BUSINESS

This fine cover is addressed to Mrs Macarthur, Camden, New South Wales and it has an imperforate strip of four dark blue two pence English stamps each with a numeral ‘131' in a square grid postmark and it also has a manuscript ‘5^d’. There is a transit mark SHIP - LETTER/ [CROWN]/ AU 27/ 1853/ = LONDON=, as well as a manuscript ‘Dec^r 15/ 53' (Figures 1 & 1A).

A.W. BIRCHALL, BOOKSELLER & BOOK PUBLISHER, LAUNCESTON, TASMANIA

The stampless cover has a 1^D POSTAGE PAID/ L/ JUN 14/ 1898/ LAUNCESTON postmark and it is addressed to a Mr. C.J. Hall, Burnie (Tasmania). The red print reads ‘CATALOGUE, FOURTH ANNUAL BOOK SALE’ along the top, ‘BOOK SALE’ at the left margin, and ‘From A.W. BIRCHALL & SONS, Launceston’ at the bottom of the cover. The reverse was not seen. This postmark was used for bulk mail (Figure 1).

ADAMS & CO. EXPRESS'S RELATIONSHIP to FREEMAN COBB of COBB & CO. [USA]

This stampless cover was sent from the United States to a Mr. William F. Christie, Melbourne, Australia in ca. 1840's (according to the vendor, but see later) and it had 3 black ink manuscripts, a prominent ‘Collect’, a vertically placed notation along the left hand side (doubtfully an abbreviation for advertised) and another notation ‘( ) Adams & Co’s Express’ (Figure 1).

ADVERTISING COVER for BUSHELLS TEA from GOODOOGA, N.S.W.

The front of this cover is rather ordinary and was sent from F.J. King, General Storekeeper, Goodooga to F. Chilton, City (Fruit) Market, Sydney. The red 2d KGV Head stamp was postmarked with the Type 2B cancel (with double side arcs) of GOODOOGA/ 12 OC 33/ N.S.W (Figure 1).

AFRICAN & EASTERN TRADE CORP., LIVERPOOL N.S.W. to LIVERPOOL U.K.

The African and Eastern Trade Corporation was incorporated in Liverpool in 1919 and had establishments in several African Colonies. It served in the Congo side by side with the British Consulate as a semi-official representative for British trading interests in that Colony. Both Huileries du Congo Belge and the African and Eastern Trade Corporation employed a number of English-speaking employees of both European and African origin. A few years later the corporation merged with the Niger Company (both owned by Lever Brothers) forming a new trading enterprise, the United African Company Limited (UAC).

ALEXANDER McCRACKEN, BREWER & SPORTSMAN (1856-1915) to ENGLAND

This evocative advertising cover had four colourful oval adverts for different McCracken ales and stout and the cover had the required postage of 2½d made up of two one penny and one green ½d stamps of Victoria cancelled with two copies of the double circle MELBOURNE/ AM/ 4³⁰/ 18 2 03/ 4 with the thick side-bars. It was addressed to London, England (Figure 1).

ALEXANDER BRODIE SPARK, ‘THE RESPECTABLE MERCHANT’ of SYDNEY

This entire was sent from Orchard House, London to Captain H. Freeman, Ship Edward Lombe, to the care of A.B. Spark Esq., Sydney, N.S.Wales and was endorsed ‘immediate’ in the top left hand and had a manuscript ‘4' arrival charge at top right. The ships name ‘[per] Caroline’ was endorsed at the lower left and there was a CROWN/ GENERAL POST OFFICE/ 19 MR 19/ 1833/ SYDNEY reception mark, the letter taking 5 months in transit (vendor stated that the cover left England on 22 October 1832). In addition the vendor stated that the letter’s contents included "Shacks for Batavia" and "Whale Boat from Thompson’s" (Figure 1).

ALEXANDER GEORGE WEBSTER (1830 - 1914) HOBART MERCHANT

This 2d blue-green printed to private order envelope has a roller cancel HOBART/ 16.6.09/ TASMANIA on the ‘Head of Victoria’ embossed stamp. It is a colorful advertisement for A.G. Webster & Son, Hobart Tasmania and it shows a man tilling the earth with a Planet Jr. plough (Figure 1).

ALEXANDER THOMSON & THOMAS MUST, PARK HILL, HAMILTON VICTORIA

The cover is addressed to Alexander Thomson Esq, Park Hill, Hamilton and has a rose 4d ‘Laureate’ stamp cancelled with the BN ‘8' of Portland, Victoria. (Figure 1).

ALFRED SANDOVER, HARDWARE MERCHANT & BENEFACTOR (1866-1958)

This advertising cover is somewhat unique mainly because of the shape of its flap. The front shows a blue advertising corner for W^M SANDOVER & Co, Hay Street, PERTH, W.A. The 1d red ‘Swan’ stamp has a duplex L.C. ROOM/ 13/ 30 8/ 01/ PERTH and the cover is addressed to a local address. The ‘L.C. ROOM’ is an abbreviation for Letter Carriers Room ( Figure 1).

ALFRED SHAW & CO. LTD., BRISBANE, MELBOURNE, LONDON, IRONMONGER

This common Queensland One Penny postcard had an unframed duplex MARYBOROUGH/ A/ JU 9/ 94/ QUEENSLAND with double side arcs postmark with the QL obliterator.  This specific configuration with Code A is listed by Cowan & Dell as having squares before and after the town name, and not arcs.  The postcard was addressed to Mr. R. Kennedy, Store Keeper, Gympie (Figure 1).

ARTHUR YATES & CO., SEED GROWERS, SEED MERCHANTS & NURSERYMEN

This real photograph advertising trade post card has a view of numerous workers at the in Plant Department Sydney Warehouse of Arthur Yates & C^O L^TD Sydney, and there is a roller cancel of a SYDNEY/ 5-PM/ JLY 24/ 1922/ N.S.W (Figure 1).

AUSTRAL OTIS ENGINEERING, VIC. to JARECKI MANUFACTURING Co, ERIE Pa.

The cover was sent from The Austral Otis Engineering Co. Ltd., South Melbourne and the red 1d QV stamp of Victoria was cancelled with a roller postmark of MELBOURNE/ 17 AUG 12 4.10 AM/ VICTORIA. There was a red ms. ‘31' and an octagonal T/ 30c tax handstamp addressed to Jarecki Manufacturing Co, Erie Pa, USA. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

AUSTRALIAN ADVERTISING GUNS COVERS: 1880, 1915 & 1932 [USA]

The first cover shows a stylised ‘ribbon’ advertising JOHN REA/ GUNMAKER/ MCCRAE STREET/ NEXT BLACK SWAN/ SANDHURST and the cover has the 2d lilac mauve stamp of Victoria, postmarked with the duplex SANDHURST/ A/ NO 20/ 80 plus the barred numeral ‘4' as the obliterator. The Australian Firearms Museum, in a listing of Colonial gunsmiths, gives the following information: ‘Rea, J McRae Street Bendigo (formerly Sandhurst) Vic. 1890', and a further listing under his name: ‘Little Scotland, via Geelong Vic. 1851'. There is no certainty that the two addresses are for the same man, and in fact Robert B. Shannon’s Colonial Australian Gunsmiths 1967, does not list a John Rea at all, but lists a G. Rae at Bendigo, Vic. c. 1890 and a Thomas Rea at Little Scotland, via Geelong, Vic. 1851, which is all very confusing.

BASHI A. HAWMID, C.A.S.O.C., BAHRAIN

Several covers all to the same person and address recently came available at a website and the 2 examples are representative of them. The first is on a printed addressed envelope to Mr. B.A. Hawmid, C.A.S.O.C., Bahrain, (Iranian Gulf) and it is stamped with 2d KGVI definitive, postmarked PERTH/ 2.30 P 3 AU 38/ WESTERN AUSTRALIA (Figure 1).

BEBARFALDS, RETAILER of FURNISHINGS & MANUFACTURER of FURNITURE

The illustrated cover shows the front of Bebarfalds partially covered by an irregular block of three red 1d N.S.W. ‘Shield’ STAMPS postmarked with the duplex ‘924' PARK STREET/ 4/ AU 22/ 99/ N.S.W, as well the blue 2d QV and a ½d QV stamps, similarly canceled.  The registered cover is addressed to Messrs G.P. Rowell & Co., 10 Spruce St., New York (Figure 1).

BENJAMIN MENDES DA COSTA, S.A. MERCHANT & PHILANTHROPIST

Two 1846 stampless South Australian entires were seen on Ebay, the first addressed to Benjm M Da Costa Esqre, Adelaide, South Australia had a red square with rounded corners handstamp which read D/ PAID/ 26  MR 26/1846, and there were two large manuscript ratings, a red 2/- and a black 1/- (Figure 1).

BREWERS’ JOURNAL, BAVARIAN HOPS & KALGOORLIE BREWING & ICE, CO.

The three items in the heading are tied together by three different, but related covers one each from New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia, over the period of 1892 to 1905. The N.S.W. cover has a black double circle inscribed Australian Brewery & Wine & Spirit Company Limited with the Emu and Kangaroo on the side of a shield, with the motto ‘Advance Australia’, as well as a readdress to the company in Sydney. It is addressed to W. Ullmann Esq., C/o Messrs L. Ullmann Co, Bamberg. Bavaria. The ½d grey stamp of N.S.W. is postmarked with a duplex SYDNEY/ MY 2/ 4 P.M/ 92/ 15 cancel with the N.S.W obliterator (Figure 1).

BURNS PHILP & CO., SYDNEY to W.H. GILLARD& CO., HAMILTON, CANADA

This unexciting cover is an example of trade between two large companies, primarily involved in food distribution, but with extensive additional interests, in Australia and Canada in the early 1900's. It was addressed to Messrs W.H. Gillard & Co., Wholesale Grocers etc., Hamilton, Canada. The blue 2½d QV stamp of N.S.W. was cancelled with a duplex THE EXCHANGE/ MR 5/ 11-15-AM/ 05/ N.S.W, with the barred numeral ‘1134' of the Type D3 (ii) postmark obscured by the dark stamp (Figure 1).

CAPT. RONALD CAMPBELL, SQUATTER, BOMBALA STATION, MONARO N.S.W.

The cover has a strip of three brown-lilac De La Rue ‘TWO PENCE’ stamps of Victoria canceled by MELBOURNE/ 7V/ MY 5/ 70 with the duplex VICTORIA obliterator and there is a ms ‘per Overland Route’at top left. It was addressed to Ronald Campbell Esq., Bombala Station, New South Wales (Figure 1).

CAPTAIN JOHN BISHOP, STOREKEEPER PORT LINCOLN, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

A series of nine covers addressed to the same person were seen over the period of 1856-1872, and a selection of these will be presented. Three of the earlier covers were addressed him as Captain in recognition of his sea-going life prior to his arrival in Australia in 1839, well before the arrival of the first cover. The first was simply addressed to Captn. Bishop, Port Lincoln. The imperforate pair of the deep green ‘ONE PENCE’ South Australia stamps had a red MR 29/ 1856/ ADELAIDE S Acancel. The reverse of the cover was not seen (Figure 1).

CAPTAIN JOSEPH JAMES of GEORGE TOWN, VAN DIEMENS LAND 1786-1844

Two entires were available at auction, one addressed to the merchant Captain Joseph James and the other to his daughter Frances, one and a half years apart, during which time the Captain had died, and both were sent from the same town, Newnham, Gloucestershire in England.

CARL LUDWIG PINSCHOF, MERCHANT, ECONOMIST & AUSTRIAN CONSUL

The rose ONE PENNY postcard of Victoria is postmarked with a duplex BALLARAT/ 7D/ DE 11/ 83 cancel with a barred numeral ‘5' obliterator. It is addressed to Messrs Pfaff Pinschoff (sic) & Co., 73 Flinders Lane West, Melbourne (Figure 1).

CHARLES COWLES of COWLES & DUNN, GUNSMITH & FIREARMS DEALER

This advertising cover was sent from Cowles & Dunn, Gunmakers and Importers of Ammunition, 72 King Street, Sydney to John M. Evans, Dinner Hill, Peelwood (N.S.W.).  The red 1d ‘Roo on Map of Australia’ stamp was cancelled with a roller cancel of SYNEY/ JE 12/ 6-15P  N.S.W./ 1913.   There was no cancellation on the reverse (Figure 1).

CHARLES DAVIS, HARDWARE MERCHANT, CONVICT, LAY LEADER in HOBART

To date, this is the only Australian paper at this website devoted to a ‘Cinderella’, a non-postal item with no postal value, although rare covers get through the postal system without being taxed. This block of six celebrates the Centenary of Charles Davis arriving in Tasmania in 1847 and the centre of the design illustrates the store which was known as Charles Davis Limited (Figure 1).

CHARLES HARPER, W. A. AGRICULTURIST, LEGISLATOR & NEWSPAPER MAN

The One Penny Western Australian postcard has no visible postmark and it was sent to C. Harper Esq. M.L.A., Guildford (W.A.) (Figure 1).

CHARLES L. PACK, PHILATELIST with AUSTRALIAN COLONY INTEREST [USA]

The cover is franked with the green-yellow 3d Roo on Map of Australia stamp (S.G. 37, narrow crown watermark) postmarked BRIGHTON/ VIC, the date is not legible, but most likely is dated ca. 1915. I is addressed to Charles Lathrop Pack Esq, Lakewood, New Jersey. United States of America. A manuscript "via San Francisco per Ventura" has been added (Figure 1).

DALTON BROTHERS, HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, from & to DUNTRYLEAGUE

Two relatively unpretentious covers dated 27 years apart reveal, on their reverse, how the fortunes of the Dalton Brothers changed from humble beginnings in Ireland to riches in New South Wales. The first cover, a printed to private order envelope with the embossed blue 1d ‘Emu’ stamp of N.S.W. was postmarked with the duplex SYDNEY/ FE 11/ 11-A M/ 95/ 36 and was addressed to a firm in Melbourne (Figure 1).

DAVID & JOHN SHEARER, AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS

This advertising cover has a picture of Shearer’s Patent Wrought Steel Plow & Cultivator Shares and warns: “Beware of IMITATIONS, especially UNBRANDED Shares. These shares are often imitated but never duplicated”. The pink 1d South Australia stamp is postmarked MANNUM/ 2 MA (sic)- 2NO11/ S^TH AUSTRALIA and it is sent to a firm of Messrs E.H. & L.O PONTT, Bakara, S.A. (Figure 1).

DENNYS, LASCELLES & CO., GEELONG WOOL MERCHANTS

The 1876-81 1d ‘Bell’ postcard was postmarked with the duplex GEELONG and B.N. ‘2' with an indistinct date, and it was addressed to Messrs Peterson, Lane & Co. Melbourne (Figure 1).

DERWENT BANK, HOBART TOWN:  LETTER to JOSEPH DIXON, CASHIER, 1842

This ‘entire’, which predates the issue of stamps in Van Diemen’s Land, has a black ms. rating of ‘4' and it is addressed to Joseph Dixon Esq, Derwent Bank, Hobart Town (Figure 1).

DODGSHUN SONS & COMPANY, WAREHOUSEMEN, LAUNCESTON

This 1889 small folded advertising circular for Dodgshun Sons & Co. of Launceston, Tasmania was postally used from Longford Tasmania, JY 9/ 89 to Messrs E. & W.L. Bartlett, Latrobe, Tasmania with a single 1d Queen Victoria sideface stamp (paying the advertising rate), tied by the Longford barred numeral '54'. The cover is clearly marked 'CIRCULAR ONLY' (Figure 1).

DR. JOHN MACWHIRTER, J. & S. LEARMONTH, & JERUSALEM COFFEE HOUSE [ENGLAND]

Two very interesting letters, one with two dates in manuscript ‘21 May & 2 July 1850' is addressed to Dr. Mc Whirter (sic), Care Messr J. & S. Learmonth, Geelong, Port Phillip, per ‘Nelson’ has an additional manuscript ‘Answered 6 Dec’ and there is a poor copy of a vertically placed blue double-ringed oval ‘FORWARDED FROM/ LONDON/ THE JERUSALEM hand-stamp, and it is rated ‘6’ pence (Figure 1).

EDMUND STANSFIELD RAWSON, ‘THE HOLLOW’, MACKAY MAYOR, QLD

The Queensland postcard has a printed ‘ONE PENNY’ QV stamp of Queensland which is cancelled by an unframed MACKAY/ A/ NO 15/ 92/ QUEENSLAND. It was addressed to E.S. Rawson Esqr, The Hollow, Near Mackay (Figure 1).

EDWARD CROOKE, VICTORIAN PASTORALIST (1810-1873)

Three stampless entires were sent to the above in 1856-1858 at Gippsland, Holey Plains (the first two incorrectly addressed to ‘Holy Plains, which denoted’), Victoria. The first was sent p(er) ‘Eclipse’ and was endorsed ‘6d to pay’, having been sent from Hobart (Figure 1).

EDWARD KEANE, RAILWAYS & HERITAGE BUILDINGS,

This One Halfpenny Western Australia Post Card is addressed to a tailor at Perth and the printed stamp is cancelled by a duplex PERTH/ 7/ NO 14/ 1891/ WESTERN AUSTRALIA with a G.P.O obliterator (Figure 1).

EDWARD WILLIAM COLE, MELBOURNE BOOKSELLER (1832-1918)

Two illustrated covers were found at the same auction site, relating to E.W. Cole and his Book Arcade. The first posted at Melbourne in 1907 shows a stylized rainbow stretching from one clump of palm trees to another, and it lists 16 departments in the store: new books; secondhand books; circulating library; wholesale books; pictures, framing; stationery, fancy goods; music, instruments; house ornaments, glass, china; printing, publishing; photographic studio; toys; crinkled paper; tea salon; perfumery, toilet requisites; mail order; and, Wonderland & Monkeyland to amuse the Youngsters. The extent of the booksite in Melbourne, branches in Sydney and Adelaide, plus the claim “Nearly Two Million Books to choose from” are given, as well as “Lists on Any Subject Sent Post Free” (Figure 1).

EDWARD WILSON & LAUCHLAN MACKINNON, ARGUS OFFICE, MELBOURNE

The On Her Majesty’s Service postcard had a black POSTMASTER GENERAL, VICTORIA, FRANK STAMP with a superimposed MELBOURNE/ PM/ 4.30/ 6.6.00/ 20 postmark and was addressed to Messrs Wilson & MacKinnon, “Argus” Office, Melbourne (Figure 1).

EDWARDS, DUNLOP & CO. LTD, SYDNEY & MELBOURNE

The cover has a ms. ‘Late fee added’ and a boxed PACKET-BOAT, with 2 copies of the green ‘THREE PENCE’ stamps of New South Wales, canceled with a multi-ringed N.Z. postmark of Dunedin, but the date is not legible.. The vendor describes the date as 188(?). The cover is addressed to The Proprietors, Bradshaw Publishing Co., Dunedin , New Zealand (Figure 1).
 

F. HOULSTON & SON, PUBLISHERS, FIRST at WELLINGTON, LATER in LONDON

Similar to my research on the London publisher Henry King Lewis there is no difficulty in finding information about the firm and books they published, but details about the principals  involved are very sketchy.  Whereas covers sent to the firms in London are not uncommon, but in the case of Houlston, an early cover sent to the Wellington address has not been seen.

The first an advertising cover for the E.W. Cole firm of Melbourne publisher and book seller (described in a previous paper on E.W. Cole) has a red on yellow 2½d stamp of Victoria cancelled in Melbourne in 1896 and addressed to Messrs Houlston & Sons, Publishers, Paternoster Square, London (Figure 1).

F.C. KLEMM, VICTORIAN GOLD, GERMAN CONSUL, GOVERNMENT & PRESS 

The cover had an octagonal blue ‘ONE SHILLING’ as well as a blue 3d ‘Beaded Oval’ stamps of Victoria postmarked by at least 5 copies of MELBOURNE/ 4A/ MR 23/ 64 duplex and it was addressed to F.C. KLEMM, Brewer, Sandhurst (Victoria). There was a ms. ‘Sample of Merchandise Only, Packed without letter or writing, and the sender was identified by a ms. ‘From Louis L. Lewis, Collins St. Melbourne’ (Figure 1).

F.C. STURTEVANT, IMPERIAL EGG FOOD, HARTFORD, CT

The cover was incorrectly addressed to Mr. F. C. S. Turtevant, Sole Proprietor "Imperial Egg Food", 216 State Street, Hartford Ct., U.S.A. and the reason for the incorrect spelling of the proprietor's name later became obvious. The 3 pale lilac two penny 'Stamp Duty' stamps (a pair and a single) were postmarked with 3 examples of the MELBOURNE/ 15 S/ JE 17/ 90 duplex (Figure 1).

FELDHEIM, GOTTHELF & CO., HARDWARE MERCHANTS/IMPORTERS, SYDNEY

I often find that the printed insignias and addresses on the flap of covers, particularly the ‘Belt & Buckle’ diagrams, can give an entree into interesting personages, and this cover is no exception. This cover was sent ‘Per Moana’ to Messrs Barclay & Co., 44 Stone Street, New York, U.S.A. and it had 2 stamps of N.S.W., the green ½d QV and the blue 2d QV, cancelled with the duplex SYDNEY/ AU 4/ 1-PM/ 98/ 36. The vendor states that the blue 2d stamp had a private perfin of FG & CO which tied in with name on the reverse (Figure 1).

FELTON, GRIMWADE & CO., WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS, MELBOURNE, W.A. & N.Z.

The plain stampless postcard was sent on 10 July 10, 1901 and the postmark was obliterated by a black printed DEPARTMENT OF TRADE & CUSTOMS/ VICTORIA/ FRANK STAMP. It is addressed to Messrs.Felton Grimwade & Co., Importers, City [Melbourne] (Figure 1).

FIFTY TWO YEARS of E.P. CAPPER & SONS, MAITLAND, N.S.W.

Two covers 52 years apart were seen on two different philatelic auction sites which were addressed to two members of a noted Maitland, N.S.W. family and their store.  The first entire was addressed simply to ‘E.P. Capper Esquire, West Maitland’ and it was franked with the 1d N.S.W. dull carmine Plate II Sydney Views and the 1d carmine Laureate stamps, both postmarked with the bar cancels of Sydney (Figure 1).

FOSTER’S LAGER BEER,  BITTER ALE & EXTRA STOUT, MELBOURNE

The advertising cover proudly proclaims three types of Foster’s beer and the pink ‘ONE PENNY’ QV stamp of Victoria is canceled MELBOURNE/ PM/ 3 45/ 24 6 07/ -1-. It is addressed to Proprietor, Ship Hotel, Hobart, Tasmania (Figure 1).

FRANCIS HENRY FOSTER, PASTORALIST, BUSINESSMAN & POLITICIAN

Two Tasmanian K.E. VII red ‘ONE PENNY’ postcards were addressed to Henry Foster (his preferred name?) at his family home of Merton Vale, Campbell Town and both reverses were not seen. The first was sent from LAUNCESTON/ D/ AU 10/ 1905/ TASMANIA, and the arrival postmark at Campbell Town on the card’s front was the next day (Figure 1).

FRANK GRIMLEY, COACH & WAGON BUILDER,

The red 1d NSW ‘Shield’ postcard was postmarked WEDDERBURN/ JA 11/ 1904/ N.S.W and addressed to a Bicycle Deater in Gympie, Queensland (Figure 1).

FRED & ERNEST CRISP BARREL OIL POSTCARD

The Tasmanian postcard with the 1d red QV sideface stamp was postmarked HOBART/ A/ MY 5/ 1903/ TASMANIA and addressed Messrs Chas Atkins Co., 472 Flinders St, Melbourne and it also has a MELBOURNE 7 5 03 reception postmark on the front. In manuscript at the bottom right corner there is an F. & E. Crisp 4/5/05 inscription applied by the sender (Figure 1).

FREDERIC LASSETTER & Co., LIMITED to MISS NINA FANE DE SALIS

This red 1d ‘Shield’ stamp New South Wales Post Card is postmarked with a duplex SYDNEY/ AP 26/ 6.30 PM/ 98/ 44 cancel and is addressed to Miss N.F. De Salis, Lambrigg, Queanbeyan (Figure 1).

FREDERICK WILLIAM HADDON, THE ARGUS JOURNALIST & EDITOR

This cover was sent from England with a bistre nine pence and a one penny red QV stamps with 2 examples of the YARMOUTH/ D/ MY 22/ 67/ NORFOLK duplex with numeral ‘927' to F.W. Haddon Esq, The Argus Office, Melbourne, with a manuscript ‘via Marseilles’. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

FREDERICK HUTH & CO., LONDON BANKERS

The entire has a red PAID SHIP LETTER/ [Crown]/ JY 25/ 1840/ SYDNEY with three legible manuscripts, ‘p Union’ and is rated in black ‘2s/8d’ and in red 2s/2d. The reverse (not seen) has a Ship Letter cachet and a London arrival of November 25, 1840, both in red (Figure 1).

GEORGE BRUCE, SHEEP BREEDER, LOOMBAH STATION, YULLUNDRY

I have seen 10 covers addressed to George Bruce over the past 2 years, and it has taken me all this time to come up with a coherent story about him. In the meantime, I had destroyed most of the scans. Recent covers have kindled my interest again, and my search led me to a researcher for Molong Historical Society and thence to Joan Marriott’s book The Crossroads. The History of Cumnock.

GEORGE WILCOX & CO., SYDNEY to MESSRS. SCHOELLKOPF, BUFFALO

The unusual salmon pink cover is addressed to Messrs. Schoellkopf & Co., 91 Mississippi St., Buffalo, N. Y., U.S.A. and it has the dark blue 2½d QV stamp of New South Wales cancelled with the duplex postmark of THE EXCHANGE/ 2/ (MR 25)/ (00)/ N.S.W. together with the barred numeral ‘113(4)’ (Figure 1).

GERMAIN NICHOLSON, GROCER, LAND SPECULATOR & PHILANTHROPIST (1814-1888)

Most of the mail involving Nicholson is incoming mail and the 2 covers shown are good examples of the world-wide breadth of his mail. The first is addressed to Monsieur Germain Nicholson, Négociant (merchant),69 Rue Collin Est, à Melbourne, Australie sent ‘Via Steamer’ from ‘Bordeaux/ 2/ OCT/ 67' by ‘E. PURREY, BORDEAUX’ and there are 2 examples of the blue oval ‘MORE TO PAY’, one for ‘4d’ which is crossed out and the other for ‘10d’ (Figure 1).

GIUSEPPE BELLANCA, BELLANCA AIRCRAFT CORP, NEWCASTLE, DELAWARE

The Airmail cover has 9 definitive Australian stamps with a total postage of 1 shilling 7 pence which are postmarked 3-AIRMAIL 3/ 1 30P 17 JA 39/ SYDNEY N.S.W. It is addressed to Mr. G. Bellanca, Bellanca Aircraft Corp., Newcastle, Delaware, U.S.A. (Figure 1).

GOLDSBOROUGH MORT & CO., WOOLBROKERS, STOCK & STATION AGENTS

This advertising cover for Goldsborough Mort and Company Limited with its illustrated nine sheep gives information concerning this fabled Australian company of wool brokers, stock & station agency, Sydney branch. It has an air mail sticker, the grey 1 shilling six pence Mercury air mail stamp with a roller cancel: LIFE/ IS PRECIOUS/ HELP/ TO PREVENT/ ACCIDENTS and a boxed Sydney December 1949 cancel. It is addressed to The Editor, The American Hereford Journal, 600, Graphic Arts Building, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A. (Figure 1).

GRACE BROS, JOSEPH NEAL & ALBERT EDWARD GRACE: END of an ERA

This advertising cover for Grace Bros, Merchants & Importers, Broadway Glebe, Sydney: The Model Store, was addressed to Germany with two red 1d ‘Shield ‘ stamps of N.S.W., cancelled by Sydney roller postmark Jan 1910, as well as a greenish-blue ½d QV head stamp postmarked by a Sydney c.d.s. (Figure 1).

H.B. SELBY & CO., SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS & LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

This advertising cover for H.B. Selby & Co. at 393 Swanston St., Melbourne has the blue 3d Submarine Telephone Communication to Tasmania stamp postmarked with a roller cancel dated 25 May 38 and is addressed to Difco Laboratory, a Michigan-based manufacturer of microbiology media and supplies in Detroit, USA. The reverse shows a figure of an aneroid barometer (Figure 1).

HANS W.H. IRVINE, GREAT WESTERN VINEYARDS & VICTORIAN POLITICIAN

The long cover has a corner advert ‘BY ROYAL WARRANT’ over the Royal Crest, with IRVINE’S/ AUSTRALIAN/ WINES and BRANDY/ HANS W.H. IRVINE/ GREAT WESTERN/ VICTORIA,/ AUSTRALIA. It is addressed to E. Ormerod, Esq., Finsbury Distillery, Moreland Street, Finsbury, London E.C. , England. The grey-blue 2d ‘Kangaroo on Map of Australia’ stamp is postmarked T.O. GREAT WESTERN/ -3 JL 13/ VIC, a Telegraph Office cancellation. The reverse has no postmarks, only red sealing wax (Figure 1).

HENRY GINN, COLONIAL ARCHITECT, COMPANY SECRETARY & PASTORALIST (1818-1892)

This poor entire front with the 2d “Half Length” Queen Victoria stamp has an indeterminate numeral “Butterfly” cancellation, and it is addressed to Henry Ginn Esq, Colonial Architect, Melbourne (Figure 1).

HENRY LEWIS JONES, QUEENSLAND'S QUEEN BEE KING

This printed to private order Queensland postcard with the 1d printed stamp has a faint Type 2b 10 bar numeral ‘488' of Goodna, Queensland (14 km east of Ipswich) as well as a routing postmark, T.P.O. S & W RY NO 4/ A 7 OC 95/ QUEENSLAND, and it is addressed to Mr. R.S. Kinnear, The Overflow, Nyngan, N.S.W. (Figure 1).

HERBERT J. RUMSEY, SEEDSMAN, EDITOR, AUTHOR & GENEALOGIST

This O.H.M.S. stampless cover had a frank stamp of the POSTMASTER-GENERAL, VICTORIA, and was postmarked MELBOURNE/ AM/ 11/ 26/7/01/ 3.  It had a printed admonition about punishment for the private use of the cover at top left, a purple handstamp with a large crown over an oval Postmaster-General/ Dominion of Australia, and a printed General Post Office, Melbourne, manuscript 25/7/1901, at lower left.  It was addressed to Mr. Herbert J. Rumsey, “Boronia”, Barbers Creek, New South Wales.  The vendor did not mention that it was a mourning cover (Figure 1).

HIGGINS FAMILY, BURNT OAK, CURRENCY CREEK, S. A.

The E-bay seller had more than 40 covers posted to several family members over a period of 50 years. The present cover was addressed to Mrs. H.M. Higgins, Burnt Oak, Currency Creek, South A/lia with a Melbourne/ -2 AP-6-P/ 1925 postmark, with a complete roller cancel: BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION/ ALWAYS ASK FOR/ AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTS, on a KGV 1½d red stamp (Figure 1).

HON. WILLIAM BENJAMIN ROUNSEVELL & ?THE CURRENCY QUESTION?

This Victoria 1d “Reading” stamp postcard was introduced in 1890 in red-brown but changed to orange-brown in keeping with the change in colour of the 1d stamp. This stamp is much more a pure yellow than previously seen and may be a colour changeling due to light exposure. The postcard is addressed to J.G. Patterson Esq, Flinders Lane, City and thepostmark is a duplex MELBOURNE / 20A/ OC 24/ 93 with a barred VICTORIA (Figure 1).

HOWARD SMITH COY. LD. and COAL CONTRACTORS

This advertising postcard has an illustration of Barton Falls, Cairns (Queensland) and it advertises the Howard Smith Steamshhip Proprietors and Coal Contractors, Australia. At the bottom of the card their are spaces for the names of the ship and for the date of the ship's sailing (Figure 1).

HUGH VICTOR McKAY, FARMING MACHINERY INVENTOR, & LAND OWNER

The H.V. McKay Pty. Ltd. Famous Farm Implements of Australian Manufacture advertising cover had 3 printed views of horse-drawn farm machinery, and it was addressed to Champion Foundry & Machine Co., 3018 West 21st Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA. The pair of red 1½d KGV head stamps had a SUNSHINE/ ( ) FE 27/ VIC postmark (Figure 1).

HUGO JUNKERS, EARLY GERMAN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEER [GERMANY]

This air mail registered long cover appeared on Ebay and was franked with 3 copies of the 3d green first Australian mail stamp, one 1d green KGV Head and 3 copies of the 2d red KGV Head, postmarked with seven impressions of G.P.O. MELBOURNE/ 3/ 16 JA 31. In addition to the Air Mail vignette, there was an R.6 G.P.O. Melbourne Victoria registration label, as well as interesting advertising matter which read: JUNKERS ALL-METAL AIRCRAFT/ No Wood No Fabric Hangars Not Required/ Australasian Factory Representative/ Major H.J. Berryman/ 26 Lumeah Rd., Caulfield, S.E. 7. It was addressed to Messrs Junkers - Flugzeugwerk A-G/ Dessau/ Germany (Figure 1).

ISAAC HIMMELHOCH, FINANCIER & WINEMAKER at GRODNO, VNEYARD

This common red 1d ‘Shields’ N.S.W. postcard postmarked with a SYDNEY/ NO 01/ 01/ 22 duplex was simply addressed to Mr. I. Himmelhoch, Financier, Sydney (Figure 1).

ISAAC S. "TRADER" HORNE’S ZOOLOGICAL ARENA: BEAUMARIS, HOBART

This Ebay cover caught my fancy because of the intriguing addressee: Horne’s Zoological Arena, Wild Animal Importers, 318 Keith & Perry Buildings, Kansas City Mo, United States America. It had two copies of the green ½d ‘LAKE MARIAN’ pictorial stamp of Tasmania as well as a single 1d ‘Roo on Map of Australia’ stamp, postmarked with a roller cancel of HOBART/ 5 SEP 13/ TASMANIA (Figure 1).

J. KENNON & SONS, TANNERS, MELBOURNE to ROHM & HAAS, PHILADELPHIA

The illustrated cover from J. Kennon & Sons Pty Ltd, Chrome Tanners and Leather Manufacturers, Wool, Hide and Skin Merchants was sent to Messrs. Rohn (sic) & Haas company, Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa, U.S.A. The blue 3d KGVI stamp was postmarked with a roller cancel from MELBOURNE/ 5 30 PM/ 1941/ VIC AUST with a slogan BUY ----/ WAR SAVINGS CERIFICATES, which partially obscured the purple 3/ NOT/ OPENED BY / CENSOR handstamp. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

J. KITCHEN & SONS PTY. LTD., MELBOURNE POSTAL CARD 1931

This used printed to private order postal card is said by the vendor to be “very rare, perhaps two exist” and it was sold at auction AUD 1,100. It was listed as a 1928-36 KGV Oval 1½d brown HG K8 on a bluish advice card. It was addressed to ‘Mr V. Hay, Storekeeper Chelsea (Victoria) and was postmarked MORWELL/ 11 FE 31/ VIC. The item was sold AUD100 above the estimate. (Figure 1).

J.C. KOSTER PREMIER POTTERY, NORTH NORWOOD, GOLD MEDAL WINNER

The advertising cover is printed ‘Invoice Only from J.C, Koster Premier Pottery, North Norwood, Manufacturer of all kinds of Potteryware and to order. Tel. Norwood 1394'. There is a depiction of two gold medals, but only the left hand one is legible ‘SOUTH AUSTRALIAN EXHIBITION 1910, J.C. Koster Pottery’. The 1d green KGV head stamp is postmarked with a roller cancel ADELAIDE/ 8 DEC 24 3 PM/ SOUTH AUSTRALIA. The cover is addressed to Botanic Garden, North Terrace, Adelaide, and the reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

J.J.A. BOASE, BANKER PENZANCE, CORNWALL: LETTER from MELBOURNE

The following scans were sent to me by Les Molnar who has added this cover to his ‘Emblems’ of Victoria stamp exhibit. It is unique in that a total of nine green 1d emblems stamps were used on the cover, and more importantly it had the previously unknown use of an interpanneau block of 4 stamps on the cover. The cover was sent per ‘Emeu’ via Marseilles and the 9 stamps were composed of a horizontal and a vertical pair, the interpanneau block of 4, plus a single stamp, canceled with the barred numeral ‘1' of Melbourne. It was addressed April 24th 1860 and J.J.A. Boase Esqre, Penzance, Cornwall, England (Figure 1).

J.W. PLOOS VAN AMSTEL & Co., MELBOURNE, SENT to FRANCE

This difficult to date early stampless cover (stated to be 1862 by vendor) was sent from Melbourne to a company in Tarnac near Cognac, France with a manuscript ‘via Marseille’.  It had a black ‘18' and a red possibly ‘4' ratings with two additional postmarks, one a boxed red GB ‘diamond’ and the other a red Marseille double circle transit postmark.  The sender was identified by a blue J.W. PLOOS VAN AMSTEL & CO handstamp.  The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

JAMES & ROBERT BURNS CUMING, ADELAIDE CHEMICAL WORKS COMPANY

The South Australia purple ONE PENNY postcard is addressed in print to Mr. R. B. Cuming, The Adelaide Chemical Works Company, New Thebarton, (South Australia) and it is cancelled with a duplex G.P.O. ADELAIDE/ AU 25/ 94/ S.A postmark (Figure 1).

JAMES & JOHN GRIFFITHS, GRIFFITH BROS., TEA MERCHANTS, MELBOURNE

The registration envelope with the printed purple 4½d KGV Head stamp is uprated with a red 1½d KGV Head stamp and they are both canceled with NORTH BRIGHTON/ 10 SP 26/ VIC. There is a red Registration label for Brighton North and the cover is addressed to Griffiths Bros., Tea Merchants, Elizabeth Street, City (Melbourne) (Figure 1).

JAMES COX, TASMANIAN PASTORALIST, MAGISTRATE & BREEDER

This faint entire has several postmarks and manuscripts that are difficult to decipher. The most legible is at top left, a straight two-line ‘WINDSOR/ N.S.W’ and immediately below this is a manuscript ‘Island postage paid’. Just below the ’James’ in the address is a strike in red of an octagonal ‘WINDSOR/ POST PAID’ and below that an oval ‘GENERAL POST OFFICE/ OC 7/ 1840/ SYDNEY’ (the last 2 inverted). There is a manuscript in black ’7' and to the right of this there is another red unframed Sydney postmark also for 7 OC/ 1840. The entire is addressed to James Cox Esq., Clarendon, Launceston, Van Diemens Land (Figure 1).

JAMES HIND JR. of HIND, ROLPH & CO., SAN FRANCISCO's MAYOR & GOVERNOR of CALIFORNIA 

Four fronts of covers were recently seen on Ebay sent from Sydney with a printed address of Messrs. Hind, Rolph & Co., 230 California Street, San Francisco, U.S.America. Two have been chosen to introduce this company, and the first has four copies of the grey 2d ‘Roo on Map of Australia’ stamps cancelled by a roller cancel of SYDNEY/ 9-PM/ DE 30/1918/ N.S.W. The second has a roller cancel of SYDNEY/ 1918 on a single grey 2d "Roo on Map of Australia’ and a single red 1d KGV head (Figures 1 & 2).

JAMES MILSON Jr, DIRECTOR, MERCANTILE BUSINESS MAN & PASTORALIST

I found in my own collection three covers sent to James Milson junior all in 1875 from Melbourne, all bearing the same 2d pale mauve Die 1 Victoria stamp, and with the handwriting of the same individual. Even the Melbourne duplex postmark was monotonously the same, except for the time code and the dates, which ranged from August 27 to October 28 to November 15 1875. To break the monotony the middle-dated cover was blue, but of the same size, as the other two. The sender was remarkably consistent in the way he addressed Milson, as follows: James Milson Jr. Esq^r, B^K New S. Wales, Sydney., N.S.Wales. Just one of these fronts will be shown in Figure 1.

JAMES MIRAMS, MELBOURNE FINANCIER, POLITICIAN & ROGUE (1839-1916)

The item which prompted this paper is not a cover, but a Promissary Note written by James Mirams on 21 January 1889 for the amount of 7 pounds 10 shillings (sterling) and it bears a fiscally cancelled 6d Victorian Stamp Duty with a manuscript ‘JMS’ and date 21/1/89. Payment was due on 24 Feby 1889, made out to the Northern Printing Co. There were 2 different purple stampings, a clear double circle for ‘The National Bank of Australasia’, Clifton Hill and a fainter double oval for the same Bank, Melbourne. The promissory note had a notation ‘Paid’ and James Mirams Snr.’s signature was cancelled by a penline (Figure 1).

JAMES STEDMAN, MANUFACTURER of STEDMAN-HENDERSON’S SWEETS

This comical postcard advertising Henderson’s Sweets, and in particular their popular butterscotch “IT’S AWFU GUID”, was sent without stamps from Sydney on 10 June 1907 to North Sydney. A ‘MORE TO PAY/ 2^D’ was applied with 2 copies of the 1d ‘completed design’ green Postage Dues (Figure 1).

JESSE FRENCH PIANOS - A CONNECTION to AUSTRALIA [USA]

Two covers sent from Sydney to a piano manufacturer in New Castle, Indiana, USA prompted this paper. The first had embossed octagonal KGV heads of the 1d red and the ½d green as well as an affixed 1½d brown KGV head stamp, making a total of 3d postage. The stamps had a roller cancellation of SYDNEY/ JE 9/ 1919/ 10¹⁵AM/ N.S.W. The sender’s name is rubber stamped in purple, at top left, as F. Owen French/ 94 Pitt Street/ Sydney, and the letter is addressed to H. Edgar French, 603 S. 14^th Street, New Castle, Indiana, U.S. America (Figure 1).

JOHN GEORGE ROBERTSON, BOTANIST, PASTORALIST (1803-1862)

This 1849 O.H.M.S. entire is addressed to John George Robertson Esq, Wando, McKinlays Post, Glenelg. It has a faint red boxed FREE/GEELONG (at upper left) and is signed CJ Latrobe/ Commissioner, at lower left (Figure 1).

JOHN ARTHUR MACARTNEY, PASTORALIST, HORSEMAN & QUEENSLAND PIONEER

This mourning cover had a 2d lilac ‘Stamp Duty’of Victoria canceled by the barred numeral ‘156' corresponding to the unframed MANSFIELD/ AP 27/ 85/ VICTORIA as well as a boxed black DEFICIENT POSTAGE/ FINE (ms. ‘2^d') and it was addressed to John Arthur Macartney Esq, Waverly, Marlborough, via Rockhampton, Queensland (the latter placed at top left of the cover), and there were three other manuscripts ‘or Mrs Macartney’ , ‘rec^d 5^th May/ 85 and ‘4^d’ (Figure 1).

JOHN CUMMING Junr., PROSPECTOR OFFICE, BALLART DIGGINS, PASTORALIST

The cover was addressed to Mr. John Cumming Jnr, Prospector Office, Ballart Diggins (sic), Buninyong. The ‘tiny’ 1851 cover had a ‘very fine’ ‘Ham Half Length’ 2d brown-lilac of Victoria (S.G. 16b) with ‘huge margins at left and base, and it was cancelled with a Butterfly ‘15' of Geelong (Figure 1).

JOHN HIGGINSON, NEW CALEDONIA & NEW HEBRIDES: THREAT to THE COLONIES

The so-called ‘Ligne T’ of La Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes operated from Marseilles to Sydney from 1883 until 1903 and in the period of 1895-1903 it operated four weekly on the route of Marseilles-Port Said-Aden-Colombo-Fremantle-Adelaide-Melbourne-Sydney-Noumea, New Caledonia and return. The M.M. Australien was added to this service on 4 June 1890 and it did not sail in March of 1891 from Sydney to Adelaide, so the letter was carried by another ship. The cover is addressed to Monsieur John Higginson, Passenger bord de l’Australien, ( ? ), M.M. (homewards), Adélaide, S.A. The dark blue QV stamp of New South Wales was canceled with a duplex SYDNEY/ MR 20/ 1 - P.M/ 01/ 10. The reverse was not seen, but the vendor said it had an Adelaide arrival postmark (Figure 1).

JOHN LEWIS CHILDS & C. C. MORSE, PLANTSMEN

Plant catalogues promoting an international trade in seeds have had no borders for at least 100 years as evidenced by horticultural trade between countries. It was no surprise that seed crossed from the USA to Canada but I was not prepared for the frequent trade in seed from the USA and Australia. The early catalogues were as beguiling as present day ones, and there are collectors of these minor pieces of art on the internet.

JOHN SMITH, PASTORALIST, SHEEP BREEDER, PARLIAMENTARIAN (1811-95)

This 1852 ‘town letter’ outer with the imperforate N.S.W. Laureate 1d brick-red (SG 48) stamp is postmarked with a poor barred numeral ‘15' of Molong and is addressed to John Smith Esquire, Gamboola, Molong, and has a Molong reception on the reverse (Figure 1).

JOHN WALKER & CO., MARYBOROUGH, QLD:  LAUNCH of ‘SAURIAN’ DREDGE

The red ONE PENNY Queensland postcard is canceled with an indistinct Maryborough postmark and is addressed to N.S. Arundell Esq, c/o Messrs J.T. Annear & Co., Maryborough (Figure 1).

JOHNSON & JOHNSON, NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. to POTTER & BIRKS Ltd, SYDNEY

This cover was sent from Johnson & Johnson Manufacturing Chemists, [ Red Cross], New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.A. to Potter & Birks, Ltd, Grosvenor Street, Sydney, N.S.W., AUSTRALIA and the red Two Cents Washington stamp with the ‘J & J’ perfin was cancelled with a fine roller cancel NEW BRUNSWICK/ OCT 19/ 6-30P/ 19   10/ N.J. with the waving US flag.  It was underpaid with a taxing ‘T/ Seattle’ and  ‘30 Centimes’,  both in a circle, as well as ‘3D’.  A 3D Postage Due was applied in Sydney (Figure 1).

JOSEPH BENSON MATHER, DRAPER, QUAKER, HOBART TOWN, V.D.L.

This indistinct cover front only, introduces an early immigrant to Tasmania. It has a blue VDL imperforate ‘FOUR PENCE’ stamp cancelled by a manuscript three curved strokes and there is also a manuscript applied at the left border by the postmaster ‘Swansea/ 24/11/59'. It is addressed to Joseph Benson Mather, 98 Liverpool Street, Hobart Town (Figure 1).

JOSEPH BOSISTO, CHEMIST & M.L.A. RICHMOND, VICTORIA (1824-98)

This 1885 1d dull rose on buff Victoria postcard was mailed out to members of the Richmond Cricket Club as an invitation for the Annual Dinner to be held on Saturday 25 July, 1885 in the Richmond Town Hall, dinner commencing at 7.30 p.m. sharp. Although the card was sent by the Hon. Secretary, Henry Brock, J. Bosisto, Esq., M.L.A., the President of the Club, was to occupy the Chair (Figure 1).

JULIUS LEVY, PITT ST., SYDNEY. POSTCARD from TOOWOOMBA QLD, 1896

This ONE PENNY Queensland postcard is postmarked with '214' rays and an unframed TOOWOOMBA/ QUEENSLAND (with an indistinct date). It is addressed to Mr. Julius Levy, 127 Pitt St., Sydney NSW and has an arrival duplex SYDNEY/ MR 11/ U/ 96/ 29 with N.S.W. between 3 horizontal bars, above and below. Neither the time code replaced by 'U' nor the '29' are recorded in Tobin & Orchard's 'The Standard Circular Datestamps and Related Markings' of Sydney, Volume 6, 1995 (Figure 1).

KWONG, SING & CO. LTD, GLEN INNES N.S.W. A FAMILY DYNASTY

This cover has been described as very rare by the vendor on account of use of regular postage as postage due. It is addressed to Messrs. Kwong, Sing & Co. Ltd, Grey Street, Glen Innes and the red 2d Kingsford Smith stamp is cancelled with T.P.O 2 NORTH/ UP 21MY31/N.S.W. It has a fine double ring LATE FEE/ 1^D/ TO PAY, as well as a green 1d KGV Head stamp cancelled with a purple manuscript between horizontal bars of ‘Postage Due’ (Figure 1).

L. SUSMAN (1832-1903), GERMAN JEW, MERCHANT & FREEMASON, HOBART

This 'entire' gave few clues as to the identity of Mr. Susman, Murry (sic) Street, Hobartown who received an unusual triangular-folded single sheet, postmarked RICHMOND/ MR 21/ 77/ TASMANIA, with the green two pence Tasmanian stamp cancelled by the barred numeral '76' of Richmond. The day-date has been added in manuscript, as shown by the italicized '21' (Figure 1).

LASKER BROTHERS, TAILORS & MERCERS to JAMES C. ENTRICAN, AUCKLAND

The cover was addressed to Mr. James C. Entrican, for Messrs A.J. Entrican & Co., Merchants, Auckland, New Zealand, and there was a vertical pair of the 1d ‘Shield’ stamp of N.S.W. cancelled with a duplex NEWCASTLE/ OC 8/ 2 35 PM/ 00/ N.S.W, with the barred numeral ‘55' (Figure 1).

LEO BURING [HERMANN PAUL LEOPOLD (LEO) BURING] S.A. VIGNERON

The brown ONE PENNY South Australian postcard was addressed to Leo Buring Esq, Spring Vale, Water Vale, (South Australia) and it was postmarked with a ‘Squared Circle’ ROSEWORTHY/ SE 19/ 99/ S.A (Figure 1).

LETTER from A.L. ELDER to R.A.A. MOREHEAD, JULY 1849 per Emma

This entire was from one of the Elder family (pioneers and benefactors of South Australia) to a business associate in Sydney carried per ‘Emma’, postmarked G.P.O./[crown]/ JY * 25/ 49/ SOUTH AUSTRALIA, and addressed to R.A.A. Morehead Esq, O’Connell Street, Sydney. There was a manuscript ‘6' which denotes that 6 pence was paid at Sydney for the double ship letter rate. (Figure 1).

LIONEL & WILLIAM SAMSON, EARLY SWAN RIVER COLONY SETTLERS

A relatively ordinary front to this 1880 postcard reveals an interesting story about early settlers in Western Australia. The one-half penny postcard is addressed to a customer in Fremantle and it is postmarked with a FREMANTLE duplex, the date being illegible (Figure 1).

LOUIS SULLIVAN & Co. LTD, MANUFACTURERS’ CONSIGNEES, COOLGARDIE, W.A.

The cover is illustrated with two hovering angels with the stylistic address on a ‘ribbon’ placed underneath of Louis Sullivan & Co. L^TD , Manufacturers’ Consignees, Wine, Spirits and General Merchants, "The Pantheon", Sylvester St., Coolgardie, W. A. The cover is franked with a pair of grey ‘POSTAGE TWO PENCE’ Swan stamps of Western Australia cancelled with a duplex SHIP MAIL ROOM / 10/ JY 1/ 01/ PERTH W.A. It was addressed to Mr. Parker Co., Stamp Dealer, 173 Broadway, New York City, U.S.A. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

M. B. WRAGG & Co. Pty. Ltd 'ALPHA' FISHING TACKLE

The cover for M.B. Wragg & Co. Pty Ltd., Gardenvale. S.4, Victoria advertised “Alpha” Fishing Tackle and was sent to W. & L. Gordon Pty Ltd., Napier St. Essenden.  It had a blue ‘Alpha’ cogwheel shield trade mark, as well as a large fish chasing a fly.  The green 1d KGV head stamp was postmarked GARDENVALE/ (   ) OC 34/ VICTORIA (Figure 1).

M. TRILETY, FACE SPECIALIST, BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK

A printed to private order (PTPO) cover with the ½d green and 1d red KGV head has the 1½d brown KGV head stamp added, making a total postage of 3d. All three stamps are postmarked KEMPSEY/ =6P 29 SE 19=/N.S.W , postmark Type 2B(T). The cover (front only) is addressed to Mr. M. Trilety, Face Specialist, 1231 Ackerman Bldg., Binghamton, New York, United States. The surname is unusual, but the title of ‘Face Specialist’ is intriguing. (Figure 1)

MARSHALL MACDERMOTT, QUIXOTIC SOLDIER, FARMER & BANK MANAGER

The stampless cover was sent ‘By Steamer’ from London as evidenced by the red ‘tombstone’ cancel X/ PAID/ 31OC31/ 1846. There was a red ‘ms. 1/-’ and an arrival handstamp at Adelaide as shown by the G.P.O/ [Crown]/ 5 [Maltese Cross] AP/ 1847/ SOUTH AUSTRALIA. The cover was addressed tp Marshall Mac’ Dermott (sic) Esq^re, The Bank Hindly (sic) Street, Adelaide, South Australia. There was an additional ms. overlying the GPO cancel ‘6^th Nov-’. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

MAYNE NICKLESS, from HORSE & CART to HEALTH CARE

This cover appeared at auction and the vendor stated that "Mayne Nickless assisted Tatts to subvert the ban on mail deliveries to Tatts' Hobart address". This was yet another novel method of getting around the Tasmanian Post Office ban on Tattersalls Lottery. There are 5 copies of the pink 1d Victorian "Postage" stamp all carefully postmarked with a large 'R' in a circle, with another one for good measure at the lower left. An additional cancel of DARGO/ 8-OCT 07/ VIC completes the picture. The cover is addressed to Mayne Nickless & Co., Carriers, Robinson Buildings, 91 York St., Launceston, Tasmania. This address is overprinted in faint pencil manuscript with a single word, 'Prohibited' (Figure 1).

MEPHAN FERGUSON, FOUNDRY OWNER, BRIDGE BUILDER & PIPE BUILDER

The cover had the orange printed 2d stamp of Victoria which was cancelled with the duplex MELBOURNE/ 10A/ AP 1/ 91 with the VICTORIA obliterator over the stamp. It was addressed to Messrs. W.H. Smith & Sons L^d, Market St., City (Figure 1).

MESSRS FOY & GIBSON, DRAPERS, COLLINGWOOD & PERTH

This red KGV 1d embossed cover has additional postage added, the green ½d and two brown-black 1½d KGV stamps each postmarked with ‘ROSLYN FARM/ 9-JAN 19/ WEST AUSTRALIA, with a red registration label with a manuscript Roslyn Farm, and the usual red crayon cross marking. It is addressed to Messrs Foy & Gibson, Hay St., Perth (Figure 1).

MESSRS BISHOP & BABCOCK CO., OHIO from E.A. DAWBARN CO., SYDNEY

The cover has a blue 2½d Q.V.stamp of N.S.W. with a duplex SYDNEY/ JA 7/ NOON/ O2/ 26 with the obliterator canceling the stamp. It is addressed to Messrs Bishop & Babcock Co., Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A. (Figure 1).

MESSRS ROWLANDS & LEWIS, SODA WATER MANUFACTURERS, BALLARAT

This unusually addressed entire with the two Victoria ‘Half Lengths’, the 1d rose (S.G. 28a) and the 3d prussian blue (S.G. 30), postmarked by the barred numeral ‘98' of Malmsbury, was sent in November 1856 to the above firm in Sturt Street, Ballarat, (the reverse with Malmsbury, Melbourne and Ballarat postmarks are not shown), is seen in Figure 1.

MESSRS  McLEAN  BROS.  &  RIGG,  HARDWARE  MERCHANTS,  MELBOURNE

The cover has a printed lilac ‘TWO PENCE’ stamp of Victoria canceled with a duplex MELBOURNE/ 14 A/ OC 19/ 88 with the VICTORIA obliterator over the stamp. It is addressed to Messrs McLean Bros & Rigg, Elizabeth St, Melbourne. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

MESSRS. GIBBS BRIGHT & Co., MELBOURNE 1897

An interesting stampless cover sent from SYDNEY/ JY 12/ 7-AM/ 97/ 1, per ‘Taiyuan’ with a rounded-boxed PAQUEBOT hand-stamp (Hosking # 1500, earliest recorded date by 6 years), with a large ‘T’ in an oval and a superimposed ‘5_D’, and with a copy of the 5d Victorian Postage Due stamp, canceled by a dateless P.B.R/ G.P.O/ MELBOURNE hand-stamp. It is addressed to Messrs. Gibbs Bright & Co., Melbourne. The item sold at auction for AUD 2,000 (Figure 1).

MESSRS. W. MURDOCH & CO. MERCHANTS, HOBART 1894

The Tasmanian red One Penny postcard was postmarked with the duplex HOBART/ H/ SE 3/ 94 with TASMANIA in the oval obliterator and simply addressed to Messrs. W. Murdoch & Co. Liverpool St. (Figure 1).

MESSRS. MAX WULFSOHN & CO., FURRIERS NEW YORK, N.Y. U.S.A. 

This 3-coloured stamped cover was sent to Messrs. Max Wulfsohn & Co., 109/111 West 27 Street, New York, U.S.A. The 3 stamps are all KGV Head stamps, the 1d red, the green ½d and the 2d brown-orange. There is a roller SYDNEY/ 9-PM/ MY 18/ 1921/ N.S.W. cancel without any slogan and there is a printed boxed return address at Box 959, G.P.O. Sydney. The reverse had a manuscript sender’s name that was illegible, with the address of Bellevue Hill, a suburb of Sydney (Figure 1).

MESSRS. THOS. COOK & SON TOURS, MELBOURNE COVER

The cover has a red globe of the world with emphasis on Australia, labeled Cook’s Tours and is addressed to Messrs. Thos. Cook & Son, Cook’s Tourist Office, 261-3 Broadway, New York, U.S.A. It has a violet ‘TWO PENCE’ and a green bantam ½d Victorian stamps, cancelled with the double circle MELBOURNE/ 19 2 06/ 5 (Figure 1).

MICHAELIS, HALLENSTEIN & CO. TANNERIES, MELBOURNE & LONDON

The long cover is addressed to Messrs. Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co., 22, Basinghall Street, London E.C. and it has a ms. ‘p. Ravenna/ Via Brindisi’. It is difficult to identify all of the 5 stamps of Victoria, but the total postage is about 2 shillings. The cancellation was a duplex MELBOURNE/ 9 H/ 11 1/ 04 with the VICTORIA obliterator. The reverse was not seen but it had a London reception postmark (Figure 1).

MOUNT COOLON GOLD MINES N.L. & WILLIAM MATHESON MORGAN, QLD

This commemorative registered opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge cover has a blue regitration R. 6 label of Sydney Harbour Bridge/ N.E. PYLON (North East Pylon) and a single red 2d and 3d Harbour Bridge stamps, postmarked SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE N.E. PYLON/ 23 MR 32.  The cover was addressed to W.M. Morgan Esq, c/o Mt. Coolon Gold Mines N.L., Private Mail Bag, Collinsville, Queensland.  The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

MOURNING COVER to ANGUS & ROBERTSON from N.S.W. GOVERNOR, 1899

Well not quite, for there is some doubt about the Governor as well as the actual date, but there is no doubt about the important company of Sydney booksellers. The front of the stampless mourning cover is addressed to Angus & Robertson, 89 Castlereagh St, Sydney. There is a very fine blue GOVERNOR/ [CREST]/ FRANK STAMP/ NEW SOUTH WALES (Figure 1).

MR. LOOKE, BOAT BUILDER, BALMAIN

I have developed a penchant for covers which have short title for the address as they frequently uncover an interesting story. Certainly the appearance of this cover did not enthrall me or produce a single bidder on Ebay in spite of the fact that the stamp was an imperf 2d blue Plate 1, NSW QV stamp with four margins, and was postmarked with the earliest type of a Sydney G.P.O. blind barred obliterator, first used 7 February 1850 (Figure 1).

McDONNELL & EAST, GEORGE STREET, BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, DRAPERS

A simple cover sent air mail with a brown 5d KGV Head stamp postmarked in 1933 has an indistinct KATHERINE/ ( )/ NORTH AUST postmark (Figure 1).

NETTLEFOLD FAMILY,GOLFERS & GENERAL MOTORS - HOLDEN’S LTD, MELBOURNE

This large commercial airmail cover was sent from General Motors-Holden Ltd., Melbourne to Mr. Len Nettlefold, C/- Robt. Nettlefold Pty. Ltd., 113-115 Macquarie St., Hobart, Tasmania. It is thought to have the largest block of violet eight 9d ‘Roo on Map of Australia’ stamps on cover, augmented by a block of 4 as well as a pair of chestnut 6d stamps of the same stamp design (a total postage of nine shillings), all cancelled with a MELBOURNE/ 16/ 1JE31/ VIC. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

NICHOLAS FITZGERALD, M.L.C VICTORIA, PASTORALIST & BREWER

This O.H.M.S. New South Wales cover probably contained heavy papers for it had a single brown 1 shilling ‘Roo’ stamp with O.S. overprint and a pair of the green 3d stamps and the cancellation was illegible. However it was sent from the Government Printing Office, Sydney on 12-5-1891. It was addressed to The Honorable Nicholas Fitzgerald M.P., Parliament House (crossed out, and redirected to 454 Collins St.), Melbourne, Victoria (Figure 1).

NORTHCOTE BRICKWORKS COMPANY, JOHN ROBERTS & GROOM BROTHERS  

The 1890-99 orange-brown 1d ‘Reading’ Stamp Duty Post Card of Victoria is cancelled with the blue double oval POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE/ NORTHCOTE/ AU 12/ 1890 ‘Belt and Buckle ‘ cancellation, and it is addressed to Mr. J. Gillespie, Mornington (Victoria) Figure 1.

NOSKE BROS., MILLERS & GRAIN MERCHANTS, HORSHAM, VICTORIA

The first printed to private order (PTPO) cover has an advertisement for Noske Bros. Millers and Grain Merchants, Horsham/ Mills: Horsham, Lowan, Nhill and Natimuk, and the pink embossed ‘ONE PENNY/ VICTORIA’ stamp is cancelled with a roller postmark of MELBOURNE/ NOV 20/ 12 30 AM/ 1906, It was posted to Messrs. Brown & Dureau, 9 Queen St., Melbourne. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

O’DONNELL GRIFFIN & CO. LTD., ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, SYDNEY

This printed to private order window advertising envelope has the brown 1½d KGV stamp inscribed and it had a roller Sydney postmark which was issued in 1918, described as Type E3 in the AUSTRALASIAN Stamp Catalogue, 1977 edition. The advertisement was in blue and described the firm as F.T.S. O’Donnell Griffin & Co. Ltd. Electrial Engineers 51-53 Druitt St. Sydney (Figure 1).

PATERSON, LAING & BRUCE LTD, WYNYARD STREET, SYDNEY to APIA SAMOA

Examples of the present postcard appeared on 2 Australian auction sites. The company has an interesting history which may never be fully told, as the records were lost in the bombing of the London, England company during World War 2. To add further interest, the son of one of the partners had a significant impact on subsequent Australian history.

PAUL & RICHARD STRELITZ, MERCHANTS in FREMANTLE W.A. & PERTH 

The envelope is addressed to Messrs Strelitz Bros, Merchants, Fremantle and the yellow Two Pence printed stamp is postmarked M.R. ROOM/ ( )/ JA 17/ 06/ G.P.O. W.A. (Figure 1).

POSTCARD to T. AITKEN, VICTORIA PARADE BREWERY, EAST MELBOURNE

This Victorian postcard is an example of the 1876-81 1d "Bell" Post Cards, a variant of the initial issue which had a fine outer frame-line of the ornamental border, for the outer frame-line is thick. It was issued in mid-1878 and this example was postmarked with the duplex MELBOURNE/ 11Y/ SE 27/ 81 and was addressed in bold print to Mr.T. Aitken, Victoria Parade Brewery, East Melbourne (Figure 1).

PRESCOTT CO., PRODUCE & LIVESTOCK SALESMEN & COMMISSION AGENTS

Three advertising covers for H. Prescott & Co., 336 & 338 Sussex Street, Sydney appeared on Ebay, all with different designs. I have seen others previously, but because of the difficulty in researching the Sydney Company, I had given up on producing a paper about the company. A chance finding however has provided background on the company in the rural areas of N.S.W.

ROBERT GRAY, MILITARY OFFICER & PASTORALIST (1839-1931)

This cover has been a challenge to unravel the manner in which it was addressed in order to confirm that the correct Robert Gray had been researched. Two of the postmarks were key to the certainty that I had identified the right man. One of these postmarks was legible, whereas the other one is still being conjectured. The cover is addressed to Robert Gray Esq., Post Office Caperville, Cleveland Bay, Queensland. The mauve 6d N.S.W. stamp has a ‘35' rays postmark of Goulburn and this was confirmed by the adjacent unframed GOULBURN/ OC 26/ 1870/

ROBERT HODDLE DRIBERG WHITE, DENILIQUIN: COVER from MELBOURNE

It is not always easy to identify an addressee with great certainty, but there is no doubt with this cover which has a pair of the blue ‘Half Length’ 1858 stamps of Victoria postmarked with the B.N. ‘1'.  It is addressed to Mr R H D White, Bank of New South Wales, Deniliquin (N.S.W.) and there is a manuscript ‘Ans 8 Dec’ ( Figure 1).

ROBERT REID, DRAPER, BUSINESS MAGNATE, FEDERATIONIST POLITICIAN

The cover is addressed to Mrs. Robert Reid, “Belmont”, Balwyn and has a MELBOURNE/ PM/ 1 30/ 9 10 02 postmark overlying a blue handstamp for the MINISTER OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION/ VICTORIA frank stamp (Figure 1).

ROBERTS & SONS, BENDIGO to CHALLENGE WINDMILL & FEED MILL, ILLINOIS

The blue 2½d ‘STAMP DUTY’ QV stamp of Victoria is postmarked with a BENDIGO/ 3 F/ AP 24/ 00 duplex, and the cover is addressed to Challenge Wind Mill & Feed Mill Co., Batavia. Ill (Figure 1).

ROSENTHAL, ARONSON & Co., WHOLESALE & MANUFACTURING JEWELLERS & GENERAL MERCHANTS

This Victorian Post Card with the brown One Penny ‘Stamp Duty’ stamp has a duplex MELBOURNE/ T/ MR 14/ 92 postmark and the six barred VICTORIA obliterator. It is addressed to the company of Mess Fraser Bro & Devonshire in Yarram, Victoria (Figure 1).

S.S. STEWART PHILADELPHIA BANJO MAKER EXTRAORDINAIRE [USA]

This remarkable illustrated cover has 2 x 1d plus ½d Tasmanian stamps with Hobart, Tasmania duplex cancels with a printed drawing of a washerwoman standing on a rug, holding a large letter and a mop and bucket. The letter is addressed to Mr. S.S. Stewart, Banjo Manufactory, Church Street, Philadelphia, U.S.A. The reverse is backstamped Philadelphia 1897 (Figure 1).

SAMARAI, B.N.G. to P. E. SEAGREN, BUSINESS MAN & POLITICIAN, COOKTOWN

The cover had a single blue ‘Four Corners’ TWO PENCE Queensland stamp postmarked with the 9 bar ‘B.N.G.’ (British New Guinea) as well as the unframed SAMARAI/ 16 JUL 00/ B.N.G. and the reverse, not seen, had an arrival c.d.s. of 20.7.00 (Figure 1).

SAMUEL HENRY M.H.A. to JAMES “PHILOSOPHER” SMITH

This cover has two prominent Tasmanians discussing a land tax problem. The On Public Service only (OPSO) stampless cover was sent to the ubiquitous receiver of mail, Mr. J. Smith, Westwood, Forth (Tasmania) and it has a very fine [CROWN]/ FREE/ 27 DE 27/ 1882 in a diamond shaped box, in black rather than the usual red. The inscription at the base shows that it originated at the Real Estate Duty Department and there is a manuscript written vertically at the left presumably relating to its contents, namely ‘Receipt 1882/ 32 Acres’. The sender has signed his name ‘Samuel Henry’ in blue crayon, and the vendor has identified the sender as being from the Launceston Branch of the Department. (Figure 1)

SENATOR JAMES REA BENSON, ST. CATHARINES, AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION? [CANADA]

This fine Victoria cover had a total of 8d, made up of the 6d blue laureate (watermarked with the emergency paper received from Tasmania showing the double-lined ‘4') plus the De La Rue dull-lilac 2d, both postmarked with the MELBOURNE/ 7 H/ MY 21/ 70, VICTORIA duplex. It has a red LONDON/ PAID/ 14 JY 70 transit mark, as well as a HAMILTON/ ONT. arrival backstamp. It was addressed to ‘The Honbl. James R. Benson MP, St. Catherines (sic), (Ontario), Canada’ and although St. Catharines has a red crayon line through it, there is no evidence that it has been redirected (Figure 1).

SHEEP INDUSTRY, DUCK CREEK, CANNONBAR in 1880s: UNIQUE WRAPPER

This printed to private order ½d "Bell" newspaper wrapper of Victoria was introduced in February 1880, and had the ½d stamp printed in rose red on white paper in sheets of four, without border lines dividing the wrappers. The watermark was the usual Crown and "ONE PENNY/ VICTORIA" of the period. It is clearly postmarked with a duplex MELBOURNE/ 14T/ MR 26/ 85 with the barred obliterator VICTORIA on the stamp. It was addressed to Messrs W. & T. Richardson, Duck Creek, Cannonbar, N.S.Wales (Figure 1).

SIGMOND HOFFNUNG, INTERNATIONAL WHOLESALE MERCHANT, SYDNEY

Two postal items associated with Messrs S. Hoffnung, Sydney were found in the same week. The first was a cover addressed to an individual care of Mess S Hoffnung & Co, Sydney NSW, Australia, sent from New York via San Francisco and the pink pair of the 6 cent Lincoln stamp (Scott #186, issued 1879) was postmarked with a NEW YORK/ JUL 22/ PM/ 1881 postmark (Figures 1 & 2).

SIR ARTHUR ALFRED CLEMENT COCKS (ARTHUR COCKS & Co.) to CHEMIST

This unpretentious commercial postcard introduces a man of some substance, in more ways than one. His life takes him from Wild Duck Creek, near Heathcote, Victoria to London and finally to Mosman, N.S.W. The Private Post Card , Issued by the Postmaster-General of New South Wales was sent from Arthur Cocks & Co., Wholesale Opticians, 3 Wynyard Street, Sydney to Mr. Collins, Chemist, Gunning (N.S.W.). The red 1d ‘Shield of N.S.W.’ stamp (which has a private perfin ‘A C’) was postmarked with a duplex SYDNEY/ OC 13/ 8 30-PM/ 98/ 41. The reverse was of no interest and had no postmark (Figure 1).

SIR HENRY JONES, JAM MANUFACTURER & ENTREPRENEUR (1862 - 1926)

This Commonwealth of Australia Post Card with the brown 1½d KGV head was addressed to Wilmot & Johnstone, (merchants of) Launceston and is postmarked HOBART/ 11-P-2 OC 23. There is a vertical manuscript indicating the sender as H. Jones & Co/ 2/10/23 (Figure 1).

SIR ISAAC PITMAN & SONS, BATH, PHONOGRAPHER & PUBLISHER

This cover is addressed to Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, 1. Amen Corner, Paternoster Row, Bath, England. It has a copy of the indigo blue 2½d QV stamp of New South Wales canceled with a duplex WEST MAITLAND/ JU 15/ 4-P.M/ 01/ N.S.W with the obliterator numeral ‘64' obscured by the dark hue of the stamp. This type of cancel is recorded by Hopson & Tobin as Type D3 (ii) (Figure 1).

SIR MACPHERSON ROBERTSON, CONFECTIONIST & PHILANTHROPIST

The illustrated cover was for MacRobertson Manufacturing Confectioner, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Ballarat, Bendigo and it was franked with the red 2d and green 1d KGV Head stamps cancelled with FITZROY/ 9 AP 36/ VICTORIA. It was addressed to The Package Paper Company, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.A. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

SIR RICHARD LINTON, MIDDOWS BROTHERS & BIG BROTHER MOVEMENT

The ornate Middows Brothers & Linton Ltd Sydney/ Sole Agents in Australia for L.t. Fiver, Paris cover was the entry point for discussion of the Big Brother Movement in Australia. Certainly research on the Middows Brothers, Frank and Lionel, was disappointingly unrewarding, with sparse information on their paper and printing trade, whereas their partner Richard Linton had a much heralded career. The TWO PENCE overprint on the red 1½d KGV Head stamp was postmarked with a roller slogan cancel which included a vertically placed ‘INTERSTATE/ SPECIAL BOX’, a SYDNEY/ 4 AUG/ 1930/ 5 30 PM/ N.S.W., in a circular box, and the slogan ADDRESS MAIL TO/ PRIVATE BOX NUMBER/ IT EXPEDITES LETTERS. The cover was addressed to Messrs. The Government Printing Office, Hobart, Tasmania. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

SIR RICHARD LINTON, MIDDOWS BROTHERS & BIG BROTHER MOVEMENT

The ornate Middows Brothers & Linton Ltd Sydney/ Sole Agents in Australia for L.t. Fiver, Paris cover was the entry point for discussion of the Big Brother Movement in Australia. Certainly research on the Middows Brothers, Frank and Lionel, was disappointingly unrewarding, with sparse information on their paper and printing trade, whereas their partner Richard Linton had a much heralded career. The TWO PENCE overprint on the red 1½d KGV Head stamp was postmarked with a roller slogan cancel which included a vertically placed ‘INTERSTATE/ SPECIAL BOX’, a SYDNEY/ 4 AUG/ 1930/ 5 30 PM/ N.S.W., in a circular box, and the slogan ADDRESS MAIL TO/ PRIVATE BOX NUMBER/ IT EXPEDITES LETTERS. The cover was addressed to Messrs. The Government Printing Office, Hobart, Tasmania. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

SIR WILLIAM BEILBY AVERY , PHILATELIST & SCALES MERCHANT, U.K.

The registered cover is addressed to W.B. Avery Esqre, Apsley House, Wellington Road, Birmingham, England and a ms. registration number‘3116' and a crossed out address, are in a blue crayon. The lilac 8d ‘Lyre Bird’ stamp of N.S.W. is postmarked REGISTERED/ B/ MR 26/ 95/ SYDNEY N.S.W, and there is a black handstamp of an ‘R’ in an oval. There is a red reception postmark of REGISTERED/ LONDON/ A/ 29 APR 95/ 28 (Figure 1).

SIR WILMOT HUDSON FYSH, AIRLINE DIRECTOR, & AIR FORCE OFFICER

Two covers were found for Hudson Fysh, the first with a commemorative Air Mail sticker for 10 years of Air Mail Progress for Q.A.N.T.A.S., addressed to him in Brisbane. The red 2d Sydney Harbour Bridge and the green 3d airmail stamps were canceled with a 16 November 1932, Queensland roller cancel, and the reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

ST HELENA to BURDEKIN HOUSE, MACQUARIE STREET, SYDNEY

This May 22, 1896 cover with a strip of three 1884-94 blue 2½d overprint on 6d stamps of St. Helena (S.G. #40) paid the triple rate to Sydney Australia. It was backstamped both in London and Sydney, and it was addressed to Norman Burdekin Esq, C/o Sydney Burdekin Esq. Macquarie Street, Sydney N.S.W. An estimate of AU$ 1500 was placed on the cover (Figure 1).

STUART ALEXANDER & CO. SYDNEY and THE EXCHANGE, N.S.W. POSTMARK

This advertising cover for Stuart Alexander Co., Sydney has several interesting features including ample evidence that it was registered (red N.S.W. EXCHANGE registration label, red handstamp ‘REGISTRATION’ and the crossed red crayon lines. It was sent ‘per S.S. Orvieto’ to Paris, France. Postage and registration of 6d was paid by 4 single copies of the 1½d red KGV stamps and was postmarked rather exuberantly with 5 examples of EXCHANGE (placed well off centre)/ 10 FE 26/ N.S.W. The reverse, not shown, was back-stamped Paris on 26.3.26 (Figure 1).

SYDNEY to COLONIAL SUGAR COMPANY, REWA RIVER, SUVA FIJI

Two covers with the blue TWO PENCE stamp of New South Wales were sent from Sydney to the same person in Fiji and they almost certainly were from the same sender in spite of the differences in spelling of the addressee’s name. The first cover had a SYDNEY/ A/ JU 4/ 83/ 1 postmark in the top right corner and it was addressed to Mr Robert Leonard, c/o Colonial Sugar Co, Rewa River, Suva Figi (sic). The stamp placed at the lower left had a duplex SYDNEY/ A/ JU 4/ 83 postmark with the triple oval N.S.W obliterator. There was a partially obscured manuscript ‘urgent’ under this postmark. A very faint POST OFFICE/ SUVA/ FIJI was on the reverse, but a scan of this rare and unrecorded postmark by Proud has not been provided as it does not scan well (Figure 1).

SYDNEY POSTCARD to I.M. MOSES c/o MESSRS DAVID SASSOON & Co., BOMBAY

One never knows initially where a postal item will lead and this one produces a trail of religion, trade, wealth and opium. The 1½d N.S.W. postcard is postmarked with the duplex SYDNEY/ SP 26/ 4 PM/ 92 with the N.S.W obliterator and there is a reception postmark of BOMBAY/ F/ OC 17/ (92). It is addressed to I. M. Moses Esq., Care of Messrs David Sassoon & Co., Bombay (Figure 1).

THE BRANSON FAMILY of BINDA N.S.W.: FROM LACE to WOOL

Prologue: The appearance of 17 covers at one Australian philatelic website sparked my interest in the Branson family. The amount of information concerning this family on the Internet was surprisingly minimal, considering what was eventually learnt from a local source. All 17 covers were addressed to family members at Binda N.S.W. over a period of 29 years, from 1883 until 1912, and unfortunately no letters were still enclosed. The stamps on the covers were very ordinary and the postmarking was relatively unexciting, but the addresses, addressees and senders hinted at a story worth reporting.

THE FRENCH in NEW SOUTH WALES: LOUIS GILLE & JEAN ESCOTTIER, SYDNEY

The first cover was a printed envelope sent from Louis Gille & Co., of Sydney, 73-75 Liverpool Street and of Melbourne, 300-302 Lonsdale St., The addressee was printed in large black letters: FRANCE/ Messrs LOUIS GILLE et Cie/ Fabricants de Bronzes et d’Orfevrerie d’Eglise/ 37 Qual Claude Bernard./ LYONS. The routing of the letter is given as Per P & O. R.M.S. "Mongolia" Via Brindisi. There are a total of six New South Wales stamps, a pair and single blue 2d QV and 2 single green ½d QV stamps. The postmark is almost illegible, but it went through the Registration Branch, at Sydney/ DE 7/ 1904. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

THE RESCH BROTHERS, EDMUND, RICHARD & EMIL: RESCH’S BREWERIES 

I have been intrigued by printed to private order (P.T.P.O.) covers and postcards, particularly those that have a ‘collar’ of advertising matter around the printed stamp, and I have noted that this format is seen particularly in the companies that sell alcohol. The Resch name is well known to most Australians in relation to breweries. Both of the two P.T.P.O. covers do not show the Resch name on the front, but advertise WATSON’S DUNDEE WHISKIES, and the printed blue 2d N.S.W. stamp is not centrally printed in it’s ‘collar’ and has an indecipherable ‘Rays’ cancellation. The cover is addressed to a client in Blayney, N.S.W. (Figure 1).

THE SANITARIUM HEALTH FOOD Co. and MORAN & CATO, GROCERS

This advertising cover brings back early memories in Sydney for I went into their Hunter Street store many years ago to buy freshly ground peanut butter. The cover was posted from Sydney on 12 July 1917 with a roller cancel and there is also a roller cancel of a Melbourne reception postmark on the red N.S.W. 1d ‘Shield’ stamp. The green advertisement describes the company as manufacturers, importers, exporters of choice cereal products (for) Infants, Invalids foods. Nut ----------a specialty. The central figure of a large building is not the store at 45 Hunter Street, Sydney, but a real Sanitarium. The cover is addressed to Messrs Moran and Cato, Brunswick St. Fitzroy, Victoria (Figure 1).

THOMAS BAKER & JOHN ROUSE COMPANY, FORE-RUNNER of KODAK, AUSTRALASIA

Two N.S.W. letter cards to the Baker & Rouse company in Sydney in the late 1890's not only led to information about photography in Australia, but also about philanthropy which led to the formation of one of the premier Victorian medical research and treatment centres.

THOMAS BRUNTON, BAKER, POLITICIAN, FLOUR MILLER & FARMER

The postcard had a 1d orange-brown ‘Reading Stamp Duty’ stamp cancelled with an ‘UP TRAIN/ MG 1/AU 23/ 90/ VICTORIA postmark and had a printed JAS. GRIGG, Esq.,456 Collins Street, Melbourne (Figure 1).

THOMAS CARLYLE LOTHIAN, PUBLISHER & PUBLISHER’S REPRESENTATIVE

Two Thomas C. Lothian Pty Ltd covers were found recently and I was surprised that I had never heard of the company before, not only because of its longevity but also because of its importance to Australian publishing. The first was a WW II censored cover with the usual red label of ‘3 Opened by Censor’ as well as the purple hand stamp, and it was addressed to an important English publishing company of Messrs. F. Lewis Publishers Ltd., Essex, England. The red 2½d KGVI stamp was postmarked with the fine SHIP MAIL ROOM / 2 15P 1AP41/ MELBOURNE and there was a partially obscured by the label of the Lothian address and insignia (Figure1).

THOMAS WILKES MONDS JUNIOR, FLOUR MILLER at CARRICK, TASMANIA

The advertising cover has ‘Ask for MONDS/ ROLLER FLOUR, ROLLED OATS, AND 0ATMEAL, All Grocers Sell Them’ at the top, and ‘Nothing For Breakfast So Good As ROLLED OATS, Nor ROLLED OATS So Good As MONDS’ at the bottom. It is addressed to Messrs Button, Bros. Oatlands. The red 1d pictorial stamp of Tasmania is postmarked LAUNCESTON/ MY 12/ 1906/ TASMANIA. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

TIN CAN ISLAND MAIL, TONGA to MASTER W.M. SCRYMGOUR, ADELAIDE

Philatelically inspired mail of this type is not uncommon, but this cover is somewhat unusual for the addressee is a good starting point for researching a family that was associated with a printing company that had a history of 100 years, from 1875 to 1975. The front is adorned with a total of four hand-struck stampings, one in black script, another in green made up of three parts, a purple circular and also a purple 2-line strike. Although the black script states that it was put in the sea on the 11^th August 1938, the only legible part of the cancel is a ‘25' on the blue 2½d ‘TOGA’ Queen Salote stamp, issued in 1934. The cover is addressed to Master W.M. Scrymgour, C/o Messrs. Scrymgour & Sons, 115 King Wm. Street, Adelaide, S.A. (Figure 1).

TWO COMPANIES, AUSTRALIAN & SWISS, THAT BECAME GLOBAL GIANTS

The two companies, one in Melbourne and the other in Calcutta no longer exist as such. Two covers were sent from Robert Bryce & Co. Pty. Ltd. to Messrs. Volkart Brothers, 8 Clive Street, Calcutta, India from Robert Bryce & Co. Pty. Ltd., Melbourne, Australia, the first pre-WW II, the other during WW II. The first was sent airmail and had a total postage of 1 shilling and 2 pence with a fine SHIP MAIL ROOM/ 4.30 P 18 MR 38/ MELBOURNE postmark with a Calcutta reception postmark of 25 MR 38 on the reverse (Figures 1 & 2).

W. H. PALING & Co., Ltd., 86 - 88 QUEEN STREET, BRISBANE

Three privately printed advertising postcards and covers sent from Brisbane in the first decade of the 1900's were lavishly illustrated with musical instruments, proclaiming the virtues of this well known Brisbane musical store. One printed in red showed 3 different string instruments, and proclaimed that “Every description of Musical Instrument may be obtained cheapest and best” from the store; another in blue depicted the Edison Standard Combination Phonograph and stated that the store had “Over 20,000 Records in stock”; whilst a third in purple showed an example of the Royal Brand of Concertinas, and described “Anglo-German and English Concertinas finest in the world. Best quality, Lowest Prices” (Figures 1- 3).

W. M. HYNDMAN, ORIENTAL BANK CORP., ACCOUNTANT & BUSINESSMAN

Two covers were found to this husband and wife, the first to the husband William Moody Hyndman, Oriental Bank, Beechworth, Victoria and it had a blue imperforate ‘Chalon SIX PENCE’ stamp of Tasmania postmarked with the barred numeral ‘1' of Melbourne (Figure 1).

W.D. PEACOCK & THE ‘TRUE-SHOT’ PRINTED -TO-PRIVATE-ORDER  WRAPPER

Two separate vendors showed a copy of this printed-to-private order advertising wrapper and both stated that it was rare, for it is not listed in Higgins & Gage catalogue. This used copy has the name used for such an item on the flap, ‘The “True Shot” Postal Wrapper’, with the description, ‘The Most Effective and Cheapest Advertising Medium extant. Issued in series of 10,000.' It was published by The Tasmanian Advertising Co., Hobart (Figure 1).

W.E. BRAMBLE & SONS PTY. LTD., CARRIERS & REMOVALISTS, NEWCASTLE 

The cover has an advertisement for the company of W.E. Bramble & Sons and it was sent by airmail to Messrs. S.E. Higgins & Co. in London, England. The strip of three brown Kookaburra stamps were cancelled with a roller postmark NEWCASTLE/ 5-PM/ 24 JLY/ 1950/ N.S.W./ AUST with the slogan POST EARLY/ IN THE DAY. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

WALSH BROTHERS, MELBOURNE, LARGEST JEWELRY BUSINESS, COLONIAL VICTORIA

The cover has a ms. ‘Via Marseilles’ and is addressed to Mr.W.J. Taylor, 33 Little Queen Street, Holborn, London and the purple on pink paper ‘TEN PENCE’ QV stamp of Victoria is postmarked with a duplex MELBOURNE/ 7X/ JY 27/ 87 with the obliterator VICTORIA canceling the stamp. The addressee has added a ms. In black ink of ‘Replied to 27 Sept/ afternoon/ 4 o’clock’. No information has been found on the addressee (Figure 1).

WALTER HUSSEY VIVIAN, EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER for N.S.W.

This On Public Service Only stampless cover has a faint blue impression of ‘Exhibition of Launceston’ frank stamp plus a LAUNCESTON/ K/ AU 5/ 92 with a duplex TASMANIA obliterator. It is addressed to W.H. Vivian Esq, Executive Commissioner of N.S. Wales, 93 Pitt Street, Sydney, N.S.W. At the bottom left hand corner there is a printed TASMANIAN EXHIBITION, LAUNCESTON 1891-92. The reverse has only a partial SYDNEY reception postmark (Figures 1 & 2)

WILLDER & COMPANY’S MONTHLY GUIDE & NICHOLAS FITZGERALD M.L.C.

The printed to private order newspaper wrapper was headed WILLDER & COMPANY’S/ MONTHLY GUIDE/ ON INVESTMENTS OF THE DAY and it has a printed rose ‘Half Penny’

Victoria stamp, cancelled with a duplex MELBOURNE/ 18/ MR 3/ 91 with the VICTORIA obliterator on the stamp. According to the vendor the year was 1887, and by this date was when the 1885-99 ½d "Fergusson & Mitchell" wrappers were changed in colour from grey-lilac to pink, rose or carmine. The wrapper was addressed to The Hon N Fitzgerald, National Trustees Co., Collins St., City (Melbourne), and the reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

WILLIAM JOHNSTONE, LAUNCESTON WINES & SPIRITS MERCHANT

Two items appeared at auction sites recently and both referred to the same family. The first was addressed to Mr. Wm. Johnstone, Merchant, Launceston and was postmarked in red with an oval PAID SHIP LETTER/ [crown]/ AU * 20/ 1845/ SYDNEY, with rosettes on both sides. The only other markings were in manuscript, a large black '4' (for paid postage) and a large red '3' (for payment of the captain of the ship) (Figure 1).

WILLIAM CROSBY, HOBART IMPORTERS/EXPORTERS & POLITICIAN

The bright-red ‘FOUR PENCE’ Van Diemen’s Land stamp [SG 10] has fine margins tied by LAUNCESTON/ 26 JY 26/ 1854 with the barred numeral ‘59' of Launceston obliterating the stamp. The entire was sent to Hobart, the date being confirmed by the red ‘PAID’ handstamp. It was sent to Messrs. W^m Crosby & Co., Hobart Town. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

WILLIAM HART, LAUNCESTON IRONMONGER, INVESTOR & POLITICIAN

The cover was postmarked with a duplex GEELONG/ Z/ JL 11/ 88 with the barred numeral ‘2' on the lilac ‘TWO PENCE’ Victoria stamp. It was addressed to Mr. J. Breguel, c/o W. Hart & Sons, Charles St., Launceston, Tasmania. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1).

WINCHCOMBE, CARSON & CO., WOOL BROKERS & PRODUCE SALESMEN

The printed stamp cover of New South Wales has a duplex postmark of THE EXCHANGE/ 4/ OC 31/ 95/ N.S.W with the barred numeral ‘1134'. It was sent from Winchcombe, Carson & Co., Wool Brokers and Produce Salesmen, Sydney and addressed to W. Richardson Esq, Bogalong, Grenfell, (N.S.W.) (Figure 1).

WING ON & COY, LTD. EASTERN & GENERAL MERCHANTS, SYDNEY

An ordinary looking cover was sent from SYDNEY/N.S.W/ 11 JAN/ 1936/ 4 ⁴⁵ PM/ POSTED IN/ PILLAR BOX, Code 1, with a roller cancel postmarking the red 2d KGV Head stamp, with SOUTH AUSTRALIA/ CENTENARY/ CELEBRATIONS/ 1936. It was addressed to a fruiterer at Young, N.S.W. and it had a return address of a Box number, Haymarket, Sydney (Figure 1).

WM. COOPER (VETERINARIAN) & NEPHEWS to MISS EDWARDS, BIBBENLUKE

The cover has a pair of the blue ‘TWO PENCE FOUR CORNERS’ Queensland stamps with the unframed ARAMAC/ AP 4/ 98/ QUEENSLAND and the stamps are obliterated with Aramac’s barred numeral ‘198'. It is addressed to Miss Edwards, "Bibenluke", via Cooma, N.S.Wales (Figure 1).

WUNDERLICH BROTHERS: ERNEST (1859-1945), FREDERICK (1861-1951) & ALFRED (1865-1966)

This advertising cover for Wunderlich Durabestos, Asbestos-Cement Building Sheets, The Ideal Lining for Exterior Walls, Interior Walls, Partitions, Ceilings, Gable Ends, Eaves, Soffets was sent in 1934 from Wunderlich Limited, Perth to the Comptroller of Stores, W.A. Government Railways, Midland Junction (Western Australia), with a Perth 2d meter cancel (Figure 1).