Japan - Meiji Period, circa 1874–1885 (?). - Lot 296

Japan - Meiji Period, circa 1874–1885 (?). Early official Japanese postal stationery card of 5 rin orange (五厘), featuring an ornate circular imprinted stamp within an elaborate decorative orange border, characteristic of the first generations of Japanese postal stationery—Japan’s first postal cards were issued in December 1873. Postally used, canceled with two strikes of the black segmented-circle “killer” obliterator used by the early Japanese postal service, along with a circular date stamp. Handwritten address in Japanese, addressed to Mr. Ishihara Ihei (石原伊兵衛 (?)), Tsukiji, Odawara-chō, 2-chōme, No. 8 (Tokyo). The reverse is entirely covered with a long handwritten message in bold cursive Japanese script (kuzushiji/sōsho), a fine example of Meiji-era epistolary calligraphy. In good overall condition for a postal document of this period, with patina and light soiling. An interesting testament to the earliest years of Japanese postal history. Possibly from the same correspondence as the 2-sen Meiji postal stationery card addressed to Tsukiji in this sale. Keywords: philately, marcophily, postal stationery, Nippon, rin, killer cancel, mute cancel, kuzushiji, calligraphy, Tokyo, 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.