Ainslie (I)

Ainslie Post Office (1)

Formerly Canberra Post Office (1) changed to Ainslie on 2 June 1913. Relocated in a westerly direction approximately a quarter of a mile to the corner of Batman Street and Doonkoona Street, Braddon (Block 43 Section 38 BRADDON) between 1926 and 1927, which was in the Ainslie area at the time, towards Mount Ainslie. Mrs E. Handley was the Postmistress.

Late in 1927, the Office relocated to the Canberra Times newspaper building in Cooyong Street Braddon which again was in the Ainslie area at the time north east of the Civic Centre. On 1 October 1928 the office which now had official status was moved about a half a mile south west to a part of the Sydney Buildings on the eastern side of Northbourne Avenue. After much confusion the name was changed to Canberra City in 1929.

Ainslie Post Office utilized the numeral obliterator '371' previously in use at Canberra. A Type 2A date- stamp NSW 1914-1924 and altered to FCT 1927. A hybrid Type 2C with arcs replaced by full stops is recorded used in 1928.

Ainslie Post Office 1924 - Australian National Archives

Ainslie Post Office 1927 in Canberra Times Building, Cooyong Street Braddon, (Australian National Archives)

19 March 1914 Ainslie N.S.W Type 2A cds on piece

15 November 1928, OHMS Federal Capital Commission, Canberra cover addressed to Russell Hill, Canberra and Type 2A Canberra F.C.T cds cancelling 1 1/2d red GV perforated OS. Hybrid Type 2C Ainslie F.C.T. cds to obverse with arcs replaced by full stops, 2 November ?8 (no decade) and likely wrongly depicting November instead of December. Readdressed Eastlake and returned to sender. 3 December 1928 transit cds Canberra F.C.T. Russell Hill telegraph Office opened 24 December 1927 and it did not become a post office until 14 June 1929. Subsequently closed 30 April 1938. No postal markings from Russell Hill yet sighted. However, unlikely that this unlisted Ainslie cds was utilized at Russell Hill. A unique and rare piece of Canberra postal history.  

2 October 1928, cover addressed to Duntroon and Hybrid Type 2C Ainslie F.C.T. cds ( with arcs replaced by full stops), cancelling 1d green GV. Envelope contained invitation from Lady Butters to recipient at Royal Military College Duntroon. A unique and rare piece of internal Canberra mail.

9 May 1927 Type 2A Ainslie cds cancelling block of four 11/2d Opening Parliament House commemorative on First day of issue. PO at corner Batman & Doonkoona Street BRADDON. Rare CDS.

28 June 1927 Type 2A  Ainslie FCT cds cancelling 11/2 red KGV. PO Cnr Batman & Doonkoona Sts. Rare CDS.

17 December 1928 Type 2A Ainslie FCT cds cancelling 6d brown kangaroo PO located in Canberra Times Bldg Cooyong Street. Rare CDS.