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JAPAN 1876-1899

Return To Catalogue - Japan 1871-1875 - Japan 1900-1920

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Japan 1871-1875

1876 Various designs with Chrysanthemum, inscription "IMPERIAL JAPANESE POST", so-called Koban issue

Image obtained from Christer Bergstrom Image obtained from Christer Bergstrom Image obtained from Christer Bergstrom Image obtained from Christer Bergstrom Genuine! Genuine!

25 s green
Is this a telegraph cancel?

  5 r grey
  1 s black
  1 s brown
  1 s green
  2 s brown
  2 s violet
  2 s red
  3 s orange
  3 s lilac
  4 s green
  4 s brown
  5 s brown
  5 s blue
  6 s orange
  8 s brown
  8 s violet
  10 s blue
  10 s brown
  12 s red
  15 s green
  15 s violet
  20 s blue
  20 s red
  25 s green
  30 s lilac
  45 s red


  50 s red
  50 s brown
  1 Y red (center embossed)

Forgeries

Forgeries exist, some tips on how to recognize the easier ones can be found at http://www.isjp.org/Expert/Koban/koban.html. On many forgeries the cancels are 'printed' and also the 'San-ko' sign often appears somewhere in the design.


Forgeries of the 12 s


Forgery of the 45 s value, with the words 'San-ko' added in the design, between the sun and the chrysantheum; next to the plants at each side.


Besides the leaves above the word "JAPANESE" the words 'San-ko' are added to the design in this forgery of the 1 s, 2 s and 3 s. In the 2 s it appears as almost two white patches besides those leaves. Also note that the cancel 'stops' before the end of the stamp in the 3 s.


Almost identical forgeries as the 2 s shown above, with the cancel in exactly the same location. Yet, I can't see the 'San-ko' signs.


Forgery of the 3 s orange.


Some other forgeries of the 5 s, 10 s and 20 s values. The 5 s value has the word 'San-ko' in the design in the ellipse next to the 'OS' of 'POST' at both sides. The cancel on the 10 s is printed and appears in the same position in many of these forgeries.


The 5 s forgery as shown above, with identical cancel, but without the words 'San-ko'.


In the white ellipse to extra characters 'San-ko' are added at the level of the "OS" of "POST" at both sides in this forgery of the 8 s.


This forgery also has the words 'San-ko', are added at the level of the "OS" of "POST" at both sides. But the forger added a fancy cancel to cover these signs up.


Forgery of the 50 s with the words 'San-ko' written at both sides of the word "SEN" (almost invisible).


Forgeries of the 1 s with printed cancel (the cancel is slightly misaligned and leaves some white spots in the design)


Forgery of the 8 s value with very badly done lettering, for example the "S" of "JAPANESE"


Forgery of the 15 s value.


Forgeries of the 45 s and 50 s.


Another rather primitive forgery of the 4 s green value.

I've seen some forgeries with cancels "NAGASAKI" and "JOKOHAMA" (both in western script in a single circle and with no date), possibly made by the forger Spiro:

I've seen this forgery with a 'NAGASAKI' cancel


Forgeries with the bogus cancel "NAGASAKI", reduced size. I've seen sheets of 5x5 stamps with "NAGASAKI" and "JOKOHAMA" cancels on the same sheet. They were most likely made by Spiro.


A dealer label of "W.STANEK PRAGUE" in a similar design.


Imperforate 'postal stationary', most likely a cut from a souvenir card.

 

1894 Imperial wedding 25 anniversary

  2 s red
  5 s blue

1896 Prince Arizugawa and Kitasirakwa

2 s red

  2 s red (Arizugawa)
  2 s red (Kitasirakawa)
  5 s blue (Arizugawa)
  5 s blue (Kitasirakawa)

 

1899 New type

stamp used in Korea 5 s yellow 6 s brown

  5 r grey
  1/2 s grey (1901)
  1 s brown
  1 1/2 s blue (1900)
  1 1/2 s lilac (1906)
  2 s green
  3 s brown
  3 s red (1906)
  4 s red
  5 s yellow
  6 s lilac (1906)
  8 s olive
  10 s blue
  15 s lilac
  20 s orange
  25 s green
  50 s brown
  1 Y red

On the 1 Y, the flower in the center is embossed. These stamps were used overprinted in japanese caracters in China and Korea.

In 1912 a military stamp was issued, the 3 s red, overprinted with two Japanese characters:

Postal stationary in the same design:

 

Japan 1900-1920


Copyright by Evert Klaseboer