Lot 30304 – 1875, 20 sen bright rose syll. ri (9), THE RAREST SYLLABIC OF JAPANESE PHILATELY

ONE OF THE RAREST STAMPS OF JAPANESE PHILATELY1875, 20 sen bright rose, syllabic 9 (ri), porous cotton paper, long tool 9s perforation, cancelled by large « Bota » handstamp of Kagoshima, displaying a detailed impression. Tiny thin on reverse at top of no significance for this immense rarity, otherwise in fine condition. Certs. Philatelic Federation of Japan signed Dr. Sawa (2009) and Philatelic Museum Expert Committee signed Takano Norio (2009), Florian Eichhorn BPP (2023).Only two examples of this stamp are recorded, this being slightly better centred, both possessing Kagoshima large « Bota » postmarks. This must be considered as the rarest regular stamp of Japan without a variety, indeed the reason why the syllabic 9 (ri) was printed is shrouded in mystery. This example is offered at auction for the first time. (JSCA ¥ »- » unpriced).Together with 1875 6 sen orange syllabic 15 (yo), of which seven examples are known, are the rarest syllabics of a postally issued stamp of Japan. The 20 sen has more importance as it is much rarer and the sensation caused by its recent find. Both of these famous Japanese stamps are offered in this sale.Note and provenance:In January 1991 this stamp was discovered by Mr. Tai Michiharu, the owner of Japan Stamp Auction JSA, « hidden » in a lot with a starting price of ¥30,000 in a local stamp auction. In the description of that lot, it was mentioned that it included a « changed 20 sen perforation 9s Kagoshima Bota ». During viewing, he noticed the porous paper with perforation 9s (the same paper and perforation as for the 10 sen light blue syllabic 5). Although there were many floor attendants, he was the only floor bidder and the lot was knockdown to him at ¥31,000+13%. Later it turned out that the only mail bidder was a philatelist from the old Satsuma Province area where Kagoshima is located, and his bid was probably just intended for obtaining the postmark of Kagoshima on the ordinary 20 sen syllabic 8.On the reverse side of this stamp we find a violet crayon note « 40 », which corresponds to the numbering of the French « Yvert & Tellier » catalogue, so this example had probably returned from Europe to Japan.As the stamp is printed on porous (cotton) paper 9s perforated, it is assumed that it was produced in the second half of Meiji 8 (1875), contemporary with the printing of the 10 sen light blue syllabic 5. The second example of the 20 sen syllabic ri (9) surprisingly surfaced and was offered by an eBay.com seller in the United States, starting at only $9.99, to be sold in an auction scheduled to end on 17.10.2009. After an an incredible and intense bidding activity, the lot was sold to Mr. Yamaguchi Mitsuru of Japan for US$53,000. This find was defined as « the greatest discovery of the century ».The example presented here was acquired by Mr. Yamada Yuji in 2019, twenty-eight years after having been discovered by Mr. Tai Michiharu.Literature:Tai Michiharu in « Yamada Yuji collection tebori stamps », Narumi publishers Tokyo 2022, explanations p. 18 (abbreviated version)Tai Michiharu in JSCA Visual Vol. 1 Tebori, JPP publishers Tokyo 2023, pp. 166-170 (details of the discovery and aftermath)