This Meiji-era Japanese postal reply card features a preprinted 1 sen denomination in bright red ink, with an elaborate circular design incorporating the chrysanthemum crest, the official emblem of the imperial government. The card was issued as part of Japan’s early reply postcard system, intended to streamline administrative and commercial correspondence. Printed using typographic methods on ungummed, unperforated card stock, the card displays the vertical instructional kanji along the sides, guiding the sender in proper address formatting and restricted message usage. The front shows two legible circular black postmarks identifying 武蔵 (Musashi) as the origin—historically referring to Musashi Province, encompassing present-day Tokyo and parts of Saitama and Kanagawa Prefectures. Additionally, there is a striking rectangular red merchant’s seal impression, likely indicating the sender’s affiliation with a business or commercial shop. The recipient’s address is written in traditional vertical calligraphy, rendered with controlled brush strokes typical of formal communication. On the reverse, the message is written in well-structured semi-cursive Japanese script (行書), rich with vertical rhythm and natural flow, reflecting the author’s literacy and care in presentation. The crisp stamp design, double cancellations, and commercial red seal elevate the postal and historical interest of the piece, capturing a moment in Meiji Japan when commerce, communication, and aesthetics converged. As a preserved reply card with multiple layers of official and personal content, it represents a valuable artifact of early Japanese postal and business culture.
Estimate "$85 – 140"