Political

INDIGO VICTORIA to JAMES BREWSTER, NEW BRUNSWICK, BRITISH NORTH AMERICA [CANADA]

This cover was addressed to James Brewster Esq., Harvey, Albert County, New Brunswick, British North America, and a manuscript ‘Per Overland Mail’ and the perf. 12 greenish-blue One Shilling stamp of Victoria was postmarked with an indistinct barred numeral ‘230′ (of Indigo). There was a red transit stamp of LONDON/ J(U?) 16/ 60/ PAID. In addition there was a manuscript rating mark which could not be determined, plus a manuscript ‘#

GEORGE ARTHUR CHARLES FANE De SALIS (1851 – 1931)

Over the past five years I have seen at least 5 covers addressed to one of the De Salis family members, but I have not felt that I could do justice to the Australian family members until now. This was not because of insufficient information, of which there is an abundance, but because much of it is difficult to access by way of the internet. However with 2 covers addressed

FREDERICK VON STIEGLITZ, PASTORALIST & POLITICIAN, TASMANIA

This stampless ‘complete’ is addressed to Frederick L. Steiglitz Esquire, Fingal (Van Diemens Land) and the cancellation has no name of the town, but is dated 28 MY 28/ 1847. The letter was rated ‘4′ (Figure 1). Such un-named Tasmanian cancels originated from Hobart and were used only for local mail. There were 2 such Hobart cancels struck in black, both 28 mm diameter, and classified as Figure 19 used

EMANUEL SOLOMON (1800-1873) CONVICT, MERCHANT & POLITICIAN

The cover is addressed to Messrs E. Solomon & Co., Adelaide and has the pale red 2d South Australian stamp (S.G. 24a) cancelled with the diamond numeral ‘106′ of Woodchester, and there is a manuscript ‘Private’ at the lower left (Figure 1). The reverse has a transit mark of MOUNT BARKER/ ( )/ 1859/ S-A and a manuscript on the right side, written vertically, of ‘P.O./ Woodchester/ 28.5.59 plus a

WILLIAM MORRIS HUGHES, LONGEST SERVING FEDERAL POLITICIAN

The final paragraph in the Australian Dictionary of Biography’s account of Billy Hughes really sums him up: To some a great patriot, to others a renegade and mountebank. He aroused extremes of admiration or hatred, but never indifference. Abrasive and ruthless, he could also be charming and amusing. Often mean, he could sometimes be very generous. He would fly into violent rages, which would soon be forgotten. A gift to

SIR JOSEPH COOK, N.S.W. POSTMASTER GENERAL & FUTURE PRIME MINISTER

It is unfortunate that the title of this paper gives too much information, does not leave an element of surprise, but neither Miss Eva Moxham nor Wallerawang Railway Station nor the postal officer at Seven Hills provide enough ‘fodder’ to warrant a philatelic paper. Yet the cover screams out that it is unique, and one can only suspect that the sender from Seven Hills, Sydney is attempting to ‘curry favour’

LAURENCE J. HARNETT, SERGEANT-AT-ARMS, PARLIAMENT HOUSE, SYDNEY

The stampless cover has a ms. ‘Stamps not available’ and it was sent from ‘1011, 1st Australian Horse, On Active Service, South Africa’. As shown by the purple handstamp, it went via LONDON EC/ AB/ PAID/ 18 MR 01, which partially obscures a double circle BRITISH FIELD OFFICE/ SOUTH AFRICA/ FE 7/ 01. It was addressed to Miss. E. Harnett. C/o L. J. Harnett Esquire, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney, N.S.W.

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. Wm Crosby & Co., Hobart Town. The reverse was not seen (Figure 1). The second entire has a bright brownish-orange VDL

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). The reverse was also printed and was headed SOUTHERN PROVINCE ELECTION/ August 4 th, 1890 Dear Sir, You may append my name to the requisition to Mr. Thos. Brunton. Yours truly, (unsigned by sender) but signed by the receiver Mr. Phillip,

THOMAS BARKER STEAM MILLS, SYDNEY, PHILANTHROPIST & POLITICIAN

The entire is addressed to Ths Barker Esq., Steam Mills. Sysdney and there is a boxed red PAID AT/, CAMDEN handstamp, a large red hand-written ‘2’, and a black ms. ppe at lower left on this stampless front. The vendor has identified it being sent in 1851 and the reverse has a Camden b/s as well as a Sydney arrival (Figure 1). Thomas Barker, engineer, manufacturer, grazier and philanthropist, was born