Queensland 6d. Green Cancelled Overprint

This page is a census of known examples of the 1898 6d. green 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

A single from my collection

A single seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group. 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