360 / Mai 2015 London

1871, Dragon issue 200 mon vermilion, plate I, vertical block of 10 and 2 vertical pairs, one pair clear at one side, otherwise all with good to large margins, nice fresh colour, tied by 2 clear strikes of Tokyo Kensazumi to reverse of triple rate envelope with adjacent manuscript date of 16. June 1871 and on front side red circle hakoba (letter box mark) of Kyobashi, sent to Saikyo (Kyoto); one stamp of right pair with central hole, the envelope some light creasing and small marginal fault, otherwise very fine and fresh. A beautifull and outstanding cover from the second month of the national postal system and one of the most spectacular items of classic Japan; signed Dr. Mertens and certificate Eichhorn BPP (2015)

1871, Dragon 100 m. dark blue, most striking error of engraving, position 18 with major variety "Dragon claw missing", two sides full to large margins, just touched at upper right and touched at left, unused without gum, certificate Eichhorn BPP JSCA #2f-v-2-18m

1874, Cherry blossom 20 s. reddish violet, syllable 3, on native paper, fresh colour, unused with full original gum, good perforation and very good centering, tiny rubbed spot under SE of crysanthemum, otherwise fine, signed Schlesinger and certificate Eichhorn BPP. JCSA Nr. 24

1923, unissued Royal Wedding 1½ s., 3 s. and 20 s., unused with original gum and tiny hinge marks, the two smaller values with bottom sheet margin, 3 s. very light gum bend, otherwise very fine and fresh, very rare.