Great Britain and British Commonwealth FRANK STAMPS
Sale No: 2
Lot No: 1139
Symbol: PS
'CHIEF SECRETARY', '...LANDS & SURVEY', '...MINES', '...PUBLIC INSTRUCTION', '...RAILWAYS' & 'THE TREASURER' envelopes - three with printed penalty admonitions - all CTO with Melbourne cds of OC15/02, a few minor blemishes but generally very fine. It appears that one 'set' was prepared for official records in anticipation of the discontinuance of Franks on 31.10.1902.
(Qty 6)
'Franked! The Official Mail of Victoria 1864-1902' by Max Watson & Carl Stieg (2008), 192pp hardbound with d/j. [Covers the important subjects of official mail, free mail and the franking system]
CHIEF SECRETARY: Printed in shades of purple on four different-size envelopes each with 'The Parliament of/the Commonwealth.' at L/L & with three different versions of the Coat of Arms on the flap, one addressed and apparently delivered by hand (flap torn-open and central fold), the largest - that would have enclosed an invitation to the Opening of Parliament - with some tonespots & repaired flap faults, the other two unused. Despite the imperfections, a very scarce & desirable quartet.
(Qty 4)
CHIEF SECRETARY: Printed in dull blue x2 or dull purple on 1901 Envelopes each with 'The Parliament of/the Commonwealth' imprint in dull purple at L/L & Coat-of-Arms on the flap, sizes 131x113mm & 230x159mm both used locally & each with light fold, and size 180x122 with minor defects but unused. A very scarce trio.
(Qty 3)
COMMANDANT LOCAL FORCES: Superb strike in blue on long envelope used locally, superb Melbourne duplex, light but very fine OHMS header & oval 'VICTORIAN NAVAL FORCES' cachets in purple, flap fault otherwise superb.
CROWN LANDS & SURVEY, COMMISSIONER OF: Very fine strike in blue on outer 'cover sheet' S&W #30 - with the original enclosure - with very fine 'BALLARAT' duplex & oval 'WARRENHEIP' arrival b/s, very fine 'UNCLAIMED'-in-oval h/s, insignificant blemishes.
CROWN LANDS & SURVEY, COMMISSIONER OF: Handstamp in blue largely very fine strike on 'RENTS OF RUNS' broadsheet - folded to 265x112mm - with very fine 'MELBOURNE' duplex with damaged datehead, a few faults. The only recorded example. [Apparently the addressee, the "Receiver & Paymaster/Geelong", was to enter the required details onto the opened-out document and display it in a prominent position in his office]
CROWN LANDS: 'COMMR OF CROWN LANDS & SURVEY' very fine strike in blue on 1866 cover with distorted strike of the scarce unframed 'BULLAROOK/SE10/66/VICTORIA' arrival b/s. Bullarook PO 1.3.1861.
JUSTICE, MINISTER OF: Handstamp in blue-black on 1880s envelope with 'DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE' imprint at L/L, the Frank with manuscript "Cancelled/[initials]", horizontal and vertical bends.
LANDS AND SURVEY, MINISTER OF: Printed in black on 1890s oversize Envelope (278x151mm) with 'DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY' imprint at L/L, remarkably unfolded, light overall discolouration (more pronounced on the reverse), unused.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, MINISTER OF: Very fine strike in blue on a 'ruler envelope' (385x58mm) with 'EDUCATION DEPARTMENT' imprint at L/L, to School 1479 in St Kilda but endorsed on the back "Closed 3rd Delivery", sealed with two metal eyelets so ripped-open at right but later roughly repaired, central fold & a bit soiled. Despite the faults this is a truly extraordinary item. The only recorded example: illustrated by Stieg & Watson at page 127.
Sale No: 2
Lot No: 1151
Symbol: PS
Cat No: Collection
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, MINISTER OF: Printed in black on both halves of a reply-lettersheet requiring an attendance report in respect of named children, minor defects, unused. The only recorded example, and the only such return-usage item recorded apart from the famous hoard of 1870s-1880s Justice of the Peace forms.
RAILWAYS & ROADS, COMMISSIONER OF: Handstamp in red (very scarce) on long envelope with '.../Assistant Commissioner's and Secretary's Office' imprint at L/L crossed-through because used at Ballarat to Clunes, docketing on the face, minor flap fault, S&W #E40; the only recorded example. Very pretty!
RAILWAYS, MINISTER OF: Printed in black on c.1900 penalty envelope with 'VICTORIAN RAILWAYS/...Station' imprunt at L/L, stained on the reverse, unused.
SOLICITOR-GENERAL: Handstamp in blue-black on 1880s envelope with beautiful embossed crest in purple on the reverse & 'Crown Law Offices' imprint at L/L, the Frank with manuscript "Cancelled/[initials]", light bend at the base.
TREASURER, THE: printed Frank on the last page of an entire 'Copy of Federal Constitution...as finally adopted by the Australasian Federal Convention at Melbourne...on the 16th March 1898...', sent in a band that has not survivied, minor blemishes & a tear on the front page repaired with archival tape. A vitally important secondary source document and a remarkable Frank usage.
TREASURER, THE: Printed in black on penalty envelope with 'INCOME TAX OFFICE/...' imprint at L/L, the Frank obliterated with two strikes of a bar h/s in violet, slit open at the top. Rare.
TREASURER, THE: Printed in dull blue on 1870s Postal Card rouletted on three sides to allow removal from a page of cards, 'TREASURY, MELBOURNE' imprint on message-side & printer's imprint '[1000-9.76]' indicating 1000 were printed in September 1876, minor spotting, unused.
TREASURER, THE: Printed in black + Embossed 1d pink on piece with Melbourne cds on 1.11.02, minor blemishes. Although only a cutout, this is a rare Postal Stationery issue. However, the most significant thing is that the franking system was discontinued on 31.10.1902, after which the Frank was supposed to be obliterated & postage paid. This therefore is a First Day usage of the new system, and the only First Day usage we have recorded.
TREASURER, THE: Printed in black on Registration Envelope with 'INCOME TAX OFFICE' imprint at L/L, 'REGISTERED/MELBOURNE - R' duplex, to South Yarra, light stain on the reverse.
TREASURER, THE: Handstamp in blue very fine strike on 1873 Envelope with 'CURATOR'S OFFICE, TREASURY BUILDING' imprint at L/L, to Scotland :via Brindisi" but with no postage paid, 'BRIDGE OF ALLAN/DE22/73' arrival b/s, minor blemishes. Nice usage.