Lot 90141 – 1875, 15 sen violet, syllabic 2, in combination with “Cherry Blossom” 2 sen yellow on cover to England

1875, 15 sen violet, syllabic 2, in combination with “Cherry Blossom” 2 sen yellow “ribbon”, both very fine examples used on envelope addressed to the Temple Club in London, each cancelled by intaglio cross cancel of Tokyo with matching 9.2.11/16 Feb. 1876 cds on reverse, large red “Yokohama Paid all Feb 12” cds also tying the 2 sen, “5. / cents” (U.S. rate credit) two-line handstamp in same colour at left, and purple transit “San Francisco Cal. Feb. 29” cds below.

One of the finest covers known showing this scarce rate, which was only valid during three months.

Note: The 17 sen postage paid the foreign rate to the United Kingdom via USA (1 January to 31 March 1876). For a very similar cover see the Henry W. Moser collection (Corinphila auction in Dec. 1999, lot 153).

Provenance: Afinsa auction 24.4.2001 lot 177; Cherrystone auction 1.2.2022, lot 866.