Cherry Blossoms: 2 sen Vermilion/Rose and Yellow with Crossed Branches
Genuine
Matsuda Printing
Vermilion Issued 23 August 1872 – Scott #11 and Sakura #11 on native paper (Matsuda Printing),
Government Printing began 6 October 1872.
Rose/Red issued 23 August 1872 – Scott #12 and Sakura #17 on native paper.
Yellow issued 5 June 1873 – Scott #13 and Sakura #18 on native paper (Government Printing).
There is a variety of native paper types that make a great difference in value of the genuine stamp, but do not help much in the identification of the forgeries. There are great shade differences in the genuine stamp of the vermilion, rose, and red shades. These shade difference do not show well in scans, but again are not important to the identification of forgeries. Ichida says that the difficulty with the vermilion, rose, and red shades caused the switch to yellow on 5 June 1873.
Reminder: Only 16 petals or florets in the genuine Kiku Crest (Chrysanthemum Crest.
Matsuda Printing – Vermilion
Government Printing – Red
Government Printing – Yellow
Differences Between Genuine & Forged
A. Genuine: There are two stems of paulownia blossoms. Forgeries: Only one stem in some forgeries.
B. Genuine: Open flower with a dot in paulownia blossom. Forgeries: This flower is only a bud.
C. Genuine: The stem of the third paulowina is usually visible, although in many instances the double lines appear as one thick line. Forgeries: This stem is rarely found in the forgeries.
D: Genuine: Base of the “2” ends in a sharp upward stroke. Forgeries: Upward stroke isn’t as sharp and often is missing so bottom of “2” is a straight line.
“Signed” Forgeries
All “signed forgeries are known in both shades
Maeda: Type 1, Mozō
Single flower stem
Mihon: Type 1
Single flower stem, and 15 petals in Chrysanthemum Crest
Mihon: Type 2
Single flower stem, and 16 petals in Chrysanthemum Crest
Mihon: Type 3
Single flower stem, and 15 petals in Chrysanthemum Crest
Wada, Plate 4, State 1
Sankō vertically above crossed branches. Positions 1-5 have only 15 petals in Chrysanthemum crest. Single flower stem.
Wada, Plate 4, State 2
Mozō vertically above crossed branches. Positions 1-5 have only 15 petals in Chrysanthemum crest. Single flower stem.
Wada, Plate 4, State 3
Sankō horizontal above crossed branches. Positions 1-5 have only 15 petals in Chrysanthemum crest. Single flower stem.
Wada, Plate 4, State 4 – Plate Retouched
Sankō above on either side of top central character (red arrows) . Second flower stem added (black arrows) . Postions 1-3 with crossed branches, but position 5-6 have syllabics.
“Unsigned” Forgeries
All are shown with a genuine stamp.
Hirose: Position 1
Position 2 is known but a graphic is unavailable at this time.
Ramsden
Wada: Plate 5
Wada: Plate 6
Spiro
Printed Picture with perforations.
ABC Kurabu (ABC Club) - 1950's-1960's
For more information about the ABC Kurabu Forgeries click here.
Note: Numbers in parenthesis and bold are the catalog numbers found on reverse of the forgeries. State 4 forgeries did not have any numbers on the reverse. It is believed that State 4 forgeries exist for all different values. But only a few State 4 examples were available for examination. When State 4 was available for examination, the design type is recorded.
ABC Kurabu (ABC Club) 1 sen yellow – Designs 102-A & 102-B
State 1 (No. 10) & States 3 & 5 (No. 12): Design 102-A. State 1 (No. 16) & state 2 (No. 12): Design 102-B.
Characteristics of Design 102-A:
- Breaks in design lines.
ABC Kurabu (ABC Club) 1 sen red/rose – Designs 102-A & 102-B
States 2, 3, & 5 (No. 11): Design 102-A. State 1 (No. 16): Design 102-B.
Characteristics of Design 102-B
- Loop of South “S” closed or almost closed.
- Break in frame line.
Reproductions
1907 Tayama Reproduction
This 2 sen Cherry Blossom stamp with crossed branches in red is found in sheet 2 included with the 1907 issue of the Communications Law Monthly Report.
Inscriptions translate:
2 sen red;
Issued: Meiji 5.7 (July 1872);
Off Sale: Meiji 6.6 (June 1873);
Invalidated: Meiji 22.11 (November 1889)
Click here to see more information about Tayama reproductions.
JSPA Reproductions
JSPA Sheet No. 3 Issued 25 October 1961
Reproduces the genuine 2 sen vermilion Cherry Blossom stamp originally issued 23 August 1872 on laid paper. The reproduction is imperforate on cream-colored laid paper.
Click here to see more information about JSPA reproductions.
JSPA Sheet No. 3 Issued 25 October 1961
Reproduces the genuine 2 sen yellow Cherry Blossom stamp originally issued 5 June 1873 on laid paper. The reproduction is imperforate on cream-colored laid paper.