shinjmono

Shinjmon (also written as shinjmono in Japanese) is a rare and valuable type of Japanese stamp or postmark, issued at the turn of the 20th century. It is highly sought after by philatelists and collectors of Japanese postal history for its rarity and historical significance.

During the late Meiji period (1868-1912), Japan underwent significant modernization and industrialization, leading to the creation of a modern postal system. As a result, various types of rare and special stamps were issued, including the shinjmon.

Traditionally, the shinjmon was a rare postmark denoting that a letter was sent from outside the city of Tokyo and passing through Shinjuku, a district of the city in which the postal authority was located. The shinjmon was only issued for a short period in the early 1900s, which has made it extremely collectible and valuable among philatelists.

Some of the characteristics of the shinjmon include its unique rectangular shape with curved corners and a bold black color. Only a few examples of shinjmon are known to exist, further increasing its rarity and value.

Many scholars believe that the rarity of shinjmon can be attributed to the dissolution of the postal office where the postmark was issued due to modernization efforts. This has led many collectors to search for and purchase what little evidence of its existence still remains, driving up the value of the shinjmon on the philatelic market.

Shinjmon is a highly coveted and elusive stamp among collectors, and its few remaining examples are closely guarded by collectors and institutions.