Victoria T.p.o. Datestamp (1906) - Possible Error

I haven't been able to find any information on this datestamp from the Premier Postal website or by googling. I think it may be an error. It reads "M.6.17" - but shouldn't it be "M.G.17"? This is the type that's listed on Premier Postal for T.P.O.17 (the Goulburn Valley line).

Because it's such a clear and distinct strike, I'm reluctant to draw the conclusion that the "6" is an overinked "G."

Does anyone know if "M.6.17" has been sighted before and if it's an error or not?

Have never seen anything like it! Interesting!

KGV, since "6" looks a lot like a "G," I figure it would be an easy mistake to make.

I recently found a strike for "SUILDFORD" rather than "GUILDFORD" presumably because the "S" looks like a "G."

Opinion:
No error, over inked hammer.

Actually, comparing the 2, the "G" has no bottom serif, you could be right, the "G" replaced by a "6"

The "MG" meaning escapes me. (Melbourne - Geelong) something like that perhaps?

Ooops..re read This is the type that's listed on Premier Postal for T.P.O.17 (the Goulburn Valley line).

Could any Victorians explain where the Goulburn Valley may be on this rail map please? or which line would be the Goulburn valley line.
Echuka terminus perhaps?
https://www.railmaps.com.au/southeast.htm

Hmm, looks like the line to Shepparton. (Mansfield Line) ?

Rod, with all due respect, there is a clear dot between the "M" and the "6". I believe it says M.6.17 but have no idea what it means

Peter

Agreed, Peter.
I am suggesting the M and the G represent a rail line,
Maybe Melbourne to Goulburn Valley, or
Melbourne : Goulburn Valley line etc.

The cancelling hammer has obviously changed from 1880 to 1906
so the maker may have just added periods ?

If it turns out to be M 6.17 I'll be very surprised, and allot you due praise.

We can, I think, discount time (M 6:17) Morning 6:17 as a hammer would not have a minute service.
Look at the "6" there is something dodgy there, I feel.

Opinion
Looks like MG 17 with a corrected 6 hammer,
seen again here........
https://www.sportscards.com/item/vi...12090882880/


and again........
Charles leski auctions.

Yes, it's clearly a "6." I've looked at quite a few TPO strikes now, and the "G" is very distinct from the "6." It's just a mistake, I think, as these cancels normally have a "G" in that spot.

Something more to read:

https://www.stampsofvictoria.com/tp...egorie=tpo17

Good stuff!

'Goulburn Valley Line' to Numurkah.

"The rail extension to Numukrah (from Shepparton) opened in September 1881 and train-based mail services followed. Upgraded TPO services between Seymour and Numurkah began in 1888 using the MG/TPO17 markers. These TPO services changed considerably over the years and were finally withdrawn in 1917, twenty-nine years after they began".

This from "Victoria: The Travelling Post Office Services 1865-1932, Molnar and Waugh, Trillium Press 2015 pp141

Les Molnar is a great guy and sells as Trilliumstamps on ebay with lots of TPOs and the above book. He maintains the 'StampsofVictoria' site referenced earlier in this thread. His collection of Victorian TPOs was the finest ever formed.

His book makes no mention of the '6' for 'G' and from my examples below, this is normal.





Rod showed MG2, a different implement.

Lovely work John, some great information there. Saved.

'M.G.' is an abbreviation of 'Mail Guard', post office employees sorting mail on board the train.

Thank you.
South Australia