Brisbane GPO Datestamps, Handstamps, Obliterators and Cancellations by Dr Jeremy Hodes: Brisbane GPO and QL Duplex Obliterators

Duplex Obliterator (Concentric Circles, Void Oval) (unframed)

Type 1 A void centre within three concentric ovals. The datestamp portion is an unframed circle, 22 mm in diameter, in which the inscription round the rim, reading outward, is 'BRISBANE QUEENSLAND' with two bars between 'D' and 'B;' in the centre is the date in two lines, month and day in the first and the year in two digits in the second. Known used from 3 May 1860 to 1864. Rated 3R on NSW stamps and 2R on Chalons

QL Duplex obliterator (Oval with broken rays) (unframed)
Type 2 'QL' (No stops), in thin letters 5 mm high within an oval of 32 broken rays consisting of four thin strokes. The datestamp portion is an unframed circle 22 to 23.5 mm in diameter with 'BRISBANE" round the top and 'QUEENSLAND' round the foot, separated by a curved bar at each side. The date is in two lines in the centre, the month and day in the first line, and the year in two digits in the second. There is a code letter or figure above the date. Known used from 20 April 1867 to 24 April 1869. Rated 2R

QL Duplex obliterator (two long vertical arcs) (unframed)

Type 3(a) 'QL' (No stops) within an oval of 34 unbroken broken rays. The letters are 5.5 mm high and the 'Q' has a short tail slightly curved. The two parts are 5 - 6 mm apart. The unframed datestamp portion is 22.5 mm in diameter with letters 5.5 mm high, 'BRISBANE' around the top, 'QUEENSLAND' around the foot, and two bars at each side under 3 mm apart; in the centre, in three lines, are a numeral code, month and day, and year in two digits. Two virtually identical sets were made. Known used from 20 December 1879 - 12 August 1885. Codes seen are 1 - 15, 16 inverted (not seen by me), 18 and 20. Rated 2R - 5R

QL Duplex obliterator (two short vertical bars) (framed)

Type 4 QL' (No stops), in thick letters 5 mm high within an oval of 34 thickish unbroken rays. The datestamp portion is a framed circle, 24.5 mm in diameter, with 'Brisbane' round the top, 'Queensland' at the foot and two short vertical bars on either side between them; the date is in two lines in the centre (year in two figures), with a code letter above. Dates range from 9 March 1892 to 20 December 1895 and code letters seen are A, C, D, E, H, K, L, M, N, P and W. Rated Rare - 5R

QL Duplex obliterator (dot either side) (unframed)

Type 5 'Q.L.' in thin letters 5 mm high within an oval of 35 thin unbroken rays. The datestamp portion is a unframed circle, 24.5 - 25mm in diameter, with 'Brisbane' round the top, 'Queensland' at the foot and a stop on either side between them; the date is in two lines in the centre (year in two figures), with a code number above. Dates range from 18 September 1893 to 14 November 1898 and code numbers seen are 1, 6, 9, 10, 12 - 38. Rated common - 5R

Type 5a 'Q.L.' in thin letters 5 mm high within an oval of 35 thin unbroken rays. The datestamp portion is a unframed circle, 24.5 - 25mm in diameter, with 'Brisbane' round the top, 'Queensland' at the foot and a stop on either side between them; the date is in two lines in the centre (year in two figures), with a code number above. Dates range from 18 August 1898 to 24 October 1908 and code numbers seen are 1 - 38. Rated common - 5R

QL PAID Duplex obliterator (unframed)

Type 6 'QL' (No stops), in thin letters 4 mm high within an oval of about 37 unbroken broken rays. The datestamp is 25 mm in diameter with 'PAID' around the top, 'BRISBANE' around the foot, and a dot stop at each side; in the centre, in two lines, are the month and day, and year in two digits. Recorded usage (two examples known) is 5 November and 30 December 1895. Rated 3R

QUEENSLAND Duplex Obliterator (framed)

Type 7 'QUEENSLAND' reads horizontally across the centre between heavy bars, three above and three below. The datestamp portion is a framed circle 25 - 26 mm in diameter, with 'Brisbane' round the top and no inscription at the foot; in the centre is a two date line with a code number above. Dates range from 13 July 1895 to 26 January 1901 and code numbers seen are 1, 5 - 7, 9 - 39. Rated common - 5R

Q.L Duplex Obliterator (framed)

Type 8 'QL' (No stops), in thin letters 5 mm high within an oval of 35 unbroken broken rays. The datestamp is 25 mm in diameter with 'BRISBANE' around the top, 'Q. L' around the bottom. In the centre is a three date line with the month and date in the first line, time in the second, and the year in two digits below - however often the time is on the top line with the date beneath it. Known used 13 December 1896 to 21 March 1901. Rated Common

QL Duplex Obliterator (framed)

Type 9a 'QL' (No stops), in thin letters within an oval of 26 - 27 unbroken broken rays. The datestamp is 25.5 mm in diameter with 'BRISBANE' around the top, 'QUEENSLAND' around the foot, and a small stop at each side; in the centre, in three lines, are the time, month and day, and year in two digits. It was mainly used as a backstamp. Known used from 6 March 1899 - 21 June 1905. Rated Rare

QL PXB Duplex obliterator (framed)

Type 9b 'QL' (No stops), in thin letters 3 mm high within an oval of 27 unbroken broken rays. The datestamp is 25.5 mm in diameter with 'BRISBANE' around the top, 'QUEENSLAND' around the foot, and a dot stop at each side; in the centre, in three lines, are 'PXB' the month and day, and year in two digits. Known used from 5 July 1906 to 21 September 1908 plus an outlier dated 22 December 1910. Rated 2R on stamp and 3R on cover

QL POB Duplex obliterator (framed)

Type 9c 'QL' (No stops with a distinctive curved 'l' of the 'Q' for 'QUEENSLAND'), in thin letters 3 mm high within an oval of 34 unbroken broken rays. The datestamp is 25 mm in diameter with 'BRISBANE' around the top, 'QUEENSLAND' around the foot, and a dot stop at each side; in the centre, in three lines, are 'POB' the month and day, and year in two digits. Not listed by Campbell. KNown used from 29 May 1906 to 10 May 1909. Rated 3R

QL Duplex Obliterator (framed)

Type 10 'QL' (No stops), in thin letters within an oval of 26 unbroken broken rays. The datestamp is 25 - 26.5.5 mm in diameter with 'BRISBANE' around the top, 'QUEENSLAND' around the foot, and a stop at each side; in the centre, in three lines, are the time, month and day, and year in two digits. Known used from 3 October 1906 - 12 October 1911. Rated Common

G.P.O. Duplex Obliterator (framed)
Type 11 An oval of a number unbroken rays with GPO with no stops in the centre and letters 5 mm high. The datestamp is (24 - 25 mm in diameter) and has at each side between the names a square with 4 small dots.

Type 11a An oval of 45 unbroken rays with GPO with no stops in the centre and letters 5 mm high. The datestamp is 25 mm in diameter and the month is before the day and is rated Common. Recorded usage 14 July 1905 - 4 April 1911
Type 11b An oval of 45 unbroken rays with GPO with no stops in the centre and letters 5 mm high. Day is before the month and is rated 4R. Recorded usage December 1906 - 1908
Type 11c An oval of 47 unbroken rays 25 mm in diameter with GPO with no stops in the centre and letters 5 mm high with a partial datestamp. FORGERY. Not rated. Usually seen on Revenue stamps