Insufficiently Paid via Brindisi Handstamp

Insufficiently paid handstamps were used to indicate that the correct postage had not been applied for specific routes. Two types of the "Insufficiently Paid via Brindisi" Handstamp are known for the Brindisi route, one used at Brisbane and one at Rockhampton.

If the letter was endorsed "Via Brindisi" but was franked only to cover the route via Southampton, it was sent by the latter route, without incurring a penalty. If, however, it was endorsed 'Via Brindisi" and was franked at a single rate for that route, but was in fact a double-weight letter, it was sent by the Southampton route, but being still 3d short for that route, it incurred a fine of 6d, making a total of 9d to be paid by the recipient. When this occurred a different handstamp was usually, but not always, applied ("Insufficiently Paid via Brindisi Route / Deficient Postage 3").

After Queensland joined the Universal Postal Union in October 1891, the treatment of underpaid mail for overseas was governed by U.P.U. regulations, and mail insufficiently pre-paid was stamped with accountancy markings and then forwarded to the intended destination, with the deficiency and a fine of the equivalent amount being recovered from the recipient

The "Insufficiently Paid via Brindisi" Handstamp used at Brisbane is a framed handstamp with 2 lines, the top line reading 'INSUFFICIENTLY PAID' and the bottom line 'VIA BRINDISI' within a rectangular frame 51 x 12 mm with rounded corners. The capitals are in sans-serif except for 'BRINDISI' which is seriffed. Seen used from 1872 - 1879 and rated 4R

• Insufficiently Paid via Brindisi Handstamp (27 February 1872 - 8 December 1879) rated 4R

Insufficiently Paid via Brindisi Handstamp. Brisbane at left and Rockhampton at right. The differences are: BRISBANE. Frame measures 51 x 12mm. The initial capitals are higher than the following letters, except for the 'B' of 'BRINDISI'. ROCKHAMPTON. Frame measures 47 x 12mm. All initial capitals including the 'B' are higher than the rest. There is a stop after 'BRINDISI'.

1872

From Caboolture to London, England dated 27 February 1872 with an "Insufficiently Paid via Brindisi" handstamp rated 4R. Seen in Prestige Philately auction no 98 lot no 823

1874

From Caboolture to London, England dated 10 February 1874 with an "Insufficiently Paid via Brindisi" handstamp rated 4R. Seen in Abacus auction no 242 lot no 1414

1875

From Pimpama to Devonshire, England dated 1 February 1875 with an "Insufficiently Paid via Brindisi" handstamp rated 4R. Seen in Prestige Philately auction no 98 lot no 826

1879

From Brisbane to Sweden dated 8 December 1879 with an "Insufficiently Paid via Brindisi" handstamp rated 4R. Seen in Corinphila auctions