Queensland 1 shilling mauve cancelled overprint

This page is a census of known examples of the 1899 one shilling mauve and violet issue overprinted with the word 'Cancelled'. This handstamp was introduced in the early 1870s to cancel proofs and other samples to be retained by the authorities (Kenneth Scudder, Queensland Postage Stamps 1879 to 1912, p. 366)

It was typeset with sans-serif capitals, 21 mm long and 2.75 mm high. It was applied in black ink on mint gummed issues, wmk 2nd type "Crown Q", perforation 12.5, 13. It is extremely scarce and rated 5R

The Cancelled overprint

A pair from my collection

From my collection

Seen in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock. Ex Alan Griffiths. This example also has the circular ring cancel, which was usually applied to the junction of 4 stamps to cancel stamps as an alternative to a handstamp or overprint for presentation purposes or to be retained by the authorities. Why it was applied in this case is unclear

Queensland 1 shilling mauve specimen overprint

This page is a census of known examples of the 1899 one shilling mauve and violet issue overprinted with the word 'SPECIMEN.' These handstamps are believed to have been for record or presentation purposes only and were not sold to collectors. They were not handstamped in this manner for distribution to the Universal Postal Union; mint stamps being used instead for this purpose.

A Scudder Specimen Type 9 overprint (Kenneth Scudder, Queensland Postage Stamps 1879 to 1912, p. 364) was used for the 1 shilling mauve issue. It was typeset with sans-serif capitals, 15.5 mm long and 1.75 mm high plus a stop at the end. It was applied in black ink on mint gummed issues, wmk 2nd type "Crown Q", perforation 12.5, 13 in around 1901. At least two sheets were overprinted.

Examples are also known stamped Specimen after receipt by various UPI countries and colonies, and those for Natal and Bechuanaland are shown below.

The Specimen overprint

A large block of 44 examples. Seen in Abacus auction no 237

From my collection

Image supplied by Dave Elsmore

Seen in Prestige Philately auction no 139 lot no 339

From my collection

Seen on Ebay

Seen on Ebay

Seen on Ebay

Seen on Ebay

Seen in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock. Ex Alan Griffiths

BECHUANALAND

Specimen receiving handstamp (seriffed 22.5 x 2.75 mm) in Black by Bechuanaland. Seen in Status auctions

NATAL

Specimen receiving handstamp (sans serif 17.25 x 3.25 mm) in violet by Natal. Seen in Corinphila auctions

Queensland 1 shilling mauve and violet postally used blocks

A census of Queensland one shilling pale, dull and bright mauve (SG 251 - 3) and violet and bright mauve (SG 298 - 9) 3rd Sideface used blocks. This issue first went on sale in June 1899. Most of these stamps, being of a high value, were used on parcels and while postally used examples are not that scarce, postally used blocks are

Postally used

1903

SG 251 1s pale mauve block of 4 cancelled with a Maryborough PAID date stamp dated 10 January 1903. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group

SG 251 1s pale mauve block of 4 cancelled with a Woolloongabba double lined registered oval handstamp dated 28 February 1903. Seen in Abacus auction no 240 lot no 505

SG 251 1s pale mauve block of 4 cancelled with a Woolloongabba double lined registered oval handstamp dated 28 October 1903. Seen on Ebay

1905

SG 253 1s bright mauve block of 4 cancelled with a Cairns type 5a date stamp dated 4 April 1904. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group

SG 253 1s bright mauve block of 4 cancelled with a Brisbane parcel post date stamp dated 11 April 1904. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group

1906

SG 251 1s pale mauve block of 4 cancelled with a Gympie type 5a date stamp dated 30 September 1906

1907

SG 251 1s pale mauve block of 4 cancelled with a Cooktown type 4a (i) date stamp dated 6 December 1907

1908

SG 253 1s bright mauve block of 4 cancelled with a Brisbane parcel post branch date stamp dated 1 May 1908

1909

SG 298 1s violet OS block of 4 cancelled with a Brisbane parcel post branch date stamp dated 15 January 1909

1910

SG 299 1s bright mauve block of 8 cancelled with Oakey type 5b date stamp dated 1 March 1910

1911

SG 298 1s violet block of 4 cancelled with a Goondiwindi type 6 date stamp dated 10 April 1911. Courtesy of Dave Elsmore

Not dated

SG 251 faded 1s pale mauve block of 4 cancelled with Ipswich numeral 87 type 2a (i)

SG 251 1s pale mauve block of 4 cancelled with an indistinct barred numeral

Collection of stamps including an SG 251 1s pale mauve block of 4 cancelled with an Gympie numeral 547 type 2b. Seen on Ebay

Cancelled to Order (CTO)

1913

SG 299 1s bright mauve block of 4 cancelled to morder with Brisbane date stamp type 26 dated 1913. Seen on Ebay. Ex Australia Post Archives

Electric Telegraph Office

SG 251 1s pale mauve block of 4 cancelled with a Townsville Electric Telegraph Office oval handstamp. Seen in Abacus auction no 240 lot no 505

Queensland 1 shilling mauve and violet on covers and parcels

A census of Queensland one shilling pale, dull and bright mauve (SG 251 - 3) and violet and bright mauve (SG 298 - 9) 3rd Sideface on covers with details of the postal rates used. This issue first went on sale in June 1899. Most of these stamps, being of a high value, were used on parcels and while postally used examples are not that scarce, postally used multiples and examples on covers are very rare

Covers

1903

A registered cover from Parliament House, Brisbane to London, England dated 1903. The postage paid was 2 shillings 1½d. including a registration fee of 3d. The letter rate to England was 2½d. per half ounce, suggesting that this was a 5 x letter rate cover. Seen at Cavendish auctions no 644 lot no 1082 

1905

An O.H.M.S. cover from Cairns to Brisbane dated 1905. The postage paid was 1 shilling 4d. The letter rate within Queensland was 2d. per half ounce, suggesting that this was an 8 x letter rate cover. Seen at Abacus auction no 234 lot no 31

Parcel usage on piece

Parcel postage rates from 1901 onwards as per Campbell

1909

A parcel post fragment from the Brisbane GPO dated 2 November 1909. The postage paid was 5 shillings 8d. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group

1913

A parcel post fragment from the Brisbane GPO dated 29 August 1913. The postage paid was 3 shillings 2d. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group

Queensland 2 shilling turquoise-green on covers and parcels

A census of Queensland two shilling turquoise-green (SG 254 and SG 300) 3rd Sideface on covers with details of the postal rates used. This issue first went on sale in October 1900. Most of these stamps, being of a high value, were used on parcels and while postally used examples are not that scarce, postally used multiples and examples on covers are exceedingly rare

1905

A registered cover from Brisbane to Vienna, Austria dated 9 August 1905. The postage paid was 2 shillings including a registration fee of 3d. The letter rate to Germany was 2½d. per half ounce, suggesting that this was a 8 x letter rate cover with 1d left over. Seen in the collection of Carl Burnett

Parcel Usage

Parcel postage rates from 1901 onwards as per Campbell

A block of four 2s stamps posted at Cooktown on 5 August 1903, presumably used on a parcel

A strip of four 2s stamps posted at Charters Towers on 23 May 1903, presumably used on a parcel. Seen on Ebay