Lot 30202 – 1874, 20 sen reddish violet, syllabic ro (2) pos. 15

1874, 20 sen reddish violet, syllabic 2 (ro), never issued, position 15 with variety consisting in « lightly etched syllabic », centred to left with fresh impression, part original gum. Minutely thinned at top and short perforation in lower right corner barely detracting. Cert. Philatelic Museum, Foundation (2016).

An exceedingly scarce example featuring the prominent variety of this value. Illustrated in the volume 2 of the « Gallery of Japanese Stamps » (1990). ( JSCA 24 (2) v1-15 ¥2,200,000).

Provenance:

A. M. Tracey Woodward (H. R. Harmer, London, 26-28.6.1939, lot 630, this being the only example from pos. 15 in his monumental collection)

H. G. Fletcher (Robson Lowe London, 11.9.1968, lot 1631)