KING GEORGE V HEADS 2d Red Die III CofA Watermark ACSC 103 (SG 127)
Sale No: 253
Lot No: 506
Symbol: V
Cat No: 127
2d scarlet Kiss Print ACSC 103cb horizontal pair, both units showing a second impression 1mm lower & to the right most evident below the lower frame, small-part Melbourne cds, Cat $600+ for two singles.
1914 (Oct 10) Brisbane Coach & Wheel Works, Rosalie advertising envelope with all-over illustration of Morris's Saw Mills, Coach & Wheel Works, Smiths Shop & Store Room Smiths Shop on the face, to Ipswich with KGV 1d red tied by Brisbane machine cancel, some aging marks.
1914 (Dec) usage by Australian serviceman of troopship picture postcard to Victoria with KGV 1d red tied by very fine complete strike of 'ENG MAIL TPO/IN -7DE14/VIC' cds used on board the Adelaide - Melbourne express train, Melbourne 'PASSED' censor handstamp in violet, a few minor edge faults. Probably posted at Albany WA. The ship was part of the first convoy of Ausrtalian troops to Egypt, but its name printed on the view side has been scratched out as required by the censor.
1914 (Dec) usage of Ceylon 'Victoria Memorial Eye and Ear Hospital, Colombo' picture postcard overprinted by Australian serviceman Athol G Adams on board troopship with 'HMAT "Orvieto" A3 Xmas 1914, Printed at Sea' heading and Christmas greetings message in blue at upper-right, to Victoria with KGV 1d red (folded over edge but complete) tied by very fine largely complete strike of 'ENG MAIL TPO/IN -7DE14/VIC' cds used on board the Adelaide - Melbourne express train, unusually doubly censored with shipboard 'PASSED' ornate-boxed handstamp at upper-left and Melbourne 'PASSED' cachet both in violet, a few edge faults including missing corner at upper-left.
1914 (Dec 29) to New Zealand posted on board troopship probably at Albany (WA) en route to Egypt with KGV 1d red horizontal pair tied by two largely very fine strikes of 'NZ MILITARY POST OFFICE/DEC 29 1914/FIRST REINFORCEMENT/EXPEDITIONARY FORCE' boxed datestamp in violet, some aging marks & part back flap missing, the front apparently 'cleaned'. The 'free postage' concession for servicemen was not introduced until February 1915, so the 1d per ½oz British Empire letter rate applied. [This datestamp was inscribed or issued in error to HMNZT No 14, the "Willochra". Ships 13-15, comprising the Second Reinforcements, departed 14.12.1914]
1915 (Feb 10) KGV 1d red with largely very fine large-part strike of 'MILITARY CAMP/No2/[STH] AUSTRALIA' cds (PSSA rated RRRRR). Recorded use 10.2.1915 to 17.3.1915 (five weeks only) this being the earliest recorded date. The PSSA does not state the location at which it was used.
1915 folded lettersheet to "Lce Cpl James Scott, B Comp 8th Gordon Highldrs, British Expeditionery Force, France" with KGV 1d red Die II (recumbent; not merged) tied by Kyneton (Vic) cds, British 'ARMY POST OFFICE.18' & 'UNABLE TO TRACE' handstamp on reverse, re-directed with 'HAWKHURST/29 NO/15' cds tying resealing tape at top and '.../27 JA/16/ BRISTOL' cds on 'OFFICIALLY SEALED' label affixed at base, rounded corners & transmission marks.
1915 (April 24) commercial cover to Massachusetts with KGV 4d orange horizontal pair tied by Sydney 'REGISTERED' cds and red & black/white R label alongside, additionally with 'LATE FEE/SYDNEY N.S.W' cds struck at lower-left, New York transit and 'SPRINGFIELD, MASS/MAY/26/1915' arrival backstamps. The rate was 2½d foreign letter plus 3d registration fee plus a late fee of 2½d being a single rate of letter postage. Uniform late fees of 1d per article (2d for registered mail) irrespective of destination were not introduced until 1922. Unusually, the 'LATE FEE' cds was not used to cancel the stamps, but appears to have been applied subsequently to indicate the payment of the late fee.
1915 (July 16) KGV 1d blue Letter Card ('COOGEE BEACH, SYDNEY' with No Sky) to Tumut (NSW) with largely very fine complete strike of the scarce 'RUTHERFORD MILTY CAMP/=NSW=' cds, minor aging marks & tiny opening fault on back. PO 13.4.1916; closed 30.11.1916.
1915 (Aug 15) OHMS cover with 'GEOLOGICAL SURVEY/OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA' triple-oval datestamp in blue at lower-left, to Wisconsin where endorsed "Public Museum", with scarce franking of punctured 'OS' KGV ½d green with White Flaw in Right Wattles [Pos 1R19] ACSC 63(1)l & Kangaroo 2d grey tied by light Perth machine cancel over-struck with 10-Bar Obliterator, 'PASSED BY/CENSOR' handstamp on face, a couple of minor blemishes.
1915 (Oct 2) to "Sgt Pickupp, MG Section, 24th Infantry Regt, Victoria Barracks, Park Road, Moore Park, Darlinghurst" with KGV 1d red tied by largely very fine almost complete strike of the scarce 'WARWICK FARM CAMP/=NSW=' cds, re-directed to Waverley (NSW) with Sydney '24OC/1915' backstamp, roughly opened at right & some aging marks. PO -.9.1915; closed ?.
1915 (Oct 19) Presbyterian Church of Australia (NSW) Field Service Department 'Flags' illustrated envelope to Sydney with KGV 1d red tied by largely fine complete strike of 'HOLDSWORTHY CAMP/=NSW=' cds, a few edge faults & aging marks. PO -.-.1915 (?); closed 15.11.1919. Hobson & Tobin list the opening date as 22.3.1916, but it was obviously opened earlier.
1915 (Oct 28) KGV 4d orange with largely very fine almost complete strike of ‘TPO TRANS RAILWAY/WESTN AUSTRALIA’ cds used on the Trans-Australia Railway. PO 26.1.1915; closed 21.1.1918. A lesser strike on KGV 4d orange sold at our auction of 2.10.2021 for $566.
1915 (Nov 1) KGV 1d red with very fine large-part strike of ‘STAVERTON/RLY/[T]ASMANIA’ rubber cds (Hardinge R1; rated RRRR) in blue. Receiving Office only 13.9.1915; renamed Dasher 14.1.1917 and renamed Roland 30.8.1917.
1915 (Dec 17) The Silverton Tranmway Co Ltd envelope to South Australia with late but valid combination franking of KGV ½d green and Victoria 1½d orange/yellow tied by Melbourne machine cancel. The rate was 1d per ½oz domestic letter x2.
1916 (early) to "Lce Cpl JOL Blake, 1st King's Dragoon Guards, 8th Cavalry Brigade, 8th Lucknow Division, Indian Expeditionery Force A, c/- the Officer in Charge, Canterbury Record Office, England" with KGV 1d red tied by North Sydney machine cancel, forwarded from England with 'CAVALRY RECORD OFFICE/CANTERBURY' cachet and various British Army PO transits, Indian 'FPO/No15' cds used in France and 'Not with unit/Date ....' boxed handstamp in violet all on reverse, at one point redirected to "6 Convalescent Depot, Etaples 28 4/16, France" but finally with light 'DEAD LETTER OFFICE/-1DE16/SYDNEY NSW' cds, minor transmission marks.
1916 (circa) Orient Line of Royal Mail Steamers envelope to Victoria posted by an Australian serviceman on board troopship with 'A.I.F./Passed by Censor No. ["6081"]' cachet (number added in blue pencil) and KGV ½d green 'A.I.F.' Overprint pair affixed but not cancelled, the cover with minor edge faults & the left-hand stamp with perf faults at upper-right. [These private unauthorised overprints were purportedly 'issued' for use on troopship and military mail, but did not have any postal validity. From February 1915 onwards, Australian servicemen overseas were afforded free letter (up to 4oz) postage privilege, so no action was taken in respect of the bogus overprints. [See also Lots 582, 583 & 593 below]
1916 (circa) KGV 1d purple-brown Letter Card ('BOTANIC GARDENS/SYDNEY'), to Manilla (NSW) posted directly onto train with largely very fine strike of 'T.P.O. 1 NORTH/DN/1/NSW' cds and double-ring 'LATE FEE/1D/TO PAY' handstamp alongside, small edge fault at lower-right and a couple of minor blemishes.
1916 (Jan 17) Presbyterian Church of Australia Field Service Department 'Flags' illustrated envelope to New Zealand with KGV 1d red tied by largely very fine complete strike of the very scarce 'CASULA MILITARY CAMP/=NSW=' cds, a few minor blemishes. PO -.12.1915; closed 10.3.1916.
1916 (Jan 31) to "Miss Ebery, Australian Prebytn Mission. South Kyeng Lang Province, Kuchang, Korea" with KGV ½d green & 1d red horizontal pair tied by Perth marchine cancel, carried by ship via Hong Kong & Shanghai (transits) then overland with largely very fine 'AHTUNG' cds (North East China, on the Yalu River) and indistinct '..../I.J.P.O' arrival backstamps, small closed edge faults & light vertical fold. [Korea was under Japanese Occupation from 1910-1945] (Image1)
Estimate AU$200
Opening AU$ 150.00
Sold...AU$ 360.00
Closed..Sep-18-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 360
Sale No: 253
Lot No: 571
Symbol: C
1916 (April 8) Ballarat YMCA Army Dept with the Australian Imperial Forces red & blue 'Flags' illustrated envelope to Drysdale (Vic) with KGV 1d red tied by slightly faint complete strike of 'MILITARY CAMP/BALLARAT' cds, a 20mm closed tear at top & another small closed tear at left with a few blemishes but still most attractive. PO 11.8.1915; closed 4.12.1916.
1916 (May 10) Sydney YMCA with the Australian Imperial Forces red & blue 'Inverted Triangle' (printing flaw) envelope to Melbourne with KGV 1d red tied by largely very fine almost complete strike of 'MOORE PARK MILTY CAMP/=NSW=' cds, a few edge faults at top with small part back flap missing. PO 10.3.1916; closed 30.8.1918.
Sale No: 253
Lot No: 573
Symbol: C
Cat No: Collection
1916 (May 16) Leeds Bros, Stock and Station Agents, Fat Stock Salesmen, Orange envelope to Amaroo with '100 POSTED' handstamp and ½d green solo tied by 'ORANGE/NSW' cds, minor blemishes. The rate was ½d 'Circulars' printed papers, which required the endorsement.
1916 (May 25) usage of picture postcard ('Remiltons Kuranda Hotel') to Penang with KGV ½d green horizontal pair tied by Innisfail (Qld) cds, Straits Settlements 'PASSED CENSOR/T' handstamp in violet with 'R.W.P.C. 23605' cachet alongside, Singapore transit & 'PENANG/21 JU/1916' arrival, minor blemishes. The rate was 1d British Empire postcard.
1916 (June 16) Shierlaw envelope (front only) with KGV 1d red tied by very fine complete strike of the very scarce 'DUNTROON MILTY CAMP/=NSW=' cds with another complete strike alongside. PO 22.3.1916; closed 20.12.1916; re-opened 1.2.1917; closed 7.2.1918. [Australian Capital Territory]
1916 (June 17) Sydney YMCA with the Australian Imperial Forces red 'Inverted Triangle' envelope to Melbourne with KGV 1d red tied by largely very fine almost complete strike of the very scarce 'COOTAMUNDRA MILTY CAMP/=NSW=' cds, small closed tear at upper-left & minor edge faults with small part back flap missing. PO 15.5.1916; closed 25.11.1916.
1916 (June 28) Tasmania Police Gazette OHMS wrapper to "The Constable, Police Station, Kempton" (Tas) with scarce solo franking of KGV ½d green punctured 'T' tied by Hobart cds, minor blemishes on reverse otherwise very fine. The printed matter rate was ½d per 2oz.
1916 (Sept 7) YMCA of Tasmania on Active Service with the Australian Imperial Forces envelope to West Devonport with KGV 1d red tied by fine complete strike of 'MILITARY CAMP 1/ TASMANIA' cds used at Claremont Military Camp, a few minor edge faults at top. PO 23.10.1914; closed 22.11.1918.
1916 (Oct 5) KGV 1d red tied to small piece by very fine to superb complete strike of the very scarce 'MILITARY CAMP ASCOT/28OC15/WESTN AUST' cds. PO opened at Belmont Park Racecourse late-1915; closed -/2/1917. A slightly lesser strike on defective cover sold at our auction of 28.2.2023 for $324.
1916 (Oct 7) Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works notification postcard to Northcote with ½d green 'MBW' commercial perfin solo tied by Melbourne machine cancel, a couple of minor corner bends. The rate was ½d printed matter; the postcard rate was 1d.
1916 (Nov 7) NSW Government Tourist Bureau PPC ('The Indian Chamber, Orient Cave, Jenolan Caves') to Sydney with KGV 1d red tied by largely very fine complete strike of the scarce 'BATHURST MILTY CAMP/=NSW=' cds, minor blemishes. PO 1.5.1916; closed 2.12.1916.
1917 (Jan 30) The Orient Line illustrated 'Flag' envelope to Victoria presumably posted by an Australian serviceman on board troopship with KGV ½d green 'A.I.F.' Overprint horizontal pairs x2 the right-hand pair both with the Overprint Inverted, the cover off-loaded en route along the African coast with the stamps tied by four light strikes of 'FREETOWN/SIERRA LEONE' cds plus a very fine backstamp, another stamp affixed alongside initially invalidated with pencil 'X' then blacked-out with ink and finally removed entirely, censored with a pair of 'G. [Arms] R./Officially sealed' black/pink labels handstamped 'Opened by Censor' (as James Drummond 'Official Seals of the World' OS1 but on pink instead of cream paper) affixed at right, a couple of very minor aging marks.
These private unauthorised overprints were purportedly 'issued' for use on troopship and military mail, but did not have any postal validity. From February 1915 onwards, Australian servicemen overseas were afforded free letter (up to 4oz) postage privilege. The Sierra Leone postal clerk appears to have accepted the overprints as valid, but taken issue with the other stamp (label?): having been removed, it is impossible to say why. A remarkable item.
1917 (Jan) The Orient Line of Royal Mail Steamers illustrated 'Flag' envelope to Victoria presumably posted by an Australian serviceman on board troopship with KGV 1d red 'A.I.F.' Overprint affixed but not cancelled, the cover off-loaded en route with South Africa KGV 2½d blue added tied by 'PIETERMARITZBURG/12JA17' cds, a few mostly minor edge faults & marks and a small part of the back flap missing.
1917 (Feb 24) cover to "Valle d'Aosta" Italy posted directly onto train with KGV ½d green and Kangaroos 2d grey tied by largely very fine complete strike of 'T.P.O 16/DOWN/VICTORIA' cds used on the Melbourne-Sale Line, censored with Melbourne 'PASSED' handstamp in violet on face, 'SAINT VINCENT/22.4.17' transit where re-directed to "Stazione Radio Telegrafica F18, Commando Lettere ... Zona de Guerra" with 'POSTA MILITARE/26.4.17/9o CORPO ARMATA' arrival backstamp, some edge wear not affecting the stamps. The 'DOWN' indicia for travel away from Melbourne indicates that the item was first carried 'down' towards Sale before being transferred to an 'up' train heading towards Melbourne. Molnar & Waugh (2015) state that this postmark "is rated RRRR on cover with five recorded".
1917 (April 4) flimsy envelope with Melbourne YMCA with the AIF red & black logo, to South Melbourne with KGV 1d red tied by very fine complete 'MILITARY CAMP BROADMEADOWS/VIC' cds, back flap missing otherwise very fine. PO 17.8.1914; closed 19.3.1919.
1917 (July 17) Tasmania YMCA envelope with red & black 'Inverted Triangle' and 'Rising Sun' badge illustration, to Deloraine with KGV 1d red tied by largely very fine complete strike of 'MILITARY CAMP 1/TASMANIA' cds used at Claremont Military Camp, a few minor edge faults at top. PO 23.10.1914; closed 22.11.1918.
1918 (April 12) KGV 1d red punctured 'OS' with largely very fine large-part strike of the rare '[MC] LEOD MIL CAMP/[V]IC' double-circle skeleton relief cds. Macleod Military Camp PO 3.4.1918; renamed Mont Park circa 1923. The only recorded date for this postmark. [The implement comprised a collar into which moveable type was inserted, often resulting in Inscriptional errors]
1918 (July 16) usage of KGV Sideface ½d green Stamped-to-Order Postal Card ACSC PS5 with 'DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE/MELBOURNE' imprint at lower-left, to Walkerville with manuscript "try SA", unnecessarily uprated with KGV ½d green punctured 'OS' tied by Melbourne cds, a couple of very minor blemishes, Cat $600. The Printed Matter rate was ½d, but it seems the 1d Commercial Papers rate was inadvertently paid. [The illustration is above Lot 590]
1918 (Sept 25) KGV 4d orange with very fine largely complete strike of '376 MILE E.W.RLY/S.A' cds (rated RRRR). PO 19.9.1916; closed 1918. [Station on the Trans-Australian Railway at the site of present-day Barton. The PSSA states that the office closed May 1918, but several later strikes to 26OC18 are recorded]
1918 (Nov 30) apparently commercial cover to Hawthorn with KGV 1d red pair - the left-hand unit an unauthorised diagonal bisect - tied by Melbourne machine cancel. In the weeks after the ½d war tax was introduced on 28.10.1918, the Post Office turned a blind eye to bisected 1d stamps. Tillie Mitchell's Kangaroo 1d bisect cover - posted a few days later - sold at our auction of 29.8.2020 for $1180.
1918 (Dec 19) to Tasmania with KGV ½d green & 4d orange with Broken Shading in front of King's Nose [Pos 2R15] tied by Sydney 'REGISTERED' cds with red/white R label alongside, Hobart '21DE18' arrival backstamp, a little roughly opened on the back & a few blemishes. The rate was 1d letter plus 3d registration fee plus ½d War Tax (introduced 28.10.1918).
1918 (Dec 28) mourning envelope to South Africa with late but valid combination franking of Western Australia 'ONE PENNY' on Swan 2d yellow horizontal pair & KGV ½d green tied by Albany cds, re-directed with Pietermaritzburg (Natal) transit on face and 'ILLOVO BEACH' arrival backstamp, minor edge faults & some aging marks. All the 'ONE PENNY' Surcharges are scarce on cover - the WA issue especially - having been prepared in 1911 upon the introduction of Australia's uniform British Empire 1d rate and then replaced by the Kangaroos soon afterwards. The rate was 1d British Empire letter x2 plus ½d War Tax.
1919 (Jan 25) Australian serviceman in Belgium cover to "Aix le Chapelle" (now Aachen, Germany) with KGV ½d green 'A.I.F.' Overprint x5 tied by very fine strikes of 'FLORENNES' cds, censored with British 'PASSED/BY/CENSOR/NO./6404' handstamp in red on face, indistinct British Field Post Office '27 JA/19' arrival also tying three of the stamps, very fine. These private unauthorised overprints were purportedly 'issued' for use on troopship and military mail, but did not have any postal validity. From February 1915 onwards, Australian servicemen overseas were afforded free letter (up to 4oz) postage privilege. This may not have extended to mail sent from a Belgian post office, which appears to have accepted the franking as legitimate. See also Lots 567, 582 & 583 above.
1919 (Feb 11) diminutive parcel tag addressed on reverse to "Busselton P.O." (WA) with KGV ½d green & 4d orange tied by light but legible 'BUNBURY/WESTERN AUSTRALIA' cds, unusually with Busselton arrival cds alongside, Cat $140+ for the 4d 'other franking'. The rate was 1d per 2oz Merchandise x4 plus ½d War Tax (introduced 28.10.1918). Intra-state parcel rates started from 6d for the first 1oz. A most attractive, unusual & scarce War Tax usage.
1919 (March 17) to Holland with KGV 1½d black-brown horizontal pair tied by Melbourne machine cancel, censored with Melbourne 'OPENED BY/CENSOR' red/white resealing label at left, s'Gravenhage '30.4.19' arrival backstamps, a couple of minor marks. The rate was 2½d foreign letter plus ½d War Tax (introduced 28.10.1918).
1919 (Oct 9) Presbyterian and Methodist Soldiers Camp Department 'Australian Flag' illustrated envelope to Melbourne with KGV 1d red x2 tied by largely very fine complete strike of 'ENOGERRA CAMP/QUEENSLAND' cds, a few mostly minor blemishes. PO -.3.1915; closed -.10.1918.
1922 (April 8) Edmund Jowett long-format merchant envelope to Trangie (NSW) with KGV 4d violet horizontal pair just tied by Melbourne cds, minor bends from bulky contents, Cat $600+ for 'other franking' on cover (plus a substantial premium for the very scarce 'multiple franking'; unpriced in the ACSC). The rate was 2d per ½oz domestic letter (introduced 1.10.1920) x4.
1922 (July 19) J Kitchen & Sons '[Owl wearing mortar-board & holding a bar of soap] Words of Wisdom Use Pure Velvet Soap' illustrated advertising postcard to Junee (NSW) posted directly onto train with KGV 1½d brown tied by partly-indistinct 'T.P.O 13/DOW[N] 19JL22/VICTORIA' cds used on the Melbourne-Wodonga Line, closed 20mm tear at lower-left where removed from spike. Molnar & Waugh (2015) state that "only one cover has been reported, though its veracity has not been confirmed ... If it does exist, it would have a unique rating". The direction of travel away from Melbourne confirms the 'DOWN' even though the strike is indistinct. We are unsure whether this is the 'cover' to which the authors refer.
1922 (Aug 28) to Germany with KGV 4d blue solo franking tied by largely very fine 'BUNTINE/WESTN AUSTRALIA' cds, Cat $125 on cover. The rate was 4d per 1oz foreign letter (introduced 1.1.1922). Buntine PO 1.3.1915 [Farming; 19km NNW of Wubin]
