New South Wales (NSW) numerals used in Queensland before 1861

On 1 December 1859 Queensland became a separate colony from New South Wales. Before this date, post offices used New South Wales stamps and numeral cancellers. At the time of separation, 15 post offices existed. They were:

• 74  – Callandoon, opened 19 January 1850
• 81  – Warwick, opened 1 January 1848
• 85  – Darling Downs, opened 1 January 1846 and renamed Drayton in 1849
• 86  – Gayndah, opened 1 January 1850
• 87  – Ipswich, opened 2 January 1846
• 95  – Brisbane, opened April 1830
• 96  – Maryborough, opened 18 January 1849
• 108 – Goode's Inn, opened 5 January 1852 and renamed Burnett Inn and then Nanango on 1 July 1859
• 110 – Surat, opened on 5 January 1852
• 131 – Gladstone, opened on 1 July 1854
• 133 – Myall Creek, opened on 1 August 1854 and renamed Dalby soon afterwards
• 151 – Tieryboo, opened on 21 May 1856, closed on 31 July 1856 and moved to Condamine on 1 August 1856
• 152 – Taroom, opened 1 April 1856
• 201 – Rockhampton, opened on 1 April 1856
• 214 – Toowoomba, opened on 1 January 1858

NSW stamps and numeral cancellers continued to be used until November 1860 when they were replaced by Queensland stamps. However, all of these cancellers except 87 continued to be used on Queensland stamps

Barred Numerals
The first stamps of NSW, the Sydney Views, were issued in January 1850. A 2 barred numeral, known as N1b, with 2 bars at each side, was issued to cancel these stamps. They were issued for 74, 81, 85, 86, 87, 95 and 96

Later, a 4 barred numeral canceller, called type N1a, with 4 bars at each side, was issued to cancel stamps. They were issued for 108, 110, 131, 133, 151, 152

96 is also known with Type N1c, with three bars at each side. Originally but erroneously thought to be a forgery, it has been found tied to Carroll in NSW and so has no connection to Queensland

The only barred numeral canceller that continued to be used after the introduction of Queensland stamps in 1860 was 152, which is known used until the 1890s

Rays
In 1857 the NSW Government replaced barred numeral cancellers with ray type cancellers, however the barred numeral cancellers continued to be used in some offices. Designated Type N2a, the ray type cancellers were issued for all post offices except 152. All except 87 continued to be used after the introduction of Queensland stamps in November 1860

This collection was auctioned at Prestige Philately auction no 137 lot no 429. Description: MORETON BAY DISTRICT: Selection of New South Wales postmarks on various imperf issues including Barred Numerals '85' on 3d Sydney View, fine '87' on 2d Laureate, '96' on 3d Laureate pair, '108' (Nanango, rated RRR) on 1d Laureate, Rays '74' on 'REGISTERED' (6d) & '131' on 6d Large Diadem etc, quality of stamps and strikes is very mixed. (Qty 25)