1902 (July 31) endorsed from "The Post Office Port Moresby 25/7/1902" to Massachusetts with British New Guinea 2½d black & ultramarine tied by two untidy strikes of 8-Bars 'B.N.G' cancel with a very fine strike of 'PORT MORESBY/31JY02/BRITISH NEW GUINEA' cds on face, carried across the Pacific to Canada with 'VANCOUVER/SP4/02/B.C.' cds transit and overland with Boston 'SEP 9' arrival backstamps, minor blemishes. The rate was 2½d per ½oz Australian foreign letter, the uniform Australian rates applying in the Territory from 1.3.1901 onwards. British New Guinea stamps were not punctured 'OS'; regular stamps were used on official mail.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$300

1907 (April 25) The Treasury Territory of Papua with Coat of Arms in blue and very fine 'POST OFFICE/[Crown]/GRANVILLE B.N.G' seal (Lee #125A; rated F) in red wax on reverse, registered to Italy with Large 'Papua' Overprints 6d tied by 'PORT MORESBY/PAPUA' cds, "1493" manuscript in red ink at upper-left but no other registration markings, Cairns & Brisbane transit backstamps, Italian 'NAPOLI-MOLO/21/5-07' & 'MESSINA/22/5-07' squared-circle backstamps, rounded corner at upper-right slightly affecting the stamp & light overall aging marks. The rate was 2½d foreign letter + 3d registration fee (+ ½d convenience overpayment). By the Papua Act 1905, adminstration of British New Guinea was transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia. British New Guinea  was renamed the Territory of Papua by Proclamation of 18.9.1906. On 6th October, the Government Printer at Port Moresby, was instructed to overprint all stamps on hand with the new name. This was done in a distinctive large lettering. When overprinting was transferred to Brisbane in mid-1907, a smaller lettering was used. Large 'Papua' Overprint stamps were not punctured 'OS'; regular stamps were used on official mail.

Grade C (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

1907 (Aug 2) large envelope endorsed "The Post Office Port Moresby 30/7/07", folded down to 223x126mm & fastened with very fine 'POST OFFICE/[Crown]/GRANVILLE B.N.G' seal (Lee #125A; rated F) in red wax on reverse, to England with mixed franking of British New Guinea Lakatois Large 'Papua' Overprint 1/- black & orange x2 and Small 'Papua' Overprint 1d black & red pair tied by five largely very fine strikes of 'PORT MORESBY/-2AUG07/PAPUA' cds, "1799" manuscript in red ink at upper-left but no other registration markings, Cairns & Brisbane transits, on arrival 'R/London I.S.' [Inland Section] blue registration label affixed at upper-left, 'REGISTERED/30SE07/LONDON' oval in red & 'BURSTWICK/OC 1/07' arrival backstamps, a few minor bends & blemishes. The rate was British Empire letter 2d per ½oz + 3d registration; presumably an arthimetical error has led to 1d being either under- or over-paid. A very scarce usage of these short-lived overprints.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$2,000

1908 (Dec 31) with Treasury Territory of Papua imprint & Coat of Arms in blue on back flap, registered to Indo-China with Small 'PAPUA' Perf 11 6d & Perf 12½ 2d punctured 'OS' (SG O8 & 10) tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds, registration number "2171" manuscript in red ink at upper-left, 'REGISTERED/10 FE/09/HONG KONG' transit and 'HAIPHONG/15/FEVR/09/TONKIN' arrival backstamps, minor blemishes. The rate was foreign letter 2½d per ½oz x2 + 3d registration. The Watermark Sideways stamps were not issued until 1909, so these must be Watermark Upright (they have not been lifted). David Hopper states that this is the earliest recorded use of Punctured 'OS' stamps on cover. 

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$1,500

1908 (Dec 1) with Treasury Territory of Papua imprint & Coat of Arms in blue on the flap, to USA with registration number "2111" manuscript in red ink at upper-left and Large 'PAPUA' ½d & Small 'PAPUA' Perf 11 and Perf 12½ 4d all Punctured 'OS' tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds, 'THURSDAY ISLAND/DE 13/08/QUEENSLAND', Brisbane & New York transits & 'BUFFALO/JAN/22/1909' arrival backstamps, American registration numbers on the face, minor staining mostly on and around the stamps apparently from excess gum & repaired on the reverse with four 'cello' tape strips. The rate was 2½d per ½oz foreign letter x3 + 3d registration.

Grade (B) (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

1909 (March 18) with 'MONEY ORDER OFFICE/SAMARAI, PAPUA' handstamp & 'POST MASTER, SAMARAI, E.D./["18.3.09"]/PAPUA' cachet both in violet at lower-left, to England with Small 'Papua' Overprint 1d & 2d vertical strip of 3 tied by three very fine strikes of 'REGISTERED' handstamp with 'SAMARAI E.D/18MAR09/PAPUA' cds alongside, Sydney transit and oval 'REGISTERED/MY 14 09/CROYDON' arrival backstamps, heavy central vertical fold clear of the adhesives & markings, wax seal excised from back & and minor edge faults. The rate was British Empire letter 2d per ½oz + plus 3d registration.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$800

1909 (March 12) with Treasury imprint & Coat of Arms in blue on the flap, to Sicily with Small 'PAPUA' Punctured 'OS' Perf 11 ½d & 2d tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds, 'THURSDAY ISLAND' & Brisbane transits and 'MESSINA/30/4/09' arrival backstamps, then re-directed to Catania, light folds and some overall aging. 

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$300

1909 (April 1) unfranked with largely very fine 'POST MASTER, SAMARAI, E.D./["1/4/09"]/PAPUA' triple-ring cachet in violet at lower-left, to England with 'SAMARAI E.D/PAPUA' cds, Sydney transit & Croydon arrival backstamps, minor blemishes & small adhesion marks. Although unfranked and without any form of 'Free' markings, the item was carried to destination in good time without being taxed.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$200

1910 (June 24) oversized envelope (279x122mm) with largely very fine 'GENERAL POST OFFICE PORT MORESBY/[Coat of Arms]/PAPUA' seal (noted by Lee at p66 but not listed or rated) in red wax (minor cracks but intact) on reverse, to Buffalo NY with manuscript registration number at upper-left and Small 'PAPUA' Perf 11 1/- black & orange and Perf 12½ 4d black & brown tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds, unusual routing with 'THURSDAY ISLAND' & 'REGISTERED/27JY/10/HONG KONG' transits and San Francisco arrival backstamps, minor blemishes. The rate was foreign letter 2½d per ½oz x5 + 3d registration (plus ½d convenience over-payment). 

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

1910 (July 4) with Treasury imprint, to USA with scarce solo franking of Small 'PAPUA' Perf 11 Punctured 'OS' 4d tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds, 'THURSDAY ISLAND' & light 'VICTORIA/21JY/10/HONG KONG' transit backstamps, minor blemishes. The published foreign letter rate was 2½d per ½oz. However, this and several items following, all to America, were paid 2d only & none were taxed. The implication is that there was a previously unrecorded concessional 2d rate to the States.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$300

1911 (Jan 2) endorsed "Post Office Kulumadau 30.12.10" at lower-left & with Coat of Arms in red on the flap, to England with scarce solo franking of Small 'PAPUA' Perf 11 Punctured 'OS' 6d black & green with light but clear 'BONAGAI S.E.D./2JAN11/PAPUA' cds (Lee #73; rated E) provisionally used at Kulumadau (2), Brisbane & 'LEWES/FE 18/11' arrival backstamps, a few minor edge faults & aging marks. The rate was British Empire letter 2d per ½oz. Kulumadau (Woodlark Island) Receiving Office -.7.1896; PO 19.12.1899; replaced by Bonagai -.6.1905; replaced by Kulumadau (2) late-1907 [Gold Mining]. Tim Rybak's similar OHMS cover - but with 2d only - sold for $1035.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$800

1911 (May/June) with very fine 'THE RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE/BUNA BAY No ["5 31/11"]/ TERRITORY OF PAPUA' handstamp in violet at lower-left & Coat of Arms in red on the flap, to USA with 'BUNA BAY/15JUN11/PAPUA' cds and light 'BONAGAI S.E.D./17JUN11/PAPUA' cds (Lee #73; rated E) transit backstamp provisionally used at Kulumadau (2), Small 'PAPUA' Punctured 'OS' Perf 11 2d (torn at lower right) affixed partly over the 'BUNA' cds with two untidy strikes of Samarai cds, minor blemishes. It appears that the Post Office at Buna did not have any suitable stamps& sent it unfranked to Woodlark Island and on to Samarai where it was franked at the apparent concessional rate to the USA of 2d. [The Magistrate's handstamp is made from the same type as the Buna registration cachet]

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$300

1912 (Jan 17) to USA with Large 'PAPUA' Punctured 'OS' 2d just tied by light 'DARU W.D' cds with another better strike alongside, 'SINGAPORE10 FE/1912' transit backstamp, a couple of very minor blemishes. Official mail from offices other than Port Moresby & Samarai is scarce.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$200

1913 (Dec 26) oversized plain envelope (279x127mm) with very fine 'THE TREASURY/["18/12/13/"]/ TERRITORY OF PAPUA' triple-ring handstamp in violet at lower-left, to Austria with manuscript "Reg No. 235" at upper-left and Small 'PAPUA' Punctured 'OS' Perf 11 4d black & brown marginal horizontal pair from the right-hand side of the sheet tied by light 'PORT MORESBY' cds, 'SINGAPORE/19 JA/14' transit backstamp, a few blemishes & minor staining on and around the stamps apparently from excess gum. The rate was foreign letter 2½d per ½oz + 3d registration. A very scarce multiple franking.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

1918 (April 30) late usage of British New Guinea 1d Postal Card with the stamp indicium completely obliterated by a black box which is evident behind the Monocolours Punctured 'OS' 1d pink affixed over the top & cancelled with indelible pencil, the reverse with 'TERRITORY OF PAPUA/DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY/...' heading & pro forma message, to England, a couple of insignificant blemishes. Ex Roger Lee; sold at our auction of 24.1.2004 for $2300. A great Postal Stationery rarity: apart from a defective unused card that is believed to be a proof, this is the only recorded example.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$1,500

1918 (May 10) with Treasury imprint, to Netherlands Indies with Monocolours ½d & Bicolours 1d x5 tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds, red & black/white R label, 'SOERABAJA/10.6.18' arrival backstamp, minor marks from excess gum. The rate was foreign letter 2½d per ½oz + 3d registration.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$250

1918 (June 18) with 'Territory of Papua/["Post"] Office of ["Pt Moresby"] imprint at lower-left, to Fiji with 'ONE PENNY' on ½d yellow-green single & strip of 4 tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds, red & black/white R label, Sydney '-8JL18' transit & light 'SUVA, FIJI/18/JUL/1918/REGISTERED' arrival backstamps, light strike of the boxed 'R/SUVA, FIJI' handstamp on the face, a couple of very minor blemishes. The rate was Empire letter 1d per ½oz x2 + 3d registration.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$250

1919 (June 6) oversized linen-backed envelope (266x125mm) with Treasury imprint at lower-left & pre-printed address largely obscured by 'TERRITORY OF PAPUA/Office of ...' addressing label, to New Jersey with remarkable franking of unpunctured 'ONE PENNY' overprints on ½d pair, 2½d, 4d pair and 2/6d pair - a total of 6d - tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds with red R label alongside, American 'REGISTERED' cachet on face & New York transit backstamp, a couple of the adhesives with minor faults, the envelope with some edge faults & slightly trimmed at left. The published rate was foreign letter 2½d per ½oz (plus, from 28.10.1918, ½d war tax), but once again the rate paid appears to have been 2d per ½oz x2, and without any war tax. See also Lots 1483 1485 1486 & 1495.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$400

1920 (May 5) with 'Treasury, Customs, and Postal Department' imprint at lower-left, to Illinois with scarce solo franking of Monocolours Punctured 'OS' 2½d tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds, minor excess gum around stamp perfs & slightly trimmed at left. Apparently paid USA 2d letter rate plus ½d War Tax: see previous Lot. [The envelope was a WWI-period austerity issue with instructions on the reverse for re-use and printed 'OFFICIAL FREE' at upper-right. David Hopper states that fewer than 10 examples of such 're-use' envelopes are known from Papua: see also the next lot]

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$300

1920 (May 5) with 'Treasury, Customs, and Postal Department' imprint, to Costa Rica with Monocolours Punctured 'OS' ½d single & horizontal strip of 4 tied by multiple strikes of 'PORT MORESBY' cds, a few blemishes & slightly trimmed at both sides. The rate was 2½d per ½oz foreign letter; the ½d war tax introduced on 29.10.1918 has not been paid, but the item was not taxed. [The envelope was a WWI-period austerity issue with instructions on the reverse for re-use and printed 'OFFICIAL FREE' at upper-right] 

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$300

1920 (July 19) oversized linen-backed OHMS envelope (278x127mm) with 'The Department of the Treasury, Port Moresby' imprint at lower-left and pre-printed address covered by 'Territory of Papua/Treasury and Customs Department' address label, and four fine to very fine 'TREASURY/[Crown]/TERRITORY OF PAPUA' seals in red wax on reverse, to Netherlands Indies with  Monocolours 2d & Bicolours 3d x2 tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds, red & black/white R label, Brisbane transit and 'WELTEVREDEN/24.8.20' arrival backstamps, minor blemishes. [The ½d war tax was unpaid but not taxed. On 1.10.1920, the war tax was revoked but the postage rate was increased from 2½d to 3d]

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$250

1922 (Dec 6) endorsed "Dept of Lands etc (!) Papua" at lower-left, to Washington State with Monocolours Punctured 'OS' 1d & 2d tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds (Lee #9; quite worn) and another 1d rose added tied by 'PORT MORESBY/12DE22' cds (Lee #13), a few internally repaired edge faults. From 1.1.1922, the foreign letter rate was increased from 3d per ½oz to 4d for the first ounce,   then reduced to 3d per 1oz from 1.10.1923. Correctly paid items from the short-lived 4d rate period are scarce. In this instance, the additional 1d was added when the short-payment was noticed.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$400

1927 (Nov 3) with very fine strike of double-ring 'OFFICE OF CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER/2-NOV1927/PAPUA' handstamp in violet at lower-left, to England with Monocolours Punctured 'OS' ½d & 1d tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds, light vertical fold clear of the adhesives & markings and a few minor edge faults. From 1.10.1923 the Empire rate was 1½d per 1oz.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$200

1929 (Jan 24) parcel label with 'Government Printing Office/PORT MORESBY/PAPUA' imprint at the base, affixed to a large parcel piece (154x160mm) with 'DESPATCHED/21JAN1929/GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE/PAPUA' boxed handstamp in magenta at lower-left and endorsed "Book Post", to England with very scarce franking of Monocolours Punctured 'OS' 4d & 1/- with 'PORT MORESBY' cds, a couple of very minor bends. The Empire book post rate was 1d per 2oz x16, for an article weighing up to 32oz (2lbs).

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$600

1930 parcel label with 'Government Printing Office/PORT MORESBY/PAPUA' imprint affixed to a slightly larger parcel piece (240x126mm), to England with Monocolours Punctured 'OS' 1d rose tied by 'PORT MORESBY' cds, minor blemishes. The Empire book post rate was 1d per 2oz. The illustration is above Lot 1496. 

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$100