Vintage Postcard with Stamps and Illustration

Unique vintage postcard featuring stamps and an illustration. Perfect for collectors. The image shows a commemorative folder issued for the 18th National Athletic Meeting (国民体育大会) held in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan in 1963. Key details about this commemorative item: Event Commemorated: The 18th National Athletic Meeting, a major sports event held annually in Japan, which took place in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1963. Stamps Issued: Two special 5-yen stamps were issued to commemorate the event on October 27, 1963. One stamp features a design of Japanese wrestling (Sumo) by Mr. M. Kimura. The other stamp depicts free-standing exercise (Toshu-taisō) by Mr. H. Otsuka. Metal Engraving: The folder also contains a metal engraving, created by the Yamada Sougoh Kagaku Kogei Kenkyusho. The original artwork for the engraving was based on the designs by Mr. M. Kimura and Mr. H. Otsuka. The metal engraving itself was done by Mr. Hosei Hotta, followed by processes like thick-plating, coloring with precious metals, and hand-finishing. Significance: Such folders, often containing stamps and unique artistic elements like metal engravings, are sought after by philatelists and collectors of Japanese postal history and sports memorabilia.