Approx. 300 Japanese Postal History Covers and Letters – 1923–1934 This is a substantial personal collection of approximately 300 original Japanese postal history items dating from 1923 to 1934, covering the late Taishō and early Shōwa periods. The earliest items date from Taishō 12 (1923), more than 100 years ago. The collection consists mainly of genuinely circulated letters, envelopes, postcards and other postal material, many retaining their original Japanese postage stamps, cancellation marks, handwritten addresses and printed commercial information. One of the most interesting aspects of this collection is its large quantity and diversity. With approximately 300 pieces preserved together, the lot provides an extensive view of Japanese postal correspondence from this historical period. In addition to private correspondence, the collection includes examples of commercial and business-related mail addressed to companies, research institutes and other organisations. Visible examples include correspondence associated with 長寿會研究所營業部 (Chōjukai Research Institute, Sales Department) and マルキイースト菌研究所 (Maruki Yeast Research Institute). The collection contains a considerable variety of Japanese postage stamps, cancellation marks, handwritten calligraphy, printed addresses and postal formats. Different colours and designs of stamps and numerous postmarks can be observed throughout the collection. These are not simply loose or unused stamps. Many pieces are complete, genuinely circulated postal items, preserving the original relationship between the postage stamp, postmark, address and postal document. As a group, these approximately 300 pieces provide an interesting historical record of everyday communication, commerce, postal practices and social history in Japan approximately a century ago. This is a personal collection that has been preserved together over the years, rather than a group recently assembled specifically for resale. The collection should be particularly interesting to collectors and researchers of Japanese postal history, philately, postmarks, Taishō and early Shōwa history, commercial history, handwritten correspondence and Japanese historical ephemera. Quantity: Approximately 300 items Country: Japan Period: 1923–1934 Earliest year: 1923 (Taishō 12) Latest year: 1934 (Shōwa 9) Contents: Circulated letters, envelopes, postcards, postage stamps, postmarks, handwritten correspondence and commercial mail Collection: Personal collection Condition: Genuine used vintage condition. Due to their age, the items show varying degrees of toning, stains, folds, creases, tears, edge damage and other traces of postal use and long-term storage. Condition varies considerably between individual pieces. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description. The entire collection of approximately 300 items is offered together as one lot.