Tas - GPO/CTO

Tasmania: Chief Telegraph Office - Hobart.

Details included on this page are:

The General Post Office;
The Chief Telegraph Office;
The Coastal Radio Station.
Date stamps used at the CTO during the Colonial and Interim periods:
Frank Stamps;
Telegraph Office (ovals);
Hobart - rectangular;
Hobart - circular (used on telegrams);
Gen(eral) Post Office.
Date stamps used at the CTO during the Australian period (post 1917):
Chief Telegraph Office;
Phonogram Supervisor;
C.T.O. (unbordered rectangular rubber date stamps).
See also the following Slogan Cancellations used at Hobart:

* A Telegraphic Code Address ...;
* Other slogans used at Hobart.

General Post Office, Hobart.

The Gazette of August 17 1822, contains an announcement of the appointment of John Thomas Collicott as Postmaster at Hobart Town. Mr. Collicott was an auctioneer, his store being situated in Murray Street where the Derwent livery stables were later situated.

On June 1, 1832 the Post Office became a Government Department and 20 post offices were established under the control of the Auditor of Civil Accounts and Mr. Stephen Tunbridge Hardinge, who had served six or seven years in the G.P.O., London, was appointed for the purpose of assisting in conducting the Post Office business. Mr. Hardinge afterwards became the first Secretary to the Post Office under Ministerial control.

In 1837 the Post Office was removed to premises belonging to David Lord situated at the corner of Collins and Elizabeth Streets (now the All Nations Hotel) until the business was removed to the building just vacated - about 1860.

Following the introduction of telephones in 1882, the Post Office and Electric Telegraph Departments merged in 1894 as the Post and Telegraph Department.

The photograph at the right shows the alterations in progress for the amalgamation of the Postal and Telegraph Departments. The building was on Macquarie Street in Hobart and the picture shows the intersection of Murray and Macquarie Streets looking down Macquarie Street.
Courtesy of the State Library of Tasmania (statelibrary.tas.gov.au:PH30-1-225).

Examples of the discussions and the Parliamentary debates surrounding the merger are provided elsewhere.

On 30 June 1894, the Mercury reported that "The contemplated extension of the public buildings in Macquarie Street to provide the extra accommodation supposed to be required for the amalgamation of the Post and Telegraph Departments is now not found to be necessary and will not be proceeded with except in regards to the erection of a new strong room and other unimportant particulars". The Treasurer also announced that "the required accommodation in connection with the amalgamation of the Post and Telegraph Departments can be provided for about £1,000 instead of about £5,000 as expected".

Further details on the administrative responsibility for the Telegraph Department and the merger with the Postal Department are provided elsewhere.

On 14 February 1901 post, telegraph and telephone services came under the control of the Commonwealth Government.

The P&T Department moved from corner of Macquarie and Murray Streets to the corner of Macquarie and Elizabeth streets as from Sunday 3 September 1905. The present structure is the fourth official post office that Hobart has possessed since the first settlement of Tasmania in 1803.

A series of observations on the Post & Telegraph Departments were recorded in a Letter to the Editor in 1891 which, in part, related directly to the discussions for a new building.

(Chief) Telegraph Office.

The first Hobart Telegraph Office was housed in a stone building on the Franklin Wharf which had previously been occupied by the water police.

Clemente (1975) analysed the post marks used to 1901 at Hobart. Part of his analysis included the telegraph postmarks. He shows few are easily identifiable as such but demonstrates why apparently ordinary postal designs can be classified as being made for telegraphic use.

Colonial/Interim period.

Frank Stamps.

A circular hand stamp was also used for official mail sent from the Electric Telegraph Department.

The use of the Frank Stamps enabled mail to be sent without the use of stamps to pay the postage cost.

Top inscription: ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Base inscription: FRANK STAMP.

Separators: small uncoloured circles.

Format: RC1.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Used in blue.

Earliest date recorded: 1888.

Rated: RRR.

Used in 1888.

15 September 1893.
Used on TC-EA-1.

Telegraph Office/Hobart.

Rubber date stamps appear to have been primarily used at the GPO on the counters and in the telegraphic section. They probably were not used in the mail room section.

Telegraph Office/Hobart.
RO6-TO: Words in the outer ring are separated by open rosettes of 6 parts at each end of the oval enclosure and below the horizontal. Used in blue: 15 November 1889 to 24 November 1890. Size: 27 × 41 mm (e = 0.75). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 8.	15 November 1889. Used on TC-DO-4 (the form with the printing error).	24 November 1890. Used on TC-DO-4A.
RO6-TO: Words in the outer ring are separated by open rosettes like the above. Used in violet: 2 August 1888 to 7 February 1894. Size: 27 × 41 mm (e = 0.75). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 3.	2 August 1888 (earliest recorded date). Used on TC-DO-4A.	7 February 1894. Used on TC-DO-4A.
RO6-TO: Words in the outer ring are separated by open rosette stops. Used in black: 3 June ?? Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	3 June 18??. Used on TC-DO-5A.

RO6-TO.

Words in the outer ring are separated by cross stops of 4 parts at each end of the oval enclosure and below the horizontal (see Clemente (1975) p.37).

Used in blue: probably about 1898.

Size: 25 × 40 mm (?).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

RO3
20 April (year unknown).

Used on TC-DO-5A (this type of form has an ERD of August 1896).

Used in black: 26 April 1898.

Size: 25 × 40 mm (?).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

26 April 1898.

Used on TC-DO-5A.

Prestige Philately August 2005 Lot 411.

Rectangular rubber date stamps with Hobart. Rectangular design with rounded corners and there are three sections: HOBART at the top; the date and a progressive number; TIME.
Date and progressive number separated by a decorative unfilled stop. Used in violet: 12 November 1891 and 21 April 1892. Size: 26 × 55 mm. Rated: RRRR.	12 November 1891. Used on TC-DO-4C.
	21 April 1892. Used on the very rare TC-DU-1. Provenance: Clemente, Johnstone.
Date and progressive number separated by a decorative cross. Used in blue: 19 March 1894. Size: 27 × 55 mm. Rated: RRRR.	19 March 1894. Used on TC-DO-4C.
Date and progressive number separated by a decorative vertical cross. Used in blue: 17 August 1894. Size: 30 × 65 mm. Rated: RRRR.	17 August 1894. Used on TC-DO-4C.

HOBART TASMANIA Type 1: Circular with a two line date and two digit year. Date stamps with this format were also used on postal items but with a counter number/letter(s) below HOBART.	Date stamp with the same format as the three below but incorporating a counter number D. Tasmanian Stamp Auctions April 2022.	Date stamp with the same format as the three below (with dots as separators) but incorporating a counter number S. Frank Stamp for the General Post Office. Used on an envelope sent to Apslawn.
Words separated by dot stops. Used in black: 30 December 1896 to 16 November 1906. Diameter: 24 mm. Rated: R (on a telegram). Number in the Census: 15+	30 December 1896. Used on TC-DO-5D. Dots near circumference.	16 November1906. Used on TC-DO-5D. Dots centered on letters.
Words separated by open circle stops centered with the letters H and T of Hobart. Used in black: 10 October 1899 to 20 November 1899. Diameter: 24 mm. Rated: RRR (on a telegram). Number in the Census: 3.	10 October 1899. Used on TC-DO-5A.	20 November 1899. Used on TC-DO-5A.
Words separated by 1 mm arcs. Used in black: 22 June 1904 to 13 December 1904. Diameter: 22 mm. Rated: RRR (on a telegram). Number in the Census: 3.	22 June 1904.	13 December 1904.
HOBART TASMANIA Type 2: Circular with a one line date and two digit year. Used: 10 July 1908, 1 October 1908 and 25 April 1910. Diameter: 25 mm. Rated: RRRR on a telegram form. Number in the Census: 3. This date stamp was also used post 1900 - allegedly most frequently on high value pictorials.	10 July 1908. Used in TI-DO-2C	25 April 1910. Used on TI-DO-3A.

HOBART
TASMANIA
(miscellaneous).

The circular design with HOBART at the top and TASMANIA at the base was used in several formats to date stamp telegrams.

The basic design as shown above was used for the main first issue of date stamps to various offices.

At HOBART, there were some variations on the basic design.

RC3-HOB:
Double circle outside and two arcs
above/below date.
One line date - day before month, 4 digit year.

Used in violet: 2 March 1911 to
31 July 1912.

Diameter: 31 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census on Telegrams: 4.

2 March 1911.

Used on TI-DO-3A (two strikes).

3 August 1911.

Used on TI-DU-3.

RC2 - HOB
One line date - month before day, 4 digit year.

Used in violet; 21 June 1913.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census on telegrams: 1.

21 June 1913.

Used on TI-DO-3D.

RC2 - HOB
One line date - month before day, 4 digit year.

Used in violet; 11 September 1919 to
30 March 1920.

Diameter: 37 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census on telegrams: 2.

11 September 1919.

Used on TI-DU-4.

30 March 1920.

Used on AE-DO-1.

RC4: Rubber handstamp in violet.
Unusual scalloped line for the inside circle similar to the early (1896) Electric Telegraph design for Sydney, NSW.

Three line date.

Used: 13 April 1923 and 1 May 1923.

Diameter: 32 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in te Census: 2.

13 April 1923.
Used on AE-RO-2.

1 May 1923.
Used on an Urgent Rate delivery form AE-DU-2.

GEN. POST OFFICE
TASMANIA

Two line date - two digit year.
No separation marker between words.

Used in black:
10 Feb 1905 and 2 June 1505

Diameter: 23 mm.

Rated: RRRR.
Used after 1900 most frequently on high value pictorials but only two strikes are recorded on telegram forms.

10 February 1905.

Used on TI-DO-1B.
Provenance: Avery, Johnstone.

2 June 1905.

Used on TI-DO-1B showing the scarce DELAYED BY/INTERRUPTION TO LINE hand stamp.
Provenance: Clemente, Johnstone.

Chief Telegraph Office/Hobart
(post 1917) period).

Rectangular format.
RRH-CTO.

Size: 27 × 43 mm.

Applied in black or violet.

Used: 13 August 1926 to
23 September 1934.

Rated RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

RRH 1926
13 August 1926.

Used in black on AE-DO-3B.

Hobart RRH
23 September 1934.

Used in violet on AB-GBF-34A.

Steel circular date stamp (SC1-CTO-1).

4 mm gap between H and O.

Used in black: 10 March 1938 to
4 May 1945 (maybe also 9 February 1950
but the strike is unclear for the '5').

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 5.

10 March 1938.
Used on AB-DU-7.

4 May 1945.
Used on AW-DO-9Eb.

Steel circular date stamp (SC1-CTO-1).

2 mm gap between H and O.

Used in black: 24 April 1942 to
28 May 1948.

Diameter: 28 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 4.

24 April 1942.
Used on AB-DO-7Bg.

11 May 1948.
Used on AW-DO-10B (46).

Steel circular date stamp (SC1-CTO-2).

1 mm gap between H and O.
Smaller dots around HOBART especially after the T.

Used in black: 23 December 1938 to
2 September 1952,

Diameter: 28 mm.

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 7.

23 December 1938.

Used on 10/- grey and pink Kangaroo on Map printed paper with the C of A watermark.

Has four 5 mm telegraph punctures.

2 September 1952.

On 5/- Arms affixed to an Urgent transmission form.

Steel circular date stamp ((SC1-CTO-3).

Date line in 3 mm high letters.

Used: 31 December 1958.

Diameter: 30 mm.
Side arcs: 2 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

31 December 1958.

Used on AA-DO-13B
from Prime Minister Menzies.

Steel circular date stamp ((SC1-CTO-3).

Date line in 2 mm high letters.

Used: 31 December 1963 to 12 July 1976.
A partial date stamp is also recorded on a phonogram form AA-PO-7B printed in 1972. The date of use appears to be 1 OC(?) 79. It has such a poor strike that a clear scan is not possible.

Diameter: 30 mm.
Side arcs: 1 and 2 mm.

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 7.

31 December 1963.

Used on AA-DO-13B.

12 July 1976.

Used on phonogram AA-PO-7B (73).

Chief Telegraph/Office/Hobart.

Made from rubber - RC1 - CTO.

Used in violet: 23 April 1963 only).

Diameter: 37 mm (vertically).

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

23 April 1963.

Used on AA-DO-13B (see below).

23 April 1963.

Used on AW-RO-8B.

Provenance: Clemente, Johnstone.

Distorted date stamp used on 23 April 1963 on AA-DO-13B.

Dr John Clemente was one of Tasmania's most distinguished philatelists. Baker and Duffy owned one of Sydney's best known Stamp Shops.

Made from steel - SC2 - CTO.

Used in black: 23 November 1962.

Diameter: 42 mm.

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

23 November 1962.

Used on AA-DO-13B.
Provenance: Clemente, Johnstone.

Chief Telegraph Office.
Phonogram Supervisor.

Used in red.

Size: 14 × 55 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Used on an ordinary Telecom Australia envelope addressed to Hobart without a date stamp.

C.T.O. (rubber date stamps).

In 1970, unframed rectangular rubber date stamps were brought into service in the Hobart Chief Telegraph Office (CTO).
CTOs in all other States also introduced their version of this date stamp.

There were three main formats:

Year then month and day with time on the right. Dots between letters. Used in violet: 20 June 1968 to 9 February 1973. Size: 20 × 39 mm. HOBART 13 mm wide at the top. Number in the Census: 13.	21 June 1968. Used on AA-DO-13D. See telegram used in 1970 with this datestamp (AA-LO-4B).	9 February 1973. Used on AA-DO-13D
Used in blue: 27 May 1972 to 31 December 1972 . HOBART 13 mm wide at the top. Number in the Census: 5.	27 May 1972 in blue. Used on AA-DO-13C .	31 December 1972 in blue. Used on AA-DO-13C.
Month and day then time with the year on the right. Dots between letters CTO. Used in blue: 27 February 1973 to 23 May 1985. Size: 16 × 39 mm. HOBART 20 mm wide at the top. Rated: R. Number in the Census: 15+.	27 February 1973. Used on AA-DO-13D.	23 May 1985. Used on AT-DO-15B.
Used in black: 14 October 1974 to 3 January 1975. Size: 16 × 39 mm. HOBART 20 mm wide at the top. Rated: RR. Number in the Census: 2.	14 October 1974 on an official Departmental envelope.	3 January 1975. Used on AA-DO-13D with an OVERSEAS label.
Month and day then time with the year on the right. No dots between letters CTO. Used between 26 January 1976 and 1 September 1982. Size: 21 × 38.5 mm. HOBART 20 mm wide at the top. Number in the Census: 15+.	9 February 1976. Used on AA-DO-15A for an URGENT Telegram with an URGENT 1971 label.	28 September 1982. Used on AT-DO-15A with a Telecom OVERSEAS TX63 label AT-LO-7A.