tps.org.au

I have just acquired the stamp above and have similar cancels on Australian postage dues.

Part II of “Tasmania, the Postal History and Postal Markings” on page 67 states:

i. The letters “ART” are evenly spaced and “HOBART” has its letters more widely spaced than (ii) and (iii)......

..........Its use is curious. Although a rare canceller (R), it has been found on registered mail, on newspapers, on letter cards and on postage due stamps; as well as being the common canceller for CTO postal stationery. Almost a kind of “philatelic bureau” canceller, though such a desk did not then exist...”

Does anyone have information of where and how these came to be placed on stamps?

Thanks,

John

This is a very common CDS. Hobart GPO had a "Stamp Branch" that also functioned as an unofficial philatelic section from around the turn of the 20th century.

Thank you John.

I looked at the limited holdings I had, cancel dates are spread from 1902 to 1911.

In my mind I thought they were all around 1908.

Do you believe these came from a common source (i.e. one dealer or individual) or were favour cancels obtained by a variety of collectors?


John

Collectors at that time usually purchased material from the "Stamp Branch". I would not be surprised if that canceller was used there.

I have first series postage dues and fifth series postage dues with the cancels as shown below.

Please post the other values you have with this cancel and send me a PM if they are for sale to improve my collection