Ref No.
1
Illustration
Type
First Day of use
Last Day of use
Page
G.R.I. / 3d Ovpt’d label
DEC 1914
29 AU 1915
16
26 AP 1915
14 SE 1915
17
16 SE 1915
25 SE 1918
18
7
555
2
M/s number (boxed)
3
German NG label With hyphen
3A 4
4A
4B
4C
4D
Ditto without hyphen N.S.W. label altered in m/s N.S.W. label with RABAUL h/s in purple ink
Deulon Label ovpt’d RABAUL Small RABAUL h/s with No. In m/s M/s No. in blue crayon or red ink
- 1 -
16 MY 1916 11 OC 1918 802
635*
25 OC 1916
04 NO 1918
6
48 (378)
24 JU 1916
19
20
21
Reg No.41
19 NO 1918
28 JA 1919
22
unknown
22 JA 1919
23
28 JA 1919 No. 126
31 MR1921
24
Patrick Williams
No. R 45
79
*Christoph Gartner Sale No 14 May 2002 175 Euros
Ref No.
Illustration
Type
5
Black printed label Type “F”
5A
As above but letter “B” after number
5B
As type 5 but “no stop” after Rabaul
5C
Rubber stamp “Post Office Rabaul No” + m/s number
5D
Herbertsöhe Label used At Rabaul
5E
Kokopo label used at Rabaul
First Day of use
Last Day of use
Page
05 MR 1919
10 SE 1921
25
03 MY 1921 30 MR 1922
26
130B
3703B
24 AP 1922
30 DE 1922
4081
6651
27 JA 1920
17 MR 1920
28 32
31 JY 1918
UNKNOWN
29
849
21 JY 1922 1062
- 2 -
27
29
ABL Collection
Ref No.
Type
First Day of use
Last Day of use
5 AP 1923 18
15 JA 1929
6
A
16 MY 1928
18 AP 1932
6a
A
20 JL 1931
23 SE 1938
7
B
32
24 AP 1935
28 DE 1935
8
C
33
27 AP 1937
8 MR 1939
9
D
34
10 (a)
E
18 MY 1937 24 MY 1939
35
10 (b)
Illustration
m/s
E machine
- 3 -
Page
No.14131 20 JL 1938
16 MY 1939
35
Ref No.
Type
First Day of use
Last Day of use
Page
11
German NG label
16 AU 1916
20 AU 1919
36
11A
Black label Type “F”
10 SE 1922
11 SE 1922
37
12
C
20 MY 1937 29 MY 1939
38
12A
A
12 AU 1929
25 SE 1932
39
13
C
15 AP 1934
12 SE 1939
40
Illustration
267
14
A
28 SE 1926
16 JU 1931
11
14A
15
M/s in blue or black ink
P
27 OC 1931
MAY 1934
19 AU 1935
647
16
K
- 4 -
7 SE 1935
18 MR 1939
Ref No.
Illustration
Type
First Day of use
Last Day of use
Page
17
BULOLO
B
UNKNOWN
22 JA 1942
45
C
27 JL 1934
24 DE 1934
46
17A
?1937
17B
G
UNKNOWN
30 AU 1932
18
J
18 MY 1937
2 JL 1938
No 794/7
K
22 MY 1941
19A
B
22 MY 1941
20
A
14 JU 1932
05 SE 1941
B
UNKNOWN
14 DE 1939
A
21 SE 1930
23 NO 1936
19
20A
20F
BULWA
EDIE CREEK
40
20G
- 5 -
47
Ref No.
Illustration
21
Type
First Day of use
Last Day of use
A
15 MY 1930
16 OC 1934 1152 ABL Collectiom
GASMATA
D/B
30 MR 1938
20 JA 1939
21B
Black label type “F”
9 NO 1923
UNKNOWN
22
Black label type “F”
18 SE 1922
UNKNOWN
Rubber stamp + No in m/s
21 JU 1916
21A
22A
22B
Reg No. & town name in m/s in red ink
454
29 JY 1919 482
22 JA 21
unknown
No. 1218
23
J
13 MR 1932 13 MR 1939
23B
J
24 OC 1938
16 FE 1939
23C
A
24 NO 1926
22 AU 1931
2309
- 6 -
2443
Page
Ref No.
Illustration
24
25
KIETA
Type
First Day of use
Last Day of use
German NG reg label
11 JA 1916
16 DE1916
M/S in red pencil
14 OC 1918
No. 917
18 AP 1919
No. 1247
unknown
M/S in blue crayon
14 OC 1917
Black label Type “F”
19 JA 1922
Red label Type “F”
21 NO 1924
UNKNOWN
28
L
02 AU 1934
7 OC 1937
28A
C
07 SE 1935
14 JL 1940
29
A
12 OC 1927
6 AP 1933
25A
26
27
KIETA
No.1242
No.377
Victoria Stamp Co - Auction #22: 10 Feb 2007
29a
- 7 -
26 MR 1924
Page
Ref No.
Illustration
30
30a
33
34
35
First Day of use
Last Day of use
German NG reg label
1 NO 1915
30 DE 1917
German NG reg label
13 OC 1916
NSW label ovptd Kokopo
31
32
Type
KOKOPO
8
27 SE 1918
Deulon label ovptd Kokopo
Red label Type “F”
8 SE 1918
7 OC 1918
31 DE 1918
24 NO 1919
5 JL 1925
09 MR 1927 18 MY 1937
A G
174 22 JL 1932
18 NO 1937 No.526
35a (x)
G
35B
K
- 8 -
28 JN 1939
Page
Ref No.
Illustration
GNG label of F.W. Used at Madang
35c
36
Type
MADANG
Red label Type “F” Reg number only in red or blue crayon
36A
First Day of use
Last Day of use
20 MR 1917
20 NO 1917
2 DE 1925
UNKNOWN
15 AP 1918
22 AU 1919
36B
Black label Type “F”
NOV 1921
3 NO 1925
37
A
21 MY 1925
19 JL 1932
L
UNKNOWN
10 OC 1938
B
8 OC 1932
18 JL 1934 1003
38 38A
MADANG
ABL Coll’n
39
Black label Type “F”
FEB 1922
20 SE 1922
39A
A
20 AP 1927
9 FE 1935 724
39B
C
1 NO 1938
10 FEB 1940 302
- 9 -
Page
Ref No.
40 41
Illustration
Type
First Day of use
Last Day of use
H
27 AU 1930
16 AP 1932
No.100
Joyce Kemp col.
28 MY 1917
23 AU 1919
German NG label
No. 8, 18 & 26
42
42A
Rubber stamp with number in m/s
29 DE 1919
21 JL 1920
Black label Type “F”
4 AP 1922
1 JA 1923
12/19
43
German NG label
24 JA 1917
14 NO 1919
44
Black label Type “F”
10 DE 1920
22 DE 1923
A
01 JL 1929
20 AP 1931
44A
E Bay FE 07
44B
C 44C
G
- 10 -
20 MY 1935
13 DE 1939
20 AP 1931
6 JY 1935
Page
Ref No.
Type
First Day of use
Last Day of use
45
H
10 MY 1930
30 MY 1932
45A
I
30 OC 1939
UNKNOWN
46
G
22 MR 1932
5 OC 1933
Illustration
46A
D
2145
1631
25 FE 1938
28 AU 1941 782
47
C
27 JL 1934
4 JU 1938
887
48a
Talasea - Registered in m/s Number (100) in blue crayon
M/s in black ink
1920
48
A
21 MR 1932
15 NO 1937
49
M/s in red ink
2 OC 1931
20 DE 1932
(1)
49 (2)
49 (4)
1066 M/s in black ink
M/s (Registered in full)
- 11 -
11 JL 1932
11 OC 1932
11 AU 1930
UNKNOWN
Page
Ref No.
49A
49B
Illustration
Type
L
D
First Day of use
Last Day of use
7 OC 1933
14 JA 1936
11 MY 1939
18 SE 1941 1550
50
N
51A
O Number in m/s
51B
O Number by machine
52
M
18 MY 1937
30 SE 1937
28 DE 1936
11 NO 1937
No.2964
SEP 1937
20 AU 1930
19 DE 1934
A.28
53
G
2 AU 1932
29 SE 1937 (7 MY 38)?
54
K
UNKNOWN
21 AU 1940
- 12 -
Page
Type:
German NG Label.
Ref
Post Offices
Eitape Kieta Fried-Wilhelmshafen Herbertshöhe Kokopo (Ovpt DEULON) Morobe Namatanai Rabaul
11 24 35a 29c 31 41 43 01
Period of use 1914 - 1919
Type:
Black label Type “F”
Ref
Post Offices
Eitape Buka Passage Kieta Madang Manus Morobe Namatanai Rabaul
11A 14B 26 36B 39 42A 44 5ab
Period of use
1919 - 1925
Type:
Red Label Type “F”
Ref
Post Offices
Kieta Kokopo Madang
27 33 36
Period of use
1919 - 1925
Type:
Manuscript marks
Ref
Post Offices
Madang Morobe Wau Rabaul
36A 42 49 02
Period of use
1915 - 1933
- 13 -
Type:
“A”
Ref
Post Offices
Aitape Buka Passage 20 Finschhafen Gasmata Kavieng Kieta Kokopo Madang Manus Talasea Wiwiak Rabaul
12A 14
Edie Creek
20F 21 23C 29 34 37 39A 48 52 6/ 6a
Period of use
1923 - 1937
Type:
“B”
Ref
Post Offices
Bulolo Bulwa Edie Creek Madang Rabaul
17 19A 20A 38A 07
Period of use
1931 - 1941
Type:
“C”
Ref
Post Offices
Aitape Angoram Bulolo Kieta Manus Namatanai Salamaua Rabaul
12 13 17A 28A 39B 44B 47 08
Period of use
1934 - 1940
Type:
“D”
Ref
Post Offices
Rabaul Gasmata Salamaua Wau
09 21A 46A 49B
Period of use
April 1937 - May 1940
- 14 -
Type:
“E”
Ref
Post Offices
Rabaul Rabaul
10a 10b
Period of use
May 1937 - May 1939
Type:
“G”
Ref
Post Offices
Bulolo Lae 44C Salamaua Wewak
17B 35
Namatanai
46 53
Period of use
April 1931 - Sept 1937
Type:
“H”
Ref
Post Offices
Marienberg Salamoa
40 45
Period of use
March 1929 - May 1932
Type:
“I”
Ref
Post Offices
Salamoa
45
Period of use
March 1929 - May 1932
- 15 -
1
Rabaul. Ref No: 01
Type: G.R.I./3d. Overprinted
Period of use
first: Last:
DEC 1914 29 AUG 1915
The German registration labels were largely destroyed by the defeated post office officials but a few sheets did survive and were returned to Rabaul where they were overprinted GRI and 3d. The vast majority were bought as philatelic souvenirs by the troops and sold on to overseas stamp dealers. Of those that saw genuine postal use only a very few were actually used as registration labels, the rest were used to prepay postage. The letter below originated from the HMAS “Una� on 5th Jan 1915 and was posted in Rabaul. The Kieta reg label appears to have been applied for the purpose of registration and is the only recorded use of this label at Rabaul.
- 16 -
2.
Rabaul Three examples of the hand written (unboxed) censor marks used over a period of six months in 1915.
Ref No: 02
Type: manusript marks
Period of use
first: Last:
27 APRIL 1915 14 SEPT 1915
Registered m/s mark 1251 in ink with Rabaul and 12 added in blue crayon (12d = 1/indicating total rate). Commercial mail sent 14 Sept 1915 which is latest recorded date for m/s registration.
Registered mark 1041X on letter from Rabaul to Paris sent 7th June 1915. Rate is 21/2d. overseas rate + 3d. reg fee.
Registered letter from post office official at Rabaul sent 18th May 1915. Manuscript mark R1002 and rate is 21/2d.. This item is uncensored.
- 17 -
3.
Rabaul. Ref No: 03
Type: German type label (with hyphen)
Period of use
first: Last:
13 OCT 1914 11 SEPT 1918
Registered letter from Rabaul to Melbourne dated 16 NG 15. (Deutsch-Neuguinea)
German New Guinea registration labels are found quite frequently on mail from Rabaul. However the label in which “Deutsch-Neuguinea� is hyphenated (ref No.3) is much more common than type 3a (no hyphen).
- 18 -
3a.
Rabaul. Ref No: 03a
Type: German type label (without hyphen)
Period of use
first: Last:
Above: Earliest recorded use of German reg label during occupation.
Right: Registered letter from Rabaul to Switzerland dated 11 OC 18. (Deutsch Neuguinea)
- 19 -
13 OCT 1914 11 OCT 1918
4.
Rabaul. Ref No: 4
Type: NSW label Rabaul in m/s (black ink)
Period of use
first: 25 OCT 1916 Last: 10 NOV 1918
Max Bulley has recorded the first day of use as 25 October 1916 (Reg No. 6) and the last day is as seen on the letter (front) shown here. One other example has been recorded by Max, this is Reg No. 370 dated 22 October 1918, so it is possible that eightt others were sent between 22/10/18 and 10/11/18.
- 20 -
4a.
Rabaul. Ref No: 4A
Type: NSW label RABAUL handstamp (16 x 3 mm)
Period of use
first: Last:
24 JUNE 1916 25 OCT 1916
These are the only examples, so far recorded, of this label in which the post office name “RABAUL� has been applied by a rubber handstamp in purple ink.
- 21 -
4b. Rabaul. Ref No: 04B
Type: GNG Deulon reg label with RABAUL h/s opt in purple or black ink
Period of use
first: Last:
NOVEMBER 1918 28 JAN 1919
Captured Deulon labels were returned to Rabaul where a small number were overprinted GRI and 3d The remainder, also in small numbers, were overprinted RABAUL and appeared, mainly on philatelic mail, over a period of 2 - 3 months between the dates shown above. Registered philatelic cover from Rabaul to California, sent 28 JA 1919. This is the last recorded date of use for the overprinted Deulon label (Ref no. 4B)
An unoverprinted DEULON registration label used at Rabaul on 20th. Dec 1918.
- 22 -
4c.
Rabaul. Ref No: 04C
Type: Small RABAUL h/s and Reg + number in
red ink. Dimensions Town name
sans
19 mm in length 21/2 mm in height
Period of use
first:
unknown
The interesting point about this registration h/s is that the dimensions of the rubber stamped “RABAUL� in sans serif capitals, 19 x 2.5 mm is identical with that used for overprinting the Deulon label (ref 4a.). It appears that the same rubber hand stamp was used to produce each label. Two almost identical covers are known, numbered 43 and 88, which raises the question of how many other exist with numbers between the two. Indeed in June 2007 the Spanish auction house of Soler e Lachs sold another example numbered 50 (250 euros)
Registered philatelic cover from Rabaul to Berne in Switzerland, sent 22 JA 1919. This is one of a pair of almost identical envelopes.
- 23 -
4d. Rabaul. Ref No: 4D
Type: Manuscript in either red ink or
blue crayon Period of use
- 24 -
first: Last:
28 APRIL 1919 31 MARCH 1921
5.
Rabaul. Ref No: 5 (Leven No. 7)
Type: “F” Black label (stop after town name)
Period of use
first: Last:
05 MARCH 1919 10 SEPT 1921
Philatelic cover from Rabaul to London dated 23rd October 1919
Registered commercial letter from Rabaul to Stockholm dated 24th April 1919. This is the second earliest recorded date of use for this registration label. (Christie’s Melbourne 4 Nov 1994 - lot 616)
- 25 -
5a.
Rabaul. Ref No: 5A (Leven No. 7)
Type: “F” Black label (stop after town name) Letter “B” after number
Period of use
first: Last:
03 MAY 1921 30 MARCH 1922
These black labels were printed in Australia. The labels showing a square full stop after the town name are found far more often than type 5B which has no stop after RABAUL. However it is often difficult to see the stop separately from the “L” without the aid of a magnifying glass. Care must be taken. Letter from Rabaul to Bristol. Dated 3rd May 1921. Reg label is type 5A (letter B after No.) Earliest recorded date of use for this type.
A small registered letter from Rabaul to Germany dated 20th February 1922.
- 26 -
5b. Rabaul. Ref No: 5b (Leven No. 7)
Type: “F” Black label (No stop after town name)
Period of use
first: Last:
24 APR 1922 30 DEC 1922
NEW GUINEA - NWPI 1922 (25th Oct) Registered cover Rabaul to Sydney. Franked KGV 1d and 4d violet fifth setting type 2 tied by Rabaul cds (Powell Type 57 N of Britain reserved). Alongside black Rabaul reg'd label. Backstamped Rabaul - same type, Sydney registered. Ex Banwell - sold by Stanley Gibbons Australia, 20th June 2007
NEW GUINEA - NORTH WEST PACIFIC ISLANDS Fabulous 1922 cover to Scone NSW franked KGV 2d orange Perf OS (SG O18), along with a block/4 1d violet tied by "Rabaul 16 Oct 22" c.d.s. and backstamped "Sydney 1 NO 22" plus handstamp "The Treasury Rabaul 16 Oct Rec'd". Probably philatelic, however fine example of "mixed" franking. See photo. $2,000.00
- 27 -
5c.
Rabaul. Ref No: 5c Period of use
Rubber stamp “Post Office Rabaul No� + m/s number first: 20 JAN 1920 Last: 17 MAR 1920
NEW GUINEA - NWPI 1920 (29th Jan) registered cover to Moudon Switzerland. Franked 10/- Kangaroo (4th setting) type (c), tied Rabaul cds. Alongside Provisional registration stamp Post Office Rabaul No (3 in manuscript). Backstamped Moudon. Clean and attractive, rare usage. Ex David Banwell collection - sold by Gibbons Australia in June 2007
- 28 -
5d. Rabaul - use of Hebertshรถhe label. Ref No: 5d Period of use
- 29 -
Herbertshรถhe registration label used at Rabau. first: 31 July 1918 Last: 31 July 1918
5e.
Rabaul - use of Kokopo label.
- 30 -
6.
Rabaul. Ref No: 6
Type: Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 12 mm in height Colour - violet ink 24 mm in length 4 mm in height 41 x 13 mm 5 APRIL 1923 15 JANUARY 1929
Type “A” registration showing earliest recorded date (5 APRIL 1923).
22nd June 1924
- 31 -
6a.
Rabaul.
Ref No: 6A
Type:
Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
12 mm wide across centre 12 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - violet ink 26 mm in length 4.5 mm in height
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
28 MAY 1927 18 APR 1932
Type “A” is a rubber hand stamped registration mark introduced at Rabaul at the start of the Mandated Territory. (Ref No 6.) A second, similar hand stamp came into use some 5 years later, the main point of difference being in the dimensions of the word “RABAUL” . This has been allocated the reference number 6A
Type 6a - Town name = 26mm in length; dated 28 MY 1927 (E.R.D.) E Bay Jan 2004 - £14.00
- 32 -
7.
Rabaul. Ref No: 7
Type: Rubber Stamp type “B”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
10 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 131/2 mm in height Colour - black / purple ink 31 mm in length 41/2 mm in height 48 x 14 mm 20 JULY 1931 23 SEPT 1938
This is one of two types with a seriffed “R” and sans-serif town name. However, this differs from type “D” (ref no. 9) on two counts:1) The overall dimension of the hand stamp is 48 x 41/2 mm in type “B” compared with 51 x 13 mm in type “D” 2) The word “NO” is different in the two types. In type “B” the “N” is bigger than the “O” whereas in type “D” they are of equal size.
- 33 -
8.
Rabaul. Ref No: 8
Type: Rubber Stamp type “C”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name Overall Period of use
10 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - black ink sans 28 mm in length 5 mm in height 51 x 13 mm first: 24 APRIL 1935 Last: 28 DEC 1935 *
Type “C” has both the “R” and the town name in seriffed capitals. Examples are known from AITAPE, BULOLO, KIETA, MANUS, NAMATANAI and SALAMAUA. The RABAUL mark is quite rare and so far appears to have been in use during the period April to November 1935. No doubt other examples exist in collections. The point which makes this type easily identifiable is the tail to the “R” of RABAUL. Stu Leven gave this mark the ref number 14.
- 34 -
9.
Rabaul. Ref No: 9
Type: Rubber Stamp type “D”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name Overall Period of use
9 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - purple ink sans 301/2 mm in length 41/2 mm in height 51 x 13 mm first: 27 APRIL 1937 Last: 8 MARCH 1939
Type “D” has “R” with seriffs and the town name in sans serif large case letters. Other examples are known from GASMATA, SALAMAUA and WAU. The RABAUL mark is quite rare and appears to have been in use for a period of approximately two years. The point which makes this type easily identifiable is the word “NO.”. The N and O are of equal size and are followed by a clear full stop. Leven gave this mark the ref number 15.
- 35 -
10.
Rabaul. Ref No: 10
“a”
Type: Rubber Stamp type “E”
Dimensions: Town name
sans
Overall
“b”
Period of use (a) (b)
first: Last: first Last
Colour - purple ink 231/2 mm in length 4 mm in height 28 x 12 mm 18 MAY 1937 24 MAY 1939 20 JULY 1938 16 MAY 1939
This registration mark is unusual in not having a large “R” in front of the town name. Usually struck in purple ink, there are two types; type “a” in which the number has been added in manuscript, and type “b” in which the number has been applied by machine (or possibly a hand stamp).
Registered Coronation Cover posted 20 July 1938 - the earliest recorded date for Type 10B
This cover shows the ERD of use of Type 10b; it seems possible that the machine for numbering this registration mark was brought into use at Rabaul to cope with the Coronation issue. Several hundred covers may exist bearing this date.
- 36 -
11.
Eitape. Ref No: 11
Type: German NG label
Dimensions: “R�
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
8 mm wide across centre 9 mm wide across foot 12.4 mm in height 9 mm in length 2.5 mm in height 40 x 16.1 mm (frame size) 16 AUGUST 1916 20 AUG 1919
Reg No. 255 on philatelic cover cancelled 4th October 1918. Offered in Vogenbeck Auction No. 52 on 12th April 2003, est. 180 Euros.
- 37 -
11a. Eitape. Ref No: 11A Type “F” black label Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
5.4 mm wide across centre 6.4 mm wide across foot 9.3 mm in height Colour - black 12 mm in length 2 mm in height 40 x 16.3 mm (frame size) 10 SEP 1922 11 SEP 1922
The use of the black label (type “F”) was very limited. So far I have knowledge of three labels. These are numbered 65, 68 (cancelled 10 Sept 1922) and 66 (cancelled 11 Sept 1922).
- 38 -
12.
Aitape. Ref No: 12
Type: Rubber Stamp type “C”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
serif
Overall Period of use
First Last
10 mm wide across centre 12 mm wide across foot 14 mm in height Colour - black ink 27 mm in length 51/2 mm in height 55 x 13 mm 20 MAY 1937 29 MAY 1939
E Bay - April 2007 Est £125.00
A “Woodman” cover from Aitape to Ambunti showing an example of the type “C” registration mark. Very few have been recorded at Aitape (Ref No 12.). The registration numbers known are 26 (e.r.d. 20 May 1937), 35 (above), 39 (22 May 1937) and 48 (right). This is a scanned copy and the registration mark has been enhanced.
- 39 -
13.
Aitape. Ref No: 12A
Type: Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 111/2 mm in height Colour - purple ink 23 mm in length 4 mm in height 401/2 x 12 mm 12 AUG 1929 25 SEPT 1932
In the original report by Max Bulley, a type “A” registration mark was not listed for AITAPE. Recently however two examples have come to light, so the number 12a has been assigned to this mark. The example shown here is dated 12th August 1929 which is the earliest recorded date, the other example, dated 25 Sept 1932 is in a collection in Germany.
The DISTRICT OFFICE * EITAPE * CDs (Powell 34) has been applied to the back of this letter and is dated AUG 1929 (no day) thus verifying the date of the registration mark.
- 40 -
13.
Angoram. Ref No: 13
Type: Rubber Stamp type “C”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
serif
Overall Period of use
First Last
10 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - purple ink 33.5 mm in length 4.5 mm in height 51 x 13 mm 15 APRIL 1934 12 SEPT 1939
A registered Coronation cover from Angoram to Wewak, sent 20 MY 37, arr 31 MY. PM’s signature LL cnr.
- 41 -
14.
Buka Passage. Ref No: 14
Type: Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
serif
Overall Period of use
- 42 -
first Last
11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - black or purple 27 mm in length 4 mm in height 41 x 13 mm 28 SEPT 1925 16 JUNE 1931
14a. Buka Passage. Ref No: 14A Dimensions: Overall Period of use
- 43 -
Type: M/S in blue/black ink
first Last
48 x 15 mm 27 OCT 1931 not recorded
15.
Buka Passage. Ref No: 15
Type:
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name Overall Period of use
- 44 -
Rubber Stamp type “P”
19 mm wide across centre 21 mm wide across foot 25 mm in height Colour - purple ink sans 51 mm in length 7 mm in height 83 x 25 mm first MAY 1934 Last 19 AUGUST 1935
16.
Buka Passage. Ref No: 16
Type:
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name Overall Period of use
- 45 -
Rubber Stamp type “K”
9 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - purple ink sans 37 mm in length 3 mm in height 50 x 13 mm first 7 SEP 1935 Last 13 MAR 1939
17.
Bulolo.
Bulolo Type B not yet seen.
- 46 -
17a. Bulolo. Ref No: 17A
Type:
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
Rubber Stamp type “C”
10 mm wide across centre 12 mm wide across foot 14 mm in height Colour - black ink 27 mm in length 5.5 mm in height 42 x 14 mm 27 JULY 1934 24 DEC 1934
A Pittman Registered cover from Bulolo to Queensland sent 26 September 1934
- 47 -
17b. Bulolo. Ref No: 17B Type: Rubber Stamp type “G” Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
- 48 -
first Last
10 mm wide across centre 12 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - black ink 19 mm in length 3 mm in height 45 x 13 mm 30 AU 32 30 AU 32
18.
Bulolo. Ref No: 18
Type: Rubber Stamp type “J”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
- 49 -
first Last
10 mm wide across centre 11.5 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - black ink 26 mm in length 4 mm in height 50 x 13 mm 18 MY 37 2 JU 38
19.
Bulwa. Ref No: 19
Type: Rubber Stamp type “K”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
19a. Bulwa.
Ref No: 19A
first Last
22 MY 41
Type: Rubber Stamp type “B”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
9 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - black 19 mm in length 31/2 mm in height
first Last
10 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - black 19 mm in length 4 mm in height 41 x 14 mm 22 MY 41
The Bulwa registration mark is quite rare and is mainly found on the FDC’s of 22nd May 1941, most of which were addressed to Mrs E.V. Woodman (see illustration on page 9). The example shown is clearly a R/S type “B” and has been given the ref no. 19A. In Max Bulley’s original list he records the Bulwa reg mark as type “K” (Ref No 19), so I am assuming that there were two registration marks in use at Bulwa. However further investigation is needed to confirm this. Note that types “B” and “K” are similar in many respects.
- 50 -
20.
Edie Creek. Ref No: 20
Type: Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
EDIE CREEK
first Last
11 mm wide across centre 12 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - purple ink 31 mm in length 31/2 mm in height 45 x 13 mm 14 JULY 1932 05 SEPT 1941
was the site of the first gold mining operations in New Guinea. Gold was discovered in this area towards the end of 1926 and the early strikes were described as phenomenal. It was obviously essential to establish a registered postal service as quickly as possible, however due to the remoteness of the area it seems that the first registered mail dates from 1932. The CDs shown here dated 11 JL 35 is to be found on the envelope bearing the reg mark ref no. 20 (above) which is the latest recorded date of use of this mark.
- 51 -
20a. Edie Creek. Ref No: 20A
Type: Rubber Stamp type “B”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
- 52 -
first Last
10 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - black ink ? 34 mm in length 4 mm in height 45 x 13 mm not recorded 14 DE 39
20f. Finchhafen. Ref No: 20F
Type: Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 12 mm in height Colour - black ink 34 mm in length 4 mm in height 46 x 13 mm 21 SEPT 1930 23 NOV 1936
Despite the fact that Finschhafen was the headquarters of the Lutheran Missionary Society for many years, and much postal material has survived in collections, there is very little registered mail around. In Bulley’s original list there was no mention of Finschhafen. However, the cover shown here is in my collection so I have assigned this ref no. 20F.
- 53 -
20g. Finschhafen This item was sent in 1934, arriving Brisbane at the end of September (possibly 19th). The status of the m/s registration mark is very doubtful. The addressee is a well known philatelist.
. - 54 -
21.
Gasmata. Ref No: 21
Type:
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
Rubber Stamp type “A”
11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 12 mm in height Colour - purple ink 25 mm in length 3 mm in height 41 x 12 mm 15 MAY 1930 09 OCT 1933
An Iremonger cover from Gasmata to Bristol showing a late recorded date of the Gasmata registration mark type “A” - ref no. 21. At least 8 covers were sent on this date.
- 55 -
21a. Gasmata.
GASMATA
Ref No: 21a
Type: Rubber Stamp type “B”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
9 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - unknown 36 mm in length 41/2 mm in height unknown 30 MARCH 1938 20 JAN 1939
All postal material from Gasmata is rare. Max Bulley recorded only one registered mark in his original list (ref no. 21) but later type “B” appeared and was given the no 21A. So far I have not had the opportunity to see an example of 21A so details are sketchy.
- 56 -
21b. Gasmatta. Ref No: 21B
Type “F” black label
Dimensions: Dimensions cannot be accurately presented as I have only had access to a scanned image of this item. Period of use
First Last
09 NOV 23 09 NOV 23
An Iremonger cover from Gasmata to Bristol, sent 9th November 1923 which is the only recorded date of this Gasmatta registration label type “F” - ref no. 21B. Knowing the habits of Rev Iremonger it seems likely that several similar covers were sent from Gasmatta on November 9th 1923. However this is the only one I have recorded to date. This item appeared as lot 1016 in Premier Philatelic Auctions sale 84 on 2/12/2000. The estimate of A$250 was exceeded by over A$1200.
- 57 -
22.
Kaewieng.
Ref No: 22
Type:
Black printed label Type “F”
Period of use
first Last
18 SE 22 unknown
- 58 -
22a. Kaewieng.
22b. Kaewieng.
- 59 -
23.
Kavieng. Ref No: 23
Type: Rubber Stamp type “J”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
10 mm wide across centre 13 mm wide across foot 14 mm in height Colour - purple ink 21 mm in length 3 mm in height 45 x 14 mm 13 MARCH 32 13 MARCH 39
23a. Kavieng. Ref No: 23A
Type: Rubber Stamp type “J”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
- 60 -
first Last
10 mm wide across centre 121/2 mm wide across foot 141/2 mm in height Colour - purple ink 22 mm in length 31/2 mm in height 45 x 14 mm 11 SEPT 1936 not recorded
23b. Kavieng. Ref No: 23B
Type: Rubber Stamp type “J”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 14 mm in height Colour - black or purple ink 24 mm in length 41/2 mm in height 51 x 14 mm 18 MAY 1937 * 13 MARCH 1939 *
Coronation cover posted at Kavieng on 18 May 1937 - earliest recorded date for Reg mark 23B - type “J”. This cleanly applied mark is 51 x 14 mm in overall size which suggests it is a different type to others. . However the horizontel line below the number is 37 mm in all cases
- 61 -
23c. Kavieng. Ref No: 23C
Type: Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
11 mm wide across centre 12 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - black ink 28 mm in length 4 mm in height 41 x 12 mm 27 MARCH 1927 15 AUGUST 1929
The difficulty in recording accurate measurement of the hand struck registration marks is well illustrated by the two examples of the Kavieng type “A” mark shown here. The town name in the cleanly struck top mark measures exactly 28 x 4 mm whereas the lower strike is 29 x 5 mm. However they are both type “A” and have the ref no 23C. The reasons for this variation can be threefold; 1) wear and tear of the rubber hand stamp *, 2) over inking of the device, 3) heavy application to the envelope. One or all of these factors may apply at any time.
A registered commercial letter from Kavieng to Sydney dated 27/3/27 - the first recorded use of the registered hand stamp. Compare the appearence with that of the second mark above which was taken from a cover dated 15/8/29, some 21/2 years down the line and the last date recorded for this mark.
- 62 -
24.
Kieta. Letter from Kieta to UK showing ERD for German type Reg label 11 Jan 1916
25.
Kieta.
- 63 -
25a. Kieta. Ref No: 25A
Manuscript in blue crayon
Period of use
first Last
14 OCT 1917 unknown
Three covers are known, the others having the reg nos. 1242 and 1244. They all bear Australian stamps (2 are large O S perf) addressed to a well known stamp dealer in Frodsham. The unusual feature of this mark is that the registered number is preceeded by a capital “K” and not by the more usual capital “R”. (possibly an “R” with missing top loop!) As the mark appears on three very similar philatelic covers it is possible that they were sent to Kieta in a “pre-prepared” state by Mr Davies and he was responsible for the “K”.
- 64 -
26.
Kieta. Ref No: 26
Type “F”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
- 65 -
first Last
Black label
5.4 mm wide across centre 6.1 mm wide across foot 9.5 mm in height Colour - black 10 mm in length 2 mm in height 40 x 16 mm (frame size) 19 JAN 1922 26 MAR 1924
27.
Kieta.
Red Label - Type F
- 66 -
28.
Kieta. Ref No: 28
Type:
Rubber Stamp type “L”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
12 mm wide across centre 14 mm wide across foot 15 mm in height Colour - black 26 mm in length 4 mm in height 60 x 16.5 mm 2 AUG 1934 7 OCT 1937
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
KIETA ref 28 (type “L”) - was in use for just over 3 years and examples are rare. The cover shown here is of philatelic origin but is the earliest recorded date for this registration mark. (Bulley collection).
- 67 -
28a. Kieta.
- 68 -
29.
Kieta. Ref No: 29
Type:
Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 11.5 mm in height Colour - purple 19 mm in length 4 mm in height 42 x 13 mm 12 OCT 1927 06 APR 1933
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
A commercial registered letter sent from Kieta on 12 October 1927 (ERD for the type “A” mark), addressed to Honolulu, Hawaii.
- 69 -
29b. Kieta.
- 70 -
29.
Kieta.
Ref No: 29
Type:
Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 12 mm in height Colour - black 20 mm in length 4 mm in height 40 x 13 mm 13 JAN 1932 6 APRIL 1933
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
KIETA ref 29 (type “A”) appears to have had quite a short life. The only two examples I have seen are both on Iremonger covers dated 1st July 1932, each cancelled with the large “POST OFFICE - KIETA” postmark (Powell ref. 70). The reg number has been added in pencil, the other example bearing the number 8832 suggesting that at least 16 such items were despatched on that date. An interesting point about this mark is the large gap between “R” and the “K” of the town name (6.5 mm)
- 71 -
30.
Herbertshรถhe. Ref No: 29C
Type: German NG reg label
Period of use
First: 5 OCTOBER 1915 * Last: 30 DECEMBER 1917
Registered commercial cover from Herbertshรถhe to New Jersey - an early recorded date for use of this label by the Australian occupying force. The earliest date has been calculated from a cover cancelled on arrival in Hong Kong on 16 OCT 1915.
This label has no hyphen in Neuguinea. This letter sent on 16 Oct 1916.
- 72 -
30a. Herbertshรถhe. Deutsch Neu-Guinea (Hyphen)
2/- Brown type 'a' on 1918 (16 Mar) registered 'Wilson' cover to England tied by Kokopo (Powell type 14a) datestamp, German type Herbertshรถhe registration label. Stu Leven collection
- 73 -
31.
Kokopo. Ref No: 31
Type: N.S.W. Label ovptd Kokopo
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
italic
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
6 mm wide across centre 7 mm wide across foot 10.5 mm in height Colour - purple ink 16 mm in length 3 mm in height 37 x 13.5mm 4 SEPT 1918 7 OCT 1918
This registration label is seldom seen and may have remained in use for less than a month. The two examples illustrated here were sent on 4th Sept 1918 to the same destination. The town name “kokopo” was added by means of a rubber stamp and a new number was then added in a different ink (31 and 34 in the two examples here).
One of a pair of sequential philatelic covers sent from Kokopo to Switzerland on 4th Sept 1918.
- 74 -
32.
Kokopo.
Deulon label overprinted Kokopo
- 75 -
33.
Kokopo. Ref No: 33
Type “F”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
Red label
5.4 mm wide across centre 6.1 mm wide across foot 9.3 mm in height Colour - black 15 mm in length 2 mm in height 39.7 x 17 mm (frame size) 24 NOV 19 5 JUN 25
KOKOPO Ref 33 is the Type “F” red label and is quite rare. Max Bulley recorded one example dated June 1920, later adding an earlier FRD of 24 Nov 1919. The examples shown here extends the period of use by some 5 years to 5 June 1925. Powell wrote, in his monograph on the postal history of New Guinea, that the Kokopo datestamp seen here, in use between 1923 and 1926, had only been seen applied to the NWPI overprints. These examples show the use of this cancellation on the “hut” series of the Mandated Territory.
The registered letter illustrated on the right appeared in the Macray Watson auction of 24th June 2000. (est $300, sold for $380). Also posted on 5th June 1925 it is obviously one of several written by the same individual and must therefore be considered “philatelic”.
- 76 -
34.
Kokopo. Ref No: 34
Type: Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 111/2 mm in height Colour - purple ink 27 mm in length 4 mm in height 49 x 121/2 mm 9 MARCH 1927 3 SEPT 1934
Type “A” registration mark, Kokopo 9th March 1927 - the first recorded date of use for this mark at Kokopo. Note the use of either red crayon or black ink for this type (Ref No 34)
- 77 -
35.
Lae.
35a: Purple h/s, no in pencil m/s. Length = 40 mm (17 dots)
Ref No: 35.
Type: Rubber Stamp type “G”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
- 78 -
first Last
10 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 14 mm in height Colour - purple ink 9 mm in length 31/2 mm in height 40 x 14 mm 22 JLY 32 24 SEP 35
35a. Lae.
35a1; Purple h/s, No. in blue crayon m/s. Length = 45 mm.(21 dots)
Ref No: 35a
Type: Rubber Stamp type “G”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
10 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 14 mm in height Colour - purple ink 9 mm in length 31/2 mm in height 45 x 14 mm 22 JLY 32 18 NOV 1937 (No 526)
35a2: Black h/s, No. In black ink m/s. Length = 45 mm (21 dots) In Max Bulley’s original work he listed one registration mark for Lae (Ref: 35). However measurement of examples in my collection suggest that there may be two types, both identifiable as type “G”. The main differences between the two types are as follows: 1.) The overall length of the h/s from the left hand foot of the large “R” is 40 mm in type 35 and 45 mm in type 35a. 2.) The number of dots in the line after the word “No.” is 17 and 21 respectively. However further examples of type 35 need to be examined before this matter is resolved to my satisfaction The Pittman cover below is a very clean example of Type 35a and the number of dots under the number is 21. NB: the total number of dots is 22 including the full stop after “No.”
- 79 -
35b. Lae. No examples of this (type G) yet seen.
- 80 -
35b. Friedrich-Wilhelmshafen (used at Madang).
- 81 -
36.
Madang
- 82 -
36a. Madang Ref No 36A
Type: M/S in red/blue ink
Period of use first last
15 APR 1918 23 FEB 1925
Max Bulley recorded Manuscript registration markings at Madang between 15 April 1918 and 22 Aug 1919. However this cover which appeared in an Australian auction in Dec 2000 extends the date of use to 23 February 1925.
- 83 -
36b. Madang Ref No: 36B
Type: “F” Black reg label
Period of use:
first: Last:
NOVEMBER 1921 3 NOV 1925
The black type “F” label is rarely seen from Madang. The illustration here was taken from Christie’s (Melbourne) catalogue of 18th October 1993. A cover dated 3rd November 1925 addressed to London showing a black registration label “(very scarce)”. Sydney transit d.s.
1922 use of ½d & 5d (SG #102,5) on regd Iremonger cvr, cancelled with 'MADANG/26MY2•/·' (A1 - #P22), black RLabel. 400 T
- 84 -
37.
Madang. Ref No: 37
Type: Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 12 mm in height Colour - black ink 27 mm in length 4 mm in height 41 x 13 mm 21 MAY 1925 19 JLY 1932
O.H.M.S. Cover from the District Officer at Madang to the same official at Talasea (Woodman). This is the earliest recorded use of the Madang registration handstamp (ref 37) - type “A”. Note the transit time of 1 month.
- 85 -
38.
Madang
- 86 -
38a. Madang. Ref No: 38A
Type: Rubber Stamp type “B”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
12 mm wide across centre 14 mm wide across foot 161/2/17 mm in height Colour - purple 28 mm in length 4 mm in height 48 x 161/2 mm 8 SEP 1932 * 5 FEB 1933
MADANG Type “B” was not recorded in Bulley’s original article, so this Rubber h/s has been given the ref no. 38a. It has to be differentiated from no. 38 which is type “L” and which is very similar to this strike (the main difference is to be found in the full stop after “NO.” which is much more distinct in type “B”.)
- 87 -
39.
Manus. Ref No: 39
Type “F” black label
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
5.4 mm wide across centre 6.5 mm wide across foot 9.5 mm in height Colour - black 8 mm in length 2 mm in height 40 x 16.0 mm (frame size) FEB 1922 21 MARCH 1923
Registered “Iremonger” cover from Manus to Bristol dated 20 September 1922 - the latest recorded use of this registration label which had a life of less than a year and is seldom seen .
- 88 -
39a. Manus. Ref No: 39A
Type: Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 12 mm in height Colour - black ink 22 mm in length 4 mm in height 41 x 13 mm 20 APRIL 1927 03 AUG 1934
Registered mail from Manus is scarce. Commercial mail is also difficult to acquire. The letter shown here is a lovely commercial item from Manus showing the first recorded date of use of the Registered Manus rubber h/s type “A” (ref no. 39a). The measurements above are slightly larger than previously recorded but this is probably due to the heavy application and over inking, especially of the town name. The other example has been less heavily applied and the measurements are slightly less.
- 89 -
39a. Manus (cont.)
- 90 -
39b. Manus. Ref No: 39B
Type: Rubber Stamp type “C”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
10 mm wide across centre 12 mm wide across foot 14 mm in height Colour - purple ink 24 mm in length 5 mm in height 53 x 14 mm 1 NOVEMBER 1938 10 FEBRUARY 1940
Registered mail from Manus is scarce. The letter shown here is a philatelic item from Manus showing the use of the Registered Manus rubber h/s type “C” (ref no. 39b). Type “C” has both the “R” and the town name in seriffed capitals but the “NO” is sans seriff with the “N” being slightly larger than the “O”. This mark is much scarcer than type “A”, I have seen only a couple of examples.
- 91 -
40.
Marienberg. Ref No: 40
Type: Rubber Stamp type “H”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
7.5 mm wide across centre 8 mm wide across foot 12 mm in height Colour - black ink 30 mm in length 5 mm in height 44 x 12 mm 27 AUG 1930 (Reg No 100) 16 JULY 1932 (Reg No 178) One of several “Iremonger” covers sent from Marienberg on 19th May 1932. A similar item with Reg No. 143 appeared in Phillip’s sale in June 2000, est £160 - £180. Postage rate was 1/on that cover.
The front shown below was posted at Ambunti 16 July 1932 and the Marienberg registration h/s was applied probably 2 to 3 days later. This is the latest recorded date of use.
- 92 -
41.
Morobe. Ref No: 41
Type:
German NG label
Dimensions: “R�
serif
Town name
sans
8 mm wide across centre 8.5 mm wide across foot 12.0 mm in height 11.0 mm in length 2.7mm in height 41 x 16.5 mm (frame size) 29 MAY 1917 23 AUG 1919
Overall Period of use
first Last
Letter from Morobe to Bahamas dated 23/8/1919
Registered part cover posted 29th May 1917 showing use of Morobe German type reg label No.8. This is the earliest recorded date for this label during the time of the occupation.
- 93 -
42.
Morobe.
- 94 -
42a. Morobe. Ref No: 42
Type “F” black label
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
- 95 -
first Last
5.4 mm wide across centre 6.4 mm wide across foot 9.2 mm in height Colour - black 25.3 mm in length 2 mm in height 40 x 16.2 mm (frame size) 4 APRIL 1922 1 JAN 1923
43.
Namatanai. Ref No: 43
Type:
German NG label
Dimensions: “R�
serif
Town name
serif
8 mm wide across centre 9 mm wide across foot 11.9 mm in height 13.5 mm in length 3.9 mm in height 41 x 16 mm (frame size) 27 SEPT 1916 14 NOV 1919
Overall Period of use
- 96 -
first Last
43a. Namatanai.
- 97 -
44.
Namatanai. Ref No: 44
Type “F” black label
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
5.4 mm wide across centre 6.4 mm wide across foot 9.3 mm in height Colour - black 20.8 mm in length 2 mm in height 40 x 17 mm (frame size) 10 DEC 1920 22 DEC 1923
Letter from Namatanai to Sydney dated 22/12/1923
- 98 -
44a. Namatanai. Ref No: 44A
Type: Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 12 mm in height Colour - black ink 27 mm in length 5 mm in height 40 x 12 mm 01 JULY 1929 20 APRIL 1931
NAMATANAI - situated on the north east coast of New Ireland some 170 miles from Kavieng. The type “A” registration mark was not recorded by Max Bulley and was unknown until this Iremonger cover appeared in a PPS Auction at Bournemouth in October 2000. Although roughly struck it was the only recorded example of this mark at the time. The route taken was Rabaul, Sydney and Perth (WA).
This cover addressed to Oakland in California appeared on E Bay in Feb 2007 and is the ERD for this reg mark (1 July 1939). It sold for £75
- 99 -
44b. Namatanai. Ref No: 44B
Type: Rubber Stamp type “C”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
serif
Overall Period of use
- 100 -
first Last
12 mm wide across centre 13 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - purple ink 40 mm in length 5 mm in height 52 x 13 mm 20 MAY 1935 13 DEC 1939
44c. Namatanai. Ref No: 44C
Type: Rubber Stamp type “G”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
11 mm wide across centre 11.5 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - unrecorded 27 mm in length 3 mm in height 43 x 13 mm 24 SEP 1934 06 JULY 1935
Namatanai ref: 44C - the illustration above is taken from a photocopy of a cover in a UK collection. The handstamp differs slightly from other type “G” marks in that the “N” of “No” is sans serif. Other type “G” marks (Bulolo 17B, Lae 35, Salamaua 46 and Wewak 53 all have a seriffed “N”.
This O.H.M.S. cover shows a further example of the type “G” mark in which the “No” is sans serif. This is the earliest recorded example of this mark (ref 44C)
- 101 -
45.
Salamoa. Ref No: 45
Type: Rubber Stamp type “H”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
10 mm wide across centre 12 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - unrecorded 30 mm in length 5.5 mm in height 45 x 13 mm ? MAR 1929 30 MAY 1932
Registered letter from Salamoa to Belgium showing earliest recorded date of use of the type “H” mark for this post office.(Ref No. 45)
- 102 -
45a. Salamoa. Ref No: 45A
Type: Rubber Stamp type “I”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
9 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - unrecorded 30 mm in length 5.5 mm in height 44 x 13 mm 30 OCT 1929 unrecorded
SALAMOA REF: 45A was not described in Bulley’s reviews. I have seen one example (a photocopy) in the collection of a UK enthusiast. In fact this is the only example of this particular type in which both the “R” and the town name are sans serif and there is no “No” below the name Consequently I have assigned this type the letter “I”. It seems most likely that type “I” is a version of type “H” in which the “No” has been removed.
- 103 -
46.
Salamaua. Ref No: 46
Type: Rubber Stamp type “G”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
10 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - black ink 25.8 mm in length 3.75 mm in height 45 x 13 mm 22 MARCH 1932 5 OCTOBER 1933
SALAMAUA was the site of a large airfield which serviced the gold mining operations of the area. The cover shown here was carried on the first Guinea Airways flight from Salamaua to Port Moresby. It also bears Reg mark ref 46 (type “G”) and is the first recorded use of this mark. This mark is unusual in that although the town name is in sans serif letters the “No” appears with serifs.
- 104 -
46a. Salamaua. Ref No: 46A
Type: Rubber Stamp type “B”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
- 105 -
first Last
10 mm wide across centre 12 mm wide across foot 13.5 mm in height Colour - purple ink 43 mm in length 5 mm in height 56 x 13.5 mm 25 FEBRUARY 1938 28 AUGUST 1941
47.
Salamaua. Ref No: 47
Type: Rubber Stamp type “C”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
serif
Overall Period of use
Flight cover from Adelaide - Wau 21 April 1939, per Fokker Vll. Signed by pilots Ray Parer and W Schaufhausen. Placed into mail at Wau only on 5AU39 and registered at Salamaua. On 6th Aug 1939 the plane crashed at Sek killing thr pilot Schaufhausen and three priests.
- 106 -
first Last
11 mm wide across centre 13 mm wide across foot 15 mm in height Colour - purple or black ink 38 mm in length 5 mm in height 52 x 14 mm 27 JULY 1934 4 JUNE 1938
47a. Salamaua. Ref No: 47A?
Type: Rubber Stamp type “F?”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
serif
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
7 mm wide across centre 8 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - black ink 38 mm in length 41/2 mm in height 49 x 13 mm 25 FEB 1938 14 DEC 1939
Salamaua Ref 47A (Type “F”) - I’m not sure about this as I’ve only seen a photocopy. It would appear to be similar to No 47 (type “C”) except that the “R” is much thinner and would seem to be sans serif. I have provisionally allocated ref no. 47A to this mark and assigned it a new letter, type “F”
Close examination of the “NO” suggests the the “O” in 47a is the same size as the “N” whereas in type 47 it is slightly smaller.
Commercial air letter from Salamaua to Nuremberg showing use of a Registered hand stamp previously unrecorded. The “R” appears to be sans serif but it is possible that this may be due to under inking of the strike during application.
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48.
Talasea. Ref No: 48
Type: Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
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11 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 11.5 mm in height Colour - black / purple ink 28 mm in length 4 mm in height 41 x 12 mm 21 MARCH 1932 15 NOV 1937
49.
Wau. Ref No: 49
1)
Type: m/s (diff styles)
Dimensions: The dimensions vary as do the variety of writing implements and inks. Examples shown here include pencil, black ink and red ink. No doubt other styles exist.
2) Period of use
first: Last:
11 AUGUST 1930 21 MARCH 1933
4) 3)
The dates of first and last usage of the various types have not been recorded previously No. 1 2 3 4
Earliest date 2 OCT 1931 11 JLY 1932 21 MAR 1933 11 AUG 1930
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Latest date 20 DEC 1932 11 OCT 1932
Dated 11 Oct 1932 - last day of use so far recorded.
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49a. Wau. Ref No: 49A
Type: Rubber Stamp type “L”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
13 mm wide across centre 14 mm wide across foot 16.5 mm in height Colour - purple & black 20 mm in length 4.5 mm in height 66 x 18 mm 7 OCT 1933 14 JAN 1936
WAU type “L” (ref 49a) appears to have been in use for approx. two years between the dates shown above. Seldom seen, it is remarkable for the sheer overall size, 66 x 18 mm (the photocopy of 390 is slightly smaller at 65 x 17.5 mm and the town name also appears smaller.) Together with the narrower “R” this might be a different type, but until I have examined the original I would prefer to reserve judgement. 1936 - 14th Jan. Cover from Wau to Germany sent at 31/2 d. rate plus registration of 3d.. This date is the latest recorded so far for the Registered h/s #49A
Registered letter from WAU to Shanghai, dated 22 August 1935
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49b. Wau. Ref No: 49B
Type: Rubber Stamp type “D”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
10 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - purple ink 21 mm in length 5 mm in height 48 x 13 mm 11 MAY 1939 18 SEPT 1941
WAU type “D” would seem to be quite rare. So far I have only recorded two examples. . Similar to type “L” (Ref 49a) the quick way to differentiate between the two types is by measuring the distance between the right hand down stroke of the “R” and the “N” of “No.); the distance is approx. 2 mm in type “D” and just over 6 mm in type “L”. The overall size of the mark is also much smaller in the case of type “D” (48 x 13 mm). Type “L” measures 66 x 18 mm overall.
Registered cover posted WAU 3rd May 1940 and thence via Pan American Airways Inaugural Flight between N.Z. And U.S.A.
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50.
Wau.
Type N
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51.
Wau. Ref No: 51
Type: Rubber Stamp type “O” Number in m/s.
Dimensions: “R”
sans
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first: Last:
15 mm wide across centre 12 mm wide across foot 19 mm in height Colour -purple ink 24 mm in length 8 mm in height 46 x 19 mm 15 JULY 1937 04 JUNE 1938
Registered Coronation cover from Wau to Bulolo dated 30 September 1937. Registration handstamp again struck in purple ink is type 51, the number here having been written in blue/black ink.
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51a. Wau.
Registered letter from Wau dated 15 September 1937, arrived Salamaua 16 September 1937. Carried “per favour” by Guinea Airways Ltd. The registration hand struck mark, in purple ink is type 51a, the number having been applied by “machine”.
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52.
Wiwiak. Ref No: 52
Type: Rubber Stamp type “A”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
14 mm wide across centre 14 mm wide across foot 16 mm in height Colour - purple ink 28 mm in length 4 mm in height 51 x 16 mm 20 AUG 1930 19 DEC 1934
Although classified as type “A” this WIWIAK registration mark (ref no. 52) is much larger than the other type “A” marks used at Finschhafen, Kavieng, Kokopo etc. This is most noticeable when the “R” of the Wiwiak mark is compared with the others. In fact the “R” is some 4 mm taller and 3 mm wider here than in the marks of the other post offices.
Registered philatelic cover from Wiwiak to Bristol, dated 20th August 1930
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53.
Wewak. Ref No: 53
Type: Rubber Stamp type “G”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
Date unclear Possibly 7 MY 1938 or 1931
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first Last
10 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour - purple ink 18 mm in length 31/2 mm in height 45 x 13 mm 7 MAY 1931 29 SEP 1937
54.
Wewak. Ref No: 54
Type: Rubber Stamp type “K”
Dimensions: “R”
serif
Town name
sans
Overall Period of use
first Last
10 mm wide across centre 11 mm wide across foot 13 mm in height Colour -Black ink 21 mm in length 41/2 mm in height 45 x 14 mm unknown 21 AUG 1940
The Wau registration mark ref 53 (type “G”) is very common thanks to Mr Woodman who sent dozens (possibly more than a hundred) registered Coronation FDC’s from this office on 18th May 1937. No 54 (type “K”) is much rarer, indeed the one illustrated here is the only recorded example. The easiest way to distinguish between the two is by means of the abbreviated word “No.” which has a larger “o” in type “K”.
Registered philatelic cover from Wewak to Sydney dated 21 August 1940. Registered mark (ref 54) - type “K” is the only example recorded.
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