1932 (March 17) 'PARCELS POST/MARKET STREET' complete label with 5/- dark green marginal single from the right-hand side of the sheet affixed tied by a very fine strike of 'MARKET STREET/MELBOURNE' cds, a couple of tiny blemishes not affecting the well-centred stamp, Cat $3500 on 'cover'. Commercially used examples are scarce; such usages on correctly-franked complete postal articles are rarities. Arthur Gray's single on a partial parcel wrapper - without parcel label - sold for $1904. At this time the only published parcel rates of 5/- or higher were Scale 3 (adjoining State) 6/- for over 8lb up to 11lb and Scale 4 (elsewhere in Australia) 6/6d for over 5lb up to 8lb or 8/9d fo up to 11lb, the additional stamps presumably being affixed directly to the parcel wrapping. It is worth noting that the next rate increase (stated to have commenced from 1.3.1933) provided two rates of 5/- exactly, for Scale 3 up to 11lb and for Scale 4 up to 8lb parcels. It is not inconceivable that one or the other of these rates were applied when this item was posted, and that this may in fact be a correctly-paid 'solo' franking.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$1,500

1932 (Apr 15) linen-backed parcel piece with exceptional franking of 2d Letterpress and 5/- dark green single & pair plus Kangaroos 9d pair (corner fault), 1/- & 2/- tied by 'GPO MELBOURNE/-4-' cds or 'REGISTERED/ 6 /MELBOURNE' cds, superb strike of the boxed 'LATE/FEE' h/s, creasing & soiling affects the 9d pair & 1/- only. A marvellous item, being the highest commercial Bridge franking - and the only multiple - we have recorded. Ex 'Tillie Mitchell'; sold for $2242.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$1,500

1932 (April 21) Department of Justice long-format OHMS envelope with 2d Recess Type B overprinted 'OS' solo (tiny surface abrasion at lower-right) tied by Brisbane machine cancel, 'GOONDIWINDI/23AP32/QLD' arrival backstamp, a couple of minor blemishes, Cat $450 on cover.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$150

1932 (Nov 25) Council for Scientific & Industrial Reseach long-format OHMS envelope airmail to Brock's Creek, Northern Territory with 2d Recess Type B & 3d blue both overprinted 'OS' tied by Canberra machine cancel, Brisbane transit backstamp, both stamps damaged before being affixed (closed tears), the envelope with a couple of very minor blemishes, Cat $800 (for the 3d on cover; $450 for the 2d Type B on cover) plus a substantial premium for both on the one cover. The rate was 2d letter rate per ounce plus 3d per ½oz airmail surcharge. Ex Arthur Gray; sold for $1130.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$600

1933 (May 19) envelope with 'PRIME MINISTER' imprint at lower-left airmail to Germany endorsed "By Australian & Karachi - London Air Mails" with 3d blue overprinted 'OS' (small corner fault) plus KGV overprinted 'OS' 1d green x2 & 4d olive and punctured 'OS' ½d orange x3 & 1½d red as well as 3d Airmail (unpunctured) all tied by nine mostly very fine strikes of 'PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA/FCT' cds, the airmail etiquette with two manuscript jusq'ua lines in red pencil, Brindisi transit b/s, a closed tear at top extends through one of the KGV 1d green & a couple of the other adhesives have minor faults, Cat $800 for the 3d on cover. A very attractive multi-colour franking. The rate was 3d foreign letter plus 6d per ½oz airmail surcharge x2 for carriage by Imperial Airways from India to Europe; although endorsed for Australian domestic airmail, the item would have been carried to Sydney by rail.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

1933 (Sept 6) Hales Bros New and Secondhand Bag, Sack and Twine Merchants illustrated advertising cover with a line-drawing view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in red & black on cream used locally with KGV 1d green solo tied by Sydney machine cancel, plus another version on blue stock used locally with KGV 2d red solo tied by Sydney '3 OCT/1933' machine cancel. A very attractive duo.  (2)

Grade A (Image1)

Estimate AU$150

1935 (Feb 2) cover to Petersham with KGV 1d green & 2d red x2 tied by three largely very fine strikes of the re-cut 'SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE/NSW' cds ('S.E. PYLON' re-cut to 'NSW'), blue & black R label '88' at upper left (small closed tear before affixing) with manuscript "S. H. BRIDGE" in pencil, Sydney transit & 'PETERSHAM/-4FE35' arrival backstamps, a few blemishes. Michael Kino states that this is "the only known example of a hand written Bridge registration item" [on cover]. Plus a loose R label '4' with manuscript "SYDNEY HARBOUR/BRIDGE" in pen. In January 1934 Archer Whitford's firm Publicity Ltd leased the South-East Pylon and set up a visitor centre. In February he received approval to operate a Post Office there. The re-cut CDS was an expediency to allow the office to open on 19.3.1934, exactly two years after the Bridge opening. The office closed on 14.7.1942 for security reasons, an anti-aircraft gun having been installed on the pylon (!). Neither Whitfield nor his staff were ever paid a salary by the Postmaster-General's Department.  (2 items)

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$200