Barbara Hancock of Sydney, has for close to 30 years been associated with major research areas of Australian Philately covering both the Colonial and Commonwealth periods.

The results of her study and research have been published in major philatelic journals and passed on to catalogue editors.

Relating to the Colonial Era:

·         Marcophily of early NSW postal markings,

·         2d NSW Diadem, lithographed – runner-up in the 1984 RPSV Essay competition.

·         Studies on the later typographed issues of NSW.

While in the Commonwealth Era:

·         Barbara has contributed many articles on Commonwealth decimal issues to the ACCC Bulletin,

·         Her research results on recess printed decimal issues were provided for inclusion in David McCleary's Decimal Varieties handbook,

·         Her work on the 1975 18c Flower definitive was a major study in the photogravure period,

·         Results of her photogravure work were exhibited at AUSIPEX 84,

·         Since 1995, Barbara has been pre-eminent in the field of peel and stick issues, culminating in her being awarded the inaugural Australia Post Cup at Stampshow Melbourne 02.

Editing manuscripts is a skill mastered by few.   Mrs Hancock has worked as an editor on monographs – Postal History of NSW 1788-1901, Handbooks – Post Offices of NSW and ACT, Vol 4, and journals – Sydney Views and Philas News.

·         Assistant editor to John White on Postal History of NSW 1788-1901 and wrote the chapters on the Development of the Post Office and on the Regulations relating to Postal Services;

·         Edited the 4^th and final volumes of the Post Offices of NSW and ACT after the passing of Norm Hopson and Ray Tobin;

·         Editor, since 1992 of Sydney Views, the journal of the Study Circle of the Royal Sydney Philatelic Club;

·         Editor of Philas News, the journal of the Philatelic Association of NSW.

In the area of publications Mrs Hancock in 1990 wrote a monograph on an area often neglected, Australian Telegram Forms and Envelopes, while at the same time assisting many others in their own research work.

An unsung part of research is the time spent in libraries and archives sifting through data to improve our understanding of postal services and philately.

·         For 10 years she catalogued the Sir William Dixon collection, housed in the NSW State Library;

·         For 5 years researched NSW marcophily in the State Archives of NSW;

·         For 2 years researched Telegram Stationery at the National Archives in Sydney.