Sale 1280 — The Magnolia Collection: Japanese Foreign Mail and Post Offices
Sale Date — Wednesday, 29 March, 2023
Category — Degron-kun Markings & French-Japanese Mixed Frankings
JAPAN, 1872, 1s Blue on Native Laid Paper, Plate II (6). Tied by bold strike of framed ken cancel ("examined") applied at the Tokyo Central Post Office, used with two pairs of France, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60), tied by "5118" dotted diamond cancel, "Yokohama Bau Francais 2 Juil. 72" double-circle datestamp and red "PD" framed handstamp on small cover to Docteur (Professor Victor) Jourdan, Lyon, France, envelope flap with red printed "AJ" insignia of Captain Jourdan (family name and one of his surnames, Albert), Marseilles (Aug. 20) and Lyon (Aug. 21) backstamps, with original letter datelined "Yedo le 30 Juin 72" signed "A. Jourdan" to his sister Benedicte (later Madame Dumont) with news of local and military events, 1s stamp has small tears at top and right, we do not see laid lines but have classified it as Native Laid Paper to agree with certificatesVERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY MIXED-FRANKING COVER WITH A JAPAN 1872 ONE-SEN DRAGON STAMP PAYING INTERNAL POSTAGE FROM TOKYO TO YOKOHAMA, USED IN COMBINATION WITH FRANCE 1871 25-CENTIMES CERES STAMPS PAYING THE ONE-FRANC RATE FROM JAPAN TO FRANCE BY FRENCH PACKET VIA MARSEILLES. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED COVER WITH A COMBINATION OF THE DRAGON ISSUES OF JAPAN AND STAMPS OF ANOTHER COUNTRY.
The discovery of this cover in a correspondence that came to light in 2015 filled a longtime void in Japanese philately. It is the first and only recorded cover to or from another country with a Japanese Dragon Issue stamp. Since the first two issues of Japan--the Large Dragon “Mon” and “Sen” currency stamps--were intended only for internal postage, their use on international mail could only occur when foreign postage was paid separately. Therefore, any Large Dragon foreign-mail cover must be either an outer envelope that contained an internal cover (inbound or outbound) or, as in the case here, the Large Dragon stamp must be used with foreign stamps. Such a cover was purely theoretical and extremely unlikely, since the Dragon stamps were superseded by the Cherry Blossom issue in August 1872. The later "Degron-kun" covers have Cherry Blossom stamps.
According to an article by Matsumoto Jun Ichi (published in English in Japanese Philately, Vol. 70, No. 4, August 2015), this One-Sen Dragon cover is one of approximately 40 covers from the Captain Jourdan correspondence that were acquired by Richard Menozzi, J. Robineau & Co., stamp dealers in Paris. It is reported in the 2015 Matsumoto article that the discovery was made "recently," meaning shortly before the One-Sen cover was offered on May 19, 2015, in the Ferri Auction Co. sale at the Rue Drouot in Paris. This cover was certified by Menozzi on May 20, 2015, and by Calves et Jacquart on the following day, May 21.
As Matsumoto explains in his article, this cover was sent by Claude Gabriel Louis Albert Jourdan (1840-1898), who was captain of Combat Engineers and a member of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army as a military instructor. Captain Jourdan resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo.
The French Military Mission members at Nagatacho routinely sent their letters to the French post office in Yokohama by a Japanese courier. Such letters were prepaid with French stamps only. In this instance, on July 1, 1872, rather than carry the letter to Yokohama, the courier placed it in the mail at the Tokyo Central Post Office, housed in the Ministry of Posts at Yokkaichi. Matsumoto speculates that the postal clerk, observing the French stamps and lack of Japanese postage, accepted one sen in currency and affixed the One-Sen Dragon stamp, cancelling it with the ken marking, meaning “examined.” One sen was the single rate (up to 15 grams) from Tokyo to Yokohama. Although this was not strictly in accordance with the procedure for handling foreign mail, Matsumoto believes the Japanese post office was eager to accommodate the request to process this letter.
There is no Tokyo datestamp or domestic address of the French post office in Yokohama, as found on the “Degron-kun” covers, which started in January 1873. Matsumoto reports that Chikatsuji Kiichi, a specialist in Japanese postal history, thinks the Jourdan letter was placed in an official business envelope, which was addressed to the French post office in Yokohama. We further suggest that there were other letters in the same envelope, and perhaps each one had a One-Sen stamp paying internal postage.
The Jourdan cover was carried from the central post office to the Shinagawa railway station. A new temporary train service between Shinagawa and Yokohama commenced June 12, 1872, a few weeks before this cover was carried. The mail containing this letter was brought to the French post office, a short distance from the railway station in Yokohama, and the French postal clerk cancelled the 25-centimes stamps with the “5118” dotted diamond cancel and applied the July 2 “Yokohama Bau [Bureau] Francais” datestamp and red ”PD” (Paid to Destination) handstamp. It was carried on the Messageries Maritimes Volga, departing Yokohama July 3, and arriving in Hong Kong July 11. From Hong Kong it was carried on the MM Provence, departing July 13 and traveling via the Suez Canal to Marseilles, where it arrived August 20. The French rate for a letter carried by French Packet on this route was 100-centimes (one franc) per 15 grams, which is paid by the two pairs of the 25c Ceres Issue. The Lyon post office received the letter on August 21, 1872.
With Calves et Jacquart certificate (May 21, 2015) and J. Robineau & Cie certificate signed by Richard Menozzi (May 20, 2015).
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JAPAN, 1872, 1s Blue on Native Wove Paper (10). Vertical pair, perfs trimmed at left and bottom, tied by one of two strikes of Tokyo double-circle datestamp on back of small cover to Mons. Jourdan, Lyon, France, bold Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on back, used with France, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60) pair and 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57), tied by "5118" dotted diamond cancel, partly readable "Yokohama Japon" double-circle datestamp (date illegible), red "PD" framed handstamp, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 9 Juil 74" double-circle datestamp, Lyon receiving backstamp (Jul. 10), with original letter datelined "Yedo 12 Mai 1874" from Captain Jourdan to his sister BenedicteVERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE DEGRON-KUN MIXED-FRANKING COVER WITH THE 1872 CHERRY BLOSSOM ISSUE AND FRENCH CERES ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH ORIGINAL LETTER FROM A MEMBER OF THE FRENCH MILITARY MISSION.
This cover was sent by Claude Gabriel Louis Albert Jourdan (1840-1898), who was captain of Combat Engineers and a member of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army as a military instructor. Captain Jourdan resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities.
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Four, tied by multiple strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, illegible strike of "Yokohama Japon 23 Nov 74" double-circle datestamp on small cover to Mons. Jourdan, Lyon, France, bold Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on back, red "PD" framed handstamp, Lyon receiving backstamp (Jan. 6, 1875), with original letter datelined "Yedo 22 Novembre 1874" from Captain Jourdan to his brother Gabriel, Very Fine, a rare "Degron-kun" cover with the Type 1 handstamp, but no Japanese stamps were affixed (internal postage paid in cash)
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JAPAN, 1874, 2s Yellow on Foreign Wove Paper (34). Syllabic 21, lightly struck quartered cork cancel, Tokyo double-circle datestamp on back of small cover to Madame Jourdan, Lyon, France, clearly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on back, used with four France, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60) and 1875, 10c Bister, Large Numerals (60; Yvert 54), tied by multiple strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, partly clear strike of "Yokohama Bau Francais 20 Mars 76" double-circle datestamp, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 5 Mai 76" double-circle datestamp ties 2s stamp, Lyon receiving backstamp (May 5), with original letter on "AJ" insignia stationery datelined "Tokio 20 Mars 1876" from Captain Jourdan to his sister Benedicte, enclosing an original carte-de-visite picturing Japanese geishas on a boat (pencil description on back in Captain Jourdan's hand dated Mar. 20, 1876), top 20% of Japanese stamp was folded over edge and is now missing along with a piece of backflap, French stamps have small faultsOVERALL FINE. A COLORFUL AND RARE MIXED-FRANKING DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH JAPAN 1874 2-CENT CHERRY BLOSSOM ISSUE AND FRENCH MIXED-ISSUE COMBINATION FOR 110-CENTIMES BRITISH PACKET RATE VIA BRINDISI.
This cover was sent by Claude Gabriel Louis Albert Jourdan (1840-1898), who was captain of Combat Engineers and a member of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army as a military instructor. Captain Jourdan resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities.
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JAPAN, 1875, 2s Yellow (54). Lightly struck quartered cork cancel, Tokyo double-circle datestamp and Shimbashi Railway Station red framed handstamp on small cover to Mons. Jourdan, Lyon, France, boldly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on back, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57) and three 1875, 10c Bister, Large Numerals (60; Yvert 54), tied by multiple strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, bold strike of "Yokohama Japon 25 Avril 76" double-circle datestamp, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 17 Juin 76" double-circle datestamp, Lyon receiving backstamp (Jun. 17), 80c has tears, one 10c nicked at topVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SPECTACULAR AND RARE MIXED-FRANKING DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH JAPAN 1873 2-CENT CHERRY BLOSSOM ISSUE AND FRENCH CERES LARGE NUMERALS COMBINATION FOR 110-CENTIMES BRITISH PACKET RATE VIA BRINDISI.
This cover was sent by Claude Gabriel Louis Albert Jourdan (1840-1898), who was captain of Combat Engineers and a member of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army as a military instructor. Captain Jourdan resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities.
Calves handstamp
JAPAN, 1876, 2s Brown Olive (57). Tied by Tokyo double-circle datestamp with Shimbashi Railway Station red framed handstamp on small cover to Mons. Jourdan, Lyon, France, printed "AJ" insignia of Captain Jourdan on flap, two strikes of Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on back, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57) and two 1875, 10c Bister, Large Numerals (60; Yvert 54), tied by four strikes of "Yokohama Bau Francais 17 Avril 77" double-circle datestamp, Lyon receiving backstamp (Jun. 8), with original letter on "AJ" stationery datelined "Yedo 17 Avril 77" from Captain Jourdan, large circular stain, gum stains and small hole in cover, otherwise Fine, an extremely rare Koban Issue mixed franking and late Degron-kun cover from the Jourdan correspondence, about 10% of the covers recorded by Matsumoto were mailed in 1877, the last year of the Degron-kun mail method
JAPAN, 1876, 2s Brown Olive (57). Cancelled by bold strike of quartered cork and tied by Tokyo double-circle datestamp on back of small cover from Captain Jourdan to his sister Madame Dumont, Lyon, France, perfect strike of Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on back, used with France, 1870, 40c Orange (59; Yvert 38), tied by one of two bold strikes of "Yokohama Bau Francais 3 Dec. 77" double-circle datestamp, Marseilles (Jan. 15, 1878) and Lyon (Jan. 16) backstampsVERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING MIXED-FRANKING COVER FROM THE END OF THE DEGRON-KUN PERIOD, WITH A RARE COMBINATION OF THE JAPAN KOBAN AND FRANCE CERES ISSUES.
This cover was sent by Claude Gabriel Louis Albert Jourdan (1840-1898), who was captain of Combat Engineers and a member of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army as a military instructor. Captain Jourdan resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some). The cover offered here, postmarked December 3, 1877, is the latest use of the Degron-kun method to send mail (see Matsumoto book, p. 151).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities.
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Two pairs tied by light strikes of "5104" dotted diamond cancel, mostly clear strike of "Corr. D. Armees Shang-Hai 10 Sept. 74" double-circle datestamp on small mourning cover from Captain Jourdan to Monsieur Jourdan, Lyon, France, for Madame Dumont, red "PD" framed handstamp, Marseilles (Oct. 29) and Lyon (Oct. 30) backstamps, with original letter on matching black-bordered stationery datelined "Nagasaki 8 7bre" (Sep. 8) from Captain Jourdan to his sister Benedicte (Dumont), Very Fine, an extremely rare cover and letter sent from Nagasaki (where Captain Jourdan was traveling) to France at the full 100c French Packet rate, the letter was postmarked with the "Corr. D. Armees Shang-Hai" datestamp and "5104" cancel
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Horizontal strip of five, used with 1872, 5c Yellow Green (53; Yvert 53), tied by multiple strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, clear strike of "Yokohama Japon 5 Oct 74" double-circle datestamp on small mourning cover from Captain Jourdan to Monsieur Jourdan, Lyon, France, for Madame Dumont, red "PD" framed handstamp, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 22 Nov. 74" double-circle datestamp, Lyon receiving backstamp (Nov. 23), with original letter on matching black-bordered stationery datelined "Matsuhama 20 7bre 1874" (Sep. 20) from Captain Jourdan to his sister Benedicte (Dumont), which mentions writing from Nagasaki (see lot 510), Very Fine, a remarkable cover originating in Matsuyama, located on Shikoku Island about 400 miles from Yokohama, the franking on this cover from Captain Jourdan pays the 130c British Packet rate via Brindisi, French military mail that can be documented as originating from remote locations in Japan is very rare
FRANCE, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57). Used with pair of 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60), tied by bold strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, clearly struck "Yokohama Japon 5 Oct. 74" double-circle datestamp on small mourning cover from Captain Jourdan to Mons. Jourdan, Lyon, France, for Madame Dumont, red "PD" framed handstamp, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 22 Nov. 74" double-circle datestamp, Lyon receiving backstamp (Nov. 23), with original letter on matching black-bordered stationery datelined "Osaka 28 7bre 1874" (Sep. 28) from Captain Jourdan to his sister Benedicte (Dumont), Very Fine, another sequential letter and cover from Captain Jourdan during his travels in Japan, this one and the Sep. 20 letter from Matsuyama offered in the previous lot were carried on the same trip via Brindisi by British Packet
FRANCE, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57). Used with strip of three 1875, 10c Bister, Large Numerals (60; Yvert 54), tied by multiple strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, partly readable strike of "Yokohama Japon 4 Avril 76" double-circle datestamp on small cover to Mons. Jourdan, Lyon, France, for Madame Dumont, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 20 Mai 76" double-circle datestamp, Lyon receiving backstamp (May 21), with original letter on "AJ" stationery datelined "Yedo 3 Avril 1876" from Captain Jourdan to his sister Benedicte (Dumont), accompanying the letter is a carte-de-visite of Japanese temple on Osaka with pencil caption on back in his hand, Very Fine, written upon Captain Jourdan's return to Tokyo after his travels through Japan
JAPAN, 1872, 1s Blue on Native Wove Paper (10). Vertical pair tied by two strikes of framed ken cancel ("examined") on European-size cover from Captain Lebon to his mother Madame Lebon, Paris, France, sender's directive "via Brindisi", boldly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on back, used with strip of four and single France, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60) and 1872, 5c Yellow Green (53; Yvert 53), tied by clear strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, partly clear "Yokohama Bau Francais 13 Mai 73" double-circle datestamp, red double-circle datestamp and matching rectangular handstamp on back, red framed "AFFRANCHISSEMENT/INSUFFISANT" handstamp and blue crayon "2" indicates this was over the 10gr weight limit for single rate, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 7 Juil. 73" double-circle datestamp, manuscript "1f70c" due marking (2 x 150c unpaid rate less 130c postage paid = 170c), Paris receiving backstamp (Jul. 7), some faults in the cover and stamps including an abrasion at center which affects 1s pairFINE APPEARANCE. AN EARLY AND OUTSTANDING DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AND FRENCH CERES ISSUES ALL ON THE FRONT AND WELL-TIED. UNDERPAID DEGRON-KUN COVERS ARE QUITE UNUSUAL.
This cover was sent by Felix Frederic Georges Lebon (1845-1923), who was captain and Chief Artillery Instructor of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Captain Lebon resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo. His time in Japan spanned four years.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This May 1873 Degron-kun cover is relatively early--only 15% of the covers recorded by Matsumoto are dated in 1873.
Ex Matsumoto.
JAPAN, 1872, 1s Blue on Native Wove Paper (10). Horizontal pair with corner sheet selvage, pale shade, tied by two light strikes of framed ken cancel ("examined") on European-size cover from Captain Lebon to Mme. Genevieve Lebon, Paris, France, sender's directive "via Marseilles", boldly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on back, used with strip of four France, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60) tied by light strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, bold "Yokohama Japon 13 Juin 73" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" framed handstamp, redirected in Paris to Dives, Cherbourg (Aug. 11), Paris (Aug. 11) and Dives (Aug. 12) backstamps, slight crease in strip, cover has minor creasing and small edge tearsVERY FINE. AN EARLY AND REMARKABLY BEAUTIFUL DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AND FRENCH CERES ISSUES.
This cover was sent by Felix Frederic Georges Lebon (1845-1923), who was captain and Chief Artillery Instructor of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Captain Lebon resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo. His time in Japan spanned four years.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This June 1873 Degron-kun cover is relatively early--only 15% of the covers recorded by Matsumoto are dated in 1873. This was prepaid for the 100c rate by French Packet via Marseilles.
Ex Matsumoto.
JAPAN, 1874, 1s Blue on Foreign Wove Paper (33). Syllabic 3, horizontal strip of five and three singles paying quadruple 2s internal rate, tied by light strikes of Tokyo double-circle datestamp on European-size cover from Captain Lebon to his mother Madame Lebon, Paris, France, perfectly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the front of the cover, used with three 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57), single 1870, 40c Orange (59; Yvert 38), strip of six and three singles of 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60) and single 1871, 15c Bister (56; Yvert 59)--amounting to 520-centimes in French postage, paying quadruple 130c rate by British Packet via Brindisi--tied by numerous strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, partly clear "Yokohama Japon 19 Oct. 74" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" framed handstamp, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 4 Dec. 74" double-circle datestamp, Paris receiving backstamp (Dec. 5), some toning, creases and minor faults affect cover and stamps, but such trivial flaws are irrelevant in a postal artifact of this importanceOVERALL FINE APPEARANCE. ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT AND STUNNING OF ALL DEGRON-KUN COVERS, THIS BEARS A SPECTACULAR ARRAY OF JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AND FRENCH CERES ISSUES PAYING THE QUADRUPLE RATE FROM YOKOHAMA TO FRANCE BY BRITISH PACKET.
This cover was sent by Felix Frederic Georges Lebon (1845-1923), who was captain and Chief Artillery Instructor of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Captain Lebon resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo. His time in Japan spanned four years.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities.
Calves handstamp.
FRANCE, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60). Three, used with five 1872, 5c Yellow Green (53; Yvert 53), tied by multiple strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, partly clear "Yokohama Bau Francais 19 Janv. 74" double-circle datestamp and red "PD" framed handstamp on small cover from Captain Lebon to his mother Madame Lebon, Paris, France, boldly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on back, sent without Japanese franking, "Col. F. V. Suez Paq. F. 3 Mars. 3 8 Mars 74" octagonal datestamp, small piece of backflap missing, minor stamp flaws from placement near edge of cover, still Very Fine, unusual franking and desirable Degron-kun cover, ex Evans-de Violini
JAPAN, 1872, 1s Blue on Native Wove Paper (10). Horizontal pair, deep shade, some clipped perfs, tied by clear strike of Tokyo double-circle datestamp on European-size cover from Captain Lebon to Mme. Genevieve Lebon, Paris, France, sender's directive "via Marseilles", boldly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the front at lower left, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57), 1871, 15c Bister (56; Yvert 59) and 1872, 5c Yellow Green, (53; Yvert 53), tied by clear strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, sharp "Yokohama Bau Francais 19 Mai 74" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" framed handstamp, Japanese and Paris (Jul. 10) backstamps, 5c has piece torn off at top (probably when separated before use)VERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AND THREE-COLOR FRENCH CERES FRANKING.
This cover was sent by Felix Frederic Georges Lebon (1845-1923), who was captain and Chief Artillery Instructor of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Captain Lebon resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo. His time in Japan spanned four years.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This was prepaid for the 100c rate by French Packet via Marseilles.
Ex Matsumoto and illustrated in his book (p. 121).
JAPAN, 1874, 2s Yellow on Foreign Wove Paper (34). Syllabic 7, vivid color, tied by syllabic numeral in circle cancel on European-size cover from Captain Lebon to his mother Madame Lebon, Paris, France, sender's directive "via Marseilles", boldly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the front at lower left, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57), 1873, 15c Bister, Large Numerals (61; Yvert 55) and 1872, 5c Yellow Green, (53; Yvert 53), tied by bold strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, mostly clear "Yokohama Japon 7 Dec. 74" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" framed handstamp, Paris (Jan. 22, 1875) backstamp, with original letter datelined "Mito-Yaski 6 Debre 74" from the residence of Lord Mito in Tokyo, 15c has small part of corner torn offVERY FINE. A COLORFUL AND RARE DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AND THREE-COLOR FRENCH CERES FRANKING. THE MARKINGS AND STAMPS ARE ALL ON THE FRONT AND THE ORIGINAL LETTER IS INTACT, MAKING THIS ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE OF ALL DEGRON-KUN COVERS.
This cover was sent by Felix Frederic Georges Lebon (1845-1923), who was captain and Chief Artillery Instructor of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Captain Lebon resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo. His time in Japan spanned four years.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This was prepaid for the 100c rate by French Packet via Marseilles.
JAPAN, 1874, 2s Yellow on Foreign Wove Paper (34). Syllabic 12, bright color, tied by syllabic numeral in circle cancel on European-size cover from Captain Lebon to his mother Madame Lebon, Paris, France, sender's directive "via Marseilles", boldly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the front at lower left, red Shimbashi Railway Station framed handstamp applied at right when posted (reported to be the earliest example of this marking, Matsumoto book, p. 147), Tokyo double-circle datestamp, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57), 1873, 15c Bister, Large Numerals (61; Yvert 55) and 1872, 5c Yellow Green, (53; Yvert 53), tied by bold strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, mostly clear "Yokohama Japon 4 Janv. 75" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" framed handstamp, Paris (Feb. 17) backstamp, with original letter datelined "Mito 3 Janvier" from the residence of Lord Mito in Tokyo, 80c minor flaws from placement over edge of coverVERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AND THREE-COLOR FRENCH CERES FRANKING. THE MARKINGS AND STAMPS ARE ALL ON THE FRONT AND THE ORIGINAL LETTER IS INTACT, MAKING THIS ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE OF ALL DEGRON-KUN COVERS.
This cover was sent by Felix Frederic Georges Lebon (1845-1923), who was captain and Chief Artillery Instructor of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Captain Lebon resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo. His time in Japan spanned four years.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This was prepaid for the 100c rate by French Packet via Marseilles.
Ex Matsumoto and illustrated in his book (p. 147). Calves handstamp.
JAPAN, 1874, 2s Yellow on Foreign Wove Paper (34). Syllabic 12, bright color, tied by bold syllabic numeral in circle cancel on European-size cover from Captain Lebon to Mme. Genevieve Lebon, Paris, France, sender's directive "via Brindisi", boldly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the front at lower left, red Shimbashi Railway Station framed handstamp applied at lower left when posted, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57) and pair of 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60), tied by light strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, partly clear "Yokohama Japon 11 Janv. 75" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" framed handstamp, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 27 Fevr 75" double-circle datestamp, Paris (Feb. 27) backstamp, with original letter datelined "Arsenal de Mito 10 Janvier 75" from the residence of Lord Mito in Tokyo, 25c pair minor flaws from placement over edge of cover, trivial edgewear and small piece of backflap missingVERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AND FRENCH CERES ISSUE FRANKING. THE MARKINGS AND STAMPS ARE ALL ON THE FRONT AND THE ORIGINAL LETTER IS INTACT, MAKING THIS ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE OF ALL DEGRON-KUN COVERS.
This cover was sent by Felix Frederic Georges Lebon (1845-1923), who was captain and Chief Artillery Instructor of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Captain Lebon resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo. His time in Japan spanned four years.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This was prepaid for the 130c rate by British Packet via Brindisi.
Calves handstamp.
JAPAN, 1874, 2s Yellow on Foreign Wove Paper (34). Syllabic 17, bright color, cancelled by bold syllabic numeral in circle on small cover to Captain Lebon, Paris, France, a few characters of Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the back (most of the marking was on backflap which is missing), Tokyo double-circle datestamp on back, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57), 1873, 15c Bister, Large Numerals (61; Yvert 55) and 1872, 5c Yellow Green, (53; Yvert 53), tied by bold strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel which importantly also ties Cherry Blossom stamp, partly readable "Yokohama Bau Francais 15 Fevr. 75" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" framed handstamp, Paris (Apr. 2) backstamp, minor toningFINE. A RARE DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AND THREE-COLOR FRENCH CERES FRANKING.
This cover was sent to Felix Frederic Georges Lebon (1845-1923), captain and Chief Artillery Instructor of the French Military Mission to Japan, while he was on leave in Paris during the early part of 1875. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Captain Lebon resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo. His time in Japan spanned four years.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This was prepaid for the 100c rate by French Packet via Marseilles.
Calves handstamp.
JAPAN, 1874, 2s Yellow on Foreign Wove Paper (34). Syllabic 3, bright color, tied by bold syllabic numeral in circle cancel on small cover to Captain Lebon, Paris, France, partly complete Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the back (some of the marking is missing along with small piece of backflap), Shimbashi Railway Station red framed handstamp and Tokyo double-circle datestamp on back, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57), 1873, 15c Bister, Large Numerals (61; Yvert 55) and 1872, 5c Yellow Green, (53; Yvert 53), tied by bold strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel which importantly also ties Cherry Blossom stamp, partly readable "Yokohama Bau Francais 15 Fevr. 75" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" framed handstamp, Paris (Apr. 2) backstamp, minor toning and small edge faultsFINE. A RARE DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AND THREE-COLOR FRENCH CERES FRANKING.
This cover was sent to Felix Frederic Georges Lebon (1845-1923), captain and Chief Artillery Instructor of the French Military Mission to Japan, while he was on leave in Paris during the early part of 1875. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Captain Lebon resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo. His time in Japan spanned four years.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This was prepaid for the 100c rate by French Packet via Marseilles.
Calves handstamp.
JAPAN, 1874, 2s Yellow on Foreign Wove Paper (34). Syllabic 12, intense shade, tied by syllabic numeral in circle cancel on back of small cover to Captain Lebon, Paris, France, clear strike of Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the back, Shimbashi Railway Station red framed handstamp and Tokyo double-circle datestamp on back, used with a remarkable combination of France, two 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60), single 1871, 15c Bister (56; Yvert 59), strip of four 1873, 15c Bister, Large Numerals (61; Yvert 55) and single 1872, 5c Yellow Green, (53; Yvert 53), tied by bold strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel and partly clear "Yokohama Bau Francais 22 Fevr. 75" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" framed handstamp, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind. 8 Avril 75" double-circle datestamp also ties stamps, Paris (Apr. 9) backstamp, opened for display, 15c Large Numerals strip creased and slightly faulty from placement over edges of cover, Cherry Blossom stamp was torn in half when the flap was opened and is expertly repairedFINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTRAORDINARY COMBINATION OF FRENCH CERES ISSUES--THREE DENOMINATIONS FROM TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES, INCLUDING THE SMALL AND LARGE NUMERALS VARIETIES OF THE 15-CENTIMES--USED WITH JAPAN CHERRY BLOSSOM ISSUE ON A DEGRON-KUN COVER FROM THE CAPTAIN LEBON CORRESPONDENCE.
This cover was sent to Felix Frederic Georges Lebon (1845-1923), captain and Chief Artillery Instructor of the French Military Mission to Japan, while he was on leave in Paris during the early part of 1875. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Captain Lebon resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo. His time in Japan spanned four years.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This was prepaid for the 130c rate by British Packet via Brindisi.
Ex Matsumoto. Calves handstamp.
JAPAN, 1876, 2c Brown Olive (57). Tied by quartered cork cancel on back of European-size cover from Captain Lebon (after his return from leave) to his mother Madame Lebon, Paris, France, sender's directive "Via Marseille", perfect bold strike of Degron-kun Type 5 handstamp with "Tegron" error ("Mr. Tegron [sic], Chief of French Mail Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the back, red framed handstamp with Tokyo and Yokohama double-circle datestamps on back, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57), 1873, 15c Bister, Large Numerals (61; Yvert 55) and 1872, 5c Yellow Green, (53; Yvert 53), tied by mostly clear strikes of "Yokohama Japon 13 Juin 76" and "Yokohama Bau Francais 13 Juin 76" double-circle datestamps (a very unusual combination of both devices one cover), Paris (Aug. 3) backstamp, opened for display and refolded at bottom, slightly tonedVERY FINE. A RARE AND EXTRAORDINARY DEGRON-KUN COVER IN MORE THAN ONE RESPECT--THE TYPE 5 HANDSTAMP WITH THE "TEGRON" SPELLING ERROR IS VERY RARE WITH ONLY SEVEN EXAMPLES RECORDED BY MATSUMOTO, AND THE USE OF THE KOBAN ISSUE IN A DEGRON-KUN MIXED FRANKING IS VERY UNUSUAL.
This cover was sent by Felix Frederic Georges Lebon (1845-1923), who was captain and Chief Artillery Instructor of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Captain Lebon resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo. His time in Japan spanned four years.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Only seven Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 5 handstamp, which he thinks was used at Koishikawa House after Captain Lebon returned from leave. As Matsumoto points out (pp. 156-157), the wording and configuration of the Type 5 handstamp is similar to Type 2, except that two dots are missing from the syllabic "de", which results in the "Tegron" error. As with Types 1 and 2, the Type 5 handstamp also misstates Degron's title. He was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities.
This was prepaid for the 100c rate by British Packet via Marseilles. It is worth noting the combination use of the "Yokohama Japon" and "Yokohama Bau Francais" datestamps. The French post office stopped using the "5118" dotted diamond cancel after May 30, 1876, and this June 13 cover shows an early use of the datestamp as an obliterator.
Signed Holcombe.
JAPAN, 1875, 2s Yellow, Without Syllabic (54). Cancelled by quartered cork on back of European-size cover from Madame Lebon in Paris to her son, Captain Lebon, in Yedo (Tokyo), Japan, sender's directive "Via Brindisi", France, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60) four singles and 1875, 10c Bister, Large Numerals (60; Yvert 54), tied by "15" dotted star cancels, "Paris R. Bonaparte 5E/17 Mars" double-circle datestamp, red "Paris a Modane 17 Mars 76" and "Yokohama Bau Francais 1 Mai 76" double-circle datestamps on back, Artillery Arsenal (Tokyo) framed address handstamp on back (Matsumoto figure 16-26), Tokyo and Yokohama double-circle datestamps on back, part of backflap missing, Cherry Blossom stamp tied by gum toning, minor edgewearVERY FINE. ONE OF APPROXIMATELY TWELVE KNOWN COVERS TO CAPTAIN LEBON WITH THE ARTILLERY ARSENAL MARKING.
This cover was sent by Madame Lebon to her son, Captain Felix Lebon, after his return to Tokyo. The French stamps pay the 110c rate by British Packet via Brindisi. The Japanese character rectangular handstamp on back has the Artillery Arsenal address in Tokyo, and the 2s Cherry Blossom stamp paid the internal postage. The Artillery Arsenal marking was evidently created exclusively for Captain Lebon's mail and was used briefly from February to July 1876 (Matsumoto book, p. 166). Eleven covers are recorded in Matsumoto book (p. 165), but we do not think this cover is in the list (there is a cover from his mother with Tokyo Apr. 27, 1876 arrival).
Calves handstamp.
JAPAN, 1875, 2s Yellow, Without Syllabic (54). Small cover addressed to Captain Lebon "of french artillery", Hong Kong, China, with sender's directive "per french steamer" and "Till called for", sent by a French friend of Lebon's at the military school in Tokyo (the use of lower case "french" in address is characteristic of French writing), Degron-kun Type 2b handstamp in vermilion ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the back (attributed to Ichigaya House), 2s Cherry Blossom stamp on the address side cancelled by quartered cork, clearly struck Tokyo double-circle datestamp on back and Yokohama double-circle datestamp on front (dated same day, Jan. 17, 1876)--sent by mail to the French post office in Yokohama, pair of France, 1872, 30c Brown, Large Numerals (62; Yvert 56), paying rare 60c China Sea rate, tied by "5118" dotted diamond cancel, "Yokohama Bau Francais 18 Janv. 76" double-circle datestamp--carried to Hong Kong on the Messageries Maritimes Menzaleh, entered the British post office with "Hong-Kong A JA 24 76" circular datestamp on back, Lebon had left for Yokohama one day earlier on the Peninsular & Oriental Malacca, so the British clerk wrote in red manuscript "c/o French Consul, Yokohama", manuscript "4" (Hong Kong cents) due marking--carried back to Yokohama on Occidental & Oriental Steamship Co. Gaelic, "Yokohama A FE 11 76" British P.O. circular datestamp on back, line written through the vermilion Degron-kun handstamp and Artillery Arsenal (Tokyo) framed address handstamp clearly struck on back (Matsumoto figure 16-26), Yokohama and Tokyo double-circle datestamps (dated the same day, Feb. 12, 1876), a second Japan, 1875, 2s Yellow, Without Syllabic (54), affixed to back and cancelled by small circular cork, gum stains tie stamp, delivered to Captain Lebon at the military school, opened for displayVERY FINE. THIS FAMOUS ROUND-TRIP COVER IS THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND--IT TRAVELED FROM TOKYO TO HONG KONG AND THEN BACK TO TOKYO IN 26 DAYS, REQUIRING FRENCH, JAPANESE AND HONG KONG POSTAGE AND RECEIVING BOTH THE RARE TYPE 2b DEGRON-KUN AND THE ARTILLERY ARSENAL HANDSTAMPS.
Matsumoto devotes an entire section of his book to this cover (pp. 169-171). He first described it in an article in Japanese Philately (Vol. 44, no. 3) after its discovery in the Paris philatelic market in February 1989. This cover is still the only round-trip cover between Japan and Hong Kong with French and Japanese stamps.
Captain Lebon's correspondent in Tokyo used the Degron-kun system to send his letter to Hong Kong, but the letter arrived one day after Captain Degron left Hong Kong. The circumstances of this cover’s journey virtually guarantee there is no other cover like it. As Matsumoto states (p. 170): "This round trip combination cover came to exist through this complicated and unusual situation, and no other similar examples are thought to exist."
The cover combines these rare elements: a) outbound mixed franking with a 2s Cherry Blossom stamp and French 30c Large Numerals pair paying the 60c China Sea rate, which is a rare rate in any form; b) outbound use of Type 2b Degron-kun handstamp, of which four are recorded by Matsumoto; c) inbound use of Lebon’s Artillery Arsenal handstamp, of which 12 are known; and d) a second 2s Cherry Blossom franking for the return postage from Yokohama to Tokyo.
Calves and Roumet handstamps.
JAPAN, 1875, 4s Green on Foreign Wove Paper (42). Syllabic 3, cancelled by quartered cork on back of European-size cover from Madame Lebon in Paris to her son, Captain Lebon, in Yedo (Tokyo), Japan, vertical strip of four France, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60) tied by multiple strikes of "Paris R. St. Domque St. Gn. 6E/2 Juin 76" double-circle datestamp, "Yokohama Bau Francais 20 Juil 76" double-circle datestamp on back, Artillery Arsenal (Tokyo) framed address handstamp on back (Matsumoto figure 16-26), Tokyo and Yokohama double-circle datestamps on back, small opening tear at top left and into flap, Cherry Blossom stamp tied by gum toningVERY FINE. THE LATEST OF APPROXIMATELY TWELVE KNOWN COVERS TO CAPTAIN LEBON WITH THE ARTILLERY ARSENAL MARKING--THIS IS ONE OF THREE WITH THE 4-SEN CHERRY BLOSSOM STAMP.
This cover was sent by Madame Lebon to her son, Captain Felix Lebon, after his return to Tokyo. The French stamps pay the 100c rate by French Packet via Marseilles. The Japanese character rectangular handstamp on back has the Artillery Arsenal address in Tokyo, and the 4s Cherry Blossom stamp paid the internal double-rate postage. The Artillery Arsenal marking was evidently created exclusively for Captain Lebon's mail and was used briefly from February to July 1876 (Matsumoto book, p. 166). Eleven covers are recorded in Matsumoto book (p. 165), and an additional cover is offered in lot 526. The cover offered here is the latest recorded use of the Artillery Arsenal handstamp.
Ex Matsumoto. Calves handstamp. With copy of 1983 Holcombe certificate.
INDIA, 1868, 8a Rose (28; SG 73). Horizontal pair, tied by "CONSULAT GENERAL DE FRANCE" straightline handstamp and two strikes of diamond grid cancel, "Consulat General de Calcutta Inde Anglaise Republique Francaise" double-circle and "Calcutta India Paid Jan. 8" (1876) circular datestamp on back of European-size cover to Captain Lebon, Yokohama, Japan, sender's directive "Via Bombay through Hong-Kong", Bombay (Jan. 11) backstamp, clear strike of "Hong-Kong Marine-Sorter Singapore-to Hong-Kong JA 25 3 76" double-circle datestamp on back, "Yokohama A FE 11 76" British P.O. backstamp, bold strike of Artillery Arsenal (Tokyo) framed address handstamp on back (Matsumoto figure 16-26), Tokyo and Yokohama double-circle datestamps on back (Feb. 16), small piece torn from front of cover which probably had Japanese stamps amounting to 16-sen postage for 60gr weight, minor toningDESPITE THE MISSING STAMPS, THIS REMAINS AN IMPORTANT POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT--IT IS THE ONLY RECORDED COVER FROM INDIA TO JAPAN WITH THE ARTILLERY ARSENAL HANDSTAMP.
Illustrated in Matsumoto book (p. 167).
JAPAN, 1874, 2s Yellow on Foreign Wove Paper (34). Syllabic 21, brilliant color, tied by bold syllabic numeral in circle cancel on small cover from Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Munier to his father, General Munier, Versailles, France, perfectly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on back, red Shimbashi Railway Station framed handstamp on back, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57) and two 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60), tied by three strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, clearly struck "Yokohama Japon 11 Janv. 75" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" framed handstamp, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 27 Fevr 75" double-circle datestamp, Versailles (Feb. 27) backstampEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AND FRENCH CERES ISSUE FRANKING.
This cover was sent by Charles Claude Munier, who was appointed to succeed Marquerie as commander of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 27, 1874, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Lieut.-Col. Munier first resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo, but moved to Minami-Kogacho, Surugadai. He left Japan in 1880.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This was prepaid for the 130c rate by British Packet via Brindisi.
Illustrated in Matsumoto book (p. 123).
JAPAN, 1876, 6s Yellow (60). Brilliant color, tied by Tokyo double-circle datestamp (repeated on back) on small cover from Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Munier to his wife, Versailles, France, boldly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on back, red Shimbashi Railway Station framed handstamp on back, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57) and 1872, 30c Brown, Large Numerals (62; Yvert 56), tied by three strikes of "Yokohama Bau Francais 6 Juin. 76" double-circle datestamp with another clear strike at left, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 30 Juil 76" double-circle datestamp, Versailles (Jul. 31) backstamp, 30c corner torn offEXTREMELY FINE. A COLORFUL DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH AN EXTREMELY RARE MIXED FRANKING OF JAPANESE KOBAN AND FRENCH 30- AND 80-CENTIMES LARGE NUMERALS ISSUES.
This cover was sent by Charles Claude Munier, who was appointed to succeed Marquerie as commander of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 27, 1874, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Lieut.-Col. Munier first resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo, but moved to Minami-Kogacho, Surugadai. He left Japan in 1880.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This was prepaid for the 110c rate by British Packet via Brindisi.
JAPAN, 1874, 1s Blue on Foreign Wove Paper (33). Syllabic 3, two singles tied by Tokyo double-circle datestamp (Jul. 14, 1874) on back of small cover from Joseph Auguste Cros, an infantry sergeant-major in Second Military Mission, to "Le Directuer des postes, Grenoble, Isere", France, handwritten Degron-kun address in Japanese on back--reads "Yokohama/Futsukoku Hikaykuya nite/Doguron kun/kika" and "Rikugunsho Oyatoi/Kyoshi/Kurosu", which translates to "Attention Mr. Degron, c/o French Mail Co., Yokohama" and "Cros, Instructor, Employee of Ministry of Army" (see Matsumoto book, p. 160)--the letter was received at the Ishigome Temporary Branch Post Office and sent to Tokyo main office, delivered to the French post office in Yokohama, France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57), 1871, 15c Bister (56; Yvert 59) and 1872, 5c Yellow Green, (53; Yvert 53), tied by light strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, "Yokohama Bau Francais 14 Juil. 74" double-circle datestamp struck on front and back, carried on the Messageries Maritimes Volga, Marseilles (Sep. 7), Grenoble (Sep. 8) and bold "Diron Dle. Des Postes Isere 8 Sept. 74" backstamps, there is also a framed Japanese character handstamp on back, opened on three sides and resealed, 5c stamp with small pieces out, others minor flawsFINE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED COVERS WITH THE DEGRON-KUN MARKING IN MANUSCRIPT. A VERY UNUSUAL COVER FROM A FRENCH MILITARY OFFICER WHO RESIDED OUTSIDE THE INSTRUCTORS' HOUSE IN TOKYO.
This cover is the focus of a section of the Matsumoto book (pp. 160-161). It first appeared in a Robineau Paris sale in November 1995 and was the first example of a handwritten Degron-kun address--one other was subsequently recorded. Matsumoto theorizes that Sergeant-Major Cros found it inconvenient to go to the Instructors' House and use the Degron-kun handstamp, so he enlisted a Japanese resident to write the address in brush characters.
Ex Bekku. With 1995 Robineau certificate
JAPAN, 1874, 1s Blue on Foreign Wove Paper (33). Syllabic 1, horizontal pair, cancelled by light strike of Tokyo double-circle datestamp (additional double-circle datestamp on back) on cover to Monsieur Orcel, Paris, France, bold strike of Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on front, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57) and pair of 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60), tied by light strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, partly clear "Yokohama Bau Francais 21 Juil. 74" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" framed handstamp, "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 10 Sept. 74" double-circle datestamp, Paris backstamp (Sep. 11), 80c perf faults, small tear in cover at top right clear of stamps, minor edgwear, Cherry Blossom pair has some gum stains which seem to tie it to coverFINE. A BEAUTIFUL DEGRON-KUN MIXED-FRANKING COVER WITH ALL OF THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS ON THE FRONT.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This was prepaid for the 130c rate by British Packet via Brindisi.
JAPAN, 1874, -1/2c Brown on Foreign Wove Paper (32). Syllabic 1, affixed over backflap on cover from C. Kardaetz in Yedo (according to his note on backflap) to his wife, Berlin, Germany, sender's directive "via India", used with France, 1870, 40c Orange (59; Yvert 38), three (one discolored), tied by slightly smudged "5118" dotted diamond cancels, mostly clear "Yokohama Bau Francais 12 Avril 75" double-circle datestamp and red "PD" framed handstamp, Marseilles datestamp (May 25) ties Cherry Blossom stamp, Paris (May 26) and Berlin (May 26?) backstamps, extensively repaired with about one-inch of paper added at right--Carl Kardaetz was a Berlin photographer who joined the German expedition to China to take photographs of the transit of Venus, this was written during the expedition--it is difficult to say if the Cherry Blossom stamp served any purpose on this cover, it is not a Degron-kun usage and there are no Japanese post office markings
JAPAN, 1874, 2s Yellow on Foreign Wove Paper (34). Syllabic 20, cancelled by small segmented cork, used on European-size buff cover from French infantry lieutenant Jean Billet to Georges Fauconnet, then instructor at the Military School of Saint-Cyr, Seine-et-Oise, France, sender's directive "Via Brindisi", perfect strike of bluish green Degron-kun Type 3 framed handstamp on the front of the cover (same wording as Type 1--"Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama"), Tokyo and Yokohama backstamps (dated the same day, Aug. 3, 1875), sent to French post office in Yokohama, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57), strip of three 1871, 15c Bister (56; Yvert 59) and 1872, 5c Yellow Green, (53; Yvert 53), tied by clear strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, bold "Yokohama Bau Francais 2 Aout 75" double-circle datestamp and red "PD" framed handstamp, carried on the Peninsular & Oriental Sunda, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brid A. Mod 24 Sept. 75" double-circle datestamp, Saint-Cyr backstamp (Sep. 26), cover has light vertical crease through 80c stamp, small sealed tear at upper left corner, Cherry Blossom stamp has trivial gum toningVERY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT MIXED-FRANKING COVER AND ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE TYPE 3 DEGRON-KUN HANDSTAMP--THE STRIKE ON THIS COVER IS MUCH SHARPER THAN THE OTHER KNOWN EXAMPLE.
The sender was Lieutenant Jean Billet, who was employed by the Ministry of Army from July 7, 1875, until December 31, 1878. He first resided at the Instructors' House in Nagatacho and then moved to Ichigaya. The addressee was Lieutenant Georges Fauconnet, who was employed by the Ministry of Army from May 28, 1875, until the end of 1879. This cover was sent before Lieutenant Fauconnet left for Japan, while he was still a teacher at the military school in Saint-Cyr.
For 50 years--from 1960 to 2010--this cover was the sole recorded example of the Type 3 Degron-kun handstamp. A second cover, also addressed to Lieutenant Fauconnet, surfaced in 2010 and was acquired by Takahashi Nobuo. These remain the only two known covers with the Type 3 handstamp.
Illustrated and discussed in Matsumoto book (pp. 153-154). Ex Koizumi, Kojima and Ninomiya.
FRANCE, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57). Used with pair of 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60), tied by bold strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, equally bold "Yokohama Japon 17 Aout 75" double-circle datestamp on small cover from Lieutenant Albert du Bousquet to Mons. Bousquet, Paris, France, sender's directive "Via Brindisi", originated in Tokyo, Degron-kun Type 2b handstamp in vermilion ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the back (attributed to Ichigaya House), Tokyo and Yokohama double-circle datestamps, red "PD" framed handstamp, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 7 Oct 75" double-circle datestamp, unfortunately a portion of the back has been torn away, thus removing the Japanese franking and a part of the flap with the lower portion of the Degron-kun marking, folds and minor faults, still a presentable example of this very rare Type 2b handstamp--Matsumoto records only four examples
FRANCE, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57). Used with two 1873, 10c Bister on Rose (55; Yvert 58), tied by neat strikes of "5118" dotted diamond cancel, mostly clear "Yokohama Bau Francais 27 Mars 76" double-circle datestamp on small cover to Mons. Fauconnet, Offranville, France, Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") struck twice on back, Tokyo and Yokohama double-circle datestamps on back, Marseille (May 9) and Offranville (May 11) receiving backstamps, one 10c stamp has rounded corner, Very Fine, a rare "Degron-kun" cover with the Type 1 handstamp, but no Japanese stamps were affixed (internal postage paid in cash)
JAPAN, 1875, 1s Brown (41). Syllabic 17, used with 1876, 2c Brown Olive (57), identical small quartered cork cancels, 1s Cherry Blossom tied and the 2s Koban tied by other markings on back of small cover to Jules de Monard, "Commandant le17me Bon de Chasseur a Pied a (Alancon) (orne) ou a la Suite du Bataillon", Alencon, France, bold strike of Degron-kun Type 5 handstamp with "Tegron" error ("Mr. Tegron [sic], Chief of French Mail Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the back between the two Japanese stamps which were obviously affixed after the marking was applied and positioned to avoid covering it, sent to the French post office in Yokohama, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57), 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60) and 1875, 10c Bister, Large Numerals (60; Yvert 54), tied by light strikes of "Yokohama Bau Francais 13 Nov. 76" double-circle datestamp with additional strike at right, red "Paq. Ang. V. Brind A. Mod 31 Dec 76" double-circle datestamp, Alencon backstamp, opened for displayVERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY MIXED-FRANKING COVER WITH THE JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AND KOBAN ISSUES AND THREE-COLOR FRENCH LARGE AND SMALL NUMERALS ISSUES. THE TYPE 5 HANDSTAMP WITH THE "TEGRON" SPELLING ERROR IS VERY RARE WITH ONLY SEVEN EXAMPLES RECORDED BY MATSUMOTO.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Only seven Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 5 handstamp, which he thinks was used at Koishikawa House. As Matsumoto points out (pp. 156-157), the wording and configuration of the Type 5 handstamp is similar to Type 2, except that two dots are missing from the syllabic "de", which results in the "Tegron" error. As with Types 1 and 2, the Type 5 handstamp also misstates Degron's title. He was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities.
With 2004 J-F Brun certificate.
FRANCE, 1875, 10c Bister, Large Numerals (60; Yvert 54). Horizontal pair tied by two strikes of "Yokohama Japon 30 Juil. 77" double-circle datestamp, Degron-kun Type 4 handstamp with new title and address ("Mr. Degron, Postmaster, French Post Office, Settlement No. 134, Yokohama"), struck twice in bluish-green on front and back of printed matter wrapper from Lieutenant Billet to Madame Billet, Fismes, France, sender's directive "Via Brindisi", Tokyo and Yokohama datestamps (Jul. 28), Fismes receiving backstamp (Sep. 21), opened for display, minor faults, Matsumoto points to evidence of a missing Japanese stamp, but we are not so sure (Japanese postage might have been paid in cash)FINE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE TYPE 4 DEGRON-KUN HANDSTAMP AND THE ONLY PRINTED MATTER USAGE.
The sender was Lieutenant Jean Billet, who was employed by the Ministry of Army from July 7, 1875, until December 31, 1878. He first resided at the Instructors' House in Nagatacho and then moved to Ichigaya.
No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).
Only two Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 4 handstamp, which he thinks was used at Ichigaya House (the other also has a Type 1 handstamp). The Matsumoto book illustrates and discusses this wrapper (pp. 154-156), and points out the change in Degron's title to "Postmaster" from the incorrect "Chief of Mail Ship Co.", as well as the new address after the post office moved on December 27, 1875. The two 10c Large Numerals stamps overpay the 16c rate for printed matter (up to 100 grams). Matsumoto suggests evidence of a missing Japanese stamp at upper right, but we do not see traces of a stamp, just a small piece of an adhesive label. The other Type 4 cover has clear evidence of a missing Japanese stamp (illustrated in Matsumoto book, p. 155).
Ex Spaulding.
JAPAN, 1876, 2c Brown Olive (57). Cancelled by circular cork, Tokyo datestamp (Aug. 6, 1878) and bold bluish-green "Tokei Japan 6 Aug." circular datestamp on back of small cover to Mons. Gerard Martin, Chauny, France, Japanese characters on back read "Futsuyubinkyoku" ("French Post Office"), sent to French post office in Yokohama, France, 1870, 40c Orange (59; Yvert 38), tied by one of two clear strikes of "Yokohama Bau Francais 6 Aout 78" double-circle datestamp, carried on the Messageries Maritimes Volga, Marseilles (Sep. 22) and Chauny (Sep. 23) backstamps, opened for displayVERY FINE. A REMARKABLE OUTBOUND MIXED-FRANKING COVER OF THE "NON-DEGRON-KUN" VARIETY---DESCRIBED BY MATSUMOTO AS "UNIQUE" AND PICTURED ON THE BACK COVER OF HIS BOOK.
The Matsumoto book illustrates and describes this cover in detail (pp. 161-162), and it is the feature item on the back cover of the 2012 edition (it was shown in the 1997 edition on color plate 7). The cover was discovered in the philatelic market by Andre Roland around 1975, and when Roland's collection was dispersed, it was acquired by Matsumoto. The importance of the cover, apart from the rare mixed franking, is the method of sending mail to the French post office without the use of a Degron-kun handstamp. This cover was purely commercial in nature and not military, and the sender directed it to the French post office using Japanese ideograms. The 2s Koban stamp paid internal postage, and the 40c Ceres stamp overpaid the 35c G.P.U. rate. Matsumoto described this usage as "unique."
Ex Roland and Matsumoto.
JAPAN, 1875, 4s Green on Foreign Wove Paper (42). Syllabic 2, tied by quartered cork cancel on back of European-size cover to Mons. Francois and Mme. Marie Coignet, Ikuno, Japan, originated in France with four France, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60), tied by "6317" dotted diamond cancels, "Lyon Les. Brotteaux 3E/29 Janv. 76" double-circle datestamp, Lyon-to-Marseilles (Jan. 29-30) backstamps, "Yokohama Japon 18 Mars 76" double-circle datestamp on back, three strikes of Coignet Ikuno Mine address framed handstamp on back ("Coignet, c/o Branch Office of the Bureau of Mining, Ikuno, Province of Tajima"), red "Yokohama Paid All Mar. 20" double-circle datestamp, bold "Hiogo Japan Mar. 23" backstamp, Japanese double-circle datestamps on back along with a corresponding circle handstamp (Ikuno Mar. 24 arrival), receipt docketing, 25c stamp at right has minor perf faults, right edge of cover slightly uneven and small hole at upper left, opened for displayVERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED "IKUNO" COVERS WITH THE COIGNET ADDRESS HANDSTAMP, OF WHICH JUST TWO HAVE THE 4-SEN CHERRY BLOSSOM ISSUE. A BEAUTIFUL FRENCH-JAPANESE MIXED-FRANKING COVER.
This cover is illustrated and discussed in the Matsumoto book (pp. 162-164) as a sub-section of the "Inward Franco-Japanese Combination Covers." These inbound covers are addressed to locations where there was no Japanese foreign-mail office. They were received by the French post office in Yokohama and then sent by Japanese post to their destinations. The use of Japanese-character address handstamps and addition of Japanese stamps for internal postage are the distinguishing features of these rare covers. Of the Coignet covers with the Ikuno Mines handstamp (Matsumoto figure 16-25, p. 163), Matsumoto records four covers, including one which is a back only (missing the front). The cover offered here is one of two with a 4s Cherry Blossom stamp paying the double rate. The other is offered in this sale as lot 542.
With 2011 Philatelic Federation of Japan certificate.
JAPAN, 1875, 4s Green, Without Syllabic (52). Cancelled by quartered cork on back of European-size buff cover to Madame Marie Coignet, Ikuno, Japan, Edouard Soubeiran's purple return address handstamp (roofing products), with strip of four France, 1871, 25c Blue (58; Yvert 60), tied by "2017" dotted diamond cancels, "Neuville-S-Saone 2E/11 Mars 76" double-circle datestamp, Lyon-to-Marseilles (Mar. 12) backstamp, "Yokohama Japon 27 Avril 76" double-circle datestamp on back, bold strike of Coignet Ikuno Mine address framed handstamp on back ("Coignet, c/o Branch Office of the Bureau of Mining, Ikuno, Province of Tajima"), red "Yokohama Paid All Apr. 27" double-circle datestamp, Ikuno receiving backstamp (Apr. 30)VERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED "IKUNO" COVERS WITH THE COIGNET ADDRESS HANDSTAMP, OF WHICH JUST TWO HAVE THE 4-SEN CHERRY BLOSSOM ISSUE. A BEAUTIFUL FRENCH-JAPANESE MIXED-FRANKING COVER.
This cover is illustrated and discussed in the Matsumoto book (pp. 162-164, photo p. 166) as a sub-section of the "Inward Franco-Japanese Combination Covers." These inbound covers are addressed to locations where there was no Japanese foreign-mail office. They were received by the French post office in Yokohama and then sent by Japanese post to their destinations. The use of Japanese-character address handstamps and addition of Japanese stamps for internal postage are the distinguishing features of these rare covers. Of the Coignet covers with the Ikuno Mines handstamp (Matsumoto figure 16-25, p. 163), Matsumoto records four covers, including one which is a back only (missing the front). The cover offered here is one of two with a 4s Cherry Blossom stamp paying the double rate. The other is offered in this sale as lot 541.
