Brisbane GPO Datestamps, Handstamps, Obliterators and Cancellations Handbook by Dr Jeremy Hodes: Parcel Post Branch Type 5

Friday, 20 February 2026

Parcel Post Branch Type 5

Type 5 - A framed circular datestamp 28 mm in diameter with 'PARCELS POST' round the top, and 'BRANCH' beneath in a straight line, and 'BRISBANE' round the foot; the date is in one line in the centre with code, a full stop and a dash, day with full stop, month in three letters with a full stop, and the year in two digits. The word 'BRANCH' is 13mm long with letters 3 mm high, and there is a fleuron with a dot in the middle line above 'BRISBANE'. Code numbers seen so far are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10,11,12. Campbell type 3(b) and rated Common

Type 5 (7 August 1901 - 14 May 1913) rated Common - $10

Type 5. Two examples showing variations including the different placement of 'BRANCH' in relation to 'PARCEL POST'. The variations are not regular or consistent enough to split these into subtypes

Distinguishing between Types 3, 4 and 5

3 Code no _ _ date, Branch 10 mm long, letters 2 mm high, month in 2 letters, Fleuron has a solid line
4 Code no . . date, Branch 13 mm long, letters 3 mm high, month in 3 letters and a full stop, Fleuron has a dot in centre of line
5 Code no . _ date, Branch 13 mm long, letters 3 mm high, month in 3 letters and a a full stop, Fleuron has a dot in centre of line

Note also the placements of the Letters "B" and "H" in "BRANCH" in relation to "PARCEL POST" above it. They differ for each type

L-R: type 3, type 4, type 5, type 5. Type 3 has 2 dashes between code and date, type 4 has two dots and type 5 has a dot and a dash. Also note the placement of the letter 'B' for 'BRANCH' in relation to the word 'PARCEL' above as they differ

L-R: type 3, type 4, type 5, type 5. Type 3 has 2 dashes between code and date, type 4 has two dots and type 5 has a dot and a dash. Also note the placement of the letter 'H' for 'BRANCH' in relation to the word 'POST' above as they differ

1901