Japanese Imperf Stamp - Can Anyone Identify?

Grubby as it is, this is the only Japanese imperf stamp I own or, in fact, have ever seen. I think it's from the late '30s.

Does anyone know what it is and whether such imperf stamps are much sought after?

All responses are greatly appreciated.

Jim

It was issued in 1946. Scott 364a, used 20c

Thanks, litho.

I always thought the chrysanthemum logo was dropped from Japanese stamps after the war, but obviously I'm wrong about that!

Well Japan kept the emperor so I guess they figured they
might as well keep the chrysanthemum too.

I just checked my Gibbons Simplified World Catalogue and going by the illustrations the chrysanthemum went out in 1947. The first few issues for the year have it, the rest don't.

Other Japanese imperforate stamps
of a similar period:

BTW all Japanese Chrysanthemums have 16 petals,
forgers were so respectful, forgeries have
17 petals IIRC.

Beautiful, rod222. Thanks for posting.

Thanks for that bit of information about the fakes Rod.

Will have to remember that and start counting fingers <G>.

Chimo

Bujutsu

I've been counting petals since I learnt that Bujutsu,
never come across one, nor seen an image of one.
Perhaps an "old wives tale"?

Here is an interesting link on information for Japanese forgeries:
http://www.isjp.org/expert/Cherry_Blossoms/CB.html

The relevant portion on chrysanthemum petals for the Cherry Blossom issues is as follows:

"Genuine Cherry Blossom Stamps always have 16 ray florets or petals in the chrysanthemum crest. The forgeries often have 16 petals but 14, 15 and 17 are common. If a cherry blossom stamp has any number of petals other than 16, it is proof that the stamp is a forgery and there is no need to look further.

All genuine cherry blossom stamps were intaglio printed from etched copper plates of 40 stamps. All surface printed and lithographed copies are forgeries."

C.

I would imagine these forgeries are worth more today than the stamps they were imitating!

Thnaks Cjd!

SCF the well of knowledge.. :)