Annotated collection from pre-stamp mail to 1912 with some better frankings including Imperfs, scarce postmarks & interesting usages, a few registered including with early Hobart R label, condition very mixed but many are fine. Great value at the estimate & a useful basis for expansion. Ex Neil Russell. (Qty 130 approx) (Image1)

Estimate AU$1,250

1838 entire headed "Great Swan Port 14th Sepr 1838" & signed "Geo Meredith", to Hobart rated "6" with small boxed '19SE19/1838' arrival b/s, "6" scored-through & re-rated "1" because the addressee, Sgt Killivin, was a soldier. A significant rarity: believed to be the only recorded inland Soldier's Rate letter from the pre-stamp period. [Offered with a promissory note - rejoined (?) or repaired along central split - also signed by Meredith. Great Swanport on the NE coast, was renamed Swansea c.1863. George Meredith was granted land on Oyster Bay in 1821] (Qty 2 items)

Grade A-/(B) (Image1)

Estimate AU$2,000

1849 OPSO largely printed entire with 'Convict Department/Comptroller-General's Office' imprint at the base, being approval for a convict to marry & addressed to him at Ross, fine '[crown]/FREE/31AU31/1849' cds of Hobart in red, some toning mainly along the folds.

Grade C (Image1)

Estimate AU$300

1853 to "J Leake Esq MLC/Rosedale/Campbell Town" in the hand of & signed by "W Denison" at L/L, fine strike of the worn '[crown]/FREE/6JU6/1853' cds in red & boxed 'CAMP TOWN/-June 53' arrival h/s at U/L. Nice item, with the autograph of a very prominant official. In April 1846, William Thomas Denison was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land. He supported renaming the island 'Tasmania'. In 1854 he was appointed Governor of NSW & Governor-General of all the Australian Colonies. In Sydney, despite his reluctance, he oversaw the introduction in 1855 of Responsible Government. He also doubted the wisdom of creating a separate colony of Queensland and was successful in having the Clarence & New England Districts retained as part of NSW. In 1861, he took up a new position as Governor of the Presidency of Madras.

Grade A (Image1)

Estimate AU$400

1893 (June 23) cover from England with 'Harrogate Hydropathic/Establishment' imprint on the flap & 1d lilac tied by 'HARROGATE' squared-circle, to "Ellesmere/Gladhill Road" with Launceston transit b/s & '("3")D/MORE TO PAY' handstamp, 'ELLESMERE' arrival backstamp, redirected several times with transit b/s of 'CORNERS', 'UPPER- BROADMARSH' (no date slugs; manuscript date) & 'MACQUARIE PLAINS' where again redirected, to "Flinders Island" where endorsed at upper-left "Not intended for me Harold Walker Flinders Island", most remarkably with Sidefaces 1d & 2d paying the postage due affixed & manuscript cancelled "Flinders/28 11 92" apparently by Mr Walker, oval 'DEAD LETTER OFFICE/13FEB93/TASMANIA' b/s in blue, a little knocked about & a bit soiled but full of character and intrigue. Flinders Island opened 30.7.1889 as a Receiving House; upgraded to PO 1.1.1890. John Hardinge states the manuscript marking is unique & thus rated RRRRR. His ERD for a CDS is OC15/00; this item is 8 years earlier, the evidence being that three years after opening there was still no CDS or numeral at the office. Renamed Settlement Point 1908, & again to Emita 10.7.1913. Randall Askeland confirms that Harold Walker was resident at Settlement Point at this time, and later built the first store at Whitemark, also on Flinders Island. From 1.10.1891, James Willett was the Flinders Island postmaster but Walker could well have been covering for him during an absence.

Grade C (Image1)

Estimate AU$750

1896 cover front inscribed 'SAVINGS BANK PACKET ONLY' with Sideface 1d tied by BN '84' of 'TRIABUNNA' (cds alongside), very fine strike of the scarce 'OFFICIALLY/REGISTERED/...TO PAY' rubber h/s in violet, horizontal fold.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$250