Sub-Collection: Tasmanian postmarks with a mining or mineral connection.
This 1d Mount Wellington Pictorial, cancelled Caveside in 1909, is part of Tasmania’s landmark Pictorial series of 1899–1912 — engraved scenic definitives that were among the first in the British Empire to depict local landscapes rather than monarchs. Although the stamp itself shows Mount Wellington, its postal‑history significance lies in the Caveside postmark, a locality named for its proximity to the Mole Creek karst system. Clear strikes from small rural post offices with geological relevance make excellent additions to my Mining and Mineral Postmarks collection.
Stamp Details
Country: Tasmania (pre‑Federation issue)
Series: Pictorials (1899–1912)
Denomination: 1d
Subject: Mount Wellington
Colour: Red
Year of Issue: 1899
Caveside
The 1d Mount Wellington was one of the most heavily used values in the Pictorial series, covering basic letter‑rate postage. Multiple printings produced subtle shade variations. This example is a typical mid‑period red.
The CAVESIDE cancellation is clear enough to be fully readable, which is good given the small size of the office and the scarcity of early strikes. Caveside Post Office operated from 1887 to 1980, serving a rural community centred around agriculture, tourism, and the nearby karst landscape.
Caveside takes its name from its position on the edge of the Mole Creek karst, one of Tasmania’s most significant limestone cave systems. The area is characterised by extensive karst features — caves, sinkholes, underground streams, and calcite and aragonite formations — making it a locality of strong geological interest.
