Lot Details

1872, 2 sen vermilion, middle period printing (2), tied by framed "Ken" of Tokyo to a cover to Osaka.

Alongside, framed "year of the monkey 8th month 8th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 5.8.8 (10 September 1872). Framed vermilion "noon dispatch", partly overstruck by the datestamp. From Meiji 5.8.1, there were two daily despatches of mail to Osaka; the P.M. 1 despatch was the "noon" (晝) despatch and was marked accordingly.

A scarce and highly interesting instructional-marking cover from the period of twice-daily despatches to Osaka.

Rate: Within 200 ri = 4 sen, second rate period.

Reference: Illustrated in 19th century, fig. 67.