New Hebrides - 1897 - Private Local Post
Australasian New Hebrides Company - Interisland Postage - Stamps






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The stamps were lithographed in 2 operations, and each stamp is slightly different. Shades occur of the vignette and the frame on both values. Frame varieties are more common in the 2d. Vignette varieties common to both values are found in similar positions. Evidence of weak transfers show as white patches varying in intensity in the left middle sky.
In the "Santo" collection there existed a corner block of 30 from top-right of sheet which is completely imperforate was supposed to be one quarter of the only known imperforate sheet. bild

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The original discovery unroulettet sheet was found with some stamps missing, and was broken into 3 1/4 sheets of 30, a block of 6 & a block of 18.

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Original sketch by Mr. Basset Hull ("DEG" coll).

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The stamps were designed by Arthur Francis Basset Hull (1862 - 1945), and printed by John Sands & Co., Sydney. The date of issue has been stated to be March 17, 1897, but we have seen cancellations of 1896, which, however, may be due to an inverted 9 in the date."

Inter-island postal rates were: Letters, 1d. per ½ oz.; printed matter 1d per 4 oz.; parcels 1d per 8 oz.; newspapers 1d.; registration fee 2d.; stamps of New South Wales applied at Port Vila paid collection and delivery charges at Sydney.

from: "Billig's Philatelic Handbook", Volume 04, page 205.

Arthur Francis Basset Hull (image "Mele" coll).

1898-09-12 Piece of a letter with ANHCo stamps to Mr. Basset Hull.
Looking at the word Hull I would say: written by himself.

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These two stamps, which surfaced in British auctions in 2002, can only be named "products of phantasy". There was much trouble all over the place in the New Hebrides in these times but no war. Somebody used a typewriter to "overprint" these mint stamps and as it is difficult to type on a tiny piece of paper the characters line up on the stamp like tumbleweed on a Texas Highway. Maybe the "printer" was the same person who "overprinted" the 1911 2d stamps in red typing on a July 27, 1921 cover.

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