Lot 30251 – 1874, 20 sen deep reddish violet syll. 5, on cover

1874, 20 sen deep reddish violet, syllabic 5, intense shade and strong impression, tied by large “Nagasaki Nov. 11 12. M. Japan” cds on neat small-size blue envelope (portion of back flap missing) to Northampton, England. Adjacent showing large vermillion “Yokohama Nov. 12 Paid All” cds, with on back clear transit “San Francisco Dec. 5 Paid All” and bold Northampton arrival. Small closed tears at top of the envelope, just mentioned for accuracy and in no way detracting.

A splendid example of an exceedingly scarce single franking. (JSCA ¥1,500,000).