Unidentified or unknown Australia First Day Cover makers

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 19 Oct 2022 06:44

On the topic of things we've never seen before:

Scribbling on the flap says only 36 produced. Anyone ever seen one of these?

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 19 Oct 2022 08:52

Chris the Pom

No I have never seen that one before.

roninrr · Post by **roninrr** » 19 Oct 2022 16:22

Here''s another.

I've just called it 'Bundaberg'.

Dick Roennfeldt

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 21 Oct 2022 00:51

Can't recall seeing this particular cachet before - any ideas on it?

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 21 Oct 2022 07:34

MWP page 197 describes it as a "Small Crown" but does not have any evidence to support who the cachetmaker might have been, & produced in 1937 & 1938

Some attribute it too L J Roberts of Albert Park but the authors think that unlikely.

Ebayer 8479Macsma (aka Stampboarder Suda) describes these as Robertson but has no evidence to support the claim.

Doubt we will ever know. These covers are scarce.

: Small Crown blue cachet fdc for the Queen Elizabeth 1d green & KGVI 2d scarlet stamps issued on the occasion of the Coronation of King George VI postmarked Murray Bridge SA cds of fdi with 1/6 Hermes stamp added - 10th May 1937 to Barnet England

: Small Crown purple cachet fdc for the Queen Elizabeth 1d green & KGVI 2d scarlet stamps issued on the occasion of the Coronation of King George VI postmarked Sydney NSW cds of fdi - 10th May 1937 to Omaha Nebraska USA

: Small Crown cachet fdc for KGVI 3d blue die I stamp postmarked with Sydney NSW machine slogan "Use The Postal Express Messenger Service" cancel on fdi - 2nd August 1937 to Sydney NSW

: Small Crown cachet fdc adapted for KGVI 3d blue die I, 6d Kookaburra & 1/- Lyrebird stamps postmarked with Sydney NSW machine slogan "Use The Postal Express Messenger Service" cancel on fdi - 2nd August 1937 to Sydney NSW

: Small Crown cachet fdc with KGVI 1½d maroon stamp postmarked Emu Downs SA cds on fdi - 20th April 1938 to Emu Downs SA.

Unusually paper for this cover is blue.

: Small Crown cachet fdc with KGVI 1½d maroon stamp postmarked Williamstown Vic cds on fdi - 20th April 1938 to Williamstown Vic

: Small Crown cachet fdc with ½d pair Kangaroo stamps postmarked Adelaide 6 Sth Aust on fdi - 3rd October 1938 to Adelaide SA.

: Registered Small Crown cachet fdc at Penneshaw (Kangaroo Island) SA for 9d Platypus stamp postmarked Antechamber Bay (Kangaroo Island) SA cds on fdi - 1st September 1938 to Timaru NZ

There were no new Australian stamp issues 1939 & with the commencement of WWII this cachetmaker was not seen again.

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 21 Oct 2022 13:26

Well done - thanks Brad. It is in superb shape, and could not recall ever seeing this design before.

Maker seems fixated on the word 'UMBER' as a colour!

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 21 Oct 2022 13:57

Yes these are scarce & if we can work out who else uses "UMBER" that might give us his NUMBER.

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 21 Oct 2022 17:59

I vaguely recollect some of those covers being attributed to a maker called Griffiths, though I can't remember who said it or when.

The only Griffiths I can think of was in Charters Towers, Qld, and these covers don't seem to have a Qld connection.

I have several of these covers, with NSW or SA cancels only.

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 22 Oct 2022 16:02

The Pom wrote: ↑21 Oct 2022 17:59

I have several of these covers, with NSW or SA cancels only.

Brad's examples seem to bear that out too.

Mine has a superb VICTORIA cds, which certainly does seem unusual, and is possibly unrecorded. Superb fresh condition for 85 years old, been in UK all its life. Put it into stock at $A55 - stock 432LJ - a very pretty thing.

Glen

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 22 Oct 2022 22:40

I've also seen this design attributed to the South Australian Stamp co. Again, what evidence there was for this claim, I don't know.

Note the addressee.

briggia · Post by **briggia** » 25 Oct 2022 19:31

Hi folks

Does anyone know who designed this 1948 FDC?

: Feb 1948 FDC

Many thanks

briggia

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 25 Oct 2022 19:44

Addressed to the great Norm Sheppard - one of the founders of PHILAS and who ran the Clarence Street Philatelic Bureau in Sydney.

cronky · Post by **cronky** » 25 Oct 2022 21:33

briggia wrote: ↑25 Oct 2022 19:31 Hi folks

Does anyone know who designed this 1948 FDC?

Many thanks

briggia

I think this might be by Swanson from Lithgow NSW. If you scroll back to page 32 of this thread, you'll see some more covers by him.

Cheers,
Cronky

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 25 Oct 2022 21:36

briggia

Your cover is a Swanston.

Made covers in the late 40s & early 50s around the Lithgow area. Most had a simple "First Day Cover" printed in top left corner & occasionally some were embellished like yours above.

: Swanston fdc for the Centenary of the Melbourne Cup 5d stamp postmarked Bowenfels NSW, a suburb of Lithgow", cds on fdi - 12th October 1960. Also addressed to Glen's friend Norm Sheppard.

briggia · Post by **briggia** » 26 Oct 2022 19:09

Thanks everyone

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 28 Oct 2022 01:29

The Pom wrote: ↑22 Oct 2022 22:40 I've also seen this design attributed to the South Australian Stamp co. Again, what evidence there was for this claim, I don't know.

Note the addressee.

I acquired these today at Phoenix auctions. They were described as South Australian Stamp Company.

: Small Crown cachet fdc with ½d block of 4 Kangaroo stamps postmarked Ararat Vic cds on fdi - 3rd October 1938 to Leslie Grant of Ararat.

: Registered Small Crown cachet fdc at Truro SA for 9d Platypus stamp postmarked Truro SA cds on fdi - 1st September 1938 to Chicago Illinois.

I spoke to David Wood about this & he had no evidence but believed it was right. Thinking about the last South Australian Stamp Company confirmed cover we have is for the KGVI Coronation & the first Small Crown Cover we have is for the same issue & they went through to the start of WWII. So it is reasonable to assume that both were prepared by the South Australian Stamp Company. Personally I would like something a little more concrete than this.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 30 Oct 2022 10:54

Following the Phoenix auction last week I spoke to Paul Walker & Frank Pauer. Both were of the opinion the Small Crown covers are South Australian Stamp Company. South Australian Stamp Company was a large producer with a wide distribution & would be unlikely to disappear overnight. Small Crown seems to have that same wide distribution & is unlikely to have appeared from nowhere.

: From Phoenix Auction Catalogue number 95 - South Australian Stamp Company.

It would make sense that South Australian Stamp Company produce the "Small Crown" fdcs.

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 30 Oct 2022 12:10

Up in Far North Queensland now, and no reference books to hand, but Les Grant was a noted cover producer himself - when did he start?

My Grandfather and father were born in tiny Ararat, and dad was a friend of Grant .... I lived there for a while.

Glen

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 30 Oct 2022 15:51

Glen

MWP Chapter 11 has the story on Leslie Grant, starting servicing other makers covers in 1937.

They included South Australian Stamp Company, Mitchell of Perth, PMG, Small Crown & later Wide World, WCS & Excelsior.

Phoenix describes this cover with "First Day Cover" written in Grant's hand as the only example that has been seen of this pre-war fdc:

: Uncacheted fdc with 1938 Queen Elizabeth 1d green & KGVI 2d red die II stamps postmarked Ararat Vic cds on fdi - 1st August 1938 to Leslie Grant Ararat cachetmaker & postmaster.

A typed example, addressed to Leslie Grant, has been seen for the AIF issue in 1940.

The first cachet produced by Grant was the QEII 3½d red stamp. Copy below from MWP:

Unfortunately I don't have the real McCoy.

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 31 Oct 2022 15:50

The legendary Adelaide cover producer Arthur Bergen always used an Adana Eight-Five table top printing press. I always wondered how large it was.

Now I know -

Born on 24 May 1914, Bergen produced his First Cachet on 7 May 1935 for the New Zealand George the Fifth Silver Jubilee commemoratives - see below

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 03 Nov 2022 20:51

towradji wrote: ↑30 May 2019 03:33 Anyone know info about the FDCs produced by Bundaberg dealer JW Mordue in the early 1950s?

He worked from 6 Wyper St in Bundaberg Queensland.

Will try and load some scans when I return to Oz.

Did you ever load these up? As you can see above, there has been some recent Bundaberg activity.

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 12 Nov 2022 23:37

Has anyone seen this handstamp before?

Kiwidude · Post by **Kiwidude** » 26 Nov 2022 13:58

No joy there "The Pom"

I was hoping someone could answer your question.

Has anyone seen this handstamp before

As this cover is heading towards New Zealand.

Peter

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 26 Nov 2022 19:15

Not seen by me before.

Is town of postmark "Cassilis"

Ubobo.R.O. · Post by **Ubobo.R.O.** » 26 Nov 2022 19:17

Big Tones · Post by **Big Tones** » 02 Dec 2022 16:39

An interesting one that turned up in a postmark collection.

Lauren

Justin · Post by **Justin** » 02 Dec 2022 18:02

That art style looks familiar, but I'm not too familiar with either of the more well-known hand painted illustrated cachet makers to identify with certainty. I'm guessing its from either Ogden or Peake, one of the two.

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 02 Dec 2022 18:14

Justin wrote: ↑02 Dec 2022 18:02
I'm guessing it is from either Ogden or Peake, one of the two.

A very likely guess I'd say.

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 02 Dec 2022 19:00

That one is by Ogden. Nice find!

Big Tones · Post by **Big Tones** » 03 Dec 2022 06:56

The Pom wrote: ↑02 Dec 2022 19:00 That one is by Ogden. Nice find!

Thank you The Pom and Justin for the prompt feedback.

Lauren

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 03 Dec 2022 09:21

Justin wrote: ↑02 Dec 2022 18:02 That art style looks familiar, but I'm not too familiar with either of the more well-known hand painted illustrated cachet makers to identify with certainty. I'm guessing its from either Ogden or Peake, one of the two.

Ogden usually postmarked in Northern Suburbs of Melbourne while Peake postmarked in South Australia.

GYDAM · Post by **GYDAM** » 05 Dec 2022 17:01

A couple of covers in a 30+ eBay lot that I won two weeks ago -
1. Mitchell ... by Smyth?
2. Lawson ... by Edward Beaumont - this seems to be the "dark green" version.

Note postmarked GPO Sydney 110.

Cheers, Gordon

GYDAM · Post by **GYDAM** » 05 Dec 2022 17:04

Continuing ....

1. Von Meuller ... by Haslem,
2. Stamp Centenary ... by WideWorld.

Postmarked GPO Sydney 110, 116

Cheers, Gordon

GYDAM · Post by **GYDAM** » 05 Dec 2022 17:07

Continuing ....

1. 1948 Scouts ... by Miller Bros,
2. 1948 Scouts ... ???

Both postmarked GPO Sydney 110

Cheers, Gordon

GYDAM · Post by **GYDAM** » 05 Dec 2022 17:11

Continuing ...

Three "private" first day covers postmarked GPO Sydney 110, 118.
I like the hand-writing style!

Cheers, Gordon

GYDAM · Post by **GYDAM** » 05 Dec 2022 17:22

Continuing ...

1. 1946 Flight cover ... by ?? - Trans Australia Airlines Sydney to Melbourne 7 SEP 1946, back-stamped "PO Elizabeth St PBP Melbourne C1 9 SE 46".

2. 1947 Royal Wedding ... by Haslem, postmarked in error 2 NO 36 - should be 47!!!
This basic cachet (with a date change) was also used five years later for the 1d purple QE2 issue.

Pretty happy with this purchase, all up $22 for 30+ covers including postage!

Cheers, Gordon.

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 05 Dec 2022 18:44

GYDAM wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022 17:01

A couple of covers in a 30+ eBay lot that I won two weeks ago -
1. Mitchell ... by Smyth?
2. Lawson ... by Edward Beaumont - this seems to be the "dark green" version.

Note postmarked GPO Sydney 110.

Cheers, Gordon

The Lawson looks like the light green to me.

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 05 Dec 2022 18:46

GYDAM wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022 17:04

Continuing ....

1. Von Meuller ... by Haslem,
2. Stamp Centenary ... by WideWorld.

Postmarked GPO Sydney 110, 116

Cheers, Gordon

Happy to be corrected, but I believe the stamp centenary still awaits a positive identification.

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 05 Dec 2022 18:49

GYDAM wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022 17:07

Continuing ....

1. 1948 Scouts ... by Miller Bros,
2. 1948 Scouts ... ???

Both postmarked GPO Sydney 110

Cheers, Gordon

The second cover - the handwriting is that of Saville Sheard and my example is postmarked Brisbane, so there may be a Qld connection, though that is highly speculative.

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 05 Dec 2022 18:58

The Pom wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022 18:44
GYDAM wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022 17:01

A couple of covers in a 30+ eBay lot that I won two weeks ago -
1. Mitchell ... by Smyth?
2. Lawson ... by Edward Beaumont - this seems to be the "dark green" version.

Note postmarked GPO Sydney 110.

Cheers, Gordon
The Lawson looks like the light green to me.

This is the dark green version.

GYDAM · Post by **GYDAM** » 06 Dec 2022 09:23

The Pom wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022 18:58
The Pom wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022 18:44
GYDAM wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022 17:01

A couple of covers in a 30+ eBay lot that I won two weeks ago -
1. Mitchell ... by Smyth?
2. Lawson ... by Edward Beaumont - this seems to be the "dark green" version.

Note postmarked GPO Sydney 110.

Cheers, Gordon
The Lawson looks like the light green to me.
This is the dark green version.

1949-I02-O3.jpg

Thanks Chris ... Initially, I checked mine against the posting of Lakatoi4 at page 6 of this thread (6 Mar 2014) and it was definitely darker than that posting. Against yours, mine is exactly the same colouring so I guess that there may be some colour "intensity" lost in my original scan. You must have a better quality scanner than me!

Cheers, Gordon

GYDAM · Post by **GYDAM** » 06 Dec 2022 15:46

The Pom wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022 18:49
GYDAM wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022 17:07

Continuing ....

1. 1948 Scouts ... by Miller Bros,
2. 1948 Scouts ... ???

Both postmarked GPO Sydney 110

Cheers, Gordon
The second cover - the handwriting is that of Saville Sheard and my example is postmarked Brisbane, so there may be a Qld connection, though that is highly speculative.

So, if that second cover is by the hand of Saville Sheard, that means that these next six are too??

Plus these shown earlier??

So, I'm pretty happy with that $22 purchase .. purely for the interest.

Cheers, Gordon

GYDAM · Post by **GYDAM** » 06 Dec 2022 17:55

re my earlier post today ....

Have just discovered that Saville Sheard died 28 March 1949 - refer Stampboards thread "Saville Sheard First Day Cover Discussion" (page 2 - entry dated 10 May 2019). Therefore these covers -

can't be his handwriting as they were for issues late 1949, 1950 and 1951.

So, is there a question about the other covers shown earlier, too?

Cheers, Gordon

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 06 Dec 2022 18:52

On a second look, although it's similar, you are right that it can't be Sheard's hand.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 07 Dec 2022 02:10

Gordon

Definitely not Saville Sheard. Children were taught the skill of handwriting back then. Kids today have the handwriting that looks like "a thumbnail dipped in tar" & when I used to say that about the young master's hand writing, at parent teacher nights, the teachers had no idea what I was talking about

GYDAM · Post by **GYDAM** » 07 Dec 2022 16:38

BigSaint wrote: ↑07 Dec 2022 02:10
Gordon

Definitely not Saville Sheard. Children were taught the skill of handwriting back then. Kids today have the handwriting that looks like "a thumbnail dipped in tar" & when I used to say that about the young master's hand writing, at parent teacher nights, the teachers had no idea what I was talking about

They were also showing their ignorance of Australian literature!

Cheers, Gordon

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 07 Dec 2022 20:59

Sheard's 'S' looked nothing remotely at all like those Drummoyne covers.

pmc · Post by **pmc** » 07 Dec 2022 21:39

GYDAM wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022 17:07

I don't know who sent these FDCs, but I can tell you that the addressee, Joan Spruit, was born May 23, 1923, and was one of two daughters born to Henry Charles Spruit and Ruby Bowen. Joan qualified as a solicitor in 1947. She was engaged to Arthur Allan Crane in 1954.

: The Daily Telegraph, 25 July 1954

: The Farmer and Settler, 10 September 1954

She practiced under her maiden name, and died December 18, 2013, aged 90. She was mother to two daughters, Julie and Jennifer, and grandmother to four when she passed. She was interred on December 23, at Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, North Ryde, NSW.

GYDAM · Post by **GYDAM** » 17 Jan 2023 15:05

Picked up this item at Devonport (Tas) Stamp Club meeting auction last night for $8.

First day cover for Australia's 150th Anniversary (issued 1 OC 37) on a publicity cover for the 1938 Sydney exhibition.
Can't locate the cachet maker .... any ideas?

Exhibition cachet "stamp" on back ... also back-stamped at destination 2 OC 37 with the AIRMAIL HOBART TAS cds which is rated R in John Hardinge's reference. Pity about the rust toning but it might clean up a bit.

Also .... Manly (suburban Sydney) to Hobart, Tasmania IN ONE DAY! It takes up to a week now!

Cheers, Gordon

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 30 Jan 2023 03:30

Boans covers from Perth have been mentioned a few times in this thread. They were produced by Boans' Philatelic Society, formed by Boans' staff.

Does anyone know the operating address of the society? Was it operated from a private address, or did Boans allow their staff to carry out these activities on company time/premises?