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A response a tad askew, but regarding early postal marks perhaps you shall allow me the indulgence of this little ditty
I picked up regarding some early Australian postal marks.
Australian Sheep Inspector "Baaad"
One of the most involved series of so-called "official stamps", that is, special issues, originated in South Australia in 1868, when this portion of the continent, like other Australian states was a postal entity.
More than two score of the administrative departments were provided with stamps of their own, indicated by overprinting in letters of identification.
Stamps ranged from 'A" for the Office of the State Architect, to"W" for the
Waterworks. There were "PA" for the protector of aborigines, "BC" for botanical gardens,"SM" for stipendiary magistrate, and an army of others.
Many citizens and officials objected to the harshness "L.A." for Lunatic Asylum. And the head of one department. complained bitterly that other people made strange noises when his employees walked by.
His stamps were overprinted "IS" for inspector of sheep.
To simplify matters and cool the nerves of all concerned, the govt replaced these multiple issues in 1874 with a uniform overprint for all, "O.S" indication of Official
Service.
........From The Frazer Valley Club of BC, Canada.
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