RED OVERPRINT: 'R.B ' (No Stop after 'B ') on Rouletted 1d yellow-green, rouletting on three sides & cut from the sheet to preserve the design at the base & a little into the design at the top, a little soiled at right, apparently cancelled-to-order with an undated blue cachet that seems to read 'CENTRAL MAIN ROADS BOARD/SOUTH/AUSTRALIA'. The No Stop variety is unlisted by Ron Butler and this is the only recorded example so it should be rated RRRRRR. [The only recorded date for the 1d With Stop is 19.7.1869]
See also Lots 678, 681, 683, 684, 695 and 697, all struck with the same cachet. Except for lot 695 (see below), these and the item above represent a 'set' of the First Issue values (all overprinted in red except the 2/- in black). Based on the several other examples we have recorded, we suggest that (at least) three presentation sets were gifted in 1868 or 1869. Lot 695 the 4d Black Overprint is an anomaly, being recorded only from 1873. If this stamp was also part of a presentation set, it is to be expected that the other values with Black Overprint would also have received this marking.
RED OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on Rouletted 2d bright vermilion, rouletting on all sides, very fine GPO cds of JU1/68. Rated R. Superior to the 'Besancon' example that sold for SFr266. [Date range 1.6.1868 to 10.8.1872]
RED OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on Rouletted 2d bright vermilion, rouletting on all sides, a trifle oxidised, apparently cancelled-to-order with an undated blue cachet that seems to read 'CENTRAL MAIN ROADS BOARD/SOUTH/AUSTRALIA'. Rated R. [Date range 1.6.1868 to 19.5.1869]
RED OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on Rouletted 2d vermilion x2, the left-hand unit with rouletting on three sides & cut from the sheet just shaving the design at right, the right-hand unit with rouletting on all sides (corner fault at lower-right), tied by GPO cds of FE27/69 to a large-part makeshift wrapper endorsed "OHMS" & at left "Parcel without letter/.../CRB Office Adelaide/27.2.69" on reverse, to "Sillick's Hill" [sic]. From the vertical folds, it appears that the item was wrapped around a small box. The stamps are rated R. Ex AE Fryar. Number 1 in Anthony Presgrave's Census of only two 'R.B.' covers, the other with a Blue Overprint: see Lot 686.
This is the only known Departmental entire sent at parcel rates.
RED OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on Perf 11½-12½ 4d dull purple, apparently cancelled-to-order with an undated blue cachet that seems to read 'CENTRAL MAIN ROADS BOARD/SOUTH/AUSTRALIA'. Rated RRRR.
RED OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on Rouletted 6d bright blue, rouletting at right & base and cut from the sheet clear of the design at top & left, large-part o.g. Superb. Rated RRRR. Superior to the 'Besancon' example - "trimmed at left" - that sold for SFr1210.
RED OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on Rouletted 6d bright blue, rouletting on all sides, some toned roulettes, apparently cancelled-to-order with an undated blue cachet that seems to read 'CENTRAL MAIN ROADS BOARD/SOUTH/AUSTRALIA'. Rated RRRR. [Postally used range 25.8.1868 to 20.10.1868]
RED OVERPRINT: 'R.B. on Rouletted 1/- bright red-brown, rouletting on all sides & cut from the sheet to preserve the design at right & the base, minor corner fault at upper-left, apparently cancelled-to-order with an undated blue cachet that seems to read 'CENTRAL MAIN ROADS BOARD/SOUTH/AUSTRALIA'. Rated RRRRR. The very fine similarly cancelled 'Besancon' example sold for SFr1815.
BLUE OVERPRINT: 'RB' (No Stops) on De La Rue Crown/SA Wmk Rouletted 2d dull orange, very minor peripheral toning, GPO cds. Rated RRR. The similar 'Besancon' example sold for SFr157. [Date range 24.12.1868 to -.6.1869]
BLUE OVERPRINT: 'RB' (No Stops) on De La Rue Crown/SA Wmk Rouletted 2d dull orange, rouletting on all sides, tied by very fine GPO cds of JA29/69 to an OHMS cover with 'Central Road Board Office' imprint at lower-left, to "Captain Clarke/Private secretary/Govt House", repaired opening tears across the flap & at centre-top well clear of the stamp & markings despite which this is one of the most attractive Departmental covers. The stamp is rated RRR. Acquired at a Sydney auction in 2005 for $7185. Number 2 in Anthony Presgrave's Census of only two 'R.B.' covers, the other with a Red Overprint: see Lot 679.
BLACK OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on Perf 11½x12½xRouletted 1d grey-green horizontal pair, a trifle aged, GPO cds of JU24/73. Rated RRR+. [Date range 24.6.1873 ro 23.11.1873]
BLACK OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on Perf 10 1d green, GPO cds of AU7/74. Superb. Rated RR: unrecorded unused. Superior to the 'Besancon' example - defective - that sold for SFr121. [Date range 21.7.1874 to -.11.1874]
BLACK OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on De La Rue Crown/SA Wmk Rouletted 2d dull orange with the Watermark Reversed, rouletting on all sides, unusually cancelled with the scarce 19mm 'P-O/ 2 / FE10/70/RAILWAY' cds. Rated R. [Date range 23.7.1869 to 16.5.1870]
The early Railway Travelling Post Office datestamps are usually seen as transit backstamps. A stamp cancelled aboard the train is most unusual.
BLACK OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on De La Rue Crown/SA Wmk Rouletted 2d red-orange with the Watermark Reversed horizontal pair, minor blemishes, rouletting on all sides & between, GPO cds of MY10/70. Rated R+. [Date range 23.7.1869 to 10.5.1870]
BLACK OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on De La Rue Crown/SA Wmk Perf 10xRouletted 2d dull orange with the Watermark Reversed, GPO cds of AU18/70. Unlisted used by Ron Butler and the only recorded example so it should be rated RRRRRR.
BLACK OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on De La Rue Crown/SA Wmk Perf 10 2d deep red-orange rejoined pair, a bit aged, GPO cds of FE18/71. Rated S+. [Date range 18.8.1870 to 28.10.1874]
BLACK OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on De La Rue V/Crown Wmk Perf 10 2d deep red-orange with Marginal Watermark Letters 'CT' Only, GPO cds of 1872. Superb. Rated RR+: unrecorded unused. [Date range 23.5.1872 to 19.4.1873]
BLACK OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on Perf 10 4d deep dull purple with minor Double Overprint with part of the 'R' from the adjoining unit at right, GPO cds of FE20/74. Rated RR: unrecorded unused. [Date range 29.9.1873 to 20.2.1874]
BLACK OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on Perf 10 4d deep dull purple, rounded corner at lower-left & a bit aged, apparently cancelled-to-order with an undated blue cachet that seems to read 'CENTRAL MAIN ROADS BOARD/SOUTH/AUSTRALIA'. Rated RR.
BLACK OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on Rouletted 2/- rose-carmine, rouletting on all sides, a trifle stained from the characteristic brown gum that has been removed, unused. Rated RRR. The mint 'Besancon' example sold for SFr1695.
BLACK OVERPRINT: 'R.B.' on Rouletted 2/- rose-carmine, rouletting on all sides, a little stained from the characteristic brown gum that is largely intact, apparently cancelled-to-order with an undated blue cachet that seems to read 'CENTRAL MAIN ROADS BOARD/SOUTH/AUSTRALIA'. Rated RRRR. More attractive than the similarly cancelled 'Besancon' example, that sold for SFr194.
