2b Queensland QL Obliterator

Brisbane GPO Obliterator Page

The Q.L (with a wider stop between Q and L and thin broken rays) obliterator has been seen used at several Queensland post offices from the 1860s onwards. However I have never seen it tied to Brisbane.

To assist in identifying this obliterator and its usage at various post offices in Queensland I have included examples of its use below.

I have called this obliterator type 2b and it has 37 rays.  It is distinguishable from type 2a, which was used at Brisbane, by having an even wider gap between the letters and the letters themselves are thicker. This obliterator is only known tied to Marlborough, Cleveland and Leyburn post offices.

Here are the five different QL within an oval obliterator types found on Queensland Chalon stamps. These include type 2 (now split into three different types) as well as types 3 and 6, to assist in identifying them. From left to right:

• Type 2 - 4 thin broken rays and no stop between the Q and the L
• Type 2a - 4 thin broken rays and a stop between the Q and the L 
• Type 2b - 4 medium thickness broken rays and a stop between the Q and the L, the space being wider than type 2a. This has not been seen on a tied Brisbane cover and so far is only known tied to Marlborough, Cleveland and Leyburn post offices
• Type 3 - 4 thick broken rays and a stop between the Q and the L
• Type 6 - thick solid rays and a stop between the Q and the L

Type 2b - thicker letters 37 rays. This has not been seen on a tied Brisbane cover and so far is only known for Marlborough, Cleveland and Leyburn post offices 

 2b used at Leyburn dated 16 September 1879

2b used at Leyburn dated 23 February 1883. Seen at Abacus auction no 234

 2b used at Cleveland dated 24 February 1902. Seen on Ebay

 2b used at Marlborough dated 24 November 1885

 2b used at Marlborough dated 15 September 1894