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Most real photo cards from the various Ash Bester series produced in the late 1940s through to the
1960s are common to very common in unused condition. This is due to the fact that the remaindered
stock (a hoard of huge proportions!) was sold at auction in Hobart a number of years ago when Ash
Bester's closed.

Postally used Ash Bester cards ...now that's a different matter!

I have posted images below of three cards that have been postally used. My intention in creating this
topic is to compile a census of used cards (including the date of use if known). If you have have any
used Ash Bester cards, please post images (preferably of both sides) here.

If you have not posted any images to a bulletin board before, instructions can be found if you go to
the Board Index. If all else fails, you can post your image as an attachment (see Upload Attachment button)
directly from your computer to your Topic Reply which is very straightforward.

A "cracker" to start with - "Franklin Square & G.P.O. Hobart" (No.165) used from BEACHSIDE to SWEDEN.
The Hobart CTMS/T underpaid handstamp is very scarce seen used during this period I believe.
The postmark date of 23 MAY 1960 is a new late date for the Type 5 cds.



"Tessellated Pavement & Clyde Island. Eaglehawk Neck" (No.584) used late 1950s (year in cds date not legible)
from Eagle-Hawk Neck to Launceston. Franked with a 4d QEII booklet stamp.



"Looking Along road from Tower, Port Arthur" (No.137) used in 1962 from Swansea to Brisbane.

One more AB card for the list. Posted at Hobart to France, but hard to read the date. 1958 is mentioned in the letter, but the letter mentions a happy christmas, so perhaps posted December 1957. Can someone read French? Is this a good stamp on cover?






Hobart Bridge and Mt Wellington. Tas AB Series No 500.

A poor strike of Hobart. Unable to read the date. c1950??

Some time back, when discussing used dates of Ash Bester cards, Ross posted a card written in French. In the text was the year 1958, but it was not clear what it referred to. I have had the card translated, and post the original card and translation below.

It turns out to be mildly interesting. The card is from a member of the French expedition going to the French base in Adelie land, in Antartica. He says he has had rough seas, and is leaving tomorrow for Adelie Land. So it is likely that he has come to Hobart from France on the expedition ship, stayed a short time in Hobart and sent this card, and is about to set off to Antartica.

The year 1958 occurs in the sentence "Until spring 1958 for photos and account". He is wishing the recipients Happy Christmas. So this card was sent late in 1957, and he was expecting to be back in France in (northern) spring of 1958.

Bonjour Des,
Thankyou for the translation. This has made a fairly ordinary postcard to a very interesting polar postcard and added some value I would think.

I should off picked up some of the words as I normally read postcard backs. You never know if someone interesting wrote the message.

Regards
Mike.

Graeme Williams in Launceston has looked through his collection for used and dated Ash Bester cards and extended the list by a dozen.

This is how the list stands now. I think we now have enough examples to say that publication started in late 1948 and continued on until about 1960.

23 River Derwent at New Norfolk 11/4/54
45 Salmon POnds, Plenty 25/2/49
69, Mt Wellington Postmarked 9 Jan 1952
76 Dock & Mt Wellington Message dated 8 Jan 1952
103 Titania's Palace Message dated 6 November, 1955
105 Ruins Church, Port Arthur January 1956
107, Magazine Port Arthur Message dated 6 July 1949
136 Model prison bell with guide 29/12/48
143, Hadley’s Hotel Postmarked 31 July 1952.
165, GPO & Franklin Square In message; late 1957
165, GPO & Franklin Square Postmarked 1960
185 Sleeping Beauty from Huon Rd 1951
372 The Chalet, Hastings Message dated 6 November 1955
450 Bush Hotel, New Norfolk August 1950
478 Bay View Hotel, Swansea 21 April 1960
491, Dock & Mt Wellington Postmarked 18 Sept. 1951
500 Hobart Bridge & Mt Wellington January 1956
533 Fire Wagon Port Arthur Janury 1956
588, Hopfields, Bushy Park Message dated 1962.
614 Commonwealth Bank, Hobart 10-6-58
654 General View. Port Arthur Postmarked December 1957
654 General View. Port Arthir Postmarked April 1959

Des Beechey