Brisbane GPO Datestamps, Handstamps, Obliterators and Cancellations by Dr Jeremy Hodes: 8 Duplex

Monday, 6 May 2024

8 Duplex - Q. L at bottom QL Obliterator

Brisbane GPO and QL Duplex Obliterator Page

Type 8 The duplex portion is a 'QL' (No stops), in thin letters 5 mm high within an oval of 35 solid rays. The datestamp portion is a framed circle 25 mm in diameter, with 'Brisbane' round the top and 'Q. L' at 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. This was the first duplex to have a time indicator. Dated very late 1896 to March 1901. 1897 and 1898 dates appear very common, other dates are extremely rare

There are several different 'Q. L.' at bottom Brisbane datestamps. To assist in distinguishing them see my page HERE. Duplex type 8 is very easy to distinguish if you have a full strike or a partial strike with evidence of the QL portion as it is the only duplex with Q. L at the bottom. If evidence of a duplex portion is missing it can be easily confused with date stamp type 19(c). Distinguishing features of the duplex are;

'Brisbane' in the duplex is more widely spaced
nothing either side while type 19(c) has a cross either side
the duplex date stamp is 25 mm in diameter while type 19(c) is smaller at 23.5 mm