Lot 90030 – 1871, 500 mon earliest printing, on cover with “Large Kensazumi” with three characters in regular script (“Kaisho”)

1871, 500 mon, earliest printing in yellow green, vertical pair, plate 1 position 25 / 33, on large fragment together with block of four of 100 mon dark steel-blue, earliest printing, positions 1-2 / 9-10, both tied by two strikes of the very rare “Large Kensazumi” with three characters in regular script (“Kaisho”), which was used in the post offices east of Atsuta and Natoya “East Zone”. Alongside part of manuscript notation “…month 3rd day”, which limits the date of usage to Meiji 4.3.- or Meiji 4.4. -to be noted that the earliest recorded cover with this “Large Kensazumi” postmark dates from Meiji 4.3.13. The 500 mon in position 25 has two insect faults in upper margin which have been improved, although the position 33 is in superb condition.; the 100 mon multiple with natural wrinkling in two stamps -mentioned for accuracy-, otherwise being very fine with exceptional margins.

Only nine covers, two cover fronts and one large fragment are recorded exhibiting this very rare postmark, with this remarkable combination franking, featuring a 500 mon earliest printing pair and a 100 mon block, most probably being unique.