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NEWS AND NOTES APRIL 2016.

OPEN LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY The Convention will soon be upon us and we look forward to welcoming all to the Abbey Hotel. For those who are attending, I shall pre-send the booklet electronically, but the final printed version will be in a welcome pack at the Hotel together with your (essential) vouchers for our receptions and your free strip of raffle tickets. Please do not let that dissuade you from buying lots more. There is always a good range of prizes. This year we shall not be having a quiz, so most will be free to socialise on the Friday night. As ever, our receptions will be sponsored, and your President will be thanking our benefactors in his speech. We are most fortunate that we receive regular support from “The trade” in the pursuit of our hobby. There will be the usual excursion for the spouses, this year going to Hanbury Hall and Gardens. A coach has been laid on, but National Trust members are reminded to bring their Membership Card with them. Now we have to hope for a fine day for them. A recent trend in philately has been to embrace the postcard collecting fraternity, and try to establish an exhibiting discipline. Some rules have now been published, but I think that there is still room for tweaking around the edges to make sure that the rules ar clear and unambiguous. Perhaps we should consider introducing a Postcard Class in our competitions. I should be interested to hear your views. An important event that had repercussions far beyond the Society and far beyond Australian Philately was the untimely death of our member Francis Kiddle, RDP, Hon. FRPSL. Francis was a true giant of the philatelic world and leaves an enormous gap at all levels up to FIP. His collection of Tasmania Revenues was to be envied, and he made many discoveries of Beer Duty Labels. He was also, as far as I know, the first person to establish and document the Revenue Charge rates for various types of document. He was also well-known in the Thematic world, with his best-known exhibit being “The Goat”. He was also a well-respected international judge, who had an encyclopaedic knowledge but was always prepared to assist a less experienced judge and encourage exhibitors. He helped me gain my National qualification and continued to help me when I served on juries. He will be greatly missed. PGER 16/3/16

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The 2016 Annual General Meeting of the British Society of Australian Philately will take place at the Abbey Hotel, Redditch on Saturday 14th May 2014 at 11.15am. P G E Reid, FRPSL, FBSAP Hon. Secretary AGENDA

1. Acceptance of the Minutes of the 2015 AGM previously circulated in The Bulletin 2. Matters arising from the minutes 3. President’s Address 4. Report of the Hon. Secretary 5. Report of the Hon. Treasurer 6. Report of the Exchange Packet Superintendent 7. Report of the Auction Organiser 8. Report of the Hon. Librarian 9. Report of the Bulletin Editor 10. Report of the Publicity Officer 11. Society Officers 12. Election to Council.

In accordance with Rule 4 the following members of Council offer themselves for re-election: Any other nominations to the Hon. Secretary by 29th April 2016 please.

13. Election of Hon. Auditor 14. The Society’s Programme and The Bulletin 15. Any Other Business

Members should give notice in writing to the Hon. Secretary by 29th April 2016 of any matters that they intend to raise.

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AUSTRALIAN PHILATELY IN PRINT #2, 2016. A list of articles found in Journals & Bulletins held (or seen) by the Librarian (Periodicals). THE AUSTRALIAN AEROPHILATELIST, No.108, July-September 2015. Editorial - Ross Wood. Charles Ulm – NZ to Australia – 17 February 1934. Those unrecorded “Proof “ covers – John Sadler. Operation Sinbad, the flight of RAAF Catalina A24-104 to Macquarie Island on 4 August 1948: Pt.1 – The tragedy and the Flights – Peter D Cranwell. APF NEWS, Vol.29, No.3, December 2015 President’s Column – Glen Stafford. Hong Kong 2015 – Philip Levine & Frank Pauer. Capex 2015 – David Figg. UAE – Sharjah 2015 – John Vassallo. Capital Stamp Show 2015 – David Benson & Stephen Browne. The Work of the Expert Committees who issue certificates of opinion – RPSV Expert Committee. APF 2015 APO Awards – August 2015. APF Research Assistance Service. USA Accord – Balpex 2015 – David Ingle Smith. Singapore 2015 – Gary Brown & Geoff Kellow. NORPEX 2015 One Frame Exhibition. Exhibition Timetable. CAPITAL PHILATELY, Vol33, Nos1-3, December 2015. Editorial –Darryl Fuller. Why New Zealand Post issued CALs (Customised Advertising Labels) – David Miner. Pastcards. Machinations. Newsletter No.158. Newsletter No.159. CINDERELLAS AUSTRALASIA, Vol.29, No.3, December 2015. From the Secretary – Paul Storm. The Editor’s Page – Marilyn Gendek. In the Mailbox: APS Exhibition Souvenirs 1934-Ian Mahon; Ist label in the bos (Parcel Post Untracked) – Richard Peck; An A to Z of Bogus Stamps (ref. an article in GSM Feb. 2015). Committee of Direction of Fruit Marketing and its Levy Stamps, follow up – Ian McMahon. Bedford Christmas Seals 2015 – Peter Simpfendorfer. A visit to GPO Sydney, Wed. 29 July 1934 – Richard Peck ACCCF.. Collection Assortment – Richard Peck. Tasmanian Florence Nightingale fundraising lapel label, arepica of the NSW issue –Vito Milana & Marilyn Gendek. P stamps – Nurse Edith Cavell –John Leah. CINDERELLA PHILATELIST, Vol.56, No.1, January 2016. Closed Album: Francis Kiddle.

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Australia: the earliest Australian Red Cross Cinderella? – Patrick Brown & Vito Milana. THE COURIER, N0.60, December 2015 Awards for TPS members Award for the Courier. Errata: Tasmanian Letter Cards, Issue No.57. Tasmania: Private Letter Cards to 1914 – Patrick Reid. Crotty: its History, Post Office, Postmasters & Postmarks – John Campton. 1d & 4d Surcharges on “Platypus”, 1903-1905 – Brian Barrett. Some Tasmanian Sideface discoveries – Malcolm Groom. Tasmania’s Registered Envelopes – Allen Shatten. Tasmanian Post Office Handstamps at Auction – Peter Allan & Ross Ewington. GIBBONS STAMP MONTHLY, February 2016. Hugh Jefferies receives his OBE. Vincent Shouberechts is new editor of Fakes, Forgeries & Experts Journal. 60 years of STAMPEX. Gravure Stamp Cylinders: Pt.1 – Glenn H Morgan FRPSL. The London Gang: forgers and fakers – Michael Peach. GIBBONS STAMP MONTHLY, March 2016. Australia’s price hike leads to rare emergency issue. Postal Stationery Matters (incl. a NZ item) – Peter van Gelder. 2015 Commonwealth Booklets (incl. Australian, NZ & Norfolk Is.) – Ceir Sør-Reime FRPSL. THE LONDON PHILATELIST, Vol.125, No.1432, Jan-Feb 2016. FIP Literature Gold & Large Gold Medal Winners 1996-2015 – Frank Walton RDP FRPSL. 1937 Coronation Presentation Albums: Nauru, New Guinea & Papua – Richard Berry FRPSL. Library News: “The Kangaroo and the King, stamp perforating machinery in Australia, 1850-1918 – Richard Venus. Research Information Request: WW2 Japanese PoW and Internee correspondence to and from New Zealand – Lindsay G Chitty. THE LONDON PHILATELIST, Vol.125, No.1433, March 2016. Supplement: The Crawford Library of Philatelic Literature at the British Library and for the World in Digital Form – David R Beech MBE FRPSL. THE QUEENSLAND STAMP COLLECTOR, Vol.33, No.1, February-April 2016. Editorial – John Crowsley QPC News; APF News; Club Scene; Diary Dates; Where and When? Talk Queensland – Unusual items – John Stein. Collecting Thematics – John Crowsley NORPEX National One Frame Exhibition. Registered Post – Joan Orr. THE STAMP LOVER, Vol.108, No.1, February 2016 Report: 2015 Stuart Rossiter Lecture, Theory versus Practice in Postal History, Lecturer Ben Palmer – The Editor.

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Book Review: Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps 1840-1970, 118th ed. 2016. AEC

Membership Secretary/Treasurer’s list of changes to membership database

From 11 January 2016 to 10 March 2016 NOTIFICATION 145 Changes of address: 1827 Trindall BJ Williton, Taunton, Somerset TA4 4AX Rejoined / change of address: 943 Jess KAHoersholm, 2970 Hoersholm, Denmark(continuous wef 1.1.2015) Resignations: 961 Cunliffe CR 1034 Horton MH Mrs 1163 Carter TA 1460 Ostle N 1489 Lacey M 1576 MacInnes I 1623 Milburn GD 1768 Easterbrook JA 1778 Knight RJ 1800 Hunter DH 1820 Mellon JC 1826 Freeman H Deceased: 809 Wallis LJ (November 2015) New members: 1834 Grimwood-Taylor J Cavendish Auctions, 153-157 London Road, Derby DE1 2SY

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REPORT ON THE LONDON MEETING OF 10TH FEBRUARY 2016 A slightly more encouraging ten members came to see Patrick Reid’s display of “Underpaid Outgoing Mails of Australia 1891 to 1965”. He began by explaining that what was being shown was still a working collection, Australia has more Tax marks than the rest of the world put together, so collecting them can be a problem. He had decided to collect only the tax marks on outgoing mails in order to restrict the scope to something manageable. The display was split into two parts: New South Wales, which has the largest set of marks, in part 1 and the remaining states excluding Tasmania in Part 2. Tasmania was excluded because the members have seen his display of these several times before. The first sheet of the display gave the background to interpreting the covers. Copies were given to the audience to assist them when viewing. As it is of general use, the front page is reproduced in its entirety at the end of this report. When all the Australian Colonies joined the UPU in 1891, they had to obey the rules for marking of underpaid overseas mail. Such mail was to be marked with a ‘T’ in black (although in practice a blue crayon was often used) and the amount of the deficiency in (gold) centimes, converted at the rate of 1d=10 centimes. On arrival, the receiving country was to double the amount and convert to local currency. This scheme avoided the need for multiple conversion tables. From 1st October 1907, the sending country was required to mark double deficiency, which eliminated the problem of countries forgetting to double the amount. Over time the exchange rate between the penny and the centime changed. Changes are summarised in the at the end of this report. However, an ‘Empire’ exchange rate of 1d = 10 centimes applied to all mail going to the British Empire (or later Commonwealth) until 1st June 1947, when the 1d = 4 centimes rate was adopted. On to the display. In the early days a range of ‘T’ handstamps was used as well as manuscript markings, until a number of shield-shaped handstamps was introduced in around 1894. The originals of these are displayed in the Powerhouse Museum. Values were 5, 10 and 25 centimes. There is evidence that there was more than one of some of these handstamps. Early in life both the 5 centime (damage to the vertical stroke of the ‘T’) and 10 centime (damage to the top left of the frame) were damaged but continued in use. Examples of these were shown as well as some scarce early boxed ‘T’ handstamps. Just to be different, New South Wales was the only state that delayed the introduction of double deficiency by about 3 months. To support this a new range of two line boxed handstamps was introduced with values up to 50 centimes. In around 1911 use of the shield handstamps was restarted and additional values of 20, 30, 40 and 50 were added as well as a undenominated handstamp. Use of these on cover was shown, including an undenominated where the decision on taxe amount was left to the French. In 1922 the conversion rate changed to 1d =12½ centimes with a minimum charge of 30 centimes. There was no handstamp immediately available for the 3d deficiency, or 37½ centimes. Examples were shown on cover of manuscript, two types of crude (cork?) handstamps and finally a shield type. This rate lasted until 1St January 1925, when the rate became 1d = 16⅔ centimes, still with a

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minimum charge of 30 centimes. This rate was discovered fairly recently and explained a number of 50 centimes due covers that were unlikely to have been overweight. The rate changed again in October 1925 to 1d = 8⅓ centimes, with a minimum charge of 10 centimes. This required the introduction of a new 16⅔ centimes handstamp, but the 25 Centime handstamp could continue to be used for 1½d deficiency. Relevant illustrating covers were shown, including the two different types of 25 centime handstamp (one old, one new) and strikes in both red and black. In July 1940 the conversion rate changed again to 1d = 6⅔ centimes, with no minimum charge. Three new types of handstamp were introduced for 13⅓ centimes, but in the interim the long-running broad shield handstamp with value inserted in manuscript was used. No 6⅔ centimes handstamp was introduced, unlike some other states. For the 1½d deficiency, the 20 centime handstamp could be used, but a new shield type was introduced. Examples of all of these were shown on cover. In July 1947 the rate changed again to 1d = 4 centimes, and Empire mail was finally brought into line. A new type of broad shield handstamp, without denomination was brought in. Initially strikes were in red, but later purple was used. The final rate change to 1d = 3 centimes was made on 1st July 1949. A range of denominations, both manuscript (up to 72 centimes) and fixed (up to 24 centimes) was shown on cover. The next section covered Airmail. There are four basic styles of handstamp applied to underpaid Airmail. These are: T in rectangle; Boxed 2-line handstamps with code letters; Boxed 3-line handstamps with code letters and smaller versions of the 2-line and 3-line handstamps. The T in rectangle comes in three varieties: with centimes text; without centimes text and with a fixed value (40 or 60). A range of values was shown on cover, stretching from 6⅔ to 200 centimes, as well as examples of the scarce fixed value handstamps. The two-line boxed handstamps have a value in manuscript (T…..CENTIMES) and a code on the second line. Codes recorded are 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2R and 4D. The 3-line boxed handstamps have an extra line reading ”EXCEEDS…..OZS”. To date codes 2F and 2G have been recorded. All these handstamps were shown on cover. The purpose of the codes is not known. Finally the smaller handstamps were shown, Rather than a code, they are inscribed “AIR 1; AIR2; SHIP 1”. A SHIP 2 has been seen. The small 3-line handstamp is especially scarce and has only been seen with a code “AIR 2”. The other states excluding Tasmania were shown in Part Two. First up was Victoria, and almost all handstamps are octagonal. For simplicity, most of the handstamps were shown in value order. Victoria is interesting in that it has two clearly distinguishable types of handstamp for values from 5 centimes to 50 centimes (there is some doubt about the 20 centime). These were all shown on cover, as well as additional values of 60, 75 ,80 and 100 centimes. The changes in conversion rates saw the introduction of a 37½ centime handstamp in a larger octagon. This style was continued for 16⅔ and 33⅓ and later 6⅔, 13⅓ and 26⅔ centime handstamps. All of these were shown, followed by examples of use of the ‘T in Oval’ handstamp with value inserted in manuscript for awkward values. Continuing with the octagon pattern, four different undenominated handstamps were used, each

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with a T and C in the octagon, but slight detail changes. They were used from around 1952 onwards and a range of values in manuscript on cover was shown. In 1948 a new range of denominated handstamps was introduced, again using the octagon frame. These continued when the rate became 1d = 3 centimes. Values from 3 centimes to 1f44 have been seen, and most were shown. There were two styles of undenominated handstamp, one with a line of dots between the ‘T’ and the ‘C’ and one without. These are scarce, but examples were shown. Finally for Victoria, a 24 centime handstamp in HEXagon was shown. Around 5 have been recorded. Why an octagon was not used is not known. Next came Queensland, notable because the 5/CTMS/T handstamp from the first series was later transferred for use in Tasmania. The only other value in the first series was 25 centimes. The only recorded example was shown. A second series featured smaller letters and numbers but was of the same format, with values from 5 to 50 centimes, as well as an undenominated handstamp. Values of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 centimes were shown on cover, as well as a couple of examples of the undenominated handstamp and the only recorded example of a T in circle handstamp from 1910. When the exchange rate became 12½ centimes to 1d, the undenominated handstamp was used initially, but a purpose-made handstamp was introduced later in 1924, with stops incorrectly between the letters of CTMS and larger font size. The change to 8⅓ centimes to 1d saw the introduction of a 16⅔ centimes handstamp, but without a T’. In most cases a T was added in manuscript or by handstamp. The change to 6⅔centimes=1d saw the introduction of a new series of handstamps with the value and CTMS/T enclosed in a double ellipse. The series was continued with the change to 4 centimes =1d. and values of 13⅓ and 8 centimes were shown. Queensland also had a long-lived undenominated CTMS/T handstamp of the original series. Its use continued through to the 1950s and was supplemented in the late 1940s with a CTMS/T in oval with unseriffed characters. Finally, Queensland is unique among the Australian States in having Postage Due handstamps specifically for the Newspaper Section. The format of the handstamps is Value/CTMS/T in oval and values of 10 and 20 are known. Only five examples are recorded. Next came South Australia. They too had an early issue of two handstamps, T/value cts in double circle. Only values of 5 and 25 are recorded and these were originally documented by Blake. A new series was introduced with a similar format, but smaller, in around 1900. Values of 5, 10, 25, 30, 40, 50 were shown on cover. With the changes in the exchange rate additional values of 37½ and 16⅔ were introduced, keeping the same basic format. The change to 6⅔ centimes brought a handstamp for 13⅓ centimes, but without the T in the circle. A new undenominated T/cts in circle handstamp was introduced for the change to 4 centimes to 1d, and this style was retained for specific value handstamps when the change to 3 centimes – 1d came in. Values of 3,6, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 78, 144 and 162 were shown on cover as well as uses of the undenominated handstamp. For difficult values, a T in oval or T in split oval were used. Examples of each were shown. Finally, to Western Australia. The first series of handstamps consists of a T with or without value in

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a hexagon. Values of 5, 10, 25, 30, 50, 16⅔ and undenominated were shown on cover. There is a scarce 13⅓ handstamp that is reminiscent of the crude NSW 37½ handstamps, and the discovery copy was shown. With the change to 4 centimes = 1d, a new series was introduced with T/value c. In an oblong box. Values of 3, 6, 8, 24 were shown. As well as the T in hexagon with a space for the value, A larger T filling a similar hexagon was also used for difficult values. Finally, a large T 20c in oval, tied to Albany was shown. It is the only recorded copy. Colin Mount gave the Vote of Thanks and congratulated Pat on the amount of work that must have gone into putting together the display, as well as the amount of calculation involved. PGER 8/3/16 INTERPRETATION OF POSTAGE DUE COVERS In order to interpret Postage Due covers, it is necessary to be familiar with the Postage Rates of the originating country. Fortunately the Postage Rates of Australia are mostly well researched and documented. The most convenient source is the original section at the back of the ACSC, which gives tables of the pre-decimal postage rates. There are, however, some omissions in Air mail rate tables. However, research has shown that the dates in the ACSC are not all correct, notably those around the change to a 2d letter rate and 1d Postcard rate in the early 1900s The other key information required is the exchange rate between the local currency and the Gold Centime of the UPU. A brief table is given below, with years and estimated dates of change (unless these are known). Further research is ongoing to confirm these dates. It must also be borne in mind that the Post Office in England had a great influence on the conduct of the Australian Post Office. This extended to having a separate set of rules for taxing underpaid mail to the British Empire (later Commonwealth). From the Australian viewpoint, the exchange rate with the gold centime was always the same for such mail, at 10 centimes = 1 penny (referred to as the Empire Rate) until the late 1940s. Mail to other parts of the British Empire is scarce. DATES AND RATES DATE RATE COMMENT 1 January 1891 10 Colonies joined UPU; Single

deficiency marked, doubled for payment.

1 Oct 1907* 10 Double deficiency marked 1 January 1922 12½ Based on 50 centime letter rate.

Minimum fine 30 centimes 1 January 1925 162/3 Minimum fine 30 centimes 1 October 1925 81/3 Based on 25 centime letter rate.

Minimum fine 10 centimes 1 July 1940 62/3 No minimum fine 1 June 1947 4 No minimum fine 1 July 1949 3 Empire rate finally changed from 10

centimes to 3. Sometime in this period the UK and Australian pennies were no longer at par.

* In NSW the date was early in 1908.

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REPORT OF THE SOUTH WEST MEETING AT RINGWOOD – 6th. FEB. 2016 Despite the awful gales and rain 18 folks turned up at Ringwood to witness a quite remarkable display given by Dr Andrew Mortlock from Cheshire who entertained us with his presentation entitled "A Look at Australian States"

Andrew started his presentation saying his collection comprises some 2000 sheets of Australian States which includes stamps and postal stationery. New South Wales and Queensland are the strongest parts of the collection although the later issues of Victoria and the Tasmanian pictorials are also covered in some detail. He went on to say that the scope for building an interesting collection of the later States issues remains a huge attraction with material significantly undervalued, and it is possible to acquire both large quantities of stamps and large unused multiples at very reasonable prices. Andrew went on to say, don't be misled by catalogue prices, he can remember the shock of finding a stamp catalogued at just £40 was one of less then twenty copies known . Andrew then explained that in selecting material for the display he had identified twelve different subjects which he hoped would provide sufficient diversity for people to find at least a few items that would be of interest to them. The first frame of the afternoon displayed the the New South Wales 2d (1862-88) a classic De La Rue design of the early 1860's, the 2d was initially printed in London but the plate was sent to Sydney and the vast majority of stamps were printed in the colony. A wide range of papers were used before the introduction of the Crown/NSW paper in the early 1870's. After 1880 there are numerous variations in perforation, many of which are rare. Both mint and used examples were shown of this stamp which included a block of 40 overprinted 'OS' for official mail. This was followed by the New South Wales 'Record Reign' 21/2d (1897-1912), which was famously voted to be the second ugliest stamp in the British Empire in 1905, the distinctive 21/2d and was a winning entry in the competition to design a set of stamps to mark Queen Victoria's

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'record reign' The first plate was prepared from a boxwood die although the next two plates were prepared from a more conventional steel die. Amongst the items on display were a large block from the first printing in purple from plate 1, and stamps from the emergency printing on Victorian paper including a used pair and a block of six with unrecorded reversed watermark. The third frame moved to Queensland with the 'Widowed Queen' Halfpenny (1897-1912). Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee was also the impetus to issue a commemorative stamp in Queensland and a design was prepared for a halfpenny stamp. Although this commemorative was never issued, a modified form of the design was finally issued in 1899. Items on show included Die proofs of the original 1837 issue, together with plate proofs of the final design, which included the unique postally used pair and a full sheet of 120 showing the make-up from four separate electros of 40. Andrew then moved on to the Queensland 'Four Figures' 1d (1897-1912). The most numerous of all Queensland stamps, the 1d in its final form was issued in 1897 and lasted to the end of 1912. Technically this is a fascinating issue with numerous perforation varieties and secondary flaws from the nine plates believed to have been used. Several major flaws were displayed with a selection of rouletted stamps including the largest recorded mint and used blocks of the rare perforated/rouletted stamps (SG 261) We then moved on to the Victoria Five Shilling Laureate (1867-1912). This issue used the Laureate head engraved by Frederick Grosse. The first two printings were made in blue on pale yellow paper with less then three thousand stamps being produced. Subsequently stamps were printed in red and blue before the stamp was replaced in 1885. In 1901 the stamps were re-issued with the colours reversed before, in its final incarnation, the word 'Postage' was added to the design. Examples of all the various colours were displayed. This was followed with the Victoria One Penny (1901/1912) One of the most interesting of Commonwealth issues, this stamp was printed from 24 different plates, on four different types of paper and can be found with at least five different types of perforation. Add to this watermark variations, official stamps, booklet stamps, monograms, shade variations and a number of sub-types and it provides the collector with a lifetime's study. Examples of all the above were displayed together with a corner block of four with single-line gauge 11 perforation on V4 paper showing plate dots in marginal line which has not been recorded. Andrew then went on to look at Reprints. Official reprints are known from many of the Colonies from the period after 1891 when they joined the UPU. Victoria went to the greatest lengths, producing many new plates to be able to produce UPU specimens of stamps long since withdrawn. A number of unofficial reprints were made illicitly with the aim of supplying collectors although some, such as the Van Dyck reprints from New South Wales are much sought after in their own right. Examples of reprints from most of the Colonies were shown including a complete set of the New South Wales 'Reprint' stamps issued around 1891. Proof material was then presented. This type of material is both varied, and with the exception of plate proofs from Queensland and South Australia very rare. Examples of Master Die Proofs, Plate Proofs and colour trials were shown together with Specimens for local Officials for New South Wales and Victorian later issues. Next up, Andrew showed us the One Pound and Two Pound values (1880-1912) and stated that these high values have always been sought after by philatelists, partly because of the very small

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number of stamps issued. However, compared to the later 'kangaroo and map' stamps the high value stamps from the Australian States are much more affordable although still very rare, with many difficult to find in genuine postally used condition. Postally used £1 stamps were shown from New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia. The Queensland large Chalon design including a very rare example of the 1902 printing with retouch (SG271b) and a complete used sheet in 1902 to pay bulk postage. A rare postally used example of the South Australia £2 together with a number of examples of the Victoria King Edward V11 design including a rare example of the £2 postally used. Andrew then moved on to the first issues of New South Wales and Queensland (1850-61). Stating that the early issues of each of the colonies have always been popular with collectors. The New South Wales Sydney views are a fascinating story of locally produced copper plates which rapidly wore requiring numerous re-engravings. By contrast the earliest Queensland stamps were printed in London and are amongst the most beautiful recess printed Perkins Bacon stamps. Andrew then showed us a near comprehensive display of the listed shades of the 1d,2d and 3d Sydney views including examples with partial retouches. A 2d Sydney View on paper showing the papermaker's watermark together with examples of the 2d and 3d Sydney Views on cover and examples of the 1d, 2d and 6d on Large Star paper, including the imperf 2d (RPSL certificate) and the rare perforated 1d. We were then shown examples of the 1907 NSW Emergency printings owing to the fact that New South Wales ran out of stamp printing paper and was forced to use paper sent from Melbourne. Ten postage and five postage due stamps were printed on the Victorian paper, many in very small numbers. All ten postage stamps were shown together with all the known watermark variations, most of which are very rare, together with complete sheets of the 1/2d, 1d, and 2d on Victorian paper. Then to finish up Andrew showed some unusual usages of the Melbourne gauge 11 perforating machines, which were bought in 1902 to perforate the large format Tasmanian pictorial stamps. The two single line gauge 11 machines were widely used on Victorian and Tasmanian stamps and also occur more rarely in Western Australian stamps printed in Melbourne. The use on stamps of Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia is known but extremely rare. The display also included some of the rare compound perforations from Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. The earliest recorded date 18/10/1902 of a Victorian 1d perf.11 stamp was shown together with a Victorian 1/- of which only 20 have been recorded. I have no doubt missed out some of the other incredible rarities on show and feel this was one of those displays that one can feel that it was a great privilege to have been present at, and this was the feeling of the entire room. Ian Greig gave the vote of thanks and congratulated Andrew on such a really remarkable display. C.Mount