Lot Details

1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate II, earliest printing, a horizontal pair, tied by two strikes of framed non-standard "Ken" of Tokyo to the reverse of a local mail cover, slightly reduced at top. At lower left, framed "Matsuzumi" branch office mark. Framed non-standard "year of the cock 3rd month 25th day / Tokyo postal bureau", incomplete strike, of Meiji 6.3.15 (15 March 1873). On the address side, vermilion square framed "night" delivery mark. From Kanda Izumicho to Tokiwabashi.

A scarce and appealing city-district cover, especially notable for the combination of Matsuzumi branch office and "night" delivery markings.

Rate: Within city district, basic weight to 4 momme = 1 sen, from Meiji 5.3.1.