1888 McCorquodale & Co formular issue with Boxed 'REGISTERED' size G to Austria with Lined Background 2d blue pair, 6d green & 1/- mauve tied by poor numerals of 'BUNDABERG' (superb cds of NO19/88) & very fine 'REGISTERED/BUNDABERG' h/s unusually in red, 'REGISTERED LETTER OFFICE/BRISBANE' b/s, Brindisi transit & 'GRAZ' arrival b/s, very minor soiling. A rare and famous item, being an outstanding pre-UPU usage to a scarce destination. The rate was 6d per ½oz x3 + 4d registration. Ex Phil Collas. [Illustrated at page 113 where it is stated "Few examples...have been recorded used", & in 'Queensland Postal Rates' at page 62 where it is wrongly stated to be paid at 9d x2 + 4d. We have a record of only one other used example]

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$2,500

1891 McCorquodale & Co formular issue with 'R'-in-Oval sizes 150x98mm, 200x125mm & 225x100mm, each endorsed "Queensland" in pencil, flaps removed & the two larger sizes with central vertical fold, unused. All illustrated at page 114 where it is stated "...they are of the utmost rarity with very few...being outside institutional collections..." [Alan Griffiths makes the odd statement that these are attributed to McCorquodale because of similarities with other types issued by them. However, their imprint is beneath the flaps!] (3)

Grade A-/B (Image1)

Estimate AU$300

1891 McCorquodale & Co formular issue with 'R'-in-Oval size 225x100mm to "export druggists" in London with remarkable four-colour franking of ½d green, 2½d rose pair, 4d yellow & 1/- mauve pair all tied by barred parcel-roller cancels & very fine 'REGISTERED/SE 23 91/BRISBANE' cds alongside, oval 'REGISTERED/2NO91/LONDON' arrival d/s in red on the face, central vertical fold hardly detracts from the highly visual appearance. Extremely rare & desirable: this is the only recorded used example of any of the three sizes. [Illustrated at page 115 & in 'Queensland Postal Rates' at page 34, where it is wrongly noted "½d stamp detached"]

Although the Australian Colonies joined the UPU on 1.10.1891, there was some reduction of international rates prior to that date. Queensland reduced the letter rate to GB from 6d to 2½d per half-ounce on 1.1.1891. That indicates this article weighed between 5½ & 6oz = 2½d x12 + 4d registration = 2/10d so was short-paid ½d. However, if the contents had weighed up to 6oz, we expect there would be signs of wear at the edges. We suggest the sender mistakenly paid the pre-1891 rate of 6d per ½oz x5 + 4d registration = 2/10d. Again, shortpaid ½d & Alan Griffiths may be correct that the ½d purchase price of the envelope was erroneously credited towards the cost of the postage.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$2,500

1909 McCorquodale & Co KEVII 3d red on paler buff stock HG C1a with Stop after '...IT.', to London with 2d tied by 'ROMA/SP26/12/...', scarce red & black/white R label, double-oval 'REGISTRATION BRANCH/BRISBANE' (?) d/s & 'REGISTERED BRISBANE' b/s both in blue.

Grade A (Image1)

Estimate AU$200

UPU ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DELIVERY ENVELOPE: 1898 usage of a simple AR envelope printed in black on cream stock with no reference to the issuing authority but with Coat of Arms in red on the flap, to Massachusetts with 'REGISTERED/JA 24 98/BRISBANE' cds, Boston transit & 3-line 'RECEIVED/MAR 15 1898/New Bedford, Mass' arrival b/s both in violet, faint blemishes. Illustrated at page 116. [AR Envelopes from all the Colonies/States are rare. We have recorded only one other example of this issue. How the FIP can deny that emissions such as this, required by the UPU, are postal stationery is an enduring mystery]

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$250