Gilbert and Ellice Islands: Early Letters: 1895 (June) envelope from Paul Dolch on Butaritari to his father-in-law in Meissen, Germany, showing a lighter strike of his framed handstamp “P. Dolch/Butaritari/Gilbert Islands/Pacific Ocean” in blue on reverse, endorsed “pr S/S Oruba” and taken to Sydney where New South Wales 21/2d. cancelled by Sydney June 24 duplex, with “JUSTUS SCHARF/24 JUN. 95/SYDNEY” double oval, in blue, three line “Butaritari Station/der/Jaluit Gesellschaft” in violet, and July 29 arrival on reverse, the cover very slightly trimmed at left. Paul Dolch had been shipwrecked on Butaritari in 1887 and had become the harbour master, piloting ships within the lagoon. He returned to Germany but came back to Butaritari with wife Joahnna, settling on the atoll until around 1905. In 1949, aged 84, Frau Johanna Dolch (nŽe Busse) claimed that only three letters were sent to the Busse family from Butaritari. Photo. (Image1)

Gilbert and Ellice Islands: Early Letters: 1898 envelope from E. Lossner of the Jaluit Gesellschaft to his wife in Dresden, with ms. endorsement “via Jaluit”, sent via the German Marshall Islands and franked at five times normal rate by Reichspost 50pf. horizontal pair added and cancelled by “JALUIT/MARSCHALL/INSELN/28 2/98” c.d.s. with Sydney Mar. 19 transit and Apr. 23 arrival datestamps on reverse, the cover with flap missing and foreshortened at left. Photo. (Image1)

Gilbert and Ellice Islands: 1911 (Jan.) Overprinted on Stamps of Fiji, 1/2d. to 1s. set used, additional 5d. showing Madame Joseph MJ 190 fake cancellation, set overprinted “SPECIMEN” (Samuel type D12) with gum, and 1924 11/2d., 10s. and £1 each overprinted “SPECIMEN” (Samuel type D16) with gum, mainly fine. (18)

Gilbert and Ellice Islands: 1911 (Mar.) Pandanus Pine: Sepia print of the original photograph of the Pandanus reproduced as a postcard, also stamp-sized bromide of J.W.H. Evans essay with frame and inscription but undenominated. Ex Fitchett and Smith. Photo. (Image1)

Gilbert and Ellice Islands: 1911 (Mar.) Pandanus Pine, a selection of multiples, comprising 1/2d. to 21/2d. set of four in complete mint sheets of sixty (ex Smith), and 1/2d. blocks of four and six, 1d. blocks of four (2) and six, 2d. blocks of four (2) and 21/2d. blocks of four (2) used, slightly mixed condition.

Gilbert and Ellice Islands: The 1916 Funafuti Provisionals: 1911 Pandanus 21/2d. blue (2) on piece from parcel wrapping paper, the left stamp surcharged “3/-” in red ink, the right stamp “2/-”, tied by scarce type 6 datestamp. Produced by the District Officer during a shortage of stamps at the Funafuti post office in July 1916 to satisfy a need for the franking of parcels which were to be carried on the steamer “Dawn” via Apia and Sydney. Although officially unauthorised these provisionals satisfied a genuine need and are of the greatest rarity, around eleven examples of the 2/- on 21/2d. having been created, and just two of the 3/- on 21/2d. B.P.A. certificate (2010) Item n. (and not c.) in the Vernon listing. Photo. (Image1)

Gilbert and Ellice Islands: Postage Dues: 1948 (Oct. 16) official envelope with large red wax of Resident Commissioner on reverse, locally addressed to H.E. Maude bearing postage due 1d. to 1s.6d. set with additional 1d. and 4d. cancelled by good to fine strikes of Tarawa type 28 c.d.s. and 1948 (Oct. 16) official envelope locally addressed to H.E. Maude bearing postage due 1d. to 1s.6d. set with additional 5d. cancelled by good to fine strikes of Tarawa type 28 c.d.s. Photo. (Image1)