tps.org.au

This unusual item has just arrived on my desk. As I collect Tasmanian postmark 'usage'
I'd like to run a theory past you for comment which I think may explain it's existence.
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The item above is a grocery order from a John Rich (storekeeper of Karoola) to the well-known
Launceston victuallers, Johnston and Wilmot.

The order states "please send me per Rail 4.30 train as under today" (emphasis added)
and was datestamped at TURNERS MARSH on JA 16 90 (if only you could get such a fine strike of this
datestamp on Pictorial stamps!!)

Please note that '221' (circled) is written in a different hand to the order.

Here's my theory then.....

As there was no way that you could mail the order to Launceston, have it filled and then
despatched all on the same day, I am assuming that the order was telegraphed from the
Turners Marsh post office (which was situated at the railway station) with the '221' being
added by the telegrapher indicating the time sent or a calculation of charge or suchlike.
The datestamp indicates that the telegram was sent and the fees paid (perhaps).

It was only a short distance from Johnston & Wilmot to the Launceston railway station so upon
receiving the telegraphed order, it would not have taken long to despatch as requested.

What do you think?

My first reaction was that the Post Office had run out of pre-printed Post Cards of the type so often seen addressed to Johnson and Wilmot and had used a piece of plain paper instead. You would think, however that there would be a stamp. I am not sure if the cards were in fact around in 1890 either. Perhaps the sender had allowed for the time taken for the mail to travel to Launceston but still wanted his order dispatched on the train on the day his correspondence arrived.

Your theory is probably more likely to be the explanation though.
Pete