Worldwide Stamps and Covers Australian Occupation of German New Guinea
Sale No: 243
Lot No: 1101
Symbol: C
Philatelic covers comprising unoverprinted Kangaroos in combination with German stamps all tied by the defaced court seal of Friedrich-Wilhelmshafen, with GRIs x2 and with NWPI values to 6d, also Kangaroo frankings Large 'OS' 2d tied by 'KIETA' cds & 5d tied by 'STEPHANSORT' cds, and Small 'OS' 1d pair, 1/- registered from Rabaul & 3d from Kieta both with scarce large 'PassedbyCensor/RABAUL' [sic] or 'Passedby Censor/RABAUL' [sic] cachet in blue, and 6d tied by 'PO PLEASANT ISLAND/(NAURU)' cds to registered covers to GB, a few faults but generally fine to very fine.
(Qty 11) (Image1)
Estimate AU$500
Opening AU$ 230.00
Sold...AU$ 2,300.00
Closed..Mar-25-2021, 18:00:00 EST
Sold For 2300
Sale No: 243
Lot No: 1102
Symbol: C
Commercial covers comprising unoverprinted Kangaroos in combination with NWPI values from Rabaul to NSW (reduced at the base), from Herbertshohe registered to London, or from Madang to Holland x3 (two endorsed "Manuscript without letter/Missionary matter only. (For enemy country)/..."), various forms of censorship, a few faults.
(Qty 5)
1914 (Sept) usage of 'TSS Berrima' picture postcard endorsed "HMAS Berrima - On Active Service - no stamps procurable", sent unfranked to "CE Pettitt Esq, Aborigines Protection Board, Sydney" from member of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF) en route to occupy German New Guinea, on arrival '1D'-in-circle h/s applied and Postage Due 1d affixed alongside tied 'DELIVERY ROOM/-7SE14/GPO/SYDNEY' cds, a couple of very minor blemishes.
The Berrima was commissioned from P&O at the outbreak of WWI and is famous for having landed troops at Herbertshöhe on 11 September 1914, at Rabaul on the 12th and at Madang on the New Guinea mainland on the 24th. She returned to Sydney in early October where she was converted to a troop transport and, in December 1914, she was part of the Second Convoy to Egypt.
1914 usage of 'Bougainville' real photo picture postcard showing natives in front of huts sent unfranked to Sydney dated "27.10.14", endorsed "Garrison Duty Rabaul" and "No stamps procurable" and signed "Lt EW Kirke, C Coy, Rabaul Garrison", on arrival very fine strike of '1D'-in-circle h/s applied and Postage Due 1d affixed alongside tied by light barred numeral killer, a couple of minor blemishes.
Free postage for WWI servicemen was not introduced until February 1915, but mail in the earlier period was taxed at single deficiency only. Lt Errol Wharton Kirke served as Adjutant to Colonel Paton at Rabaul during the first few months of the occupation of German New Guinea, then returned to Sydney, later leaving for Egypt with the rank of Captain. He served on Gallipoli and later in France, where he was killed in action at Pozieres on 4.8.1916.
1914 (late) Forces cover endorsed "Garrison Duty Herbertshohe" to Melbourne with ½d pair - the L/H unit torn before being affixed - tied by two superb strikes of the straight-line 'Herbertshohe' h/s in violet, officer's endorsement "Censored/C Webber Lt/C No 4 Coy" in red, Sydney transit b/s & defaced 'FASSED' h/s applied at Melbourne, light horizontal fold at the base. A beautiful cover. Ex William Pate: sold at our auction of 3.3.2019 for $1845. [The Forces rate was 1d per ½oz. The civilian rate was 2½d]
1915 (Feb 4) OHMS cover from Postmaster Sgt G Moore (identified from his distinctive typewriter) to a Melbourne stamp dealer with late usage of Kangaroo 1d 'OS' (rounded corner) tied by the triple-oval 'RABAUL/NEW BRITAIN' d/s in violet, 'PASSED' h/s applied at Melbourne. [Ex William Pate: sold at our auction of 3.3.2019 for $868]
1916 mission cover to Rev Theile in Queensland with Kangaroo 1d 'OS' tied by 'MADANG/25MR16' cds and 'PASSED CENSOR/6MY16/BRISBANE' cds in red on the face, minor blemishes. [Ex William Pate: sold at our auction of 3.3.2019 for $503]
1916 cover endorsed "Letter for enemy country enclosed" & on the reverse "M Stolz, Sio - Finschhafen", to Holland with Kangaroo 1d x3 tied by 'MADANG/24FE16' cds, Sydney 'PASSED BY/CENSOR SD' cachet in violet, 'ROTTERDAM/12.6.16' arrival b/s & 'A426' postman's h/s, very minor blemishes. [The 3d franking suggests that no ½d stamps were available at Madang. Ex William Pate: sold at our auction of 3.3.2019 for $575]
