This monograph is the latest addition to the growing literature on Western Australia. It is a joint effort between Brian Pope and the late Max Reynolds. It covers the postal obliterations for this Colony in detail from 1854 when postage stamps were introduced until shortly after Federation in 1901.

This work is an important contribution to the philately of this Colony. Examples of these obliterators are well illustrated with a number of tying covers. The difficulty of acquiring new information is stressed by the authors. There was a small population with many isolated locations and infrequent mail services. Hence, material used at the smaller localities is often very difficult to find. Even today, most people living in that State are concentrated in the southwest portion near Perth. The tyranny of distance definitely applies to this State!

The focus of this book is on the numbered (and also letter) obliterators. The circular datestamps and the duplex cancels are not discussed, even though they appeared as early as the 1860s. Fortunately, other books listed among the References contain that information. Likewise, special purpose markings such as those used for registration, late fee and sundry purposes are not dealt with. One could say that the authors’ focus is on ‘barred’ type obliterators. A sample of each type of interest is depicted on the front cover.

The authors provide a clear account of the various types of barred cancellations that were used. This section takes 40 pages to elaborate. The authors begin with a brief commentary on the difficulties encountered when studying this topic. A brief outline of previous research on these cancellations is given. The detailed discussion begins with the Numbered Grids (1 and 10 to 16), together with 16 Void Grids, all of which were ordered close to the time when postage stamps were first issued in the Colony (August 1854). It is noted that the Void Grids were very well made so that they cannot be differentiated with the idea of establishing ties.

Next, the 15-Bar series, numbered from 1 to 24, was introduced from 1859 onwards when there were no more Void Grids available to issue to Postmasters. Subsequently, the 9-Bar series (from 1868 onwards) and the 12-Bar series (from 1871 onwards) made their appearance. The authors discuss the problem of distinguishing between the ‘6’ and the ‘9’ in each series. This is simple in principle for 15-Bar and 12-Bar but not for 9-Bar Numerals. The issue of the Barred Letter cancellers is shown to be connected with the establishment of Telegraph Offices and the issue of special telegraph stamps in 1879. Other cancellers, such as the double diamond ‘80’ and the ‘dumb’ cancellers are also discussed in depth.

In some cases, old cancellers were reissued to small localities, rather than ordering a new canceller that would be unlikely to see much use. This usage is extensively documented whenever possible.

The bulk of the book contains a census of numbered and lettered obliterators on cover and on piece. For each of the Numbered Grids, 15-Bar, 9-Bar and 12-Bar Series, the DD-80 and the Barred Letters, a list of known covers is provided with an example being illustrated when possible. For some of these cancellers, such covers are not known. In a few cases, no strikes at all have been seen, let alone on part of a cover. Yet, every possible canceller has at least one page reserved for itself, in case examples are subsequently discovered. This simply shows the difficulty of finding impressions of the less commonly used obliterators, let alone a cover. Of course, the lists of known covers are quite long for the larger towns and cities such as Perth, Fremantle and Albany.

After this lengthy census, there are three appendices covering respectively, a prosecution for reusing stamps, a Berri sample sheet of obliterators and a note on the ease of removing obliterating ink. There is a good selection of references to the literature and an index at the end.

This book is a most useful addition to a philatelic library. It is a fitting tribute to the memory of Max Reynolds. We may hope for yet more additions to the literature from Brian Pope in due course.

Published by kind permission of the author
First published in Philately from Australia (March 2006)