3 GPO QL Obliterator

Brisbane GPO Obliterator Page

NOTE: There are many different QL within an oval obliterator types found on Queensland Chalon stamps. These include Campbell types 2, 3 and 6. To assist in identifying them I have included these illustrative examples below. 

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 3 'Q.L' (Stop after Q), in thick letters (Q is 5 mm high and L is 5.5 mm high) within an oval of 35 broken rays consisting of four thick strokes. There is no stop after L

• Type 3 (14 June 1869 - 30 September 1874) rated Rare on stamp and 3R on cover

Campbell notes that this obliterator type was also used at Leyburn Marlborough and Cleveland post offices, but this incorrect. The obliterator used in these post offices was type 2b

Type 3a 'Q.L' (Stop after Q), in thick letters with the tail of the Q being crooked (Q is 5 mm high and L is 5.5 mm high) within an oval of 36 (?) broken rays consisting of four thick strokes. There is no stop after L. Introduced after type 3 and was possibly a replacement for it

• Type 3a (September 1874 - 9 September 1876) rated 2R on stamp and 4R on cover

Type 3 on left and middle and type 3a on right. The drawing (on left) is from Campbell. It shows quite well what the overall obliterator looks like, but the tail of the Q is incorrect so I have included an image (middle) that shows what it actually does look like

Type 3

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3 on a Chalon rated Rare. As can be seen, good clean and complete strikes are difficult to find on single stamps given the size of the obliterator

1869

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3 on a Chalon cover rated 3R. Dated 14 June 1869

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3 on a Chalon cover rated 3R. Dated November 1869

1871

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3 on a Chalon cover rated 3R. Dated 8 July 1871. Seen on Ebay

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3 on a Chalon cover rated 3R. Dated 7 October 1871. Seen at Phoenix auction no 19 lot no 721

1872

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3 on a Chalon cover rated 3R. Dated 24 February 1872. Courtesy of Dave Elsmore

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3 on a Chalon cover rated 3R. Dated 6 March 1872. Seen at Phoenix auction no 65 lot no 1103

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3 on a Chalon cover rated 3R. Dated 3 September 1872. Seen at Phoenix auction no 62 lot no 1002

1873

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3 on a Chalon cover rated 3R. Dated 12 June 1873. Seen at Phoenix auction no 62 lot no 1004

1874

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3 on a Chalon cover rated 3R. Dated 22 January 1874. Seen at Phoenix auction no 62 lot no 1005

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3 on a Chalon cover rated 3R. Dated 16 September 1874. Seen in Millennium auction no 80 lot no 338

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3 on a Chalon cover rated 3R. Dated 30 September 1874. Seen on Ebay

Type 3a

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3a on a Chalon rated 2R

Some further examples of Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3a on a Chalon rated 2R. Courtesy of Dave Elsmore

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3a on a Chalon rated 2R. Seen on Ebay

1874

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3a on a Chalon cover rated 4R. Dated September 1874. Seen in Phoenix auction no 19 lot no 719

1875

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3a on a Chalon cover rated 4R. Dated 14 August 1875. Seen at Kelleher auctions

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3a on a Chalon cover rated 4R. Dated 12 October 1875. Seen on Ebay

1876

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3a on a Chalon cover rated 4R. Dated 20 May 1876. Seen on Ebay

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3a on a Chalon cover rated 4R. Dated 8 September 1876. Seen in Phoenix auction no 19 lot no 725

Brisbane QL Obliterator type 3a on a Chalon cover rated 4R. Dated 9 September 1876. Seen at Prestige Philately auction no 152