Sep 23, 2011
Lot
Type
Prestige Philately - Auction No 168
Grading Description
Page: 1
Est $AUD
1908 Postal Cards for the Visit of the American "Great White Fleet"
We are pleased to present the complete collection of Postal Stationery formed by Hugh Freeman of Sydney. The cards were so
attractive that most were retained unused as souvenirs of the event. Commercially used examples are concequently very scarce to
rare. The visit of the American Fleet to Sydney and Melbourne attracted enormous publicity and generated the largest crowds ever
assembled to that time.
Lot 1
1
P
A+
Proof derived from the NSW design but with the heading re-set with 'NEW SOUTH WALES' removed
and the admonition amended to remove the perverse advice that the reverse could be used for the
message, and 'STAMP'-within-box printed at upper-right. Superb! A highly significant item and stated
to be the only recorded example. [The decision to issue cards for each of the "smaller" States was
made at the eleventh hour. A single printing was made and the 1d stamp for the relevant State was
printed over the 'STAMP' box. The NSW cards had obviously been printed before this or the erroneous
admonition would surely have been corrected on those also. With copy of an official letter of 7/7/1908
that states "Herewith proof of Fleet Post Card, Sydney edition. The back of this proof is left blank..."
The letter may relate to this item]
5,000
Lot 2
2
PS
A
COMMONWEALTH of AUSTRALIA: unstamped formular card with 'TO/SYDNEY' at lower-left on the
viewside, unused. [These cards were officially issued for distribution to the visiting sailors. They were
left unstamped so that the sailors could use them from any port of call. These cards are seriously
underrated by most collectors &, despite being officially released formular postal stationery issues, are
unlisted in the catalogues]
100
Lot 3
3
PS
A
COMMONWEALTH of AUSTRALIA: ditto, to Philadelphia with NSW ½d & 1d affixed and tied by
Sydney machine cancel of AU24 - 1908, Chicago transit cds. Rare usage: almost certainly from an
American sailor, but without a message.
250
Sep 23, 2011
Prestige Philately - Auction No 168
1908 Postal Cards for the Visit of the American "Great White Fleet" (continued)
Lot
Type Grading Description
Page: 2
Est $AUD
Lot 4
4
PS
A-
COMMONWEALTH of AUSTRALIA: unstamped formular card with 'TO/MELBOURNE' at lower-left
on the viewside, a couple of minor blemishes, unused.
100
Lot 5
5
PS
B
COMMONWEALTH of AUSTRALIA: ditto, to California with Western Australia ½d & 1d affixed & tied
by 'ALBANY/SP16/1908/WESTERN AUSTRALIA - PO' duplex, from an American sailor whose
message states "...We leave tomorrow for the Philippines...", minor soiling. A wonderful out-of-State
usage. [From Albany, the Fleet went on to Manila and then Japan]
400
Lot 6
6
PS
A+
NEW SOUTH WALES: 1d carmine HG 34, unused. Superb! [Only 9560 were sold. The admonition on
both values states that the reverse "may be used for communications"!] [Website]
100
Lot 7
7
PS
A+
NEW SOUTH WALES: 1d carmine HG 34 philatelically used to Chatswood with Sydney machine
cancel of AU18 - 1908. Superb! The earliest recorded usage. [The Fleet arrived in Sydney on 20th
August. This is unlikely to be a First Day usage because we sold a 1½d card dated 17th August in our
auction of 27/7/2009]
500
Sep 23, 2011
Prestige Philately - Auction No 168
1908 Postal Cards for the Visit of the American "Great White Fleet" (continued)
Lot
Type Grading Description
Page: 3
Est $AUD
Lot 8
8
PS
A+
NEW SOUTH WALES: 1d carmine HG 34 commercial usage to Petersham with
'ASHFIELD/AU20/1898/NSW' cds being the date the Fleet arrived. Superb! [The message from an
eye-witness states "It was indeed a very pretty sight to see the fleet arrive everywhere was crowded
with sightseers did you have a good view"]
300
Lot 9
9
PS
A-
NEW SOUTH WALES: 1d carmine HG 34 apparently commercial usage to Germany with ½d green
affixed & tied by Sydney cds of 2JY09, slightly bumped corners.
300
Lot 10
10
PS
A+
NEW SOUTH WALES: 1½d blue HG 35, unused. Superb! [Only 2320 were sold. In our experience,
this is the most elusive of all the Fleet cards]
750
Lot 11
11
PS
A-
NEW SOUTH WALES: 1½d blue HG 35 local philatelic usage with Sydney machine cancel of AU25 1908. Rare.
750
Sep 23, 2011
Prestige Philately - Auction No 168
1908 Postal Cards for the Visit of the American "Great White Fleet" (continued)
Lot
Type Grading Description
Page: 4
Est $AUD
Lot 12
12
PS
A
NEW SOUTH WALES: 1½d blue HG 35 commercial usage to Germany with
'PENRITH/OC12/1908/NSW' cds, a couple of slightly bumped corners. Extremely rare usage at the
correct foreign postcard rate. [An overpaid example to South Australia sold for $1092 at our auction of
27/7/2009] [The illustration is above Lot 11]
1,250
Lot 13
13
PS
A-
NEW SOUTH WALES: OFFICIAL: 1d carmine with 'OS/NSW' perfin, to Brisbane with very fine BN
'1741' & 'PARLIAMENT HOUSE/ AU26/1908/NSW' cds alongside, minor bend at lower-left. Unlisted by
Higgins & Gage and the only recorded example. Ex Dr Ed Druce: acquired for $5750 at a Melbourne
auction in March 2006. [The addressee, JH Harnett, was manager of the British Lions rugby tour. The
writer thanks him for a ribbon & states "...wish you & the Team a pleasant journey back to the dear old
Country"]
6,000
Lot 14
14
PS
B
QUEENSLAND: 1d red HG 16, a trifle aged, unused. [Only 5760 were sold]
300
Lot 15
15
PS
A
QUEENSLAND: another example with the stamp in a deep shade, unused. [Considering that there
was only one printing, this may be in the nature of a colour trial]
500
Sep 23, 2011
Prestige Philately - Auction No 168
1908 Postal Cards for the Visit of the American "Great White Fleet" (continued)
Lot
Type Grading Description
Page: 5
Est $AUD
Lot 16
16
PS
A-
QUEENSLAND: 1d red HG 16 commercial usage to "Salisbury/Southport Line" with light 'YERONGA'
cds, the message dated "18.9.08", a couple of very minor blemishes. A similar item sold for $977 at a
Sydney auction in July 2011.
750
Lot 17
17
PS
A
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 1d red HG 9, unused. [Only 4500 were sold, of which more than half were sold
on the day of issue] {Website}
200
Lot 18
18
PS
A
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 1d red HG 9 to Canada with ½d Post Office affixed & tied by Adelaide cds of
AU29/45, 'PARIS/ONT' arrival cds.
500
Lot 19
19
PS
A-
TASMANIA: 1d carmine-pink HG 13, a couple of very minor blemishes, unused. [Only 2000 were
printed, all of which were sold]
500
Sep 23, 2011
Prestige Philately - Auction No 168
1908 Postal Cards for the Visit of the American "Great White Fleet" (continued)
Lot
Type Grading Description
Page: 6
Est $AUD
Lot 20
20
PS
A-
TASMANIA: 1d carmine-pink HG 13 local usage with Hobart cds of 2SE08, a couple of very minor
blemishes.
600
Lot 21
21
PS
A
TASMANIA: 1d carmine-pink HG 13 to Natal at the 1d Empire postcard rate with Hobart cds of
28AU08 & 'DURBAN/NATAL' arrival cds.
750
Lot 22
22
PS
A+
TASMANIA: 1d carmine-pink HG 13 to Wisconsin at the 1½d foreign postcard rate with Pictorials ½d
affixed & tied by Hobart cds of 31AU08, superb 'GENERAL DELIVERY/MILWAUKEE WIS' arrival cds
in rosine. Superb & a stunning exhibit item! Ex Malcolm Groom.
1,000
Ex Lot 23
23
PS
A+
VICTORIA: 1d carmine-pink & 1½d brown-red HG 30 & 31, unused. Superb! [Of the 1d, 19,008 were
issued & all sold. Of the 1½d, an optimistic 29,004 were printed but only 7404 were sold] [Website] (2)
150
Sep 23, 2011
Prestige Philately - Auction No 168
1908 Postal Cards for the Visit of the American "Great White Fleet" (continued)
Lot
Type Grading Description
Page: 7
Est $AUD
Lot 24
24
PS
A
VICTORIA: 1d carmine-pink HG 30 intrastate usage to Geelong with Melbourne cds of 2SE08 & the
message dated "1/8/8".
250
Lot 25
25
PS
B
VICTORIA: 1d carmine-pink HG 30 (the stamp a bit faded), commercial usage to Germany with
"Bantam" ½d affixed & tied by Melbourne machine cancel of 12DEC10.
250
Lot 26
26
P
A+
VICTORIA: 1½d proof card without the stamp, neat manuscript "39" at upper-right. Superb! A highly
significant item, of which only one other example - Ex Abramovich, "Edgar" & Stieg - is recorded. [The
proof is identifiable as being for the 1½d value by the 1½mm gap between the frameline of the
photograph & the edge of the elaborate header. With copy of a Post Office letter of 7/7/1908, enclosing
six different proofs & requesting advice as to which variant should be used]
5,000
Lot 27
27
PS
B
VICTORIA: 1½d brown-red commercial usage at the foreign postcard rate, to Germany with Surrey
Hills duplex of DE15/08, bumped corners.
350
Sep 23, 2011
Prestige Philately - Auction No 168
1908 Postal Cards for the Visit of the American "Great White Fleet" (continued)
Lot
Type Grading Description
Page: 8
Est $AUD
Lot 28
28
PS
A-
VICTORIA: a similar usage to Germany with superb Melbourne cds of 16SE08, readdressed in red
upon arrival.
400
Lot 29
29
PS
A-
VICTORIA: 1½d brown late but apparently commercial usage to Holland with
'FREMANTLE/11NO10/WESTERN AUSTRALIA' cds, 'UTRECHT' arrival cds & 'D 36' postman's h/s.
[From 13/10/1910, the stamps and postal stationery of the various States became fully
interchangeable]
500
Lot 30
30
PS
B
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 1d dull blue PC16, minor blemishes, unused. [10,000 were printed, of which
9249 were sold]
200
Lot 31
31
PS
A
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 1d dull blue PC16 commercial usage to Perth with
'ALBANY/17SE08/WESTERN AUSTRALIA' cds. [Albany, where the Fleet took on coal & provisions,
was the last Australian port of call. Cards used from Albany during the Fleet's visit are highly sought
after. A scarce insterstate usage - not from Albany - sold for $1380 at a Sydney auction in July 2011]
850
Sep 23, 2011
Prestige Philately - Auction No 168
1908 Postal Cards for the Visit of the American "Great White Fleet" (continued)
Lot
Type Grading Description
Page: 9
Est $AUD
Lot 32
32
PS
A-
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: ditto, philatelic usage to New York at the foreign postcard rate with ½d Swan
affixed & tied by Fremantle cds of 7DE08, minor corner bend.
500
Lot 33
33
PS
A
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: ditto, with printed 'FLEET-ING BARGAINS/...' advertising for Peet & Co
printed at left, Perth machine cancel of SEO12/1908 & 'MAYLANDS' arrival cds. Very rare; we know of
only two other examples.
1,500