Worldwide Stamps and Covers Australian Occupation of German New Guinea
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1052
Symbol: C
1914 (Sept circa) unfranked cover to England endorsed per "HMAS Berrima" and "Garrison Rabaul" & "No Stamps procurable/Active Service" from member of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF), Sydney machine cancel 'OC12/1914' transit on face where very fine large '1D'-in-circle h/s applied for the deficiency only, on arrival Great Britain Postage Due 1d red affixed tied by 'BAWTRY/30NO/14/YORKS' cds, a few edge faults, ink stains & minor aging marks just add to the item's character. William Pate's similar cover - in better condition but with less clear markings - sold at our auction of 3.3.2019 for $1917.
The HMAS 'Berrima' was requisitioned from P&O at the outbreak of WWI and is famous for having landed troops at Herbertshöhe on 11 September 1914, at Rabaul on the 12th and at Madang on the New Guinea mainland on the 24th. She returned to Sydney in early October where she was converted to a troop transport and, in December 1914, she was part of the Second Convoy to Egypt. Free postage for WWI Forces was not introduced until February 1915.
1917 (July 27) cover to "877 Private AR Burrington/Victorian Tropical Unit/4th ANM Exp Force/Bita Paka/via Rabaul/New Britain" with KGV 1d red tied by Melbourne machine cancel, German label inscribed 'Militärischerseits unter/Kriegsrecht geöffnet/Berlin.../Ueberwachungsoffizier' (= "Opened under Military Law at Berlin.../Supervising Officer") affixed to the reverse, returned under cover to Australia via the Danish Red Cross with 'KJOBENHAVN/3.2.19...' cds on face, some staining & edge faults. Plus an unused PPC of the 'Matunga'. [Bita Paka is an island north of New Britain. The wireless station there was the object of the initial Australian invasion, and was captured on 11.9.1914]
Carried per Burns Philp Line SS 'Matunga', which was intercepted on 6.8.1917 by the German raider SMS 'Wolf' and taken into Dutch New Guinea waters and scuttled near Waigeo Island after the crew, passengers & cargo (including the mails) were transferred. On her return to Germany, the mails were impounded. After the war, the mail was delivered to the Danish Red Cross for return to the original senders. Only seven so-called 'Matunga covers' are recorded. [Kevin Nelson's example - also graded "C" - sold at our auction of 27.11.2010 for $3335. See also Lots 1154 & 1155]
(2)
1918 (April 25; Anzac Day) German unfranked POW postcard from "RNM Macintosh, Captain, Aust NG Exp. Forces" being held in the Heidelberg Officers' Camp, Germany, to "Lieut D Waugh/Rabaul/New Guinea" with message re "... a canvas bag and the sum of £2/12/6d to give to you. Unfortunately I have not yet had an opportunity of delivering ..." (!), on the face a camp cachet in blue, 'HEIDELBERG/25.4.18' cds and faint 'LONDON/PAID' machine cancel, small closed spikehole at left & a couple of minor blemishes. The sender was one of five Australian officers taken prisoner when the Burns Philp Line SS 'Matunga' was captured by the German raider SMS 'Wolf': see also Lots 1053 & 1155.
POSTMARKS: 'KAISERLICHES BEZIRKSGERICHT/FRIEDRICH-WILHELMSHAFEN' defaced Court Seal h/s 1) complete strike in violet on German New Guinea Yachts 30pf (fault at top); 2) lower-half strike in violet on Kangaroo 1d red punctured Small 'OS'; and 3) upper-half strike in black on German New Guinea Yachts 'G.R.I./2d' on 20pf blue 6mm Spacing SG 4 (Cat £110 used), all on small pieces. (3)
POSTMARKS: 1914 (circa) '[ ______________ ]/FRIEDRICH-WILHELMSHAFEN' [in relief] defaced Mail Bag Seal h/s largely very fine complete strike on German New Guinea Yachts 10pf (small corner fault at top) on piece.
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 607
Symbol: *OC
Cat No: Collection
BACK-OF-THE-BOOK: Attractively presented collection with Bosnia & Herzegovina including Overprints for Use in Yugoslavia including 1919 'KRALJESTVO/SHS' set to 10kr, Cat €800+; Military Posts including 'KUK/FELDPOST/FELDPOST' set to 10kr (trials or proofs?), various Occupation issues, Cat €1400+ (not including the 'double' overprints) plus a good range of covers including registered & parcel post useges; and Plebiscites for Carpathia & Salzburg including publicity labels & propaganda postcards; generally very fine but some of the postmarks are questionable so they have not been included in the catalogue values.
(100s) (Image1)
Estimate AU$500
Opening AU$ 380.00
Sold...AU$ 420.00
Closed..Jun-27-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 420
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 608
Symbol: P
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA: 1917 Assassination/Church Fund proof blocks of 4 each value in four different colours, set of imperf blocks of 4 in the issued colours, 1919 Yugoslav Overprints Mi 30-32 blocks of 4 with Inverted Overprints, many units unmounted, and 1910 Pictorials 25h Hesshaimer facsimile.
(18 blocks)
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 609
Symbol: O=C
Cat No: Collection
COMMERCIAL PERFINS: Collection of pre-WWII types 'A' to 'ZOZ' with many unusual patterns & a large number on non-base-rate stamps, various multiples, some on piece & two covers, some postmark interest, condition variable. Also checklist 'A' to 'ZZ/LL' by John Nussbickel and for Austrian Levant.
(500+ items) (Image1)
Estimate AU$300
Opening AU$ 230.00
Sold...AU$ 230.00
Closed..Jun-27-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 230
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 610
Symbol: CPS
POSTAL HISTORY: Box of mostly used Postal Stationery with some unusual items plus PPCs including 1910 Vienna Exhibition with Exhibition cds etc, generally fine to very fine, lots of postmark content.
(57 items) (Image1)
Estimate AU$100
Opening AU$ 75.00
Sold...AU$ 75.00
Closed..Jun-27-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 75
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 611
Symbol: C
POSTAL HISTORY: 1953 (Oct 14) commercial airmail cover to Massachusetts with scarce franking of Birds 5s (minor bends, Cat €120) + Costumes 30g & 3s50g tied by Vienna cds, black/yellow R label.
POSTAL HISTORY: 1938 (April 23) Anschluss airmail to Australia with "Vienna III, Germany" return address, Costumes 8g and Airmails 60g & 1s tied by 'WIEN//FLUGPOST' cds, Greek currency censor cachet on face, Melbourne '5MAY/1938' arrival b/s, light central fold & minor blemishes mostly on back.
EUPEN & MALMEDY: Mostly mint selection of overprints with 'ALLEMAGNE/DUITSCHLAND' set, 'EUPEN/&/ MALMEDY' Surcharges, 'Eupen' Postage Dues, 'Malmédy' set x2 (one used) & 'Malmédy' Postage Dues, some hinge remainders, and a philatelic registered cover, Cat €1600+.
(88 + cover)
POSTAL HISTORY: 1938 (Jan 21) airmail to Australia with Leopold 1fr50c, 1fr75c & 5fr tied by 'VERVIERS' cds, Brussells transit & Melbourne '4FEB/1938' arrival b/s, a couple of blemishes. Interrupted service IE621 per Imperial flying boat 'Cordelia'. [Sanford #380123: "No mail is known in collectors' hands"]
Two cartons of mostly modern titles but including 'Descriptive Notes on Papuan Plants' by Baron Ferdinand von Mueller (1875, rather aged & re-bound); 'The Melanesian Island Languages' by Ray (1926); 'Narrative of the Voyage of HMS Rattlesnake' in two volumes by Macgillivray (1967 facsimile edition), 'Narrative of the Voyage of HMS Fly' in 2 volumes by Jukes (1993 facsimile edition #94/250) 'The Vailala Madness and other Essays' by Williams (1976), etc, generally fine to very fine. A wealth of knowledge, at a bargain-basement price.
(55) (Image1)
Estimate AU$200
Opening AU$ 150.00
Sold...AU$ 160.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 160
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1598
Symbol:
Five religious works in indigenous languages comprising 1) 'Ekalesia Ana Pari (Portions of the Book of Common Prayer in the Mukawa Laguage)' [London, 1905]; 2) 'Taparoro Ana Buki Bapuna. Taparoro Ana Wona. Pana Paneati (First Catechism and Hymns, Translated into the Language of Paneati, Papua)' [Melbourne, 1918]; 3) 'Buki Tabu Lowaenei' (Old Testament - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Ruth, Esther, Psalms, Isiah & Jonah in Dobu) [London, 1919]; 4) 'Ekalesia Ana Giu Viegana (Lectures on the Teaching of the Church in the Wedau Language, Papua) by Bishop Henry Newton [London, 1930]; and 5) 'Iesu Keriso. Nou Wade Overa (The Four Gospels in Kiwai, Fly Delta, Papua)' [Sydney, 1947], good to fine.
(5) (Image1)
Estimate AU$300
Opening AU$ 230.00
Sold...AU$ 230.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 230
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1599
Symbol: L
Trio of titles comprising 'Patrolling in Papua' by Humphries (1923 first edition h/b 287pp with 41 b/w photographic illustrations plus foldout map); 'Papuan Pictures' by HM Dauncey (1913 h/b 184pp with 63 b/w illustrations from photographs by the author); and 'New Guinea Diary 1942-43' by war correspondent George H Johnston (1946 h/b 254 pages with 8 b/w photographs plus map); all with minor cover wear, the pages very fine.
(3)
1847 'Narrative of the Surveying Voyage of HMS Fly, commanded by Captain FP Blackwood RN, in Torres Strait, New Guinea, and Other Islands of the Eastern Archipelago, during the Years 1842-1846' by the geologist Joseph Beete Jukes in two volumes (1847 First Edition, h/b 423pp & 362pp) with numerous engraved and aquatint plates mostly by Harden S Melville & engraved foldout maps including a highly detailed map of Queensland's east coast & the Great Barrier Reef north to British New Guinea, occasional foxing as usual. Historically important volumes. [A leading antiquarian bookseller currently has a similar set for sale at $4850]
The expedition was the first to be sent to Australia specifically to undertake survey work. A key objective was Jukes' performing the first scientific survey of the Great Barrier Reef.
(2) (Image1)
Estimate AU$2,500
Opening AU$ 2,000.00
Sold...AU$ 2,000.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 2000
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1601
Symbol: L
1880 'New Guinea: What I Did and What I Saw Volume I' by the Italian naturalist Luigi Maria D'Albertis (1880, first edition; 424 pages, with four beautiful chromolithograph plates of birds and 36 fullpage engravings), the covers very fine, some pages with minor foxing. An important early book that is exceptionally well illustrated.
1887 'Pioneering in New Guinea' by Rev James Chalmers (1887, first edition h/b 343 pages with 30 b/w illustrations but missing the foldout map), minor wear to the covers, minor spine splits but all pages in place, a few pages with light foxing otherwise very fine.
1890 'Toil, Travel and Discovery in British New Guinea' by Theodore Francis Bevan (1890), with five foldout hand-tinted maps at rear, light foxing, internally very clean. [A similar example is currently available online for US$240] (Image1)
Estimate AU$150
Opening AU$ 115.00
Sold...AU$ 115.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 115
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1604
Symbol: L
1895 'Pioneer Life and Work in New Guinea 1877-1894' by Rev James Chalmers (1895 first edition, h/b; 255 pages with 43 b/w illustrations plus map), minor wear to the covers with a small ink stain on the reverse, some pages with light foxing otherwise very fine. [Two copies are currently available online for US$275 & US$300]
1898 'Through New Guinea and other Cannibal Countries' by H Cayley-Webster (1898 first edition h/b 387 pages with 100 b/w illustrations plus foldout map), covers worn, some splitting along the spine but all pages are in place, the pages with minor aging along the edges. [A fine copy was recently sold online for $350]
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1606
Symbol:
Cat No: 106/175)
1898 'Ethnographical Album of the Pacific Islands, Third Series - An Album of the Weapons, Tools, Ornaments, Articles of Dress of the Natives of the Pacific Islands' by James Edge-Partington (1898, privately published #106/175), 234 landscape-format loose-leaf pages (405x205mm) including 225 plates of hand-drawn illustrations, the frontispiece discoloured otherwise remarkably fine. In the original portfolio box with very fine title plate on the lid & brass clasp. Relevant content for German New Guinea (leaves 36-47), New Guinea (ie Papua leaves 72-94), Australia (leaves 95-146) & New Zealand (leaves 147-225). A rare & important book. [Even the 1969 facsimile edition is keenly sought-after, with copies offered online for between US$425 & US$690] (Image1)
Estimate AU$6,000
Opening AU$ 5,000.00
Sold...AU$ 5,000.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 5000
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1607
Symbol: L
1902 'Savage Life in New Guinea/The Papuan in Many Moods' by missionary Rev Charles William Abel (circa 1902, first edition h/b 221 pages with 70 b/w illustrations), minor wear to the covers, the pages mostly very fine.
1905 'Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographical Specimens, Eastern Arms &c, issued monthly by WO Oldman No22 January 1905', 4pp with brief descriptions of 86 items of tribal culture & craft followed by two photographic plates illustrating most of the items, fine condition. Scarce original auction catalogue of early ethnographic dealer William Ockleford Oldman. Even today, his catalogues are highly regarded reference works. (Image1)
Estimate AU$450
Opening AU$ 400.00
Sold...AU$ 400.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 400
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1609
Symbol:
1905 'Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographical Specimens, issued monthly by WO Oldman No 33 December 1905', two pages with brief descriptions of 37 items and two tipped-in photographs illustrating all the items for sale fair condition (covers detached & chipped). (Image1)
Estimate AU$300
Opening AU$ 250.00
Sold...AU$ 250.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 250
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1610
Symbol: L
1912 'Papua or British New Guinea' by JHP ('Hubert') Murray (1912, first edition, h/b 388 pages with 33 b/w photographic illustrations + coloured foldout map), light wear & marks to the covers, the pages with minor foxing mostly along the edges otherwise very fine. [A similar copy is currently available online for US$445]
Sir John Hubert Plunkett Murray was Chief Judicial Officer of Papua &, from 1908 until his death in 1940, was Lieutenant-Governor of the Territory. During his tenure, head-hunting & cannibalism were wiped-out.
1912 'The Mafulu: Mountain People of British New Guinea' by Robert Williamson (1912 First edition, h/b 364 pages with 91 photographic plates & foldout colour map at rear, some foxing. [Williamson was the first non-missionary European to have contact with the Mafulu] (Image1)
Estimate AU$100
Opening AU$ 75.00
Sold...AU$ 75.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 75
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1612
Symbol: L
1914 'In Far New Guinea' by Henry Newton published by Seeley Service & Co, London (1914 first edition; h/b in half-leather 304 pages with 48 b/w photographic illustrations plus foldout map with repaired tears), the covers very fine, some pages with minor foxing. [Or buy the modern reprint for $100]
1922 'Last Days in New Guinea, being further Experiences of a New Guinea Resident Magistrate' by Captain CAW Monckton (1922 first edition, h/b 280+ pages with numerous illustrations & two foldout maps), signed by the author on the title page, very fine inscribed copy. (Image1)
Estimate AU$100
Opening AU$ 75.00
Sold...AU$ 75.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 75
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1614
Symbol: L
1937 'The New Guinea Handbook' compiled under the authority of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth and published by the Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra (1937 h/b 550 pages with many b/w illustrations plus map & statistical supplement), some wear to the covers, very minor splitting along the spine but all pages in place & very fine. A wealth of statistical & other official information plus many fascinating advertisements.
1940 'Exploration of Unknown New Guinea', exceptional official report by JL Taylor published as four articles in 'The Pacific Islands Monthly' (Mar-June 1940), in a specially commissioned binding with title on spine 'Taylor Patrol, NG, 1938-39, Westwards of Mt Hagen', with chart of the Fly River, generally very fine. Rare. Ex Geoffrey Ingleton. (Image1)
Estimate AU$150
Opening AU$ 120.00
Sold...AU$ 120.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 120
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1616
Symbol:
1961 'Art Styles of the Papuan Gulf' by Douglas Newton (1961, 100 pages with 263 photographs & map), ownership signature of Australian anthropologist "Ian Hogbin", inscribed below by the author 'with love from Douglas', very fine. Another very scarce title. (Image1)
Estimate AU$200
Opening AU$ 150.00
Sold...AU$ 150.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 150
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1617
Symbol:
1984 'Sepik Diary' by Frank Hodgkinson (Sydney, 1984) with handwritten text and monocolour or watercolour illustrations throughout, the deluxe edition #87/100 plus tipped-in crocodile etching #7/100 signed on the limitation page by the author/artist "Frank Hodgkinson" and for Reid Books and Touche Ross (accountants), some very minor foxing; with the illustrated slipcase. (Image1)
Estimate AU$200
Opening AU$ 180.00
Sold...AU$ 180.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 180
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1618
Symbol:
1996 'Plumes from Paradise: Trade Cycles in Outer South-East Asia and their impact on New Guinea and Nearby Islands until 1920' by Pamela Swadling (1996, first edition h/b 352 pages with photographic plates & maps), largely very fine. [Current online prices for "good used" copies range from $158 to $505!] (Image1)
Estimate AU$100
Opening AU$ 75.00
Sold...AU$ 75.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 75
Documents & Ephemera
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1619
Symbol:
1875 Greek Psalter, endorsed within "Albert Maclaren, from Revd J Scarr, August 26 1875'; housed in a box titled 'Presented by Bishop R Butterrs to ABM National Office August 10th 1991', wear to the cover, the pages generally very fine. [Reverend Albert Maclaren was ordained Deacon in 1878, and founded the New Guinea Mission on 10th August 1891] (Image1)
Estimate AU$250
Opening AU$ 200.00
Sold...AU$ 200.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 200
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1620
Symbol:
1899 British New Guinea Mining Ordinance with the enormous Territory seal in red & signed "GR Le Hunte", very fine. [George Ruthven Le Hunte was Lieutenant-Govenor of British New Guinea 1898-1903 and Governor of South Australia 1903-09] (Image1)
Estimate AU$500
Opening AU$ 380.00
Sold...AU$ 380.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 380
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1621
Symbol:
1900 'British New Guinea Government Gazette' for 23rd June 1900 with 'BNG Mining Act - Dredging for Gold', with the enormous Territory seal in red & signed "GR Le Hunte", very fine. (Image1)
Estimate AU$500
Opening AU$ 380.00
Sold...AU$ 380.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 380
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1622
Symbol:
1923 largely typed letter on Territory of Papua, Mines Department letterhead, mentioning the printing of 'The Geology of Papua' by Evan Stanley, signed "Staniforth Smith", very fine. [Miles Staniforth Cater Smith was occasional Administrator during absences of Lieut-Governor Hubert Murray, and a sometime explorer of limited talent] (Image1)
Estimate AU$50
Opening AU$ 40.00
Sold...AU$ 40.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 40
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1623
Symbol:
1926-27 'Official Correspondence of JHP Murray, Lieutenant-Governor of the Territory of Papua', archival slipcase containing three 1926-27 official letters to the Minister of State for Home & Territories in Melbourne re a series of inter-tribal murders & the bravery of the native police, all signed "JHP Murray" ; together with duplicate copies on onion paper; generally fine to very fine. (Image1)
Estimate AU$750
Opening AU$ 600.00
Sold...AU$ 600.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 600
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1624
Symbol:
1942 'Allied Geographical Section, South-West Pacific Area. Terrain Study No.28, Main Routes Across New Guinea' under the name of General Douglas Macarthur (Melbourne, 1942). with photographs & maps, housed in a clear plastic folder to preserve the original covers. [An important Kokoda Trail document] (Image1)
Estimate AU$250
Opening AU$ 200.00
Sold...AU$ 200.00
Closed..Jun-28-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 200
Fiji
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 626
Symbol: O
Cat No: 16-18 & 26
Attractive collection to 1927 with 'CR' 1d, 2c on 1d & 12c on 6d, Gothic Overprints SG 16-18 & 26, Roman Overprints SG 23, good range of the 'VR' Underprints & 'VR' Reblocked issues, QV 1/- x6 & 5/-, 1891-92 Surcharges SG 70 72 & 73, most Pirogue issues, KEVII 1903 & 1906-12 sets, KGV to £1 x2 (both Die I), Postage Due 1917 ½d SG D1 vertical pair 1d 2d & 3d, 1918 set &1940 1d 2d & 4d, generally very fine, Cat £9000+.
(167) (Image1)
Estimate AU$4,000
Opening AU$ 3,000.00
Sold...AU$ 3,000.00
Closed..Jun-27-2023, 20:00:00 EST
Sold For 3000
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 627
Symbol: *
Cat No: 138c
1915 'WAR STAMP' Overprints ½d green with the Overprint Inverted SG 138c, well-centred, lightly tropicalised gum, lightly mounted, Cat £500. Chris Ceremuga Certificate (2004).
Handy selection with 6mm Spacing SG 3-6, 5mm Spacing SG 16-19 & 22-25 plus extra '1d.' on 3pf & '3d.' on 30pf x2, 'G.R.I./3d.' Registration Label for Kawieng SG 42 (marginal example, no gum as usual), Overprints on Marshalls SG 50-53 & '5d.' on 50pf SG 57 plus '1' on '2d' on 10pf SG 63, a few other extras, generally very fine, Cat £3400.
(31)
1914-15 6mm Spacing on German New Guinea '2d'. on 10pf [Stg 1 Pos 2], '2d.' on 20pf [Stg 1 Pos 4] and '2½d.' on 10pf [Stg 4 Pos 8] & '2½d.' on 20pf [Stg 4 Pos 3] SG 3-6, well centred, a couple of very minor blemishes, lightly mounted, Cat £385.
(4)
1914-15 6mm Spacing on German New Guinea '2d.' on 20pf blue with '1' for 'I' SG 4a [Stg 1; Pos 10], excellent centring, minor defects, large-part 'RABAUL/NOV 2 1914' linotype cancel in violet, Cat £425.
Sale No: 252
Lot No: 1062
Symbol: */**
Cat No: 6 horizontal
1914-15 6mm Spacing on German New Guinea '2½d.' on 20pf ultramarine SG 6 horizontal strip of 10 being the complete Setting 2 [Pos 1-10], from the base of the sheet with 'Deutsch-Neu-Guinea' inscription twice in the lower margin, perf splitting where previously folded between units 2 & 3 and 5 & 6, the first & last units mounted, the other eight units unmounted, Cat £1100++, for ten mounted singles. Robert Gibbs 'GRI' (1987) states at p13 that Lt GW Moore (the Postmaster at Rabaul) reported only 1445 stamps overprinted '2½d.' on 20pf were issued (across both 6mm & 5mm spacings).
