Lot 30035 – 1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate 1 pos. 30, three copies exhibiting the three states of plate condition

1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate 1, position 30, exhibiting the three states of plate condition: pre-damaged (used example), and two unused without gum examples representing the damaged state and the retouched state, just the first state with one margin touched, otherwise margins ranging from clear to large. The damaged state strikingly exhibits most of the design of the dragon at left missing. (JHES ¥420,000).Note: The copper plate was progressively deteriorated with the use of corrosive vermilion ink. These damages were especially remarkable in positions 22, 26 and 30, which required the plates to be retouched and repaired.Provenance (Damaged state): Frederick H. Gloeckner (Kanai Stamp Co., 29.4.1967, lot 51)Metzelaar collection (R. Wolffers-Tokyo, 5.4.1981, lot 129)