Japan Postage Stamp Appraisal

Used 10 Sen Japan Cherry Blossom Stamp (1876-1892)

This item is a used Japanese postage stamp with a denomination of 10 Sen, belonging to the Cherry Blossom series, which was issued between 1876 and 1892. The stamp is predominantly red-orange in color, featuring a central design of what appears to be a pagoda or temple structure with elements of traditional Japanese architecture. Above this, the imperial chrysanthemum crest is visible, and Japanese characters are positioned in the top corners and along the upper border. The stamp has perforations along all four edges, indicating it was separated from a sheet. A prominent black circular cancel mark overlays the central design, indicating its use. This cancel mark contains numerical and character information, with '12.10.22' distinctly visible, possibly indicating a date of cancellation (e.g., the 22nd day of the 10th month of the 12th year of an imperial era). Two five-pointed stars are also present within the cancel's design. The paper appears to be of standard postal stamp quality for the era. The perforations are relatively clean but show minor signs of wear and slight unevenness, which is common for stamps of this age. The overall condition of the stamp is fair to good, considering its age and use. The colors are still vibrant despite the cancel, and there are no immediately apparent tears or creases, although the edges show some slight foxing or discoloration consistent with aging paper. The cancel mark is clear enough to read the numerical inscription, which adds to its historical traceability. The detailed central design and the specific cancellation offer potential for further philatelic analysis.