JAPAN, 1871, 200m Vermilion on Native Wove Paper, Plate I (3a). Vertical block of six, Positions 1-2/9-10/17-18 from upper left corner of Plate I, beautiful fine early impression and vibrant color, mostly large to full margins except just touched at bottom right, single clear strike of Tokyo Kensazumi cancel, slight wrinkling as usual for this thin paper, but entirely sound

VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING USED BLOCK OF THE 1871 200-MON DRAGON ISSUE -- USED BLOCKS OF THE 200-MON ARE RARE, BUT THIS BLOCK ON NATIVE WOVE PAPER IS OF EVEN GREATER RARITY, AND THE EARLY IMPRESSION FROM PLATE I ADDS TO ITS SIGNIFICANCE AND VALUE.

The 1871 first issue of Japan, the 48, 100, 200 and 500-mon Dragon designs with values printed in black, were printed on different papers from two frame plates of each value. The 200-mon is found on native laid paper and native wove paper, the wove being considerably scarcer. Although unused multiples, including complete sheets, have survived, used multiples are much scarcer, and blocks are rare. Among used blocks of the 200-mon value, this block of six stands out as a printing on wove paper and an early impression showing all of the fine detail of the frame design (the intermediate and late impressions show wear). A thorough search of auction catalogues (Woodward, Levy, Moser, et al) and the Kanai collection located very few used blocks of the 200-mon from Plate I or II on or off cover, most of which are on laid paper.

Ex Tracey Woodward (Harmer's London, June 26-28, 1939, lot 62).

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