Author’s Note: This article is based on extracts from a new publication titled QUEENSLAND NUMERAL CANCELLATIONS due to be published shortly.

Collecting numeral cancellations is a bit like being a detective. All the rules of observation and deduction, plus intuition apply. As well, there is the thrill of the chase, and the immense satisfaction obtained when another number is crossed off the list. The author has been pursuing this journey for some time now, often putting material aside that seemed initially unnecessary, only to find later that it was essential to a developing “Re-Evaluation of Queensland Numeral Cancellations”.

But before expanding on my “Re-Evaluation”, we should revisit the history of Queensland numeral cancellations.

There has been a long process of information gathering and dissemination about Queensland Numeral Cancellers from Capt. H.S. Porter in 1954 with his publication “Queensland Numerals” to Hugh Campbell with his ground breaking books in the 1980’s and early 1990’s culminating in “Queensland Postal History” which included an updated chapter on the “Numerals” including ties, types and ratings.

THE PIONEERS
Harry S. Porter’s monograph was published in 1954 and summarized work that began from a published list in 1924 by Mr J.H. Burgess, the editor of the Australian Philatelic Review. The next point of interest was in an article by Mr Charles Jewell in The Philatelist of October1946. Reference was made in this article to eminent Queensland collectors such as George Ginger and Snowdon. Harry Porter’s monograph was the first published on the Queensland numeral cancellations.

At this time the emphasis was more on establishing “ties” between the various numerals and the issuing Offices. In his monograph Harry Porter identified about 270 Post Offices where definite ties were established. His method was to compile a listing in chronological order of numeral cancellers and attempt to tie to this list Post Offices in their chronological opening order with the likely opening and closing dates, plus name changes. Sources for this information included annual reports of the Postmaster-General of Queensland (published in Parliamentary Papers) and Pugh’s Almanac. This covered the period from 1860 to 1899, being the last annual report before the Post office became nominally Federal.

While it was logical to expect records to become better at this late date, in fact Harry Porter was dismayed to find that the first annual report of the Australian Post office covered the year 1910. The first years of Federation were a period that saw many post offices opened in Queensland, and also a transition from using numeral cancellers to one of using datestamps.

The next pioneer in this area was Hugh M. Campbell in his 1977 publication Queensland Cancellations and Other Postal Markings 1860-1913. The stimulation for this book was the earlier work of Harry Porter, and much additional information was provided by virtue of the Tatterstall’s find which uncovered in the 1960’s hundreds of thousands of covers from all States for the period 1897-1907.

Hugh Campbell followed the general strategy of Harry Porter, with a greatly expanded listing to account for the significant increase in ties. He also refined the presentation as regards ties, name changes and reallocations.

In 1990 Hugh Campbell again expanded the data on numeral cancellations in his book Queensland Postal History, to date, the definitive publication of Queensland postal history. The book was further updated by the release in 1997 of the Queensland Postal History and Australian Numeral Cancellations – Supplements.

By this stage the work on numerals and ties was substantially complete.

THE RE-EVALUATION
The “Re-Evaluation” grew out of a desire to expand the knowledge contained in the Campbell analysis. Some of the following points became obvious :-

(i) The rarity rating scale was inadequate, as the author himself in some instances had 4-5 copies in his collection of a numeral rated RRRR, or two of one rated NNS, or conversely only 1 of a number rated R.

(ii) Some numerals had more than one type, yet only one rating was given, even though one type was considerably rarer than the other.

(iii) The practice of allocating cancellers was different between the states. (See below for more detail.) No allowance was made for rating the use of a canceller by more than one office, even though in many instances a reasonable distinction could be made

(iv) While additional ties are now rare, there was still some published information that could be updated.

THE METHODOLOGY
The obvious first step was to compile a database of numeral cancellations, sorted by number, issue and type, as well as colour, and manuscript. Further, if numbers were tied, this information was recorded to assist in defining allocations.

There was also a requirement to identify duplex cancellers, railway cancellers, and usage in Morton Bay.

The author came to the conclusion, that Queensland numeral cancellations, occurred on three main generic issues – Chalons, Sidefaces and Commonwealth Issues (KGV and Roos). By tabulating results by these three categories, many allocations could be identified, and reasonable deductions could be made.

Fortunately, the author’s collection included the numeral collections of John S. White, Hugh Freeman, Ron Butler and Alan Walker, as well as a number of less well known collectors, plus Ken Smithies, David Wood, and Ben Kaufmann, all allowed the author access to their collections. Reference was also made to auction catalogues from the 1950’s onwards, which would generally highlight rarer numbers in their lot descriptions. From these sources, tabulations were made of over 26,000 numeral cancellations. A statistical correction was then made to the sample to make an allowance for those numerals in other collections not counted, so that some reasonable prediction of numbers could be made.

ALLOCATIONS
In Queensland, which was different from some other States, numerals were often allocated in a haphazard manner. As well as numbers being issued sequentially, cancellers were returned from offices which had been closed, and were often reallocated to new offices, either as a physical replacement or a new canceller using the same number. No attempt has previously been made to rate the different offices which used the same physical or different type numeral canceller. Eg Guthalungra used the barred numeral canceller 492 between 10/6/90 and 17/8/92. The 492 canceller was later used at Emerald. The 492 canceller in the published literature is rated C, however, an 1891 cover from Guthalungra with the 492 canceller, is obviously rated differently. Often, the original allocation can only be identified by the stamp issue, eg if an office opened and closed before 1880, and the canceller was then reallocated some time after the 1880’s, unless a cover is available, any cancellation on a Chalon can be assumed to be from the original allocation.

Queensland was also different to other States which used numeral cancellers, in that if an office increased in size, or a canceller became worn, rather than reissue a new canceller with the same number, the Post Office was issued with the next number in stock, or as previously stated, if an Office had closed and the canceller had been returned, then that canceller or number may have been re issued.

THE GROUND RULES
It soon became clear that for a consistent and meaningful interpretation of results, some ground rules needed to be defined and implemented. These were as follows :-

(i) The first rule was to accept the foundations of Hugh Campbell and Joan Frew’s publications on primarily the verification of ties, and the opening and closing dates of post offices, and their movements, location details and sometimes reductions to R.O.’s. Unless there was evidence to the contrary, this information was accepted.

(ii) Similarly, if a numeral was rated RRRR by Campbell, but not seen by the author, then it was accepted and rated as a RRRRR. All other numerals rated below 4R were sighted by the author in the census.

(iii) Only clear discernible strikes would be counted. This did not affect common numerals, but for rarer numerals, where A grade strikes are a bonus, it led to some exclusions which may have been genuine. This then raises the vexed question of the value of a rare cancel in a very faint and obscured cancel.

Even in blurred, multiple or strong cancels, there was still a need to employ caution and intuition. The author was surprised at how the design of stamps, and the varying degrees of strikes could affect identification. “0’s”, “6’s” “9,s” and “8’s” all needed careful attention, as did “5’s” and “6’s”, not to mention “5’s” , “3’s” and “2’s” as well as “1’s” and “7’s”. The existence of a reference collection became essential in determining some numbers.

The use of intuition was also rewarded at times. In the author’s collection was a very clear strike of a rays “224” cancel, which was fine, except that rays had been phased out from around “177”. As “224” was rated RRRRR, it was also impossible to compare other examples. Still it looked very clear. Finally, the light bulb came on, and I identified it as a sequential strike of “124”, which had had the effect of seemingly to create a distinct “224”.

(iv) Multiple strikes on a piece are counted as one occurrence. (The author has a piece with 12 strikes of no.69 which is rated RRR.)

(v) Another area which needed verification, was the existence at times of “foreign” cancels on Queensland stamps. In this instance, care was required to identify railway cancellers, often in those cases where the post office was located at the railway station, and the wrong canceller was used. Also NSW used rays type cancellers, and at times these turned up on Queensland stamps, and appeared to be different types.

(v) Apart from identifying the numerals correctly, a number of ground rules were required to satisfactorily identify reallocations.

In Hugh Campbell’s book, inter alia, the following information is provided :- dates when post offices are closed, dates when they are moved to a new location (usually near by), dates when there is a name change, dates when there is a relocation and to where, as well as information when a canceller is later used as a replacement canceller by another office (usually a large office).

In the Re-Evaluation a separate rating is given for a “reallocation” and a “later used by”. However, “closed and moved to ….” is rated as if the post office existed continuously. Name changes are not rated separately, although the collector should employ common sense when rating tied covers, where the original name change is for a rare usage. Eg a “tied” cover for “Norman River”, no. 114, which later became “Normanton” in 1872, is a lot rarer than “C” which is the rating for “114”. Similarly, Betts Creek, which existed from 7/10/84 until 1/1/85, at which date it was renamed Pentland, must be considered RRRRR (rather than C for no. 333) when tied on cover.

RATINGS
The discussion above about the various improvements made to the existing analysis, based on a greater and more varied sample, has lead to a significant change in ratings. While the differentiation is not too dissimilar, the range of numbers that constitute a rating has been increased, and a new category RRRRR, has been introduced.

A collector has to ultimately make their own decision as to what rarity means to them. A coloured strike which is rated RRRRR on a C numeral, will obviously not be rated as highly as a RRRRR numeral.

The current classification used by Campbell in “Queensland Postal History” is as follows :-

NNS – Number Not Seen
RRRR – 1-2 examples
RRR – 3-5
RR – 6-12
R – 13-25
S – 26-50
C – 51 plus

The new classification will show RRRRR as being 1-2 examples, while the other ranges are currently being confirmed, as more data is yet to be fully processed. An interesting statistic is that in the Campbell ratings, 25% of numerals are rated 4R or NNS, while 23% are rated S or C, which makes for an inadvertent bell curve. The numbers from the Census, also fall into the same generic pattern.

SOME NEW FINDINGS
As discussed above, the book will contain a whole range of previously unreported information. Some examples are given below :

(i) Number 13

As all Queensland collectors will be aware, the numeral range is from 14-15, then 21-747 (now 783). However, illustrated is a Queensland type canceller “13”. A “15” is also shown for comparison. No “13” has previously been recorded. However, the author would have expected to find the canceller used on a Chalon rather than a Sideface issue. The deduction then must be that the numeral was re-allocated.

(ii) No. 160 (Rays type)

No. 160 has previously been listed as NNS. The example shown below has two clear strikes of “160” in red on a pair of 3d Chalons.

(iii) No 174 (Type 1a)

Previously, accepted wisdom has been that the 9 bar type canceller replaced the rays type from No. 178 (Cooktown) onwards.

However, the author’s collection includes a clear strike of No. 174 (Elliott), which suggests that the bars type was actually used earlier, and that Elliott had two types of cancellers, both rays and bars.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Attached to this article are two composite pages from the author’s impending publication which will be available in 2-3 months. The author would appreciate hearing from anyone who has further information or any queries. Queensland numerals are an exciting collecting area, and I would appreciate meeting anyone with similar interests. I can be contacted at berniemanning@optusnet.com.au

Bibliography
Queensland Numeral Cancellations- Harry S Porter- Hawthorn Press 1954
Queensland Cancellations and Other Postal Markings1860-1913 – H.M.Campbell – Royal Philatelic Society of Victoria 1977
Queensland Post Offices 1842-1980 – Joan Frew – Self Published – 1981
Queensland Postal History – Hugh M. Campbell – Royal Philatelic Society of Victoria – 1990
Queensland Postal History and Australian Numeral Cancellations– Hugh M. Campbell – Royal Philatelic Society of Victoria – 1997

No.	Allocation	Stamp Issues	Type	Rarity Rating
37	CURRIWILLINGHI opened 1/1/64,	Chalon	1c (6mm)	RRR
	closed 16/8/69
	Re Allocation
	HEBEL opened 16/8/69	Chalon	1c (6mm)	RRR
		Sideface	2b (7mm)	R
		Commonwealth	2b (7mm)	RRRR
Comment:	Violet cancel – RRRRR
	Mss cancel – RRRRR
Location:	CURRIWILLINGHI 38 miles from Dirranbandi
	HEBEL 40 miles from Dirranbandi (on NSW border) and 4 miles S.E. Curriwillinghi
38	BARCOO (Alice Downs) opened 1/1/64,	Chalon	1c (6mm)	RRR
	closed 31/12/68 , moved to BLACKALL on 1/1/69	Sideface	1c (6mm)	C
		Commonwealth	1c (6mm)	RRRRR
Comment:	Red cancel RR
Location:	BARCOO (Alice Downs station) on the Barcoo River, 11 miles north of Blackall
	BLACKALL see reference map
39	CALLIOPE opened 1/3/64	Chalon	1c (6mm)	RRR
		Sideface	1c (6mm)	C
		Commonwealth	1c (6mm)	RRRR
Location:	CALLIOPE (Goldfields) 12 miles from Gladstone
408	UNKNOWN	Sideface	2a (9mm)	RRRR
409	BETHANIA opened 26/8/85	Sideface	2a (8mm)	RR
		Sideface	2a (10mm)	RRRRR
		Commonwealth	2a (8mm)	RRRRR
Location:	BETHANIA 3 miles from Beenleigh
676	LIMEVALE opened in July 1908	Sideface	2a (6.5mm)	RRRR
		Commonwealth	2a (6.5mm)	RRRRR
Location:	LIMEVALE on Oakey Creek 9 miles north of Texas
694	UNKNOWN	Sideface	2a (6.5mm)	RRRR
695	UNKNOWN	Sideface	2a (6.5mm)	RRRR
706	UNKNOWN	Sideface	2a (6.5mm)	RRRRR

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Figure 1 (see right)

The reasons that will differentiate our collecting habits will be more ephemeral ones such as an affinity with

that country or period because we live there or served there during the war, or know a fellow collector who has been a mentor, or we read a book or our family has a connection or there is an historical interest etc.

So when I say I love collecting Queensland, I mean that philatelically it is an interesting state, and one where my wife was born and grew up, as well as one that as a young man I would hitch hike through, enchanted by its natural beauty and one where I find that I can relate the post office names to historical events such as the Palmer gold rush and mining ghost towns such as Maytown, O K, Irvinebank and Eromanga; and going back further we have the Moreton Bay period when Queensland was administered as part of New South Wales.

So I love it because I am Australian and to me that tropical heat and windswept beaches and sighing gum trees symbolises what I love about Australia. Queensland’s history with its reputation as the last frontier, the gold rushes, the pastoralists and the Aboriginals as well as the wonderful native wildlife and the islands and mountains and rainforests and coral reefs, all blended together with its wonderful stamps and postal history creates a blend of magic and intellectual excitement that I find hard to resist.

The Stamps
Queensland’s first stamps were engraved and printed by the famous English firm Perkins, Bacon and were issued in November 1860. The stamps were based on the 1838 painting of Queen Victoria by A C Chalon and hence are known colloquially as Chalon Heads. The first stamps have beautiful rich shades, and were printed in carmine, blue and green the corresponding values being 1d, 2d and 6d (see Figs 1-4).

Figures 3 and 4.

The first item is a die proof of the 2d. Only two examples of the die proof that are not cut down are known. The mint pair of the 1d is the largest multiple known outside the block of 4 in the Queen’s collection. Also, the 2d pair is one of only three known pairs unused (the largest multiple being a strip of three) and the 6d is only known mint in singles (less than 10 known).

The existence of these classic stamps gives Queensland a high philatelic pedigree. Queensland stamps also include a number of rarities that complement the early Chalons. Some of these are shown in Figs 5-7.

Figures 5, 6 and 7.

The stamps illustrated include a used vertical strip of three of the Chalons imperforated horizontally in between, being the 1864-65 watermark small star issue. This represents an error in the printing process, and has not been previously recorded used.

Of the issued stamps, one of the rarest is the 1911 9d Commonwealth stamp perf 11mint of which three examples are known.

Another Queensland rarity is the two cornered 6d stamp. About 18 used examples of this stamp are known, most with a 1902 date and cancelled by the Parcels Branch in the GPO. Extensive and often robust debate has raged since the early 1900s when the stamp was first identified, as it was never officially issued, so its appearance is a mystery.

There are two possible explanations. One is that it was prepared for issue (and there are proof examples to support this theory) but was replaced by the 4 corner 6d, and a sheet or two was mistakenly included with other sheets of the 4 corner 6d for use, or someone inadvertently picked up a proof sheet for use by mistake.

Figure 8.

The other scenario is that a block of four of the 2 corner 6d die was inadvertently included in a plate with the result that a number of sheets were printed with 116 4 corner 6ds and 4 2 cornered 6ds. A run of sheets was printed before the error was noticed and the sheets destroyed.

My preference is for the former occurrence ie some proof sheets were inadvertently used by the Parcels Branch at the GPO, as this would logically explain why most examples are recorded in the same time and place, and a few sheets (possibly only 1 or 2 would account for the survival rate). If the stamps were mistakenly printed as a block of 4 on a sheet of 120, then many more sheets would have needed to be printed to account for the survival rate, and there is a chance that some mint copies would have been retrieved, not to mention the possibility of a wider distribution of the stamps.

Figure 9.

Postal History
Another aspect of Queensland that I love collecting is the Postal History of the state. Queensland abounds in Postal History subjects from the postmarks, numeral cancellations, instructional markings, registration, rates and routes etc The tracking of the opening and closing of the Post Offices mirrors the developing history of Queensland. The opening of Port Denison, renamed Bowen is linked to the pioneering work of George Dalrymple, which then explains how the town of Dalrymple and various other namesakes came about. Similarly researching the history of Richard Daintree we find links to the town of Daintree and the Daintree River (I am sure he never thought that his name would be as well known as it is today).

Figure 10.

Sometimes an old cover may fill another part of the jigsaw. Such as when I was reading Glenville Pike’s “Pioneer’s Country” and the history of mining towns such as Irvinebank and Montalbion (later Mount Albion) in the far north and reference was made to John Atherton who lived at Emerald End for 26 years, and after whom the town of Atherton and the Atherton Tablelands were named. Rediscovering an old tatty front I had with the scarce two lined Registered Mont Albion handstamp, I found to my great delight that it was addressed to “Mrs John Atherton of Emerald End”. Another link with history. Just looking at that front takes me back to the early 1900’s and the bullock drays and miners dreaming of a fortune in the Queensland jungles.

Figure 11.

The first item is a previously unrecorded two lined handstamp “Registered/ Port Denison”. The Port Denison Post Office opened on 1 April 1861 and the name was changed to Bowen in 1865. Not only is the office unrecorded with the instructional handstamp, but the actual size of the letters indicates a previously unidentified smaller type than that previously recorded. The previous Type 1 was identified as being 32 to 41mm in length and 3_ to 5mm in height. The example shown is 30mm in length and 3mm in height. Only one other example is known, being for the Banana post office.

The second item is a cover from Dalrymple to Canberra sent October 2, 1883 and showing the cds of Dalrymple and tieing the office to the numeral “40. The BURDEKIN Post Office was opened on April 1, 1864 and the name was changed to DALRYMPLE in 1868. The Office closed December 21, 1887

The stamp is cancelled by numeral 367 (rated 4R), which was allocated to Daintree. The DAINTREE Post Office was opened on January 1, 1884 and closed in October 1907.

Figure 12.

Collecting “rates and routes” is a popular past time for postal historians. Displayed are two such covers. One is an example of the short term “Panama Route” which operated from the 23rd May 1867 until it was discontinued in January 1869. The cover was sent on June 27, 1867 from Brisbane to Scotland. The rate was an expensive 1/4d per half ounce.

The second cover was sent on February 24 1880 from Aramac to London, via Brindisi. Postage was paid by a pair of 6d Chalons and a 2d sideface, for a total of 1/2d being the double rate for a letter weighing over a _ oz. and not more than 1 oz. This 7d per _ ounce rate was in existence for only one week, from February 20 1880 until February 28 1880, when it was further reduced.

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