| Established July 15, 1969 |
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| THIRTEEN YEN HEAVENLY MAIDEN AIR MAIL STAMP A NEW PLATE FLAW? Iris A. Hinden |
| The 13 Yen stamp, air rate to Japan for mail weighing up to 20 grams, saw heavy usage and was reprinted four times between September, 1951 and January, 1957. To date, only two Plate Flaws have been widely publicized: Dot in “M”, Psn.6, and “Eclipsed Moon”, Psn.45 (later printings). Pictured here, the “Blue Dot” above the last zero of 1300 appears to be another flaw, illustrated on Psn.42 of the First Printing. The author has also isolated this flaw on a First Day cover, and on an airmail cover to Japan dated 3 Nov 1952, which bears the ¥13 Second Printing. As of this writing, it has not been determined whether the flaw is constant on all five printings. (Your input is welcome!) Please click each image for a larger version of each photograph. Above Magnified ¥13 “Blue Dot” Flaw, Psn.42, cont. Above “Blue Dot” Flaw on First Day Cover, lower ¥13 stamp. Above Close Up Magnified “Blue Dot” Flaw on Second Printing, mailed 3 Nov 1952 from Yaeyama to Osaka, Japan. Special thanks to George Baxley and Gary Weiss for appreciated encouragement and assistance. |
The Ryukyu Philatelic Specialist Society, LTD. |