Box of rather nondescript covers & postal stationery, noted a couple of useful Franks & rare TPO Down 2 duplex b/s, no doubt there will be other pickings. Ex Max Watson. (200 approx)

Estimate AU$150

Large shoebox with some useful material including 1857 to GB with fine 6d Woodblock, 1867 to GB with Laureates 10d, 1879 to "University" - knocked-about - with fine Emergency Printings 2d mauve/green SG 199 pair, then range of Tatts covers & nondescript PPCs with a few Barred Numerals, cds including 'BOOMAHNOOMOONAH', 'MT DUNEED' & 'MUDGEGONGA', etc, condition rather mixed. Ex Max Watson. (100s)

Estimate AU$400

1869 cover endorsed "Packet only" with inspection slit at left, to "County Court/Hamilton" paid 2d only with superb '("4d")/MORE TO PAY' h/s of Hamilton (?) & endorsed presumably by the postmaster "When you file/please send/this 4d", vertical folds. Most unusual. [The commercial papers rate was 4d per 4oz]

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$200

1873 (Mar 20) cover to Denmark "via Southampton" with Laureates 6d tied by BN '575' (rated RRR) & 'COCKATOO' cds (the later of only two recorded examples), and DLR 2d pair tied by manuscript "X" cancel, London transit cds of 6JY73 & 'PD' h/s both in red. A very desirable cover to a scarce destination. Ex Max Watson. Cockatoo (1) 1.11.1866; renamed Narrigal 9.12.1874. [Goldmining. Central Highlands: not to be confused with Cockatoo (2) in the Dandenongs]

Grade A (Image1)

Estimate AU$400

1878 (Dec 23) cover to New York endorsed "via San Francisco" with 6d blue tied by Ballarat duplex, boxed straight-line 'PAID ALL' h/s in red alongside and 'SAN FRANCISCO/JAN/30/PAID ALL' cds in red on the face, minor edge faults and some gum discolouration around the stamp. Not included in Ben Palmer's Census.

Victoria was not a party to the 1870 treaty between NSW and the USA which gave rise to the Sydney 'PAID/ALL' two-line markings. Up until around mid-1878, Victorian mail passing through Sydney on its way to the USA received these markings to indicate the Australian postage had been paid, but was then assessed incoming steamship fees at San Francisco. The little-known 1878 Postal Convention between Victoria and the USA set an 'all-inclusive' rate of 6d per ½oz and presumably at this time Victoria introduced its own straight-line 'PAID ALL' marking for mail to the USA. In The Informer (SAS/O, Volume 64 No 4, 2000) a cover from Geelong (April 1, 1879) bearing this marking is illustrated, but the marking is attributed to New Zealand (which we believe to be incorrect). This is the only other example seen by us.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$800

1890 long Eastern Extension Australasia & China Telegraph Co cover with cachet of the Flinders terminus on the flap to the London Head Office "By Long Sea Route" with scarce franking of Reading 1d x5 & Naish 1/- pair tied by BN '428' with superb 'FLINDERS' cds alongside, part-flap missing & some wrinkling.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$200

1894 return usage to Melbourne of (1½d on 1d+)1½d on 1d reply-half Postal Card with 'ST LOUIS MO/DEC26/94' (Boxing Day) cancel & San Francisco transit of DEC30, from Mekeel Stamp & Publishing Co to David Hill but wholly commercial.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$250

1895 colourful commercial registered cover to Switzerland with ½d 1d & 2d x2 tied by four strikes of BN '1600', 'TERRAPEE' cds at U/R, Milan transit & 'MAGLIO DI COLLA' arrival b/s.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$200