"HOBART 1907 TAS." Rubber Datestamp ... What's the Story?

[Ross Ewington]

This unusual handstamp described as a "private cachet" is being offered for sale
by TPS member Torsten Weller in his Postmark Auction #33
[attachment=0]hobart 1907 handstamp.JPG[/attachment]

I think that I have seen it (or something similar) a couple of times before, applied to postcards
if I remember correctly.

Do any members have information or images of this handstamp (or similar) that can be added to this post?

[Ross Ewington]

I have found an example of one of these "Hobart 1907" handstamps on a postcard.
[attachment=0]hobart handstamp small.jpg[/attachment]

Unfortunately, I didn't scan the other side of the card when I auctioned it in October 2007
but here is the catalog description.

"1907 - colour PPC “Tasmania’s Flora” (publisher unknown) with illustration of waratah, wattle,
heath, mountain berries and other flowers - ½d Pictorial affixed in LR cnr of view side with pseudo
cds pmk HOBART / 1907 / TAS. which was probably “a fixture” on the card before purchase.
Postally used to France with 1d Pictorial franking but not taxed as the GPO clerk possibly counted
the ½d value as valid thus making up the correct rate of 1½d. "

[Ross Ewington]

This image of a postcard with a ½d Pictorial tied by a lightly doubled impression of the
HOBART 1907 TAS. handstamp has been forwarded to me by a BB member who also reported
that "2 lots of these sold at the Searles sale in 1978".*
[attachment=1]Hobart 1907 Rubber stamp small.jpg[/attachment]
[attachment=0]hobart 1907 on ppc.jpg[/attachment]

This item was sold in January 2002 for AU$1100 by Prestige Philately in their Public
Auction #93 (Lot #936) described as follows:

"Hobart: rubber d/s 'HOBART/1907/TAS.' (with no provision for day or month slugs) in bluish
ink tying Pictorial ½d to underpaid PPC to GB. A great rarity & one of the most desirable cancels
on the Pictorial series. [Speculation that this was used at Hobart West is considered improbable.
It is more likely that this is a telegraph cancel used in a "relief" capacity at the GPO]."

* Does anyone have a copy of the 1978 Seales Sale catalog and can post an image of the catalog listing here?

[Ross Ewington]

Just received another example for auction ... this time with '1907' altered by pen to '1908'

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Interesting to note that all the postally used items are postcards, addressed to France or G.B. and franked with 'dodgy' stamps for the applicable rate.
Also, the sender of two of the items is identified as a Frances McDonald.