Hi Paul,
Welcome to the TPS Bulletin Board. I hope you enjoy your time here !
I'll will have a go at your questions and others may be able to add information.
For a definitive listing of Tasmanian stamp issues I use Stanley Gibbons catalog "British Commonwealth" Volume 1. This gives perfs,printings, watermarks and shades. I dont think you need a current version as the prices are dubious in any case but the information does not change. I use 1991 and I think its fine for understanding the stamps.
For a far more detailed listing of the stamps from 1901 ( especially the pictorials except the De La Rue issues which were issued 1889-1900 ) I use Brusden White Australian Commonwealth Specialists catalog "Kangaroos & the Early Federal Period" not only does this present specialist information about the various printings but some of the more obvious flaws are listed. This is still in print and will cost you around $100 unfortunately but many say the Brusden wWite Aust catalogues are the best catalogs in the world and they provide a wealth of information.
Forthe definitive work on flaws on Pictorials you need Lancaster "Pictorial Stamps of Tasmania 1899-1912 (1986) . This is out of print but The Stamp Place or Tasmanian Stamp Auctions might have a copy.
The barred numeral listing have been revised several times over the years. By far the most comprehensive and up to date listings were printed in our journal The Courier in three editions - #49 - 51. #51 also included a detailed rarity rating. The history of allocation of numbers to post offices is not at all straightforward as there we re-allocations, replacements and re-cycling of many numbers. The Courier listings by John Hardinge are the result of 30+ years of work and worth their weight in gold. Back issued of the Couriers can be purchased from the TPS for $10 per issue and I think we still have a few each of these three. Older listings are also available but I wont describe them here . Bear in mind there were two allocations of barred numerals. The first allocation had a limited life and was made in 1853. The Second allocation was in 1861 and thats the one i am referring to above.
For first allocation details you need the 'Green Books" that is, the two volumes of "Tasmania" The Postal History and Postal Markings" . This is more or less still the bible for collectors of Tas Postal History and although some 30 + years old, is still regularly referred to and is currently the only source where the complete history of Tas postal history is presented in one place. Unfortunately they are well out of print but the dealers mentioned above have them from time to time.
You are in luck with the town cancels on Pictorials as listings + rarity ratings are available from us free on line. Have a look here
http://www.tps.org.au/html/Resources_page.html towards the bottom of the page and you'll see the Lancaster Pictorial listing. You will also see some other interesting references and articles
Again, while this is good, there is a more recent and much more detailed draft listing, which we hope to print in the June 2013 Courier.
If you need any further details of publishers for any of these publications feel free to get in touch using a Private message on this board or just post something. I can also put you in touch with Courier sales if interested.
Finally, you might be interested in joining the TPS. If you live in Hobart we have 1 meeting a month and some of the best authorities on Tasmanian material regularly attend. You would also get the Journal, The Courier, twice per year regardless of where you live and this is probably worth the annual subscription on its own. You would also get access to the Members website which has some further reference material. Its $30 per year for locals, $25 for non-overseas non locals, and $30 per year for overseas members.
For local members we have a comprehensive library which has all of the above publications plus others, available for monthly loan. Unfortunately we dont post library books.
Feel free to use the board if you have any other questions.
PS - are you aware of the Hobart Stamp show ? This is a National One-frame Exhibition in Hobart 16 - 18 Nov . There will be 90 exhibits and while there is not a lot of Tas material in the exhibits, we will show three "Tasmanian Treasures" exhibits from some of the best Pictorial Stamp, Postcard and Postmark collections. See
http://www.hobartstampshow2012.com
Pete
We are fortunate that Tasmania is so well catered for in terms of documentation