Japan - Meiji Period, circa 1873–1885 (?). - Lot 295

Japan - Meiji Period, circa 1873–1885 (?). Early official Japanese postal stationery card (官製葉書 – Kansei Hagaki) in 1 sen blue, featuring a circular imprinted stamp adorned with the imperial chrysanthemum and floral motifs, inscribed with "1 SEN" and 一銭, within an elaborate decorative blue border characteristic of the first generations of Japanese postal stationery — Japan’s first postal cards were issued in December 1873, only a few years after the invention of the postal card itself. Postally used, bearing a handwritten address in Japanese on the front and a long handwritten message in cursive Japanese script (kuzushiji) on the reverse. Several postmarks are present, including black circular date stamps and a red circular handstamp, possibly from Yokohama (横濱) (?). A printed cartouche indicates that only the address was to be written on this side, with the message reserved for the reverse. In good overall condition for a postal document of this period, showing patina, soiling, traces of postal handling, and slight wear to the corners. An interesting artifact from the earliest years of Japanese postal history. Keywords: philately, marcophily, postal stationery, Nippon, chrysanthemum, kuzushiji, calligraphy, Yokohama, domestic mail, early Japanese postal service, Meiji era. The descriptions are based on our interpretation of the postmarks and handwritten inscriptions, which are sometimes difficult to decipher; they are provided in good faith and without guarantee.