch-office and delivery markings.
Rate: Within city district, basic weight to 4 momme = 1 sen, from Meiji 5.3.1.
Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 79.
1872, 1 sen deep dull blue, plate III (2), tied by large "Shizuoka Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Iwabuchi, Suruga Province. Manuscript dateline "year of the monkey 10th month 19th day", or Meiji 5.10.19 (19 November 1872).
A scarce and highly appealing pair on cover, further enhanced by its provenance from the celebrated Dr. Ichida collection.
Rate: Within 25 ri distance = 1 sen, plus kobin area fee 1 sen = 2 sen, second rate period.
Provenance: Dr. Ichida
Reference: Illustrated in Ichida (1971), p. 173; Dragon Covers, p. 164.
1872, 1 sen blue, plate II, early printing, tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo to an illustrated local cover.
On reverse, framed "year of the monkey 10th month 19th day / Tokyo postal bureau", corresponding to Meiji 5.10.19 (19 November 1872). Frameless vermilion "morning dispatch" delivery mark.
A pleasing illustrated city cover, showing the 1 sen Plate II in attractive local usage within Tokyo.
Rate: Within city district, basic weight to 4 momme = 1 sen, from Meiji 5.3.1.
1871, 48 mon brown, plate I, a vertical pair, positions 25-33, the latter with official pinhole at lower left, tied by large "Gose Kensazumi" in tensho style of Gose, Yamato Province, to the reverse of a cover to Osaka.
Manuscript dateline "10th month 21st day", or Meiji 5.10.21 (21 November 1872). Framed vermilion "Gose town / postal receiving and handling agency" alongside. At foot, framed arrival "year of the monkey 10th month 22nd day / Osaka postal bureau", or Meiji 5.10.22 (22 November 1872).
A rare and highly attractive usage of the Gose large Kensazumi in tensho style, combining uncommon postal marking with a well-presented pair on cover.
Rate: Up to 25 ri distance = 1 sen, second rate period.
Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 81.
1872, 1/2 sen, plate II (2), upper stamp with corner fault and small rubbing spot, tied by framed non-standard "Nagoya Ken" to the reverse of a cover to Tokyo.
Manuscript dateline "10th month 26th day". Green framed non-standard "10th month 27th day / Nagoya station postal receiving and handling agency" on address side, corresponding to Meiji 5.10.26/27 (26/27 November 1872). Arrival framed non-standard "year of the monkey 10th month 30th day / Tokyo postal bureau" with vermilion vertical "A.M. dispatch" delivery mark alongside.
A scarce and well-marked cover, especially notable for the rare Nagoya fancy cancellation.
Rate: Within 25 ri = 1 sen, second rate period.
Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 165.
1871, 100 mon blue, plate I, two singles, positions 17 and 24, tied by tensho-style "Tsuruga / Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover via Imajo to a village near Honbo, all in Echizen Province.
At foot, vermilion framed "10th month 28th day / Tsuruga port / postal receiving and handling agency" of Meiji 5.10.28 (28 November 1872). Also showing framed transit "Imajo / postal handling agency".
A scarce and attractive cover, notable for the elegant tensho-style Tsuruga cancellation and clear postal route markings.
Rate: Within 25 ri distance 1 sen, plus 1 sen for delivery beyond the postal delivery circuit = 2 sen, second rate period.
Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 52.
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.
1871/72, 500 mon late printing, plate II, position 38, with 200 mon plate II and 1 sen plate II, tied by the private seal of the postmaster of Jizodo, Echigo Province, to a cover to Kyoto.
Sender's black manuscript "11th month 13th day dispatched". The franking is cancelled by two strikes of the tensho (seal-style) private name seal of the local postmaster (probably Miyashige), together with vermilion manuscript "year of the monkey 11th month 19th day / postal agent" of Meiji 5.11.19 (19 December 1872).
Transit markings include Teradomari, with very clear strike of the vermilion "Hokurikudo / Postal receiving and handling agency / Teradomari station", also red framed mark "-.11.24 / Kanazawa postal bureau". On address side, arrival "year of the monkey 11th month 27th day / Saikyo postal bureau", and below, small framed vermilion "morning delivery".
One of only seven known covers bearing the 500 mon Plate II, and an outstanding three-colour franking of great rarity and exhibition value.
Rate: Within 200 ri distance = 4 sen, double weight = 8 sen, second rate period.
Provenance: Arnold Ebel auction (Frankfurt, 1980)
Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 87.
1871/72, 5 sen bluish green on "tough paper" (Tejima term) and Cherry Blossom 2 sen vermilion tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo to an underpaid cover to Shimamura, Kozuke Province.
Manuscript date "year of the monkey 11th month 19th day", or Meiji 5.11.19 (19 December 1872). Also showing 500 mon Plate II (2, damaged, one only a small remainder, including position 33) and Cherry Blossom 1 sen blue, native paper (2), all with vermilion postage-due brush strokes and vermilion text "500 mon stamps 2 pieces" and "1 sen stamps 2 pieces". The amount due to be collected from the addressee was 12 sen. Framed Tokyo datestamp of Meiji 5.11.19 appears below the 1 sen Cherry Blossoms.
Despite the faults, this is a most extraordinary and complex cover, combining 5 sen and 500 mon Plate II usages. One of only eight recorded covers bearing the 500 mon Plate II.
Rate: Within 50 ri = 2 sen, triple weight = 6 sen, plus 1 sen to destination outside the delivery circuit, total 7 sen, second rate period. It appears the cover remained triple-weight underpaid and the missing 6 sen was charged double to the addressee.
Reference: Illustrated in Dragon Covers, p. 167.
1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate II, probably position 31, used in combination with Cherry Blossom 1 sen blue, tied by blue non-standard "Ken" of Tokyo on the reverse of a cover to Takahashi, Shinano Province.
Alongside framed "year of the monkey 11th month 10th day / Tokyo postal bureau" and corresponding "11th month 11th day" (21 December 1872).
A pleasing mixed franking from Tokyo, showing the 200 mon Plate II in combination with the 1 sen Cherry Blossom for a properly adjusted composite rate.
Rate: Within 50 ri = 2 sen, plus 1 sen for despatch to a place outside the postal delivery circuit = 3 sen, second rate period.
1872, 1 sen deep dull blue, plate II, middle period printing, perforation fault at upper right, tied by non-standard oval framed "Yamaguchi station" to a cover to Yoshida, Nagato Province. On reverse, vermilion framed non-standard "Suo Province Yamaguchi station / postal receiving and handling agency". No dateline, though usage is most probably Meiji 5 (1872).
A scarce and attractive provincial cover, distinguished by this unusual oval Yamaguchi station fancy cancellation.
Rate: Within 25 ri distance = 1 sen, second rate period.