Sale 1375 — The Nick Kardasis Collection of the 1869 Pictorial Issue, Part One
Sale Date — Tuesday, 21 April, 2026
Category — Fancy Cancellations and Illustrated Covers-U.S. Post Offices in Japan and China
2c Brown (113). Immense margins on three sides, straddle-pane single with natural straight edge at right showing part of arrow at bottom, Position 150L, showing trace of second grill at right, cancelled by clear strike of "HIOGO JAPAN" double-circle handstamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a magnificent stamp, ex Haas and Jon Rose, with 2007 P.F. certificate
2c Brown (113). Deep rich color, clear strike of "X" cancel of Yokohama, Japan, Very Fine and choice, with 2009 P.F. certificate
6c Ultramarine (115). Beautifully centered, unusually clear and complete strike of "HIOGO JAPAN" double-circle handstamp, completely sound
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY THE FINEST 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL BEARING THE "HIOGO JAPAN" U.S. POST OFFICE HANDSTAMP.
The 6c 1869 Pictorial is rarely found with the Hiogo, Japan, U.S. Post Office handstamp. 6c paid the interconsular rate, which is far less frequently encountered than the 10c rate to the United States. We have offered only five unduplicated examples of the 6c with a Hiogo cancel since keeping computerized records. All were either off-center, faulty or both. This superb stamp stands far above any other we have encountered.
Ex Zoellner, Jon Rose and Morton. With 1991 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Vivid color, well-proportioned margins, clear strike of "HIOGO JAPAN" double-circle handstamp, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp and certainly one of the finest with this cancel, ex Kantor, with 1965 and 1993 P.F. certificates
10c Yellow (116). Vibrant color, cancelled by bold strike of "N" cancel of Nagasaki, Japan, Extremely Fine centering and Extremely Fine strike of this rare cancel, with 2015 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Vibrant color, natural pre-printing paper crease, cancelled by bold strike of 4-Petal cancel of Nagasaki, Japan, Very Fine strike, with 2011 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Vibrant color, attractive strike of "X" cancel of Yokohama, Japan, also with magenta San Francisco datestamp at bottom, Extremely Fine, with 2021 and 2022 P.F. certificates (latter VF-XF 85 and undergraded in our opinion)
10c Yellow (116). Brilliant color, faint corner crease at top left, cancelled by Japanese Kanji characters handstamp (Skinner-Eno LC-K 6), Very Fine strike of this rare cancel, the characters can mean either "fee", "rate" and/or "charge", ex Eno and so likely the basis for the catalogue listing, with 2010 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (116). Rich color, cancelled by perfect strike of Japanese Characters in Circle cancel (unlisted in Skinner-Eno), also with trace of red circular datestamp cancel at lower left, Extremely Fine strike of this very rare cancel, after extensive research Mr. Kardasis was able to locate only two others—one in Sale 647, lot 1060, and the other in Sale 680, lot 763, where illustrated on front cover—with 1998 P.F. certificate
12c Green (117). Deep rich color, cancelled by bold strike of U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai 5-Point Star fancy cancel (unlisted in Skinner-Eno), faint creases, Very Fine appearance, this cancel was used by the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai (see Sale 966, lot 2110, for 12c on cover)
24c Green & Violet (120). Choice centering with enormous margins, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright paper, bold circle of wedges cancel used at U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT VALUES OF THE SET TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS—CANCELLED BY THE CIRCLE OF WEDGES USED AT U.S. POSTAL AGENCY IN SHANGHAI.
The configuration and dark ink of this circle of wedges cancel are identical to those applied at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai, as exemplified by the famous Bradford 30c 1869 cover. A few different types were used.
With 1986 and 2001 P.F. certificates.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Incredibly well-centered for this issue, deep rich colors on bright paper, clear strike of "X" cancel of Yokohama, Japan
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB STAMP AND RARE USE OF THE JAPANESE "X" CANCEL ON THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate reflecting their policy to decline opinion as to cancel's origin; however, the distinctive "chop" cancels of this type are known only on covers originating in Japan, which is reaffirmed in the 2011 P.F. certificate.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Rich colors, wide margins, cancelled by bold strike of "X" cancel of Yokohama, Japan
EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH THE RARE "x" cancel of YOKOHAMA, JAPAN. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN. THIS IS THE FINEST WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE.
The Michael Laurence 10c 1869 book (p. 288) notes irrefutable evidence that this cancel originated in Yokohama, Japan. The "Lady Alcock" cover, sent from Yokohama to Shanghai, proves that it could only have been struck in Yokohama. This cancel is more frequently seen on 10c stamps. It is extremely rare on the 90c. We are aware of six examples of this cancel on the 90c, and this is the finest.
Illustrated on the front cover of the Ivy and Mader March 29-31, 1995 catalogue. With 1994 P.S.E. certificate.