The Ryukyu Islands are located at the extreme southern end of Japan, about 900 miles southwest of Tokyo. They were administered by the United States at the end of World War II in August, 1945 until May 15, 1972, when they were restored back to Japan. Okinawa is the largest island in the group. Twelve different repair seal designs are recorded, four for use on foreign mail and eight for domestic mail. 15 Official Business Cash Registration Seal types are known. They are infrequently seen on cover.
Catalog: Askins SRE2, Drummond OS14
Date issued: Circa 1954, EKU July 18, 1957
Printing: Red on thin off-white tissue paper
Perforation: Perf 10 3/4
Inscription: "OFFICIALLY SEALED / DEPARTMENT OF / COMMUNICATIONS / RYUKYU" within double rectanglular frame
Control Number: None
Description: Two horizontal strips of 3 Ryukyu Islands international mail repair seals close top and bottom edges of incoming circa 1957 "V...-Mail" cover from Cranford, NJ to Miyako that was apparently returned to sender. Note that the top strip of seals was affixed face down.
Issued by the Komu Kotsu Kyoku ungummed in panes of 30 (6x5) with imperf margins.
One of three recorded covers bearing this design type. All known examples used from 1957 to 1961.
Date issued: Circa 1954
Printing: Black on thin wove yellow-green paper
Perforation: Rouletted 10 3/4 in color horizontally, perf 11 1/2 vertically
Inscription: Japanese (translation) "Postal Matter / Seal Paper / Ryukyu Government" within fancy frame with circles in corners
Control Number: None
Description: Two official business cash registration seals secure reverse of cover from Tomigusuku, Ryukyu Islands. On front is a Tomigusuku registry label, with a violet "Official Business" handstamp at upper left, and a red boxed "Cash Registry" marking at left center. No postmarks, but probably dates from about 1955.
Issued in panes of 8 (2x4) with imperforate margins and tab at the top.
Updated September 30, 2012
Catalog: Askins SOF7, Drummond OSR3
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- Buying, Selling, & Trading Officially Sealed Mails of the World -
by T. Hirn
E-mail:thirn@poseal.com