1847 (May 28) outer endorsed "OHMS" to the NSW Colonial Secretary in Sydney with a very fine strike of the 31mm 'G-P-O/[crown]/MY*28/1847/SOUTH AUSTRALIA' cds plus a light strike at U/L, rated "6" in red indicating prepayment of the inter-Colonial postage, 33mm 'SHIP LETTER/[crown]/JU*27/1847/SYDNEY' cds that suggests there was a significant delay (probably at Adelaide), minor spotting & repaired tear on the flap. [Edward Deas Thomson was the third Colonial Secretary for New South Wales, serving in that post for almost 20 years between 1837 & 1856, six years more than the next longest-serving incumbent]
1851 large-part outer endorsed "OHMS" & "Free" in red, to the Suveyor-General with very fine strike of the unframed 'WATERVALE/AP22/1851/=SOUTH-AUSTRALIA=' cds (rated RR), GPO arrival b/s in blue & very fine large-part strike of the crowned-circle 'FREE/184-' d/s with the date slugs removed (Type CrFree-5 with 'FREE' 5mm high) in red on the face, light ironed-out horizontal filing fold. [The Colony's fifth Surveyor-General was Sir Charles Freeling, who held the office between 1849 & 1861, and after whom the town of Freeling was named].
1862 OHMS cover with 'Police Commissioner's Office/Adelaide...' imprint at lower-left, apparently local usage but endorsed at upper-right "Free at Nuriootpa", repaired opening tear across the flap otherwise superb. [Nuriootpa is in the Barossa Valley, approximately 60km NE of the GPO]
1862 OHMS cover endorsed "Lands Titles/Regn Office" at lower-left, to "Bethany" with scarce franking of Rouletted 2d at upper-left for the postage plus irregular strip of 3 at upper-right for the registration fee all tied by GPO cds of JA30/1862 in blue as is the straight-line 'REGISTERED No' h/s at the base, inverted strike of the 'TOO LATE' h/s, 'TANUNDA/JA31/1862/=SOUTH AUSTRALIA=' arrival b/s, closed opening-tears at upper-left (not affecting the single stamp) & lower-right, minor blemishes & ironed-out light vertical fold. [Bethanien was the first town in the Barossa Valley, settled in 1842 by Prussian Lutherans. In 1917, the name was anglicised to "Bethany", as this cover was addressed 55 years earlier. The settlement is only 2km SE of Tanunda, and never had its own post office]
1863 (Mar 14) double-rate OHMS cover endorsed at L/L "Law proceedings/only without letter/{signature} JP", to The Attorney-General with Rouletted 2d pale vermilion x2 & 6d violet-blue tied by very fine Diamond-Numeral '70' cancels tied to 'PORT ELLIOTT' cds at left, 'REGISTERED No' h/s at lower-right, GPO arrival b/s of MR16/1863 & endorsed "Recd 16.3.63" at left, the reverse of the cover with a basic statutory declaration about receipt of the enclosed "...money and promissory [note] with cheque..." A marvellous & beautiful official cover.
