Lot 30292 – 1875, 6 sen dull orange syll. yo (15), cancelled brush

ONE OF JUST SEVEN 6 SEN SYLLABIC 15 RECORDED

1875, 6 sen dull orange, privately made plates, syllabic 15 (yo), the so called “Tamaroku Yo”, quite well centred within virtually complete to ample margins on three sides, just partly touched at left, in an outstandingly intense deep colour and strong impression, cancelled by red brush cross used to denote postage due. A few perforations at top are thinned on reverse, small surface scuff and partly separated with scissors at bottom, these being of no significance, as all but one of the examples known have faults. Cert. Florian Eichhorn BPP (2023).

One of just seven examples of this stamp are recorded. Of all the examples extant, this exhibits the most intense colour, thus augmenting the desirability of this great rarity. To be significantly considered is that just one of the seven examples recorded is faultless. A great gem of Japanese philately. (JSCA unpriced; JHES ¥18,000,000; Michel €250,000).

Census -based on 1968 Dr. Ichida Soichi’s monograph on “Sumiroko” and on Yoshida Takashi’s ” ‘YO’ of Egg-brown-6; The New Discovery, 7th found” article included in the “Philatelic Journal” (2012, pages 147-148 published by Stampedia)-:

-A bit centred to top, used with negative postmark (Ichida serial no. 1), ex Caspary

-Centred to lower left, red postage-due usage (Ichida serial no. 1)

-Centred a bit to left, red postage-due usage (Ichida serial no. 7), sold for ¥8,500,000 in 1991 (JPS auction)

-The example presented here (Ichida serial no. 28)

-Centred to top right, used with negative postmark, pinhole type D, the only example faultless (Ichida serial no. 33)

-Centred to top with cancellation erased (see previous lot), (Ichida serial no. 36), ex King Carol II and Woodward)

-Centred to lower left, red postage due usage (Ichida serial no. 37)