TASMANIAN PHILATELISTS & STAMP DEALERS of YESTERYEAR

[Ross Ewington]

This photo provided by Malcolm Groom, provides a starting point for a topic on Tasmanian Philatelists
and Stamp Dealers of years gone by.


The personalities are (from left to right) BACK: Fred Manning and Wm. "Bill" Orchard (legendary Hobart stamp dealer from the
early 1920s through to c.1960); FRONT: John Reynolds (a TPS secretary for many years) and Tom Petterd (proprietor of
Petterd's Stamp Depot, TPS Exchange Superintendent for many years, father of Jim and the man responsible for the "Tattersall Hoard")

If you have any photos of "Tasmanian Philatelists and Stamp Dealers of Yesteryear" (they don't have to have been a member of the TPS) or stories/anecdotes
that can be told, please post them here.

[Ross Ewington]

leeton stamp exchange.jpg (57.22 KiB) Viewed 37681 times

Does anyone know who operated the "Leeton Stamp Exchange" and when (approximately)??

[Malcolm Groom]

Ross,

Probably more appropriate that BB Member Allen responds to this but Reg Shatten, a stalwart of the TPS for many years lived in Rowitta Road, Lindisfarne and was a stamp dealer so I would guess he ran the Leeton Stamp Exchange business. I remember visiting in the mid 1960's and he was a regular attendee at TPS meetings until he passed away but I would only be guessing the date.

Malcolm

[Ross Ewington]

Here's a nice item that relates to two very famous Tasmanian philatelists

.... an envelope addressed by Bill Purves and sent to Lew Viney!!
[attachment=0]purves viney.jpg[/attachment]
Sorry, contents unknown!

[Ross Ewington]

John Avery made a significant contribution to the study of Tasmanian postmarks over a period of approx. 40 years. His name is now etched in stone as one of the authors of "Tasmanian Hand Cancellations 1913-88" and many Tassie postmark enthusiasts would also know of his contribution to Part II of "Tasmania: The Postal History and Postal Markings" published by the Royal Philatelic Society of Victoria in 1975 as well as articles about Tasmanian cancellations in The Courier and other journals.

John's profession was journalism and a couple of days ago while sorting through a "box of stuff" I came across this clipping from the Australasian Post (June 14, 1984) with an article by John about the Tasmanian Pictorial stamps.


Collector's familiar with John's writing style would recognize the authorship if his name wasn't included at the bottom of the piece.

Footnote: the unadopted design for 2½d stamp with St Columba Falls was in John's collection at the time and it was his "pride and joy"

[Ross Ewington]

[attachment=0]lancaster photo.jpg[/attachment]
Keith Lancaster was one of the "all time greats" of Tasmanian Philately and no Tassie collector's bookcase would be complete without a copy of his book "The Pictorial Stamps of Tasmania 1899 - 1912" published by the Royal Philatelic Society of Victoria in 1986. He was also contributed information for both volumes of "Tasmania" The Postal History and Postal Markings" (1962 & 1975).

Keith was just as passionate about bushwalking throughout Tasmania as he was for the postage stamps and postal history. If you would like to read some of his mountaineering diaries, here is a link to an excellent site created by Dirk Veltkamp from Launceston where many of Keith's fascinating accounts of his exploits in the Tasmanian bush may now be read!

http://dveltkamp.customer.netspace.net. ... /index.htm

[Ross Ewington]

Unfortunately, it's too late to attend this meeting unless you have a time machine!

[attachment=0]tps meeting notice.JPG[/attachment]

Found in The Mercury, Tuesday, 17th January 1928 using TROVE *

Quite a roll call of well-known names connected with Tasmanian Philately here. Of special interest is
mention of a forthcoming edition second edition of A.F. Basset Hull's book on the
postage and revenue stamps of Tasmania. TPS BB members will be pleased to know that after
82 years, the publication of this book is currently in preparation!

* if you are a keen researcher and have a few days to spare, visit http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper

[Colin Salt]

The following small ads were found in The Australian Stamp Collector, issues 1938 and 1939.

There are several ads from Petterd and I only show one.

Of the others, the Tasmanian Stamp Co are clearly dealer adverts. but Lloyd may be a collector seeking exchanges.

[Ross Ewington]

Here's a photo of Trevor Ross, the original proprietor of Tasmanian Stamp Auctions. This photo
of Trevor "in action" was taken at his Magnet Court (Sandy Bay) office sometime in the mid 1980s.

trevor ross.jpg (56.68 KiB) Viewed 37501 times

[Ross Ewington]

Obituary for A.F. Basset Hull published in The Mercury (Hobart)

AFBH obituary.jpg (77.65 KiB) Viewed 37489 times

[Mike]

I remember my first public stamp auction which I attended was a Webster - F&G auction in 1976, 34 years ago. The auction was conducted upstairs at the Webster building, 180 Cimitiere St Launcestion. Trevor Ross was the auctioneer. He was always a great auctioneer with a dry sense of humour. If he saw the crowd getting a bit bored and going to sleep, he could always get the bidders going again by using some humour. I always enjoyed his auctions although the depth of my pocket was limited in those days (still is).

Does anyone know when Trevor first started these auctions?

Was there someone before him?

Have attached the 3 earliest catalogues which I have. A few years ago I nearly throw these catalogues out. I guess now they are nearly collectors items!

cat2.jpg (143.37 KiB) Viewed 37353 times

cat3.jpg (119.19 KiB) Viewed 37353 times

cat1.jpg (134.89 KiB) Viewed 37353 times

[Ross Ewington]

Does anyone know which Tasmanian stamp dealer produced this folded letter
with the cheesy doggerel ??

philatelically yours.jpg (60.71 KiB) Viewed 37331 times

[Geoff Dane]

While the adhesive stamps have disappeared the item below is from Mr Bassett Hull to a Victorian philatelist. Probably not supreme court business.

Basset Hull.jpg (137.36 KiB) Viewed 37327 times

[Ross Ewington]

I have just purchased a copy of the ANPEX 1950 exhibition catalog and thought I'd share
the content relating to exhibitors of Tasmania at the Melbourne exhibition held now over 60 years
ago (the exhibition dates were 4th to 16th of October).
[attachment=0]anpex 1950.jpg[/attachment]

Mac Clarke went on to collect and exhibit Tasmanian material for at least another 50 years; John Gartner's
Hawthorn Press printed both "Green Books" on Tasmanian postal history and postal markings for the RPSV and
Lew Viney went on to become one of the "all time greats" of Tasmanian philately ..... every November,
the TPS hold the "Lew Viney Memorial Trophy Competition" in acknowledgment of his contribution to the society
and Tasmanian philately in general.

[Ross Ewington]

I also found this advertisement in the back of the ANPEX 1950 catalog....
[attachment=0]petterd advert.jpg[/attachment]
I don't think the dealers who paid for a stand at the exhibition would be very happy with
this approach to conducting business "on the floor" ..... especially if it occurred nowadays!

[Ross Ewington]

Here's a photo of one of the 'all time greats' of Tasmanian Philately, Jim Harrison of Launceston.
[attachment=0]jim harrison.jpg[/attachment]

Many thanks to his son Gordon for providing this photo which I think was taken 'at the counter' in his stamp
and coin shop in the Brisbane Street Arcade (?) some time in the 1980s.

[Colin Salt]

I illustrate a first day cover (slightly reduced) and the relevant part, for this forum is the handstamp on the back reading "SANDY BAY STAMP SALES" PO Box 444, Sandy Bay, Tas. 7005

[Malcolm Groom]

Finally I have located some Tasmanian philatelic nostalgia (especially the prices) in the form of three auction/retail catalogues from the 1970's and 1980's.

Port Arthur Stamps (Foscan Pty Ltd)

Port Arthur stamps001.jpg (104.27 KiB) Viewed 37157 times

For a period of years in 1970's to early 1980's Foscan produced excellent material in private treaty catalogues which were strong in Tasmanian postal history and operating in Macquarie Street

Hobart Philatelic Auctions

Hobart Philatelic001.jpg (165.77 KiB) Viewed 37157 times

Alas I cannot locate the Sale No 1 catalogue for this firm which was a partnership of the Newell's (of The Stamp Place fame) and Howell's. Sale no 1 was close to the best sale in Tasmania for quality of material offered. Since surpassed but for a relatively new collector to auctions at the time it offered a wealth of material.

Webster F&G

Webster catalogue001.jpg (322.55 KiB) Viewed 37157 times

The forerunner to the Tasmanian Stamp Auctions firm they were based in Earl Street Launceston and grew to hold regular auctions at the Webster premises in Liverpool street Hobart and Wrest Point where mainland dealers such as Rod Perry and PJ Downie attended and later spent hours at the gambling tables. Good times were had by all!

[Ross Ewington]

This thread commenced with a photo which includes Hobart stamp dealer legend Bill Orchard.

Like Wm. Ackland (of numerous first flight cover fame), Bill Orchard produced a few 'contemporary'
covers as well and this one is a beauty!!

aurora cover.jpg (56.58 KiB) Viewed 37149 times

This cover was sold by Tasmanian Stamp Auctions about 20 years ago and will be offered for sale by auction
(by TSA again) later in 2011.

[Ross Ewington]

The Van Diemen Cover & Stamp Club was operated by Reginald K. Dalwood.
[attachment=0]dalwood cover 1.jpg[/attachment]
who also published a catalog in 1947 entitled:
"The Australian and New Zealand specialised catalogue of first day covers"
The reference section of the State Library of Tasmania has a copy on the shelves..
http://catalogue.statelibrary.tas.gov.a ... day+covers

Does anyone have any information regarding Dalwood, his club, etc.?

* Image used courtesy of Stampboards.com member "Jack".

[Ross Ewington]

The name Petterd should be well known to all collectors of Tasmanian as well as Australian stamps in general.
This father (Tom) and son (Jim) wholesale/retail business team operated for many decades. Besides making
an outstanding contribution to Tasmanian philately and to the Tasmanian Philatelic Society (both were Exchange
Superintendents), we probably wouldn't have had the "Tattersall's Hoard" without them.

Below are two typical 'from Petterd's Stamp Depot' envelopes with the distinctive triangular rubber stamp (enlargement)
also provided.
[attachment=2]petterds envelope 2.jpg[/attachment]
[attachment=1]petterds envelope 3.jpg[/attachment]
[attachment=0]petterd stamps.jpg[/attachment]

If you have any interesting "Petterd's Stamp Depot" covers, please share them with us in this topic.

[Ross Ewington]

Keith Lancaster mentions a P. Malone on page 13 in "The Pictorial Stamps of Tasmania 1899-1912" as
"a keen philatelist who resided in Hobart and is responsible for stating that the ½d, 5d and 6d values (of the
Pictorial series) were released for sale on 30.2.00".

This envelope has P.MALONE handstamped thereupon ...... he may have sent this letter from Perth but he also
may have marked the envelope thus just to indicate ownership.
[attachment=0]malone hs.jpg[/attachment]

Does anyone have any biographical information about Malone ..... was he a foundation member of the Tasmanian
Philatelic Society (in 1900), etc. ??

[Malcolm Groom]

4th Phil Cgress delegate001.jpg (358.51 KiB) Viewed 37134 times

Delegates to the Fourth Australian & New Zealand Philatelic Congress in 1928 include Mr R Petterd from Tasmania in 2nd row from back sixth from the left and in back row 2nd from right Mr Whitworth from Tasmania.

Four ladies and all the men with ties.

[Colin Salt]

I was recently given this cover by Howard Davis the son of the addressee, a well known Melbourne dealer of yesteryear. Howard is now 94 and has a lifelong nterest in philatley.
The surprise was when I turned it over and found that the sender was Bill Orchard.

Orchard back.jpg (38.92 KiB) Viewed 36737 times

Orchard front.jpg (68.5 KiB) Viewed 36737 times

[Ross Ewington]

Envelope to member in Ulverstone from the TPS Exchange Superintendent (Tom Petterd) with invoice/statement of sales.

________ please click on the image below once in order to view both items_______________________

tps exchange branch.jpg (365.39 KiB) Viewed 36706 times

Interesting to note that the envelope also contains a foolscap-size printed price list from Petterd's Stamp Depot ...tut, tut!