Lot 387th Auction - 738710100999

1871, 100 mon dark steel blue, earliest printing, plate I position 1, tied large „Kensazumi" in small seal style (reisho) to reverse of cover from Minakuchi to Otsu. Manuscript (Meiji 4.) 3.3 dateline, or gregorian 22 April 1871.Cover was transported with the first ever postal dispatch of Japan going from Tokyo Meiji 4.3.1 (opening day of postal service), which was picked up in transit at Minakuchi Meiji 4.3.4 early morning and duly delivered in Otsu. Rate: 100 mon basic rate, separate area rate of 1st rate period. Cover opened out for display. Earliest recorded cover of Japanese Postal Service, Meiji 4.3.3