In Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the British Society of Australian Philately

November 2 2006

Introduction
Society information
New South Wales Postal History to 1850 by Brian Peace
QUEENSLAND - the early years by Alan Griffiths
QUEENSLAND - the Bradbury Wilkinson Issues 1882 – 1912 by Alan Griffiths
South Australia by Alexander Forbes
The Tasmania Pictorial Issue by Dr. Patrick Reid
Tasmania – The CTMS/T Tax Marks to 1939 by Dr. Patrick Reid
The Emblems Issue of Victoria 1857-1863 by Don Davies
Victoria: The MG-Railway TPOs by Roy Holland
A Soldier's Tale by Tony Finlayson
World War I the Australian Imperial Forces in England by Brian Baldock
The Australian King George V 1d Red Sideface Issue by Colin Mount
Official Mail of Australia – King George V by Bob Larg
Pioneer Airmails between Europe and Australia 1919-1938
"Speeding the Mails"- Australia's Internal Air Mail Services, 1921-1931 by John Crowe
The First Commemorative Stamp of the Commonwealth of Australia by Colin Clark-Hutchison
Australia: Aspects of Revenue Protection by Colin Salt
The opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 by Hammond Kenlin
Australian Wartime Airmails – The Horseshoe Route by Daphne Pullan
The Royal Flying Doctor Service by Margaret Noack
Food Parcel Labels by Neil Russell
Interesting Modern Issues by Dr. Peter Clarkson

This Society, dedicated to the study, research and promotion of the collecting of Australian stamps and postal history was originally founded in 1933 as the Australian Commonwealth Specialists Correspondence Society of Great Britain. It was reformed in 1946 under the name the Australian Commonwealth Specialist Society and adopted the current name in 1960

Over the years the scope of the Society's interests has widened and now embraces all aspects of Australian collecting including the Colonies that now comprise the States of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Very few collectors these days collect across the wide range of material available and most members tend to concentrate on one or two of the many aspects of the hobby which appeal to them. Australia has a very wide philatelic menu from which you can choose. The early postal history touches a part of British history that typifies our Colonial aspirations and was a major destination for our transportation policy. From there the story of this antipodean Colony can be traced through the postal history and this includes not only the development of an essential railway system but goes on to demonstrate the dramatic effect that the development of the aeroplane had on the ability to communicate within this large continent and with the rest of the world.

Whatever your collecting interests there is something within this country that you will be able to pursue. The early classic stamps have a fascination of their own while the stamps that emerged from the institution of the Commonwealth in 1913 have much to offer in terms of many printings, watermark studies, designs and commemorative issues celebrating a wide range of events. The more recent issues have their own interest and Australia Post continue to stimulate the collecting hobby with our members contributing to the study of contemporary stamp issues and Post Office practice.

The Society has members world-wide and holds meetings in London on the second Wednesday of most months of the year; regional meetings are held in Scotland, Leeds, Worthing and Ringwood on a regular basis; we hold an annual weekend Convention and A.G.M. at different locations; we have an exchange packet and there is an extensive library from which members may borrow some of the more elusive books.

The management of the Society is in the hands of a Council which is elected by the membership and also provides for the election of members to Fellowship for those who have made important contributions to the Society's objectives. There is provision for the annual award of a Silver Medal to a member recognising exceptional service to the Society.

A.J Griffiths (Hon. Secretary)

Edited by Dr P.G.E Reid

Society information

President: Alexander (Sandy) Forbes
Hon Secretary: A J Griffiths
Hon. Treasurer: K E Hayes, 3 Bracken Crescent, Guisborough, Cleveland. TS14 8DU

Membership

Membership enquiries should be addressed to the Hon. Treasurer in the first instance.

Additional information, including an application form, is available on the Society website: www.bsap.org.uk

Emails may be addressed to: info@bsap.org.uk

New South Wales Postal History to 1850 by Brian Peace FRPSL, FBSAP

The display comprises a selection of early mail to and from New South Wales, which included what we now know as Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, New Zealand (to 1841) and Norfolk Island at that time.

Highlights include: The earliest letter from van Diemen's Land in private hands; the earliest letter to van Diemen's Land with postal markings; the earliest letter to New Zealand; the earliest example of the Sydney undated town stamp. The only example in private hands of the first day of use of the first Sydney dated handstamp; the earliest recorded entire from Norfolk Island; one of two recorded examples of the GEELONG JANY 1 1849 mark; the only recorded impression on cover of the GEELONG PORT PHILLIP mailbag seal..

The only example of the oval embossed newsband from the 1830s (discovered in 1961); the later of two recorded examples of the GEORGE TOWN undated hand stamp; the only recorded example in red of the boxed NOT TO BE FOUND.

Queensland - the early years by Alan Griffiths FRPSL, FBSAP

Combination cover 9 November 1860

The Colony of Queensland was formed out of the principal Colony of New South Wales and was granted independence on 10 December 1859 with separate postal arrangements instituted from 19 January 1860. In the beginning New South Wales stamps were sent to the new Colony and they are regarded as Queensland Provisionals until the new Colony's first stamps were issued on 1 November 1860.

There were fifteen towns in NSW which formed the nucleus of the new Colony and this frame shows examples of early mail from this "Moreton Bay District", starting with one of the earliest letters recorded. Later, NSW stamps became available and they are collected as the forerunners of the new Colony. Examples of Registered mail illustrating this progress are shown.

The introduction of dedicated Queensland stamps gave rise to combination covers in the period up to 19 January 1861, the date that the Queensland " Registered " stamp was issued. From this date, until 1879, the well known 'Chalon Head' design became the only design used in the Colony. The frame concludes with a typical registered cover from the Colonial period and an interesting example of mail to UK demonstrating compulsory registration.

Queensland - the Bradbury Wilkinson Issues 1882 – 1912 BY Alan Griffiths FRPSL, FBSAP

The Colony was responsible for printing its own stamps from 1861, all based on the Chalon Head design. The requirement for a new series of high value denominations in 1882 led to the commissioning of Bradbury Wilkinson to produce a larger format stamp also incorporating the Chalon Head. As a result, a range of high values was developed, with the plates being sent to Brisbane where they were printed on various watermarked papers until 1912. Rarely used for postage in the early days, they are nonetheless catalogued as postage stamps, genuine postal usage being more prevalent in the Federation period after 1901. This basic design was in use for some thirty years and therefore became the longest-lived issue in service within the Colony.

This frame shows the development of the various denominations from the master die, the printing on different papers and concludes with the scarce last lithograph printing of the £1 denomination in 1912. Being originally intaglio printed from steel plates the life of the design was extended by taking lithographic transfers in 1905-1906 and as a result the two major plate flaws on the £1 stamp - a fresh entry and a re - cut frame line - are also reproduced. These features are illustrated as part of this story.

South Australia by Sandy Forbes FBSAP

On 28th December 1836 South Australia became a colony by the proclamation of free citizens from Britain who were inspired by the social ideas of Edwin Gibbon Wakefield. No convicts were ever sent to South Australia.

From 1855 when the first stamps were produced to the last issue in 1904, the population increased from 97,000 to 362,000 and this caused a never-ending pressure on the postal service to meet an ever increasing demand.

The philatelic interest is shared between the recessed plates of Perkins Bacon (1855-1900) and the surface printing of De la Rue (1868-1904). Both companies prepared their own plates, and all issues but the first were printed in Australia.

Both companies had paper made to match the configuration of their own plates. However the distance from England meant that supply of paper to the printing works was always a problem, and supplies were subject to an accountancy procedure.

There are interesting issues in 1871 when South Australian stamps were printed on paper borrowed from Victoria and in 1901-2 when the recessed plates were printed on paper prepared for the surface-printed issues.

The agony caused by the perforating process has caused some authors to see perforation studies as some form of philatelic insanity!

The Tasmania Pictorial Issue by Dr. Patrick Reid FRPSL, FBSAP

Tasmania Pictorial Issue

In the last years of the 19th Century, Tasmania was desperately searching for a source of revenue to boost its economy. Although it had arrived at an agreement with George Adams to conduct his 'consultations', the possibility that a Federal Government might outlaw this activity made the search more desperate. The burgeoning industry of Tourism, seemed ideal for Tasmania, with a moderate climate and many scenic attractions. The Pictorial issue was conceived to promote the many and varied attractions of Tasmania for the tourist.

From a philatelic viewpoint, the issue is most attractive, featuring as it does two different printers, with recognisably different printings in Australia, three different papers and therefore watermarks and many possible perforation permutations. This display gives a brief flavour of the issue, with artwork, an essay, specimens, examples of the different papers and printings, an example of a major flaw and its progression, perforation varieties and a 'First Day Cover'.

Tasmania – The CTMS/T Tax Marks to 1939 by Dr. Patrick Reid FRPSL, FBSAP

Tasmania joined the UPU in 1891, and introduced a set of unframed 'T' Taxe marks for use on underpaid overseas mail. In the early 1900s, the volume of such mail was deemed sufficient for special handstamps to be provided at Hobart to cater for the most common deficiency rates. After 1st October 1907, when the UPU regulations were amended to require double the deficiency to be marked, the values equivalent to the ½d multiples were no longer required. However, they were not disposed of. The 25/CTMS/T handstamp was reused when the exchange rate became 81/3 centimes to 1d, to signify 1½d deficiency, and the 5/CTMS/T had the 5 excised so that any value could be inserted in manuscript.

After 1913, separate handstamps for certain values were issued to Launceston.

This single-frame exhibit shows all the handstamps in use up to 1939, including recent discoveries. At that date they were evidently reviewed and only an undenominated handstamp was retained at Hobart and Launceston.

The Emblems Issue of Victoria 1857-1863 by Don Davies FRPSL

The Emblems issue can be considered a watershed in the philately of Victoria.

Initially issued imperforate, its six-year lifespan saw the introduction of rouletters (1858), perforators (1859), Security watermarked paper (1860) and the new office of Government Stamp Printer, replacing the Private Contract system of stamp procurement.

The display includes many record multiple pieces and earliest recorded dates, with fine condition being the paramount factor throughout.

The illustration is of the original woodcut engraved design, which was appended to the successful tender by Samuel Calvert to supply 1d, 2d and 4d stamps in 1857.

Victoria: The MG-Railway TPOs by Roy Holland FRPSL

The Victorian railways were owned and run by the State Authorities and TPOs were introduced in 1865 to relieve the pressure on the sorting office staff at the larger offices by having some of the mail sorted on the trains. The TPOs also accepted mail from members of the public either handed in at the stations or posted on the trains. Each TPO as it came into service on the various routes was allocated a different number in chronological order. The mail cancellers used on these trains included this number and the letters MG standing for Mail Guard.

Each train had two cancellers aboard: a circular one including the words UP TRAIN, for use when the train was travelling from the country up to Melbourne; an octagonal one including DOWN TRAIN, to be used when travelling in the opposite direction. Cancellers were replaced because of (a) damage beyond repair and withdrawal; (b) sent for repair and used again later or (c) temporarily or permanently mislaid.

A Soldier's Tale by Tony Finlayson FBSAP

In August 1914 when Australia declared war on Germany, Ronald Edgar Smith was a lieutenant in the Tasmanian Rangers, the 91st Infantry Battalion of the Citizen's Military Force.

This exhibit employs postal covers and cards, correspondence and some official records to trace his military career from his signing on in 1903 to his final return to Tasmania as an invalid some sixteen years later.

He served and was wounded in tunnel fighting in Gallipoli which hospitalized him in Malta, with convalescence in Sicily before he was returned to Tasmania. He was recalled to serve in the trenches in France, where he contracted TB and after a further period of hospitalization and convalescence in England was invalided out of the army.

I hope that, having viewed the material you may feel that it not only has social and philatelic value, but also historical merit in giving first-hand accounts of an infantry officer's life in the First World War.

From a philatelic point of view some of the stationery appears to be unique. The red envelope addressed to him and the type of Dardanelles letterette from him in Malta are the first recorded. From a social standpoint not many wounded would have had the opportunity to be carried from Malta to Sicily aboard Lord Dunraven's yacht 'Grainaig'.

World War I the Australian Imperial Forces in England by Brian Baldock FBSAP

At the commencement of World War I, Australia, in common with the other Dominions and Colonies of the British Empire immediately supported Great Britain in declaring war on Germany.

Following their Gallipoli campaign of 1915, Australian eyes were to turn to the Western Front. Due to the enormous casualties from Gallipoli and to assist with administration, an Australian HQ was established in October 1915 in Horseferry Road, London. In early 1916 the Anzac Corps moved from Egypt to France and, as support, the Australians set up Command Depots in England in May 1916. Following this a number of army camps were taken over in the Salisbury Plain area, also three auxiliary hospitals were established at Harefield, Southall and Dartford.
The three frames give a brief outline description of Australian Forces Mail from 1915 to 1919.

The Australian King George V 1d Red Sideface Issue by Colin Mount FBSAP

Arguably the most studied stamp ever, the Australian King George V 1d Red Sideface Issue still continues to create tremendous interest among BSAP members.

So what makes this stamp so interesting? It is a stamp that was surface-printed, should have been comb perforated when first issued but was line perforated for about three months, then was subjected to both ink and paper problems as both paper and ink were purchased from Germany, and the stamp was first issued in July 1914

This display shows some aspects of the early development of this fascinating stamp including examples of Die and Plate Proofs, perforation and watermark types, Monograms and Imprints and the interesting story of the so-called Die II. Paper variations, experimental printings, Coil Stamps, Tin Shed flaws, Dry Ink and Booklet stamps are all included together with a look at Ink Clogging, Compartment Lines and the implications of paper creasing and dirty plates.
A small study of the Die III concludes this brief introduction, ending with some of the elusive Die III varieties.

Official Mail of Australia – King George V by Bob Larg

From 1902 the Departments of the Commonwealth Government were issued with stamps of the various Australian States perforated OS to denote official use.

These were replaced in 1913 by the Commonwealth of Australia issues with similar perforated initials and were used during most of the reign of King George V.

The Kangaroo and George V and commemorative issues were all issued with perfins. From 1931, 15 further stamps were issued overprinted OS.
In February 1933 it was decided that no further stamps would be either perforated or overprinted for Federal use; thereafter mail for Federal Administrations was carried 'Free'.

This display shows the stamps perforated and overprinted during this period and covers used by various departments using both types of stamp and different types of OHMS heading. The final frame covers stamps perforated for use by the State Government Departments, and covers used by various such Departments.

Pioneer Airmails between Europe and Australia 1919-1938 by Laurence Kimpton FBSAP

On 12 November 1919, Captain Ross Smith and his crew left Hounslow in their Vickers Vimy for Australia. They arrived in Darwin on 10 December, thus completing the first flight from England to Australia. The Ross Smith vignette was affixed to the 364 covers carried to Australia. During the 1920s and 1930s many other flights were made between England and Australia. Some flights helped to prepare the development of regular air mail services; others by famous aviators such as Bert Hinkler, Charles Kingsford Smith and Jean Batten aimed to break records. This exhibit includes both mail carried on the pioneer flights of famous aviators and mail flown on the pioneer flights of the early airlines: Imperial Airways; Qantas; Australian National Airways and KLM.

"Speeding the Mails"- Australia's Internal Air Mail Services, 1921-1931 by John Crowe FBSAP

In spite of the development of the railways in the 19th Century, communication between towns and settlements within Australia remained poor. All this changed with the arrival of the aeroplane and the major progress in aviation brought about by World War 1. From 1921 the Commonwealth Government encouraged the development of air transport by subsidising the carriage of mails by air. An air mail fee of 3d a half ounce was charged in addition to ordinary postage.

The first regular air mail service began in Western Australia in December 1921. Ten years later a network of 6,000 miles was operative. This display describes the main routes in this major improvement in communications.

Sheets 2-6 and 17-18 WAA 1921-1930
7-11 QANTAS 1922-1929
12-16 Australian Aerial Services 1924-1930
19-24 Australian National Airways 1930-1931
Sources include The Australian Air Mail catalogue, 2002, edited by N Eustis; Flypast, a Record of Aviation in Australia, by N Parnall and T Boughton; Flying the Royal Mail, by S Brimson.

The First Commemorative Stamp of the Commonwealth of Australia by Colin Clark-Hutchison FBSAP

This stamp was issued to coincide with the opening of the Federal Parliament at Canberra on 9th May 1927.

A design competition was won by nom-de-plume 'Neptune' who was Ronald A Harrison, engraver and technical advisor to the Note Printing Branch of the Commonwealth Bank.

The resultant stamp was recess printed on unwatermarked paper from 12 plates and single line perforated 11.

The highlights of this display are: the only known horizontal imperf. pair used; a vertical imperf. mint pair and a scarce 'Jumbo' booklet. There are also various printing errors including partial offset, double perfs. and paper fold.

Examples of plate numbers and perfinned stamps and correct usage of OS and OS/NSW are also shown.
The registered cover with red Registration label "Canberra/NSW" is unusual for its late date.
Various types of postmark used at "Canberra F.C.T.", "Canberra Parliament House, F.C.T. and "Federal Parliament House, Vic. complete the display.

Australia: Aspects of Revenue Protection by Colin Salt

Collection of underpaid postage on overseas mail has always been a problem for postal administrations. Marking a shortfall by means of a taxe mark on outgoing letters means that the revenue will accrue to the country collecting the amount when making the delivery. UPU regulations required that the mail be forwarded without delay leaving no opportunity for adjustment locally.

In Australia from June 1916 (possibly earlier) a handstamp was applied on underpaid mail to the USA asking the recipient to remind his correspondent of the correct postal rates which were stated in the narrative.

Later, in 1926, a slogan cancel was introduced on letters to the USA drawing attention to the correct rate, emphasising the addressee pays double deficiency.

This problem was discussed at each successive UPU Congress and in the London Congress of 1929 it was determined that "no provision contained in the Convention prevents unpaid or underpaid items from being again presented to the sender for proper payment."

This exhibit shows the early handstamps and slogans and the procedures adopted after the 1929 Congress to try to contain the losses arising from underpaid mail.

The opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 by Hammond Kenlin FBSAP

This display covers the stamps, stationery, telegrams and cinderellas associated with the celebrations at the opening of the bridge on 19th March 1932.
Items shown include: The issued stamps; postal forgery of the 2d stamp; first day covers.

Additional material includes: construction of the bridge from 1928; opening of the bridge, including cutting of the ribbon; first day covers cancelled on the bridge (including Registered covers); official telegrams cancelled on the bridge; 5/- stamp on telegram with date error; flight over bridge during opening by Kingsford Smith and New England Airways. Australian Philatelic Exhibition 1932 covers and labels. WASP airlines use of bridge on labels. Modern use of image of the bridge in a philatelic context.

Australian Wartime Airmails – The Horseshoe Route by Daphne Pullan FRPSL, FBSAP

This display shows how airmails were handled during World War II from June 1940 until February 1942, between Australia and various parts of the world using the Empire route and its various modifications. There is little by way of marks on envelopes to give any idea of how the mail travelled; datestamps are the most important clues. Registered and returned mail usually has backstamps. These are a bonus in attempting to work out routes and transit times.

After the outbreak of war in September 1939, little changed except that airmail rates returned to the pre-Empire Airmail Scheme rates. On Italy's entry into the war in June 1940, the Mediterranean was closed to civilian air traffic, so the previously surveyed Horseshoe Route came into existence. This continued, with various modifications, until the Fall of Singapore in February 1942.

Food Parcel Labels by Neil Russell FRPSL, FBSAP

The end of World War II in 1945 saw Britain with many food items rationed. Friends and relatives in Australia sent gift food parcels once shipping became available. Three weights of parcel were possible: up to 3lbs at 1/11d; up to 7lbs at 3/7d and up to 11lbs at 5/10d. Customs labels were required and each postage rate required at least three stamps. Commercial food suppliers, acting as agents, found the procedure laborious and expensive. The Myer Emporium of Melbourne, negotiated in 1946 to have dies of 3/7d in maroon and 5/10d in deep blue produced for embossing their labels. With pre-determined contents, customs labels were not required. In addition to Myer's, the embossing facility was used also by Hordern of Sydney and Fitzgerald of Hobart, plus the Victorian Department of Agriculture for their Christmas gift scheme.

By late 1949 reduced demand no longer justified embossing and Myers reverted to using adhesive stamps and then a meter machine. Increases in shipping capacity allowed the food to be despatched to Britain in bulk, where parcels were made up and mailed in the UK parcel post. Details and address labels were sent by air mail. Myers and the Nestlé Co. were the principal users of this facility. Launched on 22 March 1950, the National Thanksgiving Fund recognised voluntary food gifts sent to Britain and raised £750,000 to provide residential facilities for students from the British Commonwealth.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service by Margaret Noack FBSAP

FDC signed by James E Lyle, designer of both cover and stamp

The story of the Flying Doctor Service begins with the man who had a vision, Rev. John Flynn of the Australian Inland Mission. He was appalled to find that there were only two doctors serving almost one million square miles in Northern Australia. He wondered if there could be a kind of air ambulance which could be summoned by a radio message and replied to.

It took several years, but he found a plane and a man who invented the 'pedal wireless'. In 1928 the service began as a one year experiment, and proved so successful that it was continued. The original base at Cloncurry was expanded to three more bases and soon spread throughout Australia. Before he died in 1951, Rev. Flynn had seen his dream become a reality. His Mantle of Safety now stretches across Australia.

This display shows how that dream was achieved.

Interesting Modern Issues by Dr. Peter Clarkson FBSAP

Classic philatelists are scornful of modern issues which they condemn as without interest and just coloured bits of paper. Here are three recent issues that are full of interest. While some may be hard to find, they are not expensive.

Counter Printed Stamps. The appropriate postage fee is printed automatically after the customer feeds in the relevant information. There are 5 different types of stamp from over 30 places of issue and there are varieties on the stamps themselves. What more can you want?

Four Koalas equals one Kangaroo. In 1989, Australia Post began marking each reprint of an issue with a Koala symbol in the margin. For example, a third reprint has three koalas in the margin. And the Kangaroo?

Look at the exhibit. Throw in three different printers and several different papers and you have a fascinating collection.

Box Link and Across Town. An express delivery service was started by Australia Post for parcel deliveries and Postal Box holders within the same city. It failed, but provided a lot of interesting philatelic material.