International Postage Meter Stamp Catalog/Japan
Japan
[edit | edit source]- The first meters came into use in 1950 and were used only in post offices. They were inscribed “JAPANESE POSTAGE”. Since then, all stamps have Japanese inscription 日 本 郵 便 (Japanese Post) in one form or another in the frank and a country name in English in the town mark as follows:
- 1952 –1965 “JAPAN”
- 1965 –1977 “JAPAN” (private use) / “NIPPON” (Post Office use)
- 1977 onward “NIPPON”
- The stamps are grouped as follows:
- A - frameless horizontal or square design with Mount Fuji motif, circular town mark
- B - small horizontal, straight-line rectangle
- C - square frank, dove with spread wings at bottom
- D - upright frank, single-line frame and ornamental corners
- E - nearly square frank, double wavy border at top, Mount Fuji motif with curled corners at bottom
- F - frameless horizontal design with Mount Fuji motif, straight-line town mark
- G - frameless horizontal design with flying dove over globe motif
- H - small, upright frank with notched, single-line frame
- I - nearly square frank with simulated-perforation border
- J - nearly square frank, unframed, with country inscription vertical at left
- PO - designs used only in post offices
- PV - designs used only in self-service stamp vending machines
- Three vertical lines at right of stamp: In 1965 all new and replacement private use meter dies were required to include three bold vertical lines along the right edge. This made the stamps compatible with new automatic mail sorting equipment. Fielded meters in use at the time were exempt. In later years, some Post Office and Self-Service meter stamps also included the three lines.
- Year of the Emperor: Stamps are found occasionally with the year of the reigning monarch rather than Western year.
- For specialized information about the meter stamps of Japan, see Handbook of Japanese Meter Stamps, compiled by the Meter Stamp Unit of the Japan Philatelic Society, Inc., 2000.
GROUP A: Frameless horizontal or square design with Mount Fuji motif, circular town mark
[edit | edit source]Sub-group AA: Mount Fuji at right, cherry blossoms at center
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AA1. Pitney Bowes “R” (MV), 1952.
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AA2. Pitney Bowes “5000” (MV), 1962. [Scarce]
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AA3. Pitney Bowes "5000" (MV), 1965.
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AA4. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” (MV), 1967.
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AA5. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” (MV), 1969.
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AA6. Pitney Bowes-GB “Simplex” (LV-25), 1963. [Scarce]
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AA7. Pitney Bowes-GB “Automax” (MV), 1963. [Scarce]
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AA8. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” (MV), 1973.
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AA9. Pitney Bowes-GB “6900” (MV), 1986.
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AA10. Pitney Bowes “A/B900” (MV), 1991.
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AA11. Pitney Bowes “Paragon” (MV), 1993.
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Sub-group AB: Mount Fuji and fenced pathway at center
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AB1. Satas “Federal” and “Rotary” (MV), 1960. [Scarce]
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Sub-group AC: Mount Fuji and horizontal linear ornaments at center
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AC1. Postalia “WK4” (MV), 1982.
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AC2. Francotyp-Postalia “NEF300” (MV).
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GROUP B: Frank is small, horizontal, single, straight-line rectangle
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B1. Francotyp “CC”, “CCM” (MV), 1952.
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B2. Francotyp “A9000” (MV), 1963. [Scarce]
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B3. Francotyp “CM10000” (MV), 1973.
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GROUP C: Square frank, dove with spread wings at bottom
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GROUP D: Upright frank, single-line frame with ornamental corners
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D1. Universal “MultiValue” (MV), 1953. [Scarce]
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GROUP E: Nearly square frank, double wavy border at top, Mount Fuji motif with curled corners at bottom
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E1. Postalia “D2/D3” (MV), 1954. [Scarce]
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E2. Postalia “D2/D3” (MV), 1967. [Scarce]
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E3. Postalia “D2/D3” (MV), 1969.
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GROUP F: Frank similar to Group A but straight-line town mark in center with date in rectangle at left
[edit | edit source]Sub-group FA: Country inscription above value box
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FA1. Hasler “F88” (MV), 1957. [Scarce]
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FA2. Hasler “F88” (MV), 1966.
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FA4. Hasler “F88” and “F66” (MV), 1972. |
Sub-group FB: Mount Fuji above value box, country inscription at right
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FB1. Frama “M/E” (MV), 1969.
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Sub-group FC: Country inscription above unboxed value figures
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FC1. Frama “M/E” (MV), 1976.
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Sub-group FD: Mt. Fuji and flowers at center
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FD1. Pitney Bowes “PostPerfect” (digital), 1995.
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FD2. Pitney Bowes “EasyMail” (digital).
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FD3. Pitney Bowes “DM300 (Spark)” (digital).
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FD4. Pitney Bowes (digital).
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Sub-group FE: Mt. Fuji and dove at center
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FE1. Unknown (digital).
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GROUP G: Wide, frameless design with flying dove above partial globe in center
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G1. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV), 1979.
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G2. Neopost (digital), 2012.
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G3. Neopost (digital).
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G4. Quadient "IX" Series (digital).
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GROUP H: Small upright frank with notched single-line frame, open at center of sides
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H1. Satas “Federal” (MV), 1960.
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H2. Satas “Rotary” (MV), 1960. [Scarce]
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H3. Satas “Guichet” (MV), 1963. [Scarce]
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H4. Satas “Vinette” (MV), 1963.
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H5. Francotyp-Postalia “T-1000” (digital), 1994.
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H6. Francotyp-Postalia “T-1000 TSS” (digital), 1998.
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GROUP I: Frank nearly square with simulated-perforation outer border, chrysanthemum design at bottom
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I1. Frama “M/E” (MV), 1961. [Scarce]
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I2. Frama “M/E” (MV), 1973. [Scarce]
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GROUP J: Nearly square frank, unframed, with 日 本 郵 便 vertical at left
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J1. Neopost “Electronic” (MV), 1988.
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GROUP PO: Special designs used only on post office meters
[edit | edit source]- Most of these stamps have variable colors, e.g. deep maroon, dark to brick red, and rose to pink.
- Some have point-of-sale data applied in a shade different from the rest of the design.
PO1. National Cash Register “1900” (MV), 1950.
- Frameless design date at top followed by “JAPANESE POSTAGE”, value line, “PAID”/town name. “PAID” and town name have ornaments at sides.
- Value line has 3- or 4-digit impression counter number at right.
- Printed in red shades on pale blue or off-white adhesive label.
- Without M#.
- Month usually in letters but occasionally as numeral.
- V/F: 0000,000 followed by a letter, 000,000 followed by a letter
- V/F: 0000,000 without letter, –000,000 followed by a letter, –000,000 without letter, 00,000 followed by a letter, 00 0000 followed by a letter [Scarce]
- V/F: 00,000 without letter
- V/F: –00,000 without letter [Scarce]
- V/F: letter preceding 000 00 followed by vertical Roman numeral [Very scarce]
- a. Letter in parenthesis at right of town name
- b. Letter in parenthesis below town name
- NOTE: The town name greatly influences the value of these stamps. The smaller towns are more in demand than Tokyo and other large cities.
- PO2. National Cash Register “1925” (MV), 1952.
- As Type PO1 but date at top above 日 本 郵 便.
- Value figures and impression counter number at center.
- Double-line framed shape at bottom containing town name, “JAPAN”, and M# with “N” prefix.
- Month numeric or in letters.
- V/F: 00,000 without a letter [Scarce]
- V/F: 00,000 followed by a letter, 0000,000 followed by a letter or without a letter [$15]
- PO3. National Cash Register “N21” (MV), 1965.
- Similar to Type PO2 but town mark shape at top with date above value figures at bottom.
- Inscribed “JAPAN”.
- Without M#.
- A. Town mark frame 39 mm wide
- B. Town mark frame 37 mm wide [Scarce]
- V/F: 0,000 00,000
- a. With impression counter number between date and value figures
- PO5. Anker (MV), 1971.
- Mount Fuji and plum blossoms at upper left, 日 本 郵 便 at upper right above town name and “JAPAN”.
- Date at lower left, and value figures at lower right.
- A. Year horizontal, without impression counter number
- B. Year vertical, impression counter number between date and value figures. [Scarce]
- V/F: 0.000 000.000
- NOTE: Size and shape of asterisk and value figures variable.
- PO6. Anker (MV), 1975.
- Very similar to Type PO5 but with “通 用 当 日 限 り“ (Valid on date of issue only) added below country name.
- A. “JAPAN”. Year horizontal, without impression counter number
- B. “JAPAN”. Year vertical, with impression counter number between date and value figures
- C. “NIPPON”. Year horizontal, without impression counter number
- D. “NIPPON”. Year vertical, without impression counter number
- E. “NIPPON”. Year horizontal, with impression counter number
- F. “NIPPON”. Year vertical, with impression counter number
- V/F: 0.000 0.000 000.000
- PO7. Postalia “D2/D3” (MV), 1964.
- Design is similar to Group E frank but with 日 本 郵 便 above and country name below and outside.
- M# with “PF” prefix.
- A. “JAPAN” [Scarce]
- B. “NIPPON”
- TM: SC within field of wavy lines. Smaller wavy line field at right of frank.
- V/F: 0000
- V/F: 000
- PO8. TEC (MV), 1972. [Scarce]
- Frameless, horizontal frank with birds amidst leafy branches motif.
- Printed on plain, white labels.
- M# 0101 and 0102 with “TEC” prefix.
- TM: SC
- V/F: 0000
- P09. TEC “Model PT” (MV), 1979.
- Similar to Types PO5 and 6 but with 4-digit impression counter number at lower left and with date as DD–MM–YY above it and value figures.
- Inscribed “NIPPON”.
- V/F: ★0 to ★00000
NOTE: For Types PO10 through PO15 and all of Group PV, the stamps often include a 2-digit year of the Emperor’s reign as well as the western date. The reign year is usually found between asterisks above the regular date.
- PO10. Matsushita Electric Company “Model PM” (MV), 1979. [Scarce]
- Vertical design with two cranes in flight at center.
- Three horizontal bars at top.
- Country name “NIPPON”.
- PO name in English above date box with Japanese characters “通 用 当 日 限 り“ (“Valid on issued date only”) below.
- V/F: 00000
- P011. Matsushita Electric Company / Tokyo Electric Company “Model UE” (MV), 1980.
- Vertical design with three bars above Mount Fuji and two flowers at top.
- Date above value figures at bottom.
- V/F: ★0 to ★00000
- P012. Matsushita Electric Company / Tokyo Electric Company / Terakoa Seiko Company, 1983.
- Vertical design with characters for Japanese Postage and “NIPPON” at top above boxed value figures, town name, two birds in flight, the characters “通 用 当 日 限 り“ (“Valid on issued date only”), year of the Emperor between asterisks, and the date (YY·MM·DD or DD·MM·YY) at bottom.
- Frame lines are at the sides of the frank above the dates.
- V/F: ★0 to ★00000
- a. Printed on salmon paper rather than white
- NOTE: This Post Office stamp is virtually identical to self-service vending machine stamp Type PV9.
- PO13. Matsushita Electric Company.
- As Type PO10 but with three horizontal bars at top.
- V/F: ★00 to ★00000
- PO14. Matsushita Electric Company (MV).
- Very similar to Type PO11 but the design is not as tall, most noticeable in the height of the value box.
- The year of the Emperor is also closer to the value box.
- V/F: ★00 to ★00000
- PO15. Matsushita Electric Company (MV).
- Vertical stamp with central design of a water bird with wings spread.
- Three horizontal bars at top.
- Value boxed below “NIPPON”.
- V/F: ★00 to ★00000
- a. Printed on salmon paper rather than white
GROUP PV: Special designs used only in self-service stamp vending machines
[edit | edit source]- As with Group PO, most of these stamps have variable colors, e.g. deep maroon, dark to brick red, and rose to pink.
- Most stamps have point-of-sale data applied in a shade different from the rest of the design.
PV1. Kokuto Koki Kogyo (MV), 1970. [$250]
- Horizontal label with underprint design of large arrowhead and Japanese Post symbol.
- Point-of-sale data applied through an inked ribbon.
- Adhesive labels only.
- Meter NIHONBASHI YK-1 only.
- V/F: exact denomination without leading zeros
PV2. Hokuto Koki Kogyo (MV), 1972. [$200]
- Similar to Type PV1 but underprint design with flying bird.
- Meter KAMATA YK-1 only.
- V/F: exact denomination without leading zeros
PV3. Matsushita Electric Company “Model SS” (MV), 1975.
- Vertical labels with three bars at top followed by the boxed value figures, town name (Japanese) and “NIPPON”, two flying geese, town name (English), the boxed date, and at bottom the Japanese characters “通 用 当 日 限 り“ (“Valid on issued date only”).
- A. Date box 5 mm tall. Blank between English town name and date box
- B. Combination of four letters and/or stars between English town name and date box
- C. Date box 10-11 mm tall. Blank between English town name and date box
- V/F: 0000
The letters found in version B indicate added services or special condition, as follows:
- All stars and no letters means no special services or conditions
- “E” – express mail
- “N” – non-standard size
- “P” – parcel
- “R” - registered
- “S” – simplified registered (certified?)
- a. Commemorative stamp vended at stamp show, inscribed "KOBE-PORTOPIA '81"
NOTE: The receipts for these stamps are purple and appear to be photostats (shown at right).
PV4. Tokyo Electric Company, 1 March 1990. [Scarce]
- Similar to Type PO9 but point-of-sale date cruder, applied by dot matrix process.
- This stamp vended by experimental self-service facility “Intelligent Post”.
- V/F: *00 to *000
NOTE: The machine was located in the Sunshine Prince Hotel in Ikebukuro.
PV5. Matsushita Electric Company, 1 March 1990. [Scarce]
- Very similar to Type PV4 but entire frank applied by dot matrix process.
- The elements are slightly smaller than in Type PV4.
- This stamp also comes from the experimental “Intelligent Post” facility.
- V/F: ★00 to ★000
NOTE: The machine was located in the Shinjyuku Post Office.
PV6. Matsushita Electric Company, 1982.
- Vertical design featuring Kabuki actor with pine tree background.
- Three horizontal bars at top followed by value figures in white box.
- The stamp has an overall web-like underprint.
- Both the date and value figures are in boxes without the underprint.
- V/F: 0000
PV7. Matsushita Electric Company, 1983.
- With underprint as with PV6.
- The value box is between the town name and Kubuki image, and it has a background of fine horizontal lines.
- The date figures also have a background of fine horizontal lines.
V/F range: *10 to 9990
PV8. Matsushita Electric Company (MV), 1985.
- Vertical design featuring two knitted balls near top.
- The stamp has an overall web-like underprint.
- One machine only, YOTSUYAEKIMAE.
- V/F: *10 to 9990
PV9. Matsushita Electric Company / Tokyo Electric Company / Terakoa Seiko Company, 1983.
- The stamp cataloged as Post Office Type PO12 is indistinguishable from self-service vending machine stamps from the same company).
- Ornaments in the value figures and flanking the year of the Emperor are 5-pointed stars.
- V/F: ★0 to ★00000
PV10. Matsushita Electric Company (digital), 1987. [Scarce]
- Similar to Type PV9 but date and value figures cruder, applied by a dot matrix process.
- Ornaments in the value figures and flanking the year of the Emperor have six points including two horizontal.
- The value figures contain leading zeros.
- V/F: 00000
PV11. Matsushita Electric Company (digital), 1987. [Scarce]
- Similar to Type PV10, but the asterisks have eight arms and are taller than wide.
- Ornaments in the value figures and flanking the year of the Emperor have eight points.
- Value figures without leading zeros.
- V/F: 00000
PV12. Matsushita Electric Company (digital), 1987. [Scarce]
- Very similar to Type PV9, but the value figures are centered rather than right justified.
- Ornaments in the value figures and flanking the year of the Emperor are 5-pointed stars.
- Value figures without leading zeros.
- V/F: ★0 to ★00000
PV13. Matsushita Electric Company, 1990. [Scarce]
- Very similar to Type PV10 but the 6-pointed ornaments in the value figures and flanking the year of the Emperor have vertical arms rather than horizontal.
- Value figures without leading zeros.
- Date as YY.MM.DD or DD.MM.YY.
- V/F: *0 to *00000
PV14. Matsushita Electric Company (digital).
- Similar to Type PV13 but without year of the Emperor’s reign.
- Value figures without leading zeros.
- V/F: *00 to *00000