Queensland 2½d. Cancelled Overprint

This page is a census of known examples of the various 2½d. issues 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 the rose-red issue of August 1895 (numerals in two corners), the rosine issue of October 1898 (numerals in four corners) and the slate-lilac issue of January 1899 (numerals in four corners). The rosine examples were colour trials for the proposed 2 shilling issue

• mint gummed issues, wmk 2nd type "Crown Q", perforation 12.5, 13 in rose-red applied horizontally
• mint gummed issues, wmk 2nd type "Crown Q", perforation 12.5, 13 colour trial in rosine for the 2s issue applied diagonally or horizontally
• mint gummed issues, wmk 2nd type "Crown Q", perforation 12.5, 13 colour trial in pale turquoise-green for the 2s issue applied horizontally upside-down
• mint gummed issues, wmk 2nd type "Crown Q", perforation 12.5, 13 in slate-lilac applied horizontally

 It is extremely scarce and is rated 5R

The Cancelled overprint

Census

Rose-red horizontally applied (numerals in two corners)

A single with the cancelled handstamp applied horizontally. Seen in Phoenix auctions

3 singles with the cancelled handstamp applied horizontally. The third example is in the carmine shade. Seen in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock

Rosine diagonally applied (numerals in four corners)

Diagonally upwards (right to left) applied. It 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

Diagonally upwards (left to right) applied. It 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

Diagonally upwards (left to right) applied. It 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 in the collection of Dave Elsmore

Diagonally upwards (left to right) applied. It 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 in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock

Rosine horizontally applied (numerals in four corners)

A pair with the cancelled handstamp applied horizontally. It 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 in Spink auction no 14015 lot no 2362

Pale turquoise-green horizontally applied (numerals in four corners)

A pair with the cancelled handstamp applied horizontally upside-down. Seen in Spink auction no 14015 lot no 2362

Slate-lilac horizontally applied  (numerals in four corners)

A pair with the cancelled handstamp applied horizontally

A single with the cancelled handstamp applied horizontally upside-down. Seen on Ebay

A single with the cancelled handstamp applied horizontally. Seen in the collection of Dave Elsmore