Queensland 3d. Brown Cancelled Overprint

This page is a census of known examples of the 1898 3d brown 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 is known applied in black ink on

• an imperforate proof on thin unwatermarked paper
• mint gummed issues, wmk 2nd type "Crown Q", perforation 12.5, 13

 It is extremely scarce and rated 5R

The Cancelled overprint

Census

Imperforate

Cancelled handstamp in black ink applied diagonally downwards on imperforate thin unwatermarked paper. On the back it has ‘Printing Test’ written in ink. It probably dated from 1897. Seen in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock. Ex Alan Griffiths

Perforate

This example, applied horizontally upside down, also has a very faint specimen handstamp applied horizontally near the bottom of the stamp.Why it was applied in this case is unclear. Seen in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock

This example, applied diagonally upwards, 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. Seen on Ebay