PRIVATE ESSAYS: 1908 Goodman Syndicate printer's proofs of essays for a proposed Reply Letter Card with the two halves joined within at left, all printed in rosine on pale blue stock with 'GOODMAN'S PATENT' at L/L, one with typed 'Specimen Design' on the reverse, the others with 'POSTMASTER GENERAL'S DEPT/COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA' cachet in violet on the face, one of these with the halves separated & a small "window" cut to allow the word 'REPLY' on the inner-half to show, some minor internal reinforcing & a few minor blemishes. A fascinating trio.

The design was patented in 1905. In 1908 it was offered to the Post Office for £3750. It was rejected on the basis of the cost. In 1910 Portugal issued a reply letter card with the halves joined within at the top. That design was plagiarised for the 1911 1d+1d issue. (3)

Grade A-/B (Image1)

Estimate AU$1,000

INTACT CARDS ACSC #LC13: 'GIANT RED GUM VIC' + 'QUEEN'S GARDENS/PERTH WA' in violet; 'HOBART FROM THE BAY' + 'VIADUCT NEAR ADELAIDE SA' in yellow-green; 'TOWN HALL SYDNEY + PHANTOM FALLS/VICTORIA' in blue-violet, CTO; 'ZOO ADELAIDE SA' + 'ALBERT BRIDGE/QUEENSLAND' in red-violet; and 'NATIONAL PARK/NSW' (vertical; no boat) + 'ALBERT BRIDGE/QUEENSLAND' in purple-black; unused, Cat $1030. A full 'set'. (5)

Grade A-/(A-) (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

INTACT CARDS ACSC #LC13: 'ZOO ADELAIDE SA' + 'ALBERT BRIDGE/QUEENSLAND', both halves CTO with 'MELBOURNE/10NO/11' cds and with 'POSTES ET TELEGRAPHES/COLLECTION/DE/BERNE/MADAGASCAR' cachets in rosine, peripheral adhesions on the reverse where removed from the archival record-book, Cat $500.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$250

INTACT CARDS ACSC #LC13: 'ZOO ADELAIDE SA' + 'ALBERT BRIDGE/QUEENSLAND' in dull violet-blue, the first with 70mm Plate Scratch thru Tree Branch & Birds' Necks/Heads, unused, Cat $400.

Grade (A-) (Image1)

Estimate AU$200

OUTER (MESSAGE) CARDS: 'GIANT RED GUM VIC' in red-violet with seriffed 'OHMS/STATISTICS' Overprint & printed 'STATISTICS ACT, 1907...' notice within, to Ejanding with 'GOOMALLING/JY23/12/WA' cds, very minor opening fault at right, Cat $750. Rare: seen only for Western Australia. [The notice required the farmer to provide information about his operations on the inner (reply) half & return to the local police station]

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

OUTER (MESSAGE) CARDS: 'NATIONAL PARK/NSW' (vertical; no boat) in purple-brown, 'ADELAIDE' machine cancel, a few faults but of good appearance, undercatalogued at $500. [This view is given a 250% premium unused but all views are priced the same used!]

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$200

OUTER (MESSAGE) CARDS: 'ZOO ADELAIDE SA' (flamingoes) in dull olive, used in 1915 from the postmaster at 'SHEFFIELD/TASMANIA' to his counterpart at Evandale, message states "...it is such a busy office, no such peace as Evandale & Cressy!", a little soiled, Cat $400.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$250

OUTER (MESSAGE) CARDS: 'ZOO ADELAIDE SA' (flamingoes) in bright blue with sans serif 'OHMS/STATISTICS' Overprint & printed 'STATISTICS ACT, 1907...' notice within, locally used with 'DENMARK/28JL13/WESTERN AUSTRALIA' cds, remarkably with the outer margins intact, Cat $750. Rare.

Grade A (Image1)

Estimate AU$600

INNER (REPLY) CARDS: 'ALBERT BRIDGE/QUEENSLAND' in red-violet used at Launceston with message dated "Dec 11th 1916", Cat $1000

Grade A (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

INNER (REPLY) CARDS: 'PHANTOM FALLS/VICTORIA' in red-violet, peripheral opening faults & minor bend, 'BORDER TOWN/NO11/13/ SA' cds, Cat $1000. [The message from a cattle breeder states "...you can bring your cows along...I have got a good bull now & I make a charge of 5/- per head for his service..."]

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$300

INNER (REPLY) CARDS: 'QUEEN'S GARDENS/PERTH WA' in red-violet, used at Melbourne in 1917, Cat $1000.

Grade A (Image1)

Estimate AU$500