Early usage of the Queensland Chalon.
by Marius Wytenburg.
The first stamp issued by the new government of Queensland was the Chalon, so called as it was a portrait of Queen Victoria by Alfred Chalon a noted artist.
It was originally issued imperforate in 3 values, the 1d, 2d and 6d and was recess printed by Perkins, Bacon & Co in England. Numbers issued were
1d. Carmine Rose.....144,000
2d. Blue........................28,800
6d. Green.....................48,000
Date of issue was November 1st. 1860.
1860 cover to Newcastle franked with a 6d. imperforate chalon and cancelled
with the Type 1 duplex of Brisbane. (Ex P. Collas)
The cover above is dated NO 8 60 which is the earliest recorded usage of a Queensland stamp on cover. The earliest date seen on a chalon stamp is NO 6 60 which was struck in Maryborough.
© Marius Wytenburg 2003