Lot 90007 – 1871, 48 mon reddish brown, early printing, vertical pair on cover

1871, 48 mon reddish brown, early printing, vertical pair, positions 27 / 35, large balanced margins all around, showing at top the well-known « original plate crack » flaw, tied by large « Sakyo Kensazumi » postmark on reverse of cover (opened for display) to Minakuchi, Omi province, docketed alongside « (Meiji) 4th moon 27th day » (Gregorian 13 June 1871). Front displaying circular framed « yu » (for « yubinyakusho«  = near the postal bureau) « hakoba«  (mail deposit place) postmark in red. A rare franking displaying stamps in superb condition.

Note: The 100 mon corresponded to the single weight rate for a letter between Saikyo and Minakuchi, according to the 1st postal rate period of Meiji 4.3.1-4.12.4 (1871/72).