Tasmania's Postage Stamps and Postal History: From Early Beginnings to Modern Times

Tasmania's postal history began in 1811 when the first Australian post office was established in Hobart. The first postage stamps issued in Tasmania were in 1856, featuring the portrait of Queen Victoria.

The first stamps were a 1d red and a 2d blue, designed by Sir Charles Pasley. They were used until 1863 when a new series of stamps was introduced featuring the portrait of Prince Albert.

In 1901, Tasmania became a state and its postal service was reorganized under the Commonwealth of Australia. This marked the beginning of a new era for Tasmania's postal history.

For another approach, see: First Us Stamp

Tasmania introduced adhesive postage stamps in 1853, marking a significant milestone in the island's postal history.

The 1d Courier stamp was used to pay the Town Letter rate, which was a common practice in the two largest centers, Hobart and Launceston.

Only 51 examples of the 1d Courier stamp paying the Town Letter rate from Campbelltown are known, making it extremely unusual to see such a rate outside these major centers.

A great resource for those seeking more detailed information on Tasmanian postal history is A E Orchard's "Tasmanian Postal Acts and Regulations" Parts 2 onwards, published by Magpie Publications.

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In the early days of Tasmanian postal history, mail was carried by passing whaling ships, taking a whopping 18 months to arrive in England.

Mail to England was carried by passing whaling ships, taking a whopping 18 months to arrive during this early period with an equal amount of time for a reply to be received.

The Post Office was operated as a private concern with the postmaster retaining the revenue, but Governor Arthur put the Post Office on a legislative footing in 1832 with the Colony retaining the revenue raised.

To mark letters, the principal towns received datestamps in 1822, although the implements were expensive to engrave, thus distribution of them was limited.

The collecting of the various markings is popular and has been the subject of a number of philatelic books, indicating the importance of these early postal markings.

Concerns about the abuse of postal privileges led Van Diemen’s Land to introduce postage stamps in 1853, marking a significant change in the postal system.

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Tasmanian postal history has a fascinating story to tell, and it all started with the introduction of adhesive postage stamps in 1853. This marked a significant change in the way mail was sent and received in the region.

The first stamps introduced in 1853 were used for the Town Letter rate, which was a common way for people to send mail within the same town or city. Only 51 frankings of the 1d Courier stamp are known to exist, making it a rare and unique find.

Cover stamps, like the one used in Campbelltown, were marked with a local handstamp, in this case, "Camp Town". This was a way to identify the town of origin and add a personal touch to the mail.

The introduction of adhesive postage stamps revolutionized the postal system in Tasmania, making it faster and more convenient for people to send and receive mail.

Expand your knowledge: Adhesive Postage Stamp

Revenue and Special stamps are a fascinating area of Tasmanian philately. Revenue stamps were used interchangeably with postage stamps at various times in Tasmania's history.

Explore further: Postage and Revenue Stamp

Revenue stamps can be found with postal cancellations, making them valuable additions to collections. The St George & Dragon stamps are occasionally found with postal cancellations.

The Platypus stamps of 1880 were heavily used for postal purposes, although examples on cover are now scarce and highly valued. This is because postal use made them less common than other forms of the stamp.

Some Tasmanian revenue stamps were used for postage until the island joined its neighbors to form Australia. These stamps, issued as early as 1863, remained valid for postage until then.

In Tasmania, postage stamps were first introduced in 1856, and the first stamps featured the portrait of Queen Victoria.

The first postal service in Tasmania was established in 1804, and it was initially used for official government mail.

The postal service in Tasmania was known for its reliability, with mail being delivered regularly to even the most remote areas of the island.

For your interest: What Is Postage for First Class Mail

The first airmail service in Tasmania was introduced in 1934, and it significantly reduced delivery times.

Tasmanian stamps often featured local scenes and landmarks, such as the iconic Tasmanian Devil.

The postal service in Tasmania was also known for its use of steamships to transport mail to the mainland.

The first stamp to feature a Tasmanian Devil was issued in 1966, and it quickly became a popular collector's item.

The postal service in Tasmania continued to expand and improve over the years, with new routes and services being added regularly.

The introduction of airmail in Tasmania revolutionized the postal service, making it faster and more efficient.

The island of Tasmania was originally named Van Diemen's Land, after Anthony Van Diemen. It was a fitting tribute to the Dutch explorer who had claimed the land for the Dutch East India Company.

The first stamps issued in Van Diemen's Land date back to 1853, marking the beginning of a fascinating philatelic history. This was also the year that adhesive postage stamps were introduced in Tasmania.

Only 51 frankings of the 1d Courier stamp, which paid the Town Letter rate, are known to exist, making it extremely unusual to see such a rate outside of Hobart and Launceston.

On a similar theme: Postage Stamps and Postal History of the Dutch East Indies

In 1855, the British introduced a new set of stamps for Van Diemen's Land, which is now known as Tasmania.

The stamps had various denominations, with the 1d (one penny) stamp being the most common.

The 2d (two pence) stamp was also introduced, featuring a design with a portrait of Queen Victoria.

The 4d (four pence) stamp was used for heavier mail items, such as letters and packages.

The 6d (six pence) stamp was introduced to accommodate the growing demand for postage services.

The 1/- (one shilling) stamp was used for heavier mail items, including parcels and packages.

The 2/- (two shillings) stamp featured a design with a portrait of Queen Victoria.

The 4d and 6d stamps were used in conjunction with the 1d and 2d stamps to create various combinations for different postage rates.

These stamps played a significant role in facilitating communication between Van Diemen's Land and the rest of the British Empire.

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Tasmanian stamps have a rich history that's worth exploring. The first stamps were issued under the name Van Diemen's Land in 1853.

These early stamps featured images of Britain's Queen Victoria, which was a common theme among Australian stamps of that era. It's fascinating to think about the influence of British culture on the early colonies.

The name Van Diemen's Land was eventually shortened and changed to Tasmania in 1858, in honor of the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. The first postage stamps using this new name were issued shortly after.

Later Tasmanian stamps showcased the island's natural beauty, featuring waterfalls, rivers, mountains, and other breathtaking landscapes.

Intriguing read: Early Us Postage Stamps

Van Diemen's Land, now known as Tasmania, has a rich history. The island was originally named after Anthony Van Diemen.

The first stamps issued in Van Diemen's Land were in 1853. This marked the beginning of a fascinating philatelic history for the island.

These early stamps were likely simple in design and concept.