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

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

Seen in Spink auction no 25015 lot no 3026(x)

It also has a faint cancelled handstamp applied horizontally below the specimen handstamp. Why it was applied in this case is unclear. Seen in Spink auction no 25015 lot no 3026(x)

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