1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate II (2), tied by framed non-standard "Ken" of Tokyo to the reverse of an illustrated local mail cover. At foot, vermilion framed "Azabu branch office", the earliest recorded usage of this marking. Also framed non-standard "year of the cock 2nd month 4th day / Tokyo postal bureau" of Meiji 6.2.4 (4 February 1873). On the address side, vermilion framed "night" delivery mark. From Surugadai to Azabu.
An important...
The Yasushi Tejima Collection Japan Dragon Stamps at Auction
By: H. R. Harmer Inc
Beendete Auktionen
Jun 01, 2026 America/New_York
H. R. Harmer Inc The Yasushi Tejima Collection Japan Dragon Stamps at Auction
Monday Jun 01, 2026 17:00 to 23:00 America/New_York America/New_York
The Yasushi Tejima Collection
Japan Dragon Stamps at Auction
We are proud to announce a monumental event in the world of philately. H.R. Harmer will present Part 1 of the legendary Yasushi Tejima Collection, focusing on the iconic Japan Dragon Stamps on June 1, 2026. This is a rare opportunity to acquire pieces from one of the most significant Japanese collections ever assembled. The offering is truly extraordinary, featuring 210 covers—representing a staggering 40% of all known existing covers in the world—alongside 49 meticulous sheet compositions. The second auction will follow in November 2026.
Auction Time and Venue
June 1, 2026, 5pm ET
The live auction will be held at the prestigious:
Collectors' Club New York
58 W 40th Street, New York, NY 10018
Online-Catalog and Bidding
All 128 lots including the original exhibit write up by Yasushi Tejima in Japanese can be found in the online catalog. 計128ロットの、手嶋康氏による日本語書き込みリーフは、インターネットでご覧いただけます。
A beautifully illustrated PDF version of the auction catalog is also available for download. オークションカタログのPDFもインターネットでダウンロードできます。
The descriptions in English language are binding for the auction. ただし、オークションカタログにおける英文記述を本セールの正規の言語とします。
Exclusive Viewing Opportunities
We invite collectors and enthusiasts to view these rarities in person at the following locations and dates:
Westpex 2026, Stand #67
Dates: April 24–26, 2026
Location: San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront Hotel
1800 Old Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, California
Boston 2026 World Expo, Stand #103
Dates: May 23–29, 2026
New York Viewings at the Collectors' Club
May 31: By appointment only ([email protected])
June 1: Open viewing from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Sale Terms
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Showing 76 - 100 of 128
Lot #76 - Overseas Japan
Lot #77 - Overseas Japan
1871, 500 mon bluish green, latest printing, plate I, tied by non-standard framed seal-style "Ueno station" of Ueno, Ise Province, to a cover, lower reverse corner missing, to Tokyo.
Manuscript dateline "2nd month 27th day dispatched". At foot, an unclear framed transit mark "...postal receiving and handling agency...". On reverse, arrival "year of the cock 3rd month 4th day / Tokyo postal bureau", or Meiji 6.3.4 (4 March 1873),...
Lot #78 - Overseas Japan
1871, 100 mon blue, plate II, position 34, middle period printing, slightly touched at upper right frame, used in combination with 200 mon plate I, position 32, late printing in damaged state, cancelled by framed tensho-style non-standard marking of Hongo, Aki Province, on the reverse of a cover to Saikyo.
Alongside, framed non-standard "Hongo / postal receiving and handling agency". Manuscript dateline "3rd month 2nd day" of Meiji 6.3....
Lot #79 - Overseas Japan
1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate II, earliest printing, a horizontal pair, tied by two strikes of framed non-standard "Ken" of Tokyo to the reverse of a local mail cover, slightly reduced at top. At lower left, framed "Matsuzumi" branch office mark. Framed non-standard "year of the cock 3rd month 25th day / Tokyo postal bureau", incomplete strike, of Meiji 6.3.15 (15 March 1873). On the address side, vermilion square framed "night" delivery mark....
Lot #80 - Overseas Japan
1872, 5 sen greenish blue, middle period printing, tied by framed "Ken" to the reverse of a cover from Tokyo to Kaminakashima, Kii Province.
Framed "year of the goat 3rd month 16th day / Tokyo postal bureau" (16 March 1873). At lower right, "Ginza / postal receiving and handling agency", the only recorded cover bearing this marking. Transit mark in vermilion: larger double-circle "Osaka postal agency Meiji 6.3....".
A cover of...
Lot #81 - Overseas Japan
1871, 100 mon blue, plate I, position 6, tied by large "Yokkaichi Kensazumi" to the reverse of a cover to Kanbe, both in Ise Province.
Alongside manuscript dateline "3rd month 1st day", or Meiji 6.3.16 (16 March 1873). On front, framed red non-standard "Yokkaichi station / postal receiving and handling agency".
A pleasing provincial cover with clear strike of the large Yokkaichi Kensazumi and well-matched auxiliary handstamp....
Lot #82 - Overseas Japan
1872, 2 sen vermilion with Cherry Blossom 1 sen blue, tied by framed "Ken" of Yokohama to the reverse of a cover, small part of reverse backed, to Kamimuro, Mikawa Province.
Manuscript dateline "3rd month 23rd day" with unclear Yokohama postal bureau framed datestamp, or Meiji 6.2.23 (23 March 1873).
A scarce and attractive mixed franking from Yokohama, combining Dragon and native-paper Cherry Blossom issues.
Rate: Within 50...
Lot #83 - Overseas Japan
1871, 200 mon vermilion, plate II, cut into at upper right, cancelled by vermilion brush circle and also tied by oval non-standard "Senshu postal receiving and handling agency / Ueno" of Ueno, Iga Province, as postage due on the reverse of a cover in transit from Osaka; Cherry Blossom 1 sen, address side incomplete, tied by framed non-standard "Osaka Ken" to Nabari, Iga Province.
Senshu is an old alternative name for Iga. Vermilion...
Lot #84 - Overseas Japan
1871, 200 mon, early printing, plate I, position 29, tied by intaglio non-standard "Yao" of Yao, Kawachi Province, to the reverse of a cover to Saikyo.
Transit vermilion double-circle N1B1 "Osaka 6.4.11" alongside; on address side, arrival red double-circle N1B1 "Saikyo 6.4.12" (12 April 1873).
A scarce and attractive cover, especially desirable for the rare intaglio-style Yao cancellation.
Rate: Unified nationwide rate of 2...
Lot #85 - Overseas Japan
1872, 2 sen vermilion vertical pair, cancelled by black brush strokes on an unpaid cover, address side with small insect holes, inbound to Osaka from Kochi.
Manuscript date "5th month 14th day dispatched". Arrival large double-circle "Osaka Meiji 6.5..." (May to June 1873).
A scarce and highly interesting postage due usage, with the 2 sen pair applied to collect doubled unpaid postage under the unified tariff.
Rate: Letter 2...
Lot #86 - Overseas Japan
1872, 1 sen blue, plate II, used in combination with Cherry Blossom native paper 1 sen blue, tied by double-circle N1B1 "Osaka 6.6.20" (20 June 1873) on a cover from Osaka to Akashi, Harima Province.
Also showing red circular framed hakoba-in "kame" (瓶) of Kamebashi letter box.
A scarce and attractive "same denomination" mixed franking, further enhanced by the uncommon Kamebashi letter box marking.
Rate: Nationwide letter,...
Lot #87 - Overseas Japan
1872, 2 sen vermilion, a vertical pair, cancelled by red brush strokes as postage due on an overweight cover bearing Cherry Blossom native paper 2 sen yellow, tied by double-circle N1B1 "Tokyo Meiji 6.6.24" (24 June 1873), addressed to Naitoshinjuku.
Also showing framed non-standard "Koshukaido / postal bureau / Naitoshin station" and red "insufficient" marking of Naitoshinjuku.
A highly unusual and desirable postage due cover,...
Lot #88 - Overseas Japan
1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate II, early printing, a horizontal strip of four, positions 5-6-7-8, upper stamp faults, each stamp with full strike of a circular framed non-standard tensho-style marking, probably the postmaster's seal of Kanazaki, Shimotsuke Province, on the reverse of a cover, a few insect holes not affecting the adhesives, to Tomita within the same province.
Manuscript dateline "7th month 17th day dispatched" of Meiji 6.7....
Lot #89 - Overseas Japan
1872, 5 sen and 1/2 sen Plate II, tied by framed non-standard "Tottori Ken" to an official wrapper to Tawara, Hoki Province.
At lower left, framed non-standard "Inaba Province Tottori / postal receiving and handling agency". At upper right, imprinted "Tottori Prefecture" of the sending authority.
A highly unusual and important official wrapper, showing the rare special printed-matter rate in a striking mixed franking.
Rate:...
Lot #90 - Overseas Japan
1872, 2 sen vermilion, middle period printing, tied by double-circle N1B1 "Tokyo 6.9.14" (14 September 1873) to a cover to Sakura, Kazusa Province.
On reverse, framed collection mark "Matsuzumi" and dispatch mark N1B1 "Tokyo 6.9.16".
A pleasing and well-marked Tokyo branch-office cover from the unified tariff period.
Rate: Letter 2 sen nationwide, unified tariff from Meiji 6.4.1.
Reference: Illustrated in 19th century...
Lot #91 - Overseas Japan
1871, 200 mon, latest printing, plate I, tied by double-circle type N1B1 "Tokyo Meiji 6.10.9" (9 October 1873) to a cover to Kazo, Musashi Province.
The standard double-circle type is uncommon on Dragon stamps. On reverse, transit framed vermilion "Okegawa yubin" of Okegawa post office. A notably late Dragon usage from Tokyo.
Rate: 2 sen, basic weight inland cover of the unified rate period from Meiji 6.4.1.
Reference:...
Lot #92 - Overseas Japan
1871, 100 mon blue, plate I, position 36, and 200 mon vermilion, late printing, plate I, position 27, upper frameline largely luped margin to touched, tied by framed non-standard "Komoro Kensazumi" of Komoro, Mikawa Province, to the reverse of a cover to Hamamatsu, Totomi Province.
Manuscript dateline Meiji 6, 11th month 9th day (9 November 1873).
The earliest recorded cover from Komoro, and a scarce and attractive mixed franking...
Lot #93 - Overseas Japan
1872, 1/2 sen reddish brown, plate II, a top margin block of four, positions 5-6 / 13-14, tied by two strikes of circular framed non-standard "Saganoseki" of Saganoseki, Bungo Province, to the reverse of a cover, address side incomplete, to Kobe, with arrival double-circle type N1B1 6.12.13 (13 December 1873).
On the address side, two strikes of single-line "postage insufficient", apparently not pursued at Kobe. Dragon usages on Kyushu...
Lot #94 - Overseas Japan
1871/72, 100 mon blue, plate I, position 5, used in combination with 1 sen blue, plate III, both tied by oval non-standard "Kochi Meiji 7.1.3" (3 January 1874) to the reverse of a cover to Osaka, with large double-circle arrival marking of Meiji 7.1.7.
A late and highly unusual usage of the 100 mon issue, made particularly notable by the same-colour, same-denomination mixed franking. Such combinations are seldom encountered and possess...
Lot #95 - Overseas Japan
1872, 2 sen vermilion, late printing, tied by framed non-standard "Ueno station", with double-circle KG "Ueno. Ise 10.19" alongside, to Tsu, Ise Province.
Manuscript dateline "10th month 18th day" of Meiji 7.10.18 (18 October 1874).
A scarce and attractive provincial cover, notable for the rare Ueno station fancy cancellation.
Rate: Letter 2 sen nationwide, unified tariff from Meiji 6.4.1.
Reference: Illustrated in...
Lot #96 - Overseas Japan
1872, 1 sen blue, plate II, position 25, tied by double-circle N1B1 "Hakodate Meiji 7.11.13" (13 November 1874) to the reverse of a local cover, slightly reduced at top.
Dragon stamp usages on Hokkaido are scarce, and this represents a desirable local usage from Hakodate during the unified-rate period.
Rate: Within city district = 1 sen per 2 momme, unified rate from Meiji 6.4.1 onward.
Reference: Illustrated in Dragon...
Lot #97 - Overseas Japan
1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate II (2), late printing, in two different shades, olive brown and brown, positions 13 and 8, tied by framed non-standard "Yamagata Kensazumi" to the reverse of an unsealed cover to District No. 27.
No dateline, though Meiji 7 (1874) is suggested.
A scarce and appealing local official usage, notable for the uncommon unsealed format and the attractive two-shade franking.
Rate: 1 sen, administration...
Lot #98 - Overseas Japan
1871, 200 mon vermilion, late printing, plate I, touched to cut at left frame, slightly oxidised, tied by framed non-standard "Yuge Kensa", with vermilion framed "Sakushu / postal receiving and handling agency / Yuge" alongside, to the reverse of a small cover to Yamanoshiro, Mimasaka Province.
Sakushu is an old alternative name for Mimasaka. No dateline is present, though usage is assumed to fall in Meiji 8 (1875). The Yuge post office...
Lot #99 - Overseas Japan
1871, 48 mon, early printing, plate I, a horizontal strip of four, positions 5-8, tied by three strikes of kiban ra-14 (Tarui, Mino Province), with double-circle type KG "Tarui -7.13" alongside, to the reverse of a cover to Osaka, with arrival type N1B1 Meiji 8.7.15 (15 July 1875).
One of very few recorded 48 mon covers cancelled by kiban postmark, and the latest recorded usage of the 48 mon Plate I on cover.
Rate: Nationwide...
Lot #100 - Overseas Japan
1872, 1/2 sen brown, plate I, a block of 10 (2 x 5), tied by eight strikes of kiban i-he 26 (Nakamura, Harima Province) to the reverse of a cover to Himeji.
Manuscript dateline Meiji 8.11.31 (31 November 1875).
The largest recorded multiple of the 1/2 sen Plate I on cover, a remarkable showpiece of the sen issue and an item of considerable rarity.
Rate: Half letter rate for official mail, five times weight = 5 sen.
...
About The Seller
H.R. Harmer
H.R. Harmer was founded in 1918 by Henry Revell Harmer of London. In 1940, the firm opened its New York auction gallery and quickly ascended to the top ranks of philatelic auction houses... Read More
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