A surcharged stamp can be defined as being the application of an overprint – generally to an existing stamp – to alter its denomination to a new face value. In Australia, surcharged stamps have usually been associated with postal rates increases and these stamps were issued to meet a need for new denomination not present in the existing range of stamps. Thus, surcharged stamps were a temporary expedient intended to last only until stamps bearing the new denominations could be issued.

Not all Australian surcharged stamps, however, had short lives, A “Ninepence on Tenpence” stamp issued by New South Wales in 1871 remained available for the next 32 years until a permanent 9d stamp was issued! Also, the 1891 New South Wales surcharges in the little-used values of 7½d and 12½d remained current for over a decade. From the first surcharge stamp issued by South Australia in 1866 until the end of states’ stamps in 1912, there have been 26 basic stamps surcharged. A description of each of these is beyond the scope of this article, which instead deals with the nine surcharged stamps of the Australian Commonwealth.

These nine stamps were issued on five occasions, each of which involved increases in postal rates – in 1930, 1941, 1959,1967 and 1974. The 1959 surcharges were applied to Australian Antarctic Territory stamps, but since these had postal validity throughout Australia, it is appropriate to include the stamps. Also, the issue of three surcharged states’ stamps in 1912 was connected to the impending general issue of uniform Commonwealth stamps, so these too are included. Lastly mention is made of an unadopted proposal in 1971 to issue a surcharged stamp should this have been required by a postal rate increase.

1912 States’ Stamp Surcharges
Dunng 1912, the Federal postal authorities had anticipated the issue of uniform Commonwealth stamps and so wished to use up stocks of States’ stamps, particularly 2d stamps. This value had served as basic letter postage for most categories of mail until May 1 1911, when a uniform 1d rate was introduced throughout Australia. This meant that 2d stamps were in less demand and large stocks might still remain when Commonwealth stamps were issued.

Three states’ 2d stamps were surcharged “One Penny” during 1912 – those of Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania. The stamp overprinting was carried out by the Stamp Printing Office in Melbourne where the stamps of these three states (as well as those of South Australia) were produced. For better contrast, the “One Penny” overprint was applied in red ink on Victoria’s 2d Queen’s head stamp and Tasmania’s 2d “Pictorial” stamp, both of which are mauve in colour. The overprint is in black on Western Australia’s 2d “Swan” stamp, which is yellow in colour.

The Victorian 1d on 2d surcharge was the first to be issued, officially, on June 29 1912. It is recorded that 1,870,080 stamps were delivered to the General Post Office. The Tasmanian and Western Australian 1d on 2d surcharges then followed in October-November 1912. None of these stamps is scarce today and, indeed, there was a lot of speculative buying of unused supplies at the time, apparently because speculators believed that the “last state stamps” would become valuable. Presumably the supplies of 2d value stamps of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia were not sufficiently large enough to warrant being surcharged.

1930 George V Surcharges
On August 4 1930 new postal rates were introduced which involved an increase in basic letter postage from 1½d to 2d. A new 2d George V stamp in red (to conform the Universal Postal Union’s requirements) was issued on August 2, but to ensure that adequate supplies of 2d stamps were available, a “Two Pence” surcharge on the 1½d red George V head stamp was issued on July 31. Approximately 18 million 2d on 1½d surcharged stamps were produced.

The postal rate increase created a need for a 5d stamp chiefly to meet the cost of registered mail – the 3d registration fee plus 2d basic letter postage. A new 5d brown George V stamp was issued (in Melbourne) on August 27. To meet the need for a 5d stamp before this date, a “Five Pence” surcharge on the obsolete 4½d violet George V stamp (which had previously paid for registered mail) was issued on August 2. Only about 250,000 5d on 4½d surcharged stamps were issued.

Just prior to the new postal rates, a new printing plate for the 4½d stamp was made from a reworked die. This plate was used to print a supply of 4½d stamps, almost all of which received the “Five Pence” overprint. The main differences between the new 4½d stamp die (“Die 2″) and the previous 4½d stamp (“Die 1″) are found in the lettering and figures of value. On Die 2 stamps the lettering and figures are thicker and more even than on Die 1 stamps. Also, Die 2 stamps show greater contrast of light and shade in the design than Die 1 stamps. A small supply of Die 2 4½d stamps, which were not surcharged “Five Pence”, were cancelled-to-order for inclusion in collectors’ “Specimen” sets. Even rarer are mint examples of the Die 2 4½d stamps, which escaped being postmarked. It is believed that an entire sheet of 120 mint 4½d Die 2 stamps came into the possession of a Melbourne stamp dealer (most of which has never come onto the market). Also, ten mint examples were sold in Australia Post’s 1987 Archival Tenders.

1941 George VI Surcharges
The introduction of a ½d war tax on most articles of mail led to the second release of surcharged stamps. Basic letter postage within Australia and to British Empire countries was increased from 2d to 2½d, basic letter postage to foreign countries went from 3d to 3½d and the cost of registered mail went from 5d to 5½d. This created the need for three surcharged stamps – 2½d on 2d, 3½d on 3d and 5½d on 5d. When the new postal rates took effect on December 10 1941, the production of new stamps in 2½d, 3½d and 5½d denominations had not advanced sufficiently to enable their issue by that date. Consequently, the issue of the surcharged stamps on December 10 meant that these were the only stamps in the three denominations available for use.

From a philatelic view point, the three surcharges are unusual in that three different means of applying the overprints were used. The 2½d on 2d red George VI stamp features a circular impression in blue ink with the “2½d” appearing as a reversed-out image within the circle. This allows the red colour of the stamp to appear through to form the new value. The 3½d on 3d blue George VI stamp the form of the surcharge is bicoloured. The first overprint comprises a reversed-out  block in black ink over the right-hand “3d”. The second overprint in yellow ink is across the reversed-out “3½d” to make this image clearer. The 5½d on 5d mauve Merino stamp is a simple pattern in purple ink, which involved printing “5½d over the right-hand “5d” and obliterating bars across the left-hand “5d”.

Close ups show the three different means of overprinting new values on the 1941 ‘war tax’ surcharges.

The three surcharged stamps were printed in fairly large quantities which lasted until the early months of 1942 – 32,366,400 2½d on 2d stamps, 2,946,080 3½d on 3d stamps and 3,820,500 5½d on 5d stamps. The definitive stamps that replaced the surcharges were issued progressively during early 1942. The harsh wartime conditions encouraged efforts to conserve paper supplies and the new stamps were issued to post offices only as supplies of the surcharged stamps became exhausted. For this reason no usual arrangements were made for the simultaneous issue of the new stamps at all post offices. The earliest periods of issue for these stamps are early January 1942 (2½d Red George VI), late March 1942 (3½d Blue George VI) and mid-February 1942 (5½d Slate-Blue Emu).

1959 Australian Antarctic Territory Surcharges
During 1959 the Australian Post Office developed four new stamps for the Australian Antarctic Territory, which when added to the first 2/- stamp issued in 1957, would form the Territory’s full definitive series. The four new stamps were to comprise 4d, 7d, 1/- and 2/3d denominations and were scheduled for issue during September-October 1959.

However, the clan to issue the stamps – in the indicated denominations was upset by a increase in postal rates from October 1 1959. By September, the printing of the all four stamps had almost been completed. The was then overcome by surcharging 5d on the 4d stamp (basic letter postage) and 8d on the 7d stamp (surface letter postage to foreign countries). The 1/- and 2/3d stamps did not require alteration, as these were overseas air mail rates that did not change.

The method adopted for overprinting both stamps involved two letterpress operations. The first stage was the printing of a plain circle in grey-blue ink across the obsolete denominations. The second stage involved a stencil-like overprint on top of the first overprint, allowing the grey-blue colour to show through the open portions and form an outline of the new denominations. The second overprint was applied in black ink to the 4d stamp and in dark blue ink to the 7d stamp.The additional work delayed the issue of the four stamps in Australia until December 16 1959.

It was intended that the 5d on 4d and 8d on 7d surcharged stamps would be replaced and new dies of these stamps with re-engraved values were all prepared during 1960. The re-engraved 5d stamp in blue and the same design as before was issued in Australia on July 5 1961. The projected, re-engraved 8d stamp was not issued, as stocks of the surcharged stamp were sufficient to last until the end of “pounds, shillings & pence” currency in 1966.

1967 5c on 4c Stamp Booklet Surcharge
This surcharged stamp had its origin in a proposal to increase basic letter postage from 4c to 5c in 1967. Normally, changes to postal charges were submitted to Parliament as part of the annual Budget proposals during August-September and therefore usually take effect from October 1. However, on this occasion separate legislation for new postal charges was submitted to Parliament in May 1967, but it was rejected by a non-Government majority in the Senate. The increased postal charges would have to await inclusion in the Budget later that year.

In the expectation that 5c basic letter postage would come into effect in May 1967, the Post Office took action to have new 5c stamps in readiness. A large stock of 4c Red Elizabeth II stamps in uncut booklet sheet format was held by the Note Printing Branch and these were surcharged “5c” for make up into stamp booklets. However, since the 5c rate did not take effect until October 1 1967, there was sufficient time to produce stamp booklets containing the new 5c Blue Elizabeth II stamp. The 5c on 4c surcharged stamp booklets would still be utilised, however, and the two types of stamp booklets were issued on September 29 1967. A total of 33,350,000 5c on 4c surcharges were issued in both $1 booklets (1,656,000) and in the 50c booklets (23,000).

1971 Unissued 8c on 6c Elizabeth II Surcharge
In June 1971, the Post Office faced the likelihood of postal rate increases in the Budget later that year and a 7c Elizabeth lI stamp was prepared in the expectation that the Government would increase basic letter postage from 6c to 7c. In the event, this is what happened and a 7c rate was introduced on October 1 1971. However, in June 1971 it was still uncertain whether the increased rate would be 7c or 8c. If it became 8c then a stamp in this value would be needed, but at that stage no action had been taken to engrave an 8c stamp die.

It would not be possible to provide sufficient 8c stamps for issue on October 1 and a plan was developed to surcharge “8c” on the 6c Orange Elizabeth I1 stamp, should this be necessary. This took the form of an 8c overprint in black ink similar in style to the 5c on 4c surcharge of 1967. Several trial sheets of 100 of the 8c on 6c surcharged stamps were produced, which are now held in the Australia Post archival collection. This stamp was not known until recently when the sheets were uncovered and one was featured in “The Rare & The Beautiful” exhibition in the Post Master Gallery earlier this year Subsequently, the Note Printing Branch engraved an 8c Elizabeth II stamp die in readiness for the next rate increase. Of course, this stamp was never issued as 8c basic letter postage did not eventuate. Interestingly, a proof in black ink taken from the 8c stamp die (dated “March 1972″) came onto the market a few years ago and this is now in a private collection in Australia.

1974 9c on 8c Opal Surcharge
This is the last surcharged stamp to be issued by Australia and is probably the most interesting considering the circumstances behind its production. In July 1973 the Post Office issued the Marine Life And Gemstones series comprising low-value definitive stamp to replace the Elizabeth II series. This meant the substitution of multicolour photogravure printing for singlecolour recess printing of the base rate definitive stamp, which was made possible by the acquisition of a larger photogravure press (the “Rembrandt”). The base rate definitive stamp then comprised about 80% of all stamp production and this stamp could not be printed efficiently on the original photogravure press (the “Chambon”) because of the press’s limited production capacity.

The new photoeravure base rate definitive was the 7c Agate stamp in the Gemstones series. Also included in this series is an 8c Opal stamp. The Post Office believed that the Government might introduce 8c basic letter postage in the 1973 Budget and to prepare for this a large stockpile of 8c Opal stamps was produced. However, there was no change in basic letter postage that year and the stock of 8c stamps had to be held back for the time being.

The high inflation that followed in the wake of the 1973 oil price rises meant that when an increase in basic letter postage was proposed in 1974, the rate was to rise, not to 8c, but to 9c. Also, the Government planned that the 9c rate would come into effect ahead of that year’s Budget. Special legislation to arrange this rate was submitted to Parliament in July 1974, but like the experience seven years earlier, this was voted down by a non-Government majority in the Senate and the 9c rate would have to await inclusion in the Budget legislation. Meanwhile, the Post Office had planned for the rate increase by Rhodonite stamp and making use of the unwanted stock of 8c Opal stamps by surcharging these “9c”.

A further complication emerged – inflationary pressures were so great in mid-1974 that the increased rate of basic letter postage proposed for the 1974 Budget paper was not 9c, but 10c. Consequently, on October 1 1974 the rate jumped from 7c to 10c. A 10c Star Sapphire stamp was added to the Gemstones series on October 16 1974. The stock of 9c on 8c Opal surcharges had become useless. In the ordinary course of events this stamp would not have been released even though stocks of the surcharges had been delivered to post offices awaiting issue.

Around this time a spate of robberies of post offices was occurring, which usually involved after-hours break-ins to steal stamp supplies held in safes. These stamps were then sold cheaply to shady businesses for postage. One such robbery of a suburban post office in Melbourne involved the theft of its stock of 9c on 8c surcharged stamps. This created a dilemma for the Post Office, as inevitably some of these unissued stamps would eventually come onto the philatelic market. To avoid the prospect of trading in stolen stamps, the – Post Office decided to proceed with the issue of the 9c on 8c surcharge.

The stamp was issued on October 16 1974. The total release of 35,704,000 9c on 8c surcharges was far in excess of what postal use could be made of this value. No doubt the level of philatelic sales was sufficient to cover the production costs of the surcharge, but the number of stamps sold must could been no more than a few million and the great bulk of the printing must have been returned by post offices for destruction. The stamp, however, was not withdrawn from philatelic sale until June 30 1978.

At the outset of this article it was stated that there is little likelihood that Australia Post will issue another surcharged stamp in the future. This requires an explanation. Technology used for stamp production today is obviously very different to that of just several years ago. A new printing plate can be produced in a few hours, instead of weeks taken to produce recess dies and plates or photogravure cylinders. If a plate featuring an obsolete stamp denomination needs replacement, it is a simple matter to do this and it would hardly be necessary to alter the value by surcharging stamps. Also, there is no single base rate definitive stamp provided these days, making it unlikely that a large stockpile of an obsolete value would exist which might be surcharged. The era of surcharged stamps has 9c passed.

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NEARLY a quarter of a century after his death, Alec Rosenblum’s name continues to be synonymous with Australian Commonwealth philately. More than anyone else, he researched and published information which encouraged others to take up the challenge of studying this field. Rosenblum’s handbook, The Stamps of the Commonwealth of Australia, remained the most important work of its kind for many years.

Alec Rosenblum was born in Melbourne in 1895 and, like most, developed an interest in stamps during his childhood. Fifty years after the issue of the Kangaroo stamps, Rosenblum recounted in an article that he had been in the Melbourne GPO on the day the 1d stamp was first issued to secure his supply.

Alec Rosenblum (1895-1973) appears at the right of this group judging entries in the 1928 Philatelic Exhibition stamp design competition. Standing to Rosenblum’s right is John Ash, General Manager of the Note Printing Branch.

He gained a Bachelor of Science degree at Melbourne University and spent his career working as a research chemist. This provided him with a scholarly basis for his philatelic work. He made a dose study of inks and dyes, which obviously had practical application to his philatelic research. Rosenblum spent the First World War in England, where he undertook research for which he was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire).

Returning to Melbourne in 1919, Rosenblum began playing an influential role in collector circles. He was President of the Philatelic Society of Victoria (later the Royal) in 1922-23 at the comparatively young age of 27. He began writing on a regular basis for the Australian Philatelic Record, a journal launched in 1918 to provide a forum for serious philatelic articles. Together with J.R.W. Purves and W.R. Rundell, Rosenblum contributed the bulk of the editorial. In 1922, the Record passed out of stamp dealer Stan Orlo-Smith’s hands to a group of Melbourne philatelic societies and Rosenblum was appointed its editor. It was renamed the Victorian Philatelic Record.

Rosenblum at first wrote on Victorian topics, but soon turned his attention to Australian Commonwealth philately and he produced most of the basic research on the Kangaroo and George V issues. The Australian Philatelic Record contains his first writing on the Kangaroo dies and retouches and reentries on George V stamps. He discovered the retouch to the line through value flaw (thin FOURPENCE ) on the 4d George V. He also published serials on the NWPI overprints and the Papua Lakatoi electrotypes.

In 1922, the Melbourne Philatelic Club published Rosenblum’s The Stamps of the Commonwealth of Australia comprising 65 pages. This was a notable event, as the publication of philatelic handbooks had been restricted in Australia – the major handbooks on colonial subjects had been the domain of the Royal Philatelic Society, London. Rosenblum’s handbook clearly filled a gap and he was the obvious author to write it. The popularity of the handbook can be gauged by the fact that a second edition appeared in 1926, and a considerably enlarged, hardbound third edition in 1928. The third edition acknowledged the co-operation of J.R.W. Purves. The handbook eventually reached six editions spanning 46 years under Rosenblum’s authorship. This was then a record in philatelic publishing (It has now been exceeded by Nelson Eustis’s Australian Air Mail Catalogue, which was first published in 1937).

Rosenblum contributed to another remarkable publication – The Commonwealth Specialists’ Catalogue (later prefixed “Australian“). The first edition appeared in 1926 published by Stan Orlo-Smith. It was, for its time, a work of considerable scope and one of the most specialised single country catalogues available (and still remains so in its multi-volume format). Between Rosenblum’s hand-book and the Specialists’ catalogue, there was plenty of opportunity to keep the philatelic world regularly updated.

In 1928, Melbourne was the venue for the fourth Australasian Philatelic Exhibition, also styled as the International Philatelic Exhibition, because a significant level of overseas participation was involved. It was the biggest philatelic exhibition ever staged in Australia and Rosenblum was the organising secretary. The Post Office also played a supportive role by operating a printing press in the Melbourne Town Hall, which produced Australia’s first miniature sheet. Rosenblum undertook the task of liaising closely with (Sir) Harry Brown, the Post Office’s chief, and other senior officials to secure this cooperation.

The 1920s and 1930s were Rosenblum’s decades during which he emerged as the best known philatelic identity in Australia. It was probably Rosenblum more than anyone else who caused the shift in philately’s centre to move from Sydney to Melbourne. Two leading Sydney dealers and publishers, James Smyth and Fred Hagen, both departed from the scene in the early 1920s and this is perhaps not a coincidence. Melbourne was clearly dominant with the Victorian Philatelic Record, The Commonwealth Specialists’ Catalogue, Rosenblum’s handbook and the 1928 exhibition.

During his time as editor of the Record, Rosenblum championed the cause of a recess-printed stamp series to replace the Kangaroo and George V issues. The Post Office’s announcement of a stamp issue the following year to mark the opening of Parliament House in Canberra, provided an impetus for Rosenblum’s campaign. Of course, he was not successful, but a decision was made in 1930 to issue new definitives and only the Depression’s effects caused the plan to be dropped after a start had been made with the 1/- Lyre bird and 6d Kookaburra stamps in 1932.

Rosenblum’s activities brought him into regular contact with officialdom in the Post Office. To describe one such example, Rosenblum wrote a four-page letter to Harry Brown in December 1929, urging that recess, pictorial definitives be introduced. The additional costs, he argued, would be more than offset by philatelic sales and the stamps would be an effective means of advertising Australia abroad. Further savings could be achieved by adopting stamps smaller than the George V size and excess stocks of existing stamps could be surcharged for base rate postage. The Post Office replied with thanks and said that these suggestions would be added to his previous correspondence! However, Rosenblum’s suggestion that a stamp booklet be provided for the Canberra commemorative was one instance of his ideas being adopted. He was also invited by the post office to serve on the committees established to evaluate designs for the 1929 3d Airmail and the 1930 Sturt Centenary issues.

Perhaps Rosenblum’s greatest legacy was to launch The Australian Stamp Monthly in January 1930. This followed a disagreement between Rosenblum and others about the direction of the Victorian Philatelic Record and Rosenblum resigned as editor in 1929 (this journal had only another full year of publication under J.R.W. Purves’ editorship). Rosenblum was both publisher and editor of The Australian Stamp Monthly and so exercised full control of its contents. The Monthly‘s full-colour cover and editorial emphasis on light feature articles, news and new issues gave the magazine a broad appeal. Rosenblum continued to publish the Monthly during the worst months of the Depression. However, he ran into financial difficulties and was forced to sell the magazine to its printer, Horticultural Press in 1935. Phil Collas, who had been Rosenblum’s assistant, was appointed the new editor. Many years later, Collas recalled that Rosenblum was very bitter about his loss.

During the 1920s, Rosenblum formed an important collection of Australian Commonwealth stamps. His rival, J.R.W. Purves also formed a collection and the two collections became the focus of attention at the 1928 exhibition.

The judges’ nod went to Purves, who two years later sold his Commonwealth collection to King George V. Rosenblum disposed of his collection in 1932. There were other fields of interest and Rosenblum wrote short, but incisive handbooks on Australian airmails and the stamps of Tonga and of Papua.

By nature Rosenblum was a cantankerous man who found it difficult to work with others. During the second half of his life Rosenblum largely dropped out of organised philately in Australia – such as participation in society activities, organising exhibitions and the like. He preferred to pursue his interests alone. He did, however, form close links with the British Society of Australian Philately during regular visits to the UK. Rosenblum became a frequent contributor to Gibbons’ Stamp Monthly and his annual survey of Australian stamps and their market potential in stamp Collecting (which was also re-published in The Australian Stamp Monthly) as a much-read feature.

Rosenblum’s modus operandi was to visit post offices regularly and maintain contacts with postal staff. He probably made daily visits to the Melbourne GPO in earlier years. Rosenblum, along with several other philatelists, met regularly in Collins street to share the news of the day. They called themselves the gutter club. John Ash, the Note Printing Branch’s General Manager before the War, related once to a stamp audience that it amused him to travel bv tram alone Collins street during his lunch-hour to see Rosenblum and others no doubt speculating about his (Ash’s) work

Rosenblum’s informal contacts amongst postal staff must have provided him with much information that could not be obtained at an official level. Rosenblum may even have acquired unofficial contacts inside the Note Printing Branch itself. For example, his handbook prominently describes a rare 1942 printing of the 4d Koala stamp on chalk-surfaced paper used for the Robes stamps. This was supposedly intended for northern Australia, where the paper would be more resistant to the effects of climate than ordinary stamp paper. However, the Japanese bombing of the Darwin post office destroyed the bulk of the special printing and hence the stamp’s rarity. The story is untrue, but there is an element of fact involved.

Subsequent research into the nowavailable records of the Note Printing Branch shows that experimental printings on chalk-surfaced paper were made of each of the 1937-38 Zoological stamps, but none of these were issued may have learned of the 4d Koala printing through a source, but he clearly embellished this with the story about Darwin’s bombing. To those philatelists who have spent many hours searching for a non-existent stamp, they have Rosenblum’s inventive mind to thank.

For all his skills as a researcher and writer, Rosenblum’s greatest flaw was his proverbial willingness to turn speculation into factual statements. For some reason, he did not like to admit to readers that he did not have the full story to relate. If information was unknown to him, he more than likely filled in the gaps from his imagination. By the time the final edition of Rosenblum’s handbook appeared in 1966, this trait was well known to others and his work did not win universal approval.

Nevertheless, Rosenblum’s energy in research and writing stands tall and his output was prolific. He made the most useful contribution any philatelic student can make – to put down one’s findings on paper for posterity. Rosenblurn died at his home in Malvern, a suburb of Melbourne, on Christmas eve 1973 at the age of 78.

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South Australia was effectively the last of the Australian colonies to introduce stamps for the prepayment of postage. This happened at the beginning of 1855, five months after Western Australia, 14 months after Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) and five years after New South Wales and Victoria had followed this course. Queensland was the last colony, of course, to actually issue its own stamps, but this happened as a result of its separation from New South Wales in 1859. Hence, the future colony of Queensland had used stamps for prepayment of postage since 1850.

Planning the First Stamps
Throughout February 1853, the South Australian authorities gave consideration to adopting prepayment of postage by stamps. No doubt this was prompted by the successful operation of the system in New South Wales and Victoria, although at this stage Van Diemen’s Land and Western Australia had yet to take firm steps to adopt the new system. On February 28 1853, the Postmaster-General of South Australia, John Watts, was asked to explain how he proposed to produce stamps. Watts responded on April 1 saying that he had had a sketch prepared of a stamp “similar to that used in England.” This sketch was of a 2d denomination, which Watts expected would be the lowest rate of postage and so could be used in multiples for inland and ship letter postage. On the advice of Sydney’s postal authorities, Watts recommended ordering an initial supply of one million 2d stamps from England, as well as a printing press and plates being supplied to South Australia so that further stamp supplies could be printed in Adelaide. Watts concluded by saying that this would allow the proposed system “to be carried into immediate effect without the delay consequent upon the providing of an apartment etc. for the setting up and working of the press”.

The first stamps of South Australia comprises four values issued in 1855-57

Arrangements were made with Perkins, Bacon & Co. in London to quote for the printing of one million 2d stamps. The firm’s quote was submitted on September 3 1853 to the Colonial Agent in London, Edward Barnard. The quote also included the manufacture of a printing plate of 240 impressions, and the supply of watermarked stamp paper, ink pigments and a printing press to South Australia. Perkins Bacon promised delivery within four months of the order. The order was confirmed on September 12.

Printing the First Stamps
The Perkins Bacon’s engraver, William Humphreys, cut a die for the 2d South Australian stamp. Watts’ sketch of a stamp design was forwarded to London, but since this has not survived, it is not possible to say how closely the engraver followed the sketch. It is well known, however, that South Australia’s first stamp image comprises relatively little original engraving. The Queen’s profile is the same “Diadem head” engraved earlier for the New South Wales “Large square” stamps. The background in the South Australian stamp is the same pattern engraved for the first stamps of Chile, which Perkins Bacon printed.

At the same time as the work for South Australia was proceeding, Perkins Bacon were engaged in preparing Van Diemen’s Land “Chalon head stamps and the “Queen-on-throne” stamps of Victoria. All three colonies’ stamps were printed from plates of 240 impressions (20 rows of 12) so that the same size paper incorporating a six-pointed star watermark could be used.

Meanwhile back in Adelaide, it was decided that 1d and 6d stamps would also be required under the recently adopted “Local Post Office” Act. The earlier assumption of Postmaster- General watts that multiples of 2d stamps could be used for hieher amounts of postage had evidently proved impracticable, and also a 1d stamp was now needed for town letters (for delivery in the same town of posting). Steps were taken to place an order with Perkins Bacon for 200,000 Id stamps and 500,000 6d stamps to be printed and shipped to Adelaide, together with the plates, watermarked paper and inks for future printing to be carried out locally. The firm’s quote for this work was accepted bv the Colonial Agent in London on April 2 2 1854. Perkins Bacon promised delivery within 13 weeks.

The first stamp of Chile provided Perkins Bacon with the background pattern for South Australia’s first stamp issue.

Notwithstanding the promised delivery dates for the two South Australian orders, Perkins Bacon took considerably longer to complete the work. Dispatch from London of the 2d stamp did not occur until April 1854, seven months after the order had been placed and dispatch of the 1d and 6d stamps was delayed even longer – it was June 1855 when this happened, 14 months after the order was placed. Progress was slow at Perkins Bacon at this time because the firm was experiencing difficulties in maintaining the supply of British stamps and work on colonial stamps was sidelined.

The First Stamps are Issued
The stock of 2d stamps was received in Adelaide and held by the Colonial Storekeeper until September 20 1854, when the stamps were transferred to the Post Office. The authorities had to consider first how to create a Stamp Department to carry out stamp printing in Adelaide. And South Australia was distinctive among Australian colonies in undertaking stamp printing in its Post Office establishment throughout the 19th century, instead of allocating this work to the government printing offices. The printing of all stamps by the South Australian Post Office continued until 1909, when the printing works under J.B. Cooke was merged with Victoria’s stamp printing office marking the beginning of the Note Printing Branch in Melbourne.

The 2d stamp was first placed on sale throughout South Australia on January 1 1855. The 1d and 6d stamps were then received in Adelaide during October 1855 and the issue of these two stamps took place without delay on October 27. The late arrival of the 6d stamps was a particular concern, as it caused usage of 2d stamps to be very high and by the end of July 1855, it became necessary to make plans for a further supply to be printed in Adelaide. Consideration was given to where the stamp printing works could be set up. On September 11 the Public Works Office advised that “…the apartment next adjoining the one through which the prisoners pass into the Supreme Court House, and at present used at a lumber mom, can be now obtained for that very purpose.” The locally-printed stamps are easily distinguishable from their 1854 London prmted counterparts by the colours. The deep rich colours that Perkins Bacon achieved in printing were never matched in the Adelaide printings.

The Saga of the One Shilling Stamp
On January 19 1855, Postmaster-General Watts suggested that a 1/- stamp “would be a great convenience to the public and also tend to facilitate the business of this Department”. This was approved and (after a considerable delay) an order was placed with Perkins Bacon in May 1856 for the supply of 500,000 1/- stamps, along with the plate, paper and ink supplies. Consequently, South Australia had placed three orders over as many years to have the full complement of its first stamp series produced. Had the authorities been more prescient in fixing these stamp denominations, much time and effort would have been saved. The issue of the new 1/- stamp involved unusual complications that stretched matters out much further. On February 19 1857, postmaster-General Watts reported that the newly-received 1/- stamps “…are of the same size, the same oblong form as those of lower rates now in use in this department and nearly all of the same colour as those of the 6d. value, a resemblance which in the hurry of business, especially by candle light, will inevitably lead to much confusion”. Watts went on to say:

“Under the circumstances I have the honour to request that the dies, together with the colouring material and the half million stamps recently received, be returned to the Agent-General with a request that the original order as to shape and colour may be strictly complied with. Watts had originally submitted a sketch of an octagonal stamp design (no doubt inspired by Great Britain’s 1/- embossed stamp) to London for guidance in preparing South Australia’s 1/- stamp. He was aggrieved that this course had not been followed and particularly that the violet colour of the 1/- stamp could be confused under poor lighting with the blue colour of the 6d stamp.

Watts recommended that the 1/- violet stamp not be issued. This is what happened, although his intention, foreshadowed in his report above, to return the whole consignment to London was not carried out. The Adelaide authorities proceeded to destroy the entire printing of the 1/- violet stamp – a remarkable step taken by an economy conscious bureaucracy (For further details see Geoff Kellow’s “Australasian Rarities” in Australasian STAMPS, March 1999).

Perkins Bacon’s premises in London where South Australia’s first stamps of 1854 were produced.

On May 20 1857, Watts submitted a new report within which he now recommended that the 1/- printing plate be retained in Adelaide and used to print a new supply of 1/- stamps in a different colour (“say buff”) that would not be confused with the 6d value, and that the stock of 1/- violet stamps be destroyed. Watts’ recommendations were accepted by his superiors on May 29, 1857. The destruction by burning of the 500,000 1/- violet stamps was carried out on June 5 1857 at the Adelaide GPO. During June 1857, a local printing of the 1/- stamp in orange was undertaken and this was first issued on July 8.

There is an interesting postscript i to the saga of the 1/- Violet stamp. Even though the Adelaide authorities had carried out a rather complete destruction, some 18 examples of this stamp exist today. Perkins Bacon had delivered exactly 500,000 1/- stamps to Adelaide, which meant that a part sheet of 80 stamps was included, as the total figure is not divisible by 240. From the block of 160 stamps left in London, a few examples were “liberated onto the UK stamp market in the early 1890s (Examples of this stamp were also extracted by Perkin Bacon from its stock in 1861 and obliterated “CANCELLED” at the behest of Ormond Hill, Rowland Hill’s nephew – today, four examples are recorded). As Geoff Kellow notes in his article, the 14 unused examples of the 1/- Violet stamp equates with the 14 examples known of the 4d Western Australian “Inverted frame” stamp. However, the current SC catalogue price for the 1/- Violet is £4,750 and compares to £60,000 for the 4d Inverted frame!

An interior view of Perkins Bacon’s stamp printing activities showing the presses used for South Australia’s first stamps.

Replacement of the First Stamps
From the 1850s onwards, supplies of the 1d, 2d, 6d and 1/- stamps were printed by the South Australian Post Office in Adelaide. Rouletting was introduced in 1859 and continued for nearly a decade until proper perforation was adopted. The Star watermark paper continued to be used for these recess stamps.

The Perkins Bacon printing plates continued to be used until it became necessary to replace these. A second printing plate for the 2d stamp was supplied by Perkins Bacon early in 1864. However, when it then became necessary to acquire another 2d plate the job was given to De La Rue. Perkins Bacon had lost colonial stamp printing to De La Rue in 1862. The latter firm specialised in letterpress printing and when De La Rue received orders for new stamp plates, it proceeded to make letterpress plates in new designs. Consequently, South Australia’s recess printing plates were replaced whenever it needed a new plate for a particular stamp value. The first value from the first series to be replaced was the 2d stamp, which ended with the issue of a 2d De La Rue stamp in August 1868. Next, the Id stamp was replaced by a 1d De La Rue stamp issued in January 1875. The 6d stamp was replaced by a new issue in April 1887. Alone among the first series, the 1/- stamp continued to remain current throughout the 19th century. The 1/- stamp (its colour was switched from orange to brown in 1863) was only needed in quantities of less than 50,000 a year and this did not wear out the Perkins Bacon plate. The 1/- stamp was finally replaced in 1902 when the new series of Long stamps  was required as a result of changes following Federation.

The printing press supplied by Perkins Bacon to South Australia that was used to print the first stamps in Adelaide.

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Dawson Vindin is notable for being Australia’s first successful philatelic publisher and Sydney’s leading stamp dealer during the 1880s and early 1890s. His magazine, Vindin’s Stamp Monthly, commenced in 1887 and was the first of its kind to survive in Australia. For the past 111 years, a monthly magazine has been a regular feature of the Australian stamp scene.

Dawson A. Vindin was probably born in Sydney in 1868. He obviously developed an interest in stamps during childhood because at the tender age of 12 he joined the business of Edward Buckley, a stamp dealer of 7 Little George Street, Sydney. Buckley was possibly Australia’s first stamp dealer, as it is recorded that he was in business during the 1860s. In November 1879, Buckley published the New South Wales Stamp Collectors’ Magazine and this was followed by two more issues over the next 18 months. Coincidentally, Fred Stanley of Adelaide published the Australian Stamp Collectors’ Journal in November 1879 (it lasted only four months), so it is not possible to say conclusively which is the first philatelic magazine in Australia.

In March 1882, Dawson Vindin took over Buckley’s business, which he moved to 88 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. Now aged 13 or 14, Vidin had become Sydney’s principal stamp dealer. Not only that, but he also took on publishing a magazine. A new series of the New South Wales Stamp Collectors’ Magazine was launched in August 1882, but only one edition appeared. Vindin’s second effort was the New South Wales Philatelist. It was twice as successful, there being two numbers – November 1882 and January 1883. Both magazines depended greatly on articles culled from overseas journals.

All these journals, the first and second series of the New South Wales Stamp Collectors’ Magazine and the New South Wales Philatelist, are very rare. Complete files of each are in the Crawford collection in The British Library and a nearly complete holding is in the Royal Philatelic Society of Victoria library. There is also an incomplete set in the Philas library and odd numbers are in other libraries and private collections.

Dawson Vindin made his third attempt with Vindin’s Philatelic Monthly, which made its first appearance in August 1887. This was propitious timing, since the Philatelic Society of Australia was established in Sydney two months earlier by a new generation of stamp collectors that had arisen. Vindin was a committee member of the new Society, which although very shortlived, was influential in initiating the NSW Centennial stamp series – the first commemorative stamps to be issued by a government postal administration. Vindin confidently predicted that his new magazine “…will appear promptly for the next twelve months and that those wishing to do so can safely send in their subscriptions.” The selling price was 2d per copy and the first ten numbers appeared regularly up to May 1888. That of January 1888 was a “Centennial” number and Dr. Andrew Houison contributed an article on NSW stamps which resulted in a double-size (16 pages) issues.

Vindin’s Philatelic Monthly was first regularly
published philatelic journal in Australia.
The first issue appeared in August 1887.

A short piece in the September 1887 issue of the magazine comments that “88 Elizabeth-street is now the recognised “Exchange” and meeting place of the Sydney collectors, and each afternoon, after four, may be seen the familiar faces of Messrs. Pugh, Van Dyck, Hagen, Dr. Houison and other leading collectors, meeting together “in congress” to discuss the latest “finds and discoveries.” In early 1888, Vindin closed his city shop and operated from his private home, Philatelia, at 15 Cascade Street, Paddington. He reopened a shop at no. 9-11 Victoria Arcade, Sydney, in late 1889. This remained Vindin’s premises until he relocated to London four years later.

Vindin’s Philatelic Monthly reported the sale of 1,900 Excelsior packs by Vindin’s firm during August 1887, comprising over 100,000 stamps – a surprising figure given what one would imagine to be a small market at that time. These packets ranged in price from 3d to 5/- and were made up with various selections of Australasian and overseas stamps. For each purchase of 2/6d, Vindin allocated a numbered ticket in a monthly raffle, which offered prizes of cash and other stamp selections. Vindin offered an unequivocal guarantee that all the stamps he sold were genuine or if otherwise, a refund would be made. He claimed to be “…the only firm in Australasia prepared to give and carry out this guarantee.” Vindin ran a regular column in his magazine, “A Polite Request”, which listed the names of those customers who should write to his firm “…as it is unpleasant to be constantly writing to them without avail.”

Vindin’s Philatelic Monthly did not appear between May and December 1888, apparently because Dawson Vindin pursued other (unsuccessful) business interests. What these interests were was not disclosed in a statement in December 1888 which promised to restore the magazine’s regularity and devote full attention to his stamp business. Nevertheless, there were problems with the magazine as during 1889 and the first half of 1890 the size of each issue halved to four pages, two of which were advertising. There was very little local editorial – most of this was culled from overseas journals, in particular Philatelic Monthly, published by an American dealer, L. Durbin, who visited Australia in 1888.

The bad days, however, were past by August 1890 when an “improved series” of Vindin’s Philatelic Monthly began with 16 pages in each issue, on good quality paper and with a coloured cover. There was much more information on local philatelic happenings and more original articles. The real change came with the absorption of the Federal Australian Philatelist in October 1891. This quarterly journal had been edited by A.F. Basset Hull in Hobart, but had to cease publication as the specialist nature of its articles did not find wide enough appeal. Dawson Vindin took on Basset Hull to act as editor of Vindin’s Philatelic Monthly and from this time the magazine was further improved. Vindin was relieved of the pressure of finding copy for each issue and from his dependence on reprinting material from overseas journals. Hull relocated to Sydney to work on the magazine.

There were new recruits to Vindin’s Philatelic Monthly – David Hill wrote on the stamps of Victoria, as did A.J. Derrick. The establishment of the Philatelic Society of Victoria in 1892 encouraged the growth and research activities of the Melbourne philatelic scene. Another contributor of note was E.D.E. Van Weenen, who used the nom-de-plume, Timbrologist. Hull himself wrote an important serial on the stamps of Queensland.

While the journal itself was stronger than ever, Dawson Vindin himself had his troubles. In Stanley Gibbons Monthly Journal of September 1891 the scandal of the NSW Laureate reprints was exposed, in which Vindin was now implicated. He had offered sheets of the 2d, 6d and 8d Laureates in 1887 for £200 a set to various English philatelists. It now transpired, however, that these were in fact reprints made from the original printing plates by a Sydney collector, Anthony Van Dyck. In 1891, it became clear that the few sheets offered by Vindin were not the only ones in existence and their identity as reprints was confirmed. Vindin protested his innocence, claiming he had been taken in by Van Dyck like everyone else. Vindin explained that in about 1884 he purchased unused Laureate stamps from an anonymous customer who he believed to be a government official. Three years later, Van Dyck met this person through Vindin and shortly afterwards Van Dyck obtained the Laureate printing plates, although he did not disclose this to Vindin. Van Dyck supplied sheets of Laureates to Vindin for resale, but kept a plentiful supply himself for sale.

In December 1891 Dawson Vindin left Sydney by ship “to investigate the London aspect of the now celebrated Laureated New South Wales business”. While on board ship and in England and Europe, he wrote of his travel experiences for Vindin’s Philatelic Monthly. These include the hour taken to register three letters with a “wily Cingalese” at the GPO in Colombo; visiting the Stanley Gibbons’ shop in the Strand where he saw “…close on £300 taken in cash over the counter within an hour”; attending the Old Bailey trial of the “celebrated gang of stamp forgers – Benjamin, Sarpy and Jefferies” (the latter named his home Sydney Views Villa in honour of his forgeries); and attending a rare, private viewing of Phillipe Von Ferrary’s collection, during which the curator told Vindin that Von Ferrary would find it “distasteful” if notes were taken of the collection’s rarities.

During Vindin’s absence, his business in Sydney was carried on by Fred Hagen, who had joined the firm as a partner in 1891 (see “Philatelic Profile” in Australasian Stamps, June 1998). Vindin returned in May 1892, but he obviously found London beckoning, because he left again in October 1893 with the intention of establishing a business there. He sold his Sydney business to Hagen. On the voyage to Europe, one of Vindin’s fellow passengers was the Earl of Kintore, Governor of South Australia, who was “quite well informed on philatelic matters.” Lord Kintore had collected in earlier years and once bought a Penny Black “VR” for three pounds.

Vindin’s departure from the Sydney scene meant the end of Vindin’s Philatelic Monthly, at least in name. It continued for a short time while Hagen traded as D.A. Vindin & Co., but when he began trading under his own name the journal naturally had to change. In August 1894, Hagen launched The Australian Philatelist, which in essence was the same as its predecessor. The Australian Philatelist continued in publication until 1924, so it and Vindin’s Philatelic Monthly enjoyed a life of 37 years – a record in Australia which remained until after the Second World War.

Having established himself in London, Vindin commenced a new publication Vindin’s Stamp Trade Journal, which was almost purely a vehicle for advertisements and contained little editorial. The journal lasted only four issues during 1894. Vindin commented ruefully in the final issue that “we have come to the conclusion that the publishing of a philatelic paper is about the poorest business undertaking a man could possibly enter upon.”

A mystery now arises concerning Dawson Vindin. He is not referred to in the philatelic press again. In 1894, Vindin was still a comparatively young man of 26 and had achieved a good deal during his philatelic career. He presumably dropped out of stamp dealing and he must have lost all interest in philately for his name to be so completely ignored. It is unlikely that he died around this time, since this would have been noted in many publications. Vindin must have found other means of living that took him far way from stamps. As a result, it is not known where and when he died. If he had survived into his eighties he would have been alive in 1950s and might have been able to relate to some collectors stories about the very beginnings of philately in Australia.

Published by kind permission of the author.

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The American fleet arrives at the head of Port Phillip Bay on its Melbourne leg in 1908.

The eight postcards issued in 1908 to commemorate the visit of America’s “Great White Fleet” have a special fascination for collectors. These cards feature attractive multicolour designs which contrast markedly to the normal plain postcards provided at that time by the Post Office for everyday use. The visit of the American Fleet generated extraordinary enthusiasm amongst Australians and the postcards are the historical evidence of this.

The Great White Fleet
The American President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to showcase America’s naval power and to this end, he ordered the American Fleet to undertake a lengthy cruise around the world. It was called the “Great White Fleet” because all the warships’ hulls and superstructures were painted white instead of the usual “battleship grey”.

The Fleet sailed from San Francisco on May 27 1908, and travelling via Hawaii and Samoa, and it reached New Zealand 2½ months later. The Fleet’s itinerary during its stay in Australasian waters was as follows:

• Auckland 10-14 August 1908
• Sydney 20-27 August
• Melbourne 29 August – 5 September
• Albany, WA 11-17 September

From Australia, the Fleet sailed on to the Philippines and Japan. The presence of 12,000 “Jackies” (as the American sailors and marines were called) from 12 warships was an event never before seen in this country and it caused scenes of much excitement. Australia obviously appealed to the Americans too, since over 300 of them stayed behind after their ship had sailed and two-thirds of them were never traced!

The “Omnibus” Postcard Issue
The Fleet’s visit was the impetus for an “omnibus” issue of postcards from each state. At this time, separate stamps and postal stationery were provided for each state. Even though the American Fleet postcards share common designs, each state’s card was impressed with stamps of the state concerned. This was the first time in Australia that an omnibus issue of postcards was produced, although during 1909 a similar group of postcards was issued for artists’ handpainting.

There are two clear types of Fleet postcards. The first is the design used by Victoria only for 1d and 1½d postcards. The second is a common design used by New South Wales for 1d and 1½d postcards, as well as by each of the other states for 1d postcards. The 1d postcards could be used within Australia and to nearly all British Empire countries. The 1½d postcards were for use to foreign countries and no doubt were provided with the United States in mind.

Victoria’s Postcards
The distinctive design of Victoria’s Fleet postcards depicts a photograph of the Melbourne GPO and an elaborate scroll heading, all in black, on the front side. The reverse side features a full-colour depiction of crossed Australian and American flags and the inscription below “1908 – Australia greets America”. The design is the work of Basil F. Magnus, a private artist of the innersuburb of Fitzroy in Melbourne. His design was submitted to the Post Office on May 28 1908. It is interesting to note that the front of the Victorian card bears the admonition “The Address only to be written on this side”. The requirement that no correspondence could appear on the front of postcards had been dropped in 1905, but since the GPO illustration occupied the left-hand side on the card’s front, it was not possible to write in this space.

Reverse side of Victoria’s postcard

The Post Office authorised the Victorian Stamp Printing Office to produce 20,000 1d postcards and 30,000 1½d postcards, both sides of which would be on a white gloss type card. The quantities actually printed and delivered to the Post Office were 19,008 1d cards and 29,004 1½d cards. A further 2,000 cards were printed but left unstamped and delivered to the Post Office in this form. The two Victorian stamp electros impressed on the cards are the 1d stamp in carmine and the 1½d stamp in red-brown, these being the normal adhesive types. The two postcards were issued on August 29 1908.

New South Wales’ Postcards
The design of the New South Wales Fleet postcards comprises a full-colour illustration that covers the entire reverse side. This features draped Australian and American flags at the sides and three circular frames that contain the Australian and American coats-of-arms and a warship. The desim is completed with the inscription, “AUSTRALIANS WELCOME AMERICANS”. The front features the standard heading and Royal coat-of-arms, and it is divided through the centre for correspondence to be placed on the left-hand side and the address to be written in the right-hand side. The NSW design was apparently prepared by the Stamp Printing Office in Sydney.

Reverse side of the other states’ postcard

The quantities authorised by the Post Office were 75,000 postcards of which 50,000 were to be impressed with New South Wales stamps (20,000 with a 1d stamp and 30,000 with a 1½d stamp) and the remaining 25,000 to be unstamped. All these postcards are the same white gloss type as the Victorian cards. The two New South Wales stamp electros impressed on the cards are the Id stamp in carmine and a 1½d stamp in blue. New South Wales did not have a 1½d adhesive stamp and the electro employed is a stationery type adapted from the Id Centennial stamp design. The two postcards were probably issued at the end of August 1908.

Postcards of the Other States
Of the 25,000 unstamped postcards printed in Sydney, a total of 23,000 were used to produce 1d cards for use in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. The exact distribution of these unstamped cards was as follows:

• 6,000 to Brisbane to be impressed with a 1d Queensland stamp;
• 12,500 to Melbourne to be impressed with a 1d Western Australian stamp (10,000) and with a 1d Tasmanian stamp (2,500);
• 4,500 to Adelaide to be impressed with a 1d South Australian stamp.

The larger number of postcards for Western Australia probably reflected the fact that the Fleet would call there. Tasmania received only 2,000 postcards instead of the planned 2,500 cards. The remaining 2,000 unstamped postcards were to be forwarded to the Post Office in Melbourne.

The distribution of the unstamped cards reflected the current arrangements for stamp printing. Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide printed the stamps of their respective states and in Melbourne stamps for Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania were printed. It was usual for Tasmania’s postcards to be produced in Hobart by the Government Printing Office, but on this occasion all of the Tasmanian Fleet cards were printed in Melbourne. The Id stamp electros which were employed were those in normal use for postcards issued by the four states.

In Tasmania’s case this stamp was a distinctive 1d Edward VII electro, which clearly must have been borrowed from Hobart to print the Fleet cards in Melbourne.

An unusual feature of the printing of the four smaller states’ 1908 Fleet postcards is that their stamps were printed over a printed red souare containins the word “STAMP” in the top right corner. For some reason the Stamp Printing Office in Sydney produced the 25,000 unstamped cards with this “stamp square” image. It has sometimes been suggested that this was an error on the part of the Sydney printer who failed to realise that the cards would be printed with stamps of the other states. However, it is recorded that the Post Office recommended a distribution of the unstamped cards to the interstate printers on August 10. This was a late stage in the production and seems to suggest that the decision to issue postcards for the four smaller states was made at this stage. If this was the case, then it would have been too late to prevent the “stamp square” being printed. In any event, the unstamped New South Wales postcard was fully approved in proof format with this inscription. The issue of the four states’ Fleet postcards would have occurred in late August or early September 1908.

Usage of the Postcards
As at February 17 1909, the sales of Fleet postcards were as follows:

The sales of the cards in the smaller states was fairly successful, but for some reason the sale of postcards in New South Wales was not. Perhaps this was because the issue of its cards took place after the Fleet had left Sydney. Also, sales of the 1½d cards was not successful. It should be understood that the Fleet postcards did not appeal to serious philatelists at the time. The collecting of postal stationery nosedived after 1900, when Stanley Gibbons made a decision to discontinue publication of its specialised Postal Stationery catalogue and not to stock stationery as part of its new issue service. Remarkably, the issue of the white Fleet postcards went unannounced in the new issue columns of The Australian Philatelist (the issue of new postal stationery was generally ignored by this publication). The Fleet cards were probably bought by postcard collectors of the day. Sales of the Fleet postcards continued until approval was given for the destruction of unsold remainders on April 1 1911.

The Fleet postcards are not common today, although these can be acquired without too much difficulty as mint items. More difficult is the acquisition of used cards, especially those postally used at the time and at the right As might be guessed, the usage of the two 1½d cards to foreign countries is particularly hard to find. Nevertheless, it would be a major challenge to put together a collection of the eight mint postcards.

Unstamped Postcards
The unstamped postcards which the Post Office arranged to have delivered to its Central office in Melbourne present an interesting question. There were 4,316 of these comprising 2,016 of the Victorian and 2,300 of the New South Wales cards. It might have been the intention to distribute these to Fleet visitors. The presentation of “accountable” items by the Post Office staff involved special approvals being made. Possibly the unstamped Fleet postcards were meant to obviate these difficulties as the cards officially had “no value”.

As of February 1909, there were 1,729 unstamped Victorian cards remaining and about 200 of these were impressed with a 1d stamp, as this card had sold out completely. Whatever their purpose, the unstamped postcards are rare items. Just one example of the Victorian, and it is thought only two examples of the New South Wales Fleet card, have been recorded.

External Links

http://www.history.navy.mil/index.html

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For decades, Australian stamps were printed routinely by the Note Printing Branch, the government-owned printing establishment that was primarily responsible for banknote production. There had been only two exceptions to this arrangement – the printing of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and the 1962 Commonwealth Games stamps by overseas firms. Both these exceptions required the personal approval of the Federal Treasurer, since Treasury regulations obliged the Postmaster-General’s Department to use the services of the Note Printing Branch to print stamps.

Following Australia Post’s establishment as a statutory authority in 1975, this restriction was removed. Australia Post was free to have stamps printed by anyone, but the existing arrangement with the Note Printing Branch continued for the time being. It is interesting to note that there was no contract between Australia Post and the Note Printing Branch and there was no prior quoting for stamp printing. Once a job was completed, the Note printing Branch calculated the time involved and billed accordingly.

The decision to cease stamp printing at the Note Printing Branch was made in conjunction with the relocation of this body from cramped premises in inner-city Fitzroy to a spacious, new plant at Craigieburn, on Melbourne’s rural fringes. The Note Printing Branch regarded banknote production as its primary function and stamp printing as a secondary activity. Probably the growing volume of stamp production and the use of different machinery for stamu and banknote printing were factors in the decision by Note Printing Branch to end its historic role as a stamp printer.

Australia Post would have to arrange for stamps to be printed by someone else and this would need to be phased in during the lead-up to the Note Printing Branch’s relocation to Craigieburn. For practical purposes, the use of an overseas stamp printer was not considered by Australia Post. The choice would have to be an Australian printer. Initially, the Australian Government Printer with premises in Canberra and Sydney was chosen to print the stamps for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee (February 1977). A small, initial supply of the stamps was printed before an equipment failure caused the Government Printer to abandon the job. The printing of the stamps was completed by Norman J. Fields & Co., a small, specialty printer in Melbourne who was prepared to work during the new year, when the rest of the industry generally shut down. It was an historic moment, though, as it was the first occasion that stamps had been printed in Australia by a private contractor since about 1860.

Australia Post now turned its attention to the private sector for a stamp printer. The choice was Asher & Co. Pty. Ltd., a Melbourne firm who were experienced security printers producing cheques, tickets and Australia Post money orders. The skills required to print stamps are probably shared by many printing firms and, apart from perforating equipment, the machinery used is no different to that used for ordinary, colour printing. The chief difficulty for any potential stamp printer is the capital investment needed for the required level of security involved in the various production steps. Asher & Co. already had security measures in place and this required only certain changes to meet the needs of stamp production.

The first stamp printed by Asher & Co. was the $10 “Coming South” definitive (October 1977). The small production run of this single stamp presented no difficulties. However, the next issue was the four stamps and miniature sheet of the “Aviators” (April 1978). Last moment changes to the stamp designs and pressure to finish the work quickly caused a number of problems, as is indicated by the range of errors in these stamps. By 1980, Asher & Co. were printing almost all of Australia Post’s new stamp issues. The Note Printing Branch maintained the production of existing definitive stamps, including the base rate definitive, which comprised half of all stamps printed. In April 1981, Asher & Co. were taken over by Leigh Mardon Pty. Ltd. and, from this point onwards, the firm operated under the latter name.

It was Australia Post’s intention that most of the stamp production work would go to Leigh Mardon when the Note Printing Branch ceased its involvement, but a back-up stamp printer would handle the remainder of the work. The second stamp printer could maintain stamp supplies if the major production was interrupted by say, a strike or a fire. Also, two stamp printers would encourage competitive price tendering.

Among several contenders considered for the new position was the Victorian Government Printer, who was awarded the printing of the 22c stamp in the “Australian Aircraft” series (October 1980). However, the printing of this stamp involved difficulties and the Victorian Government Printer opted out of further consideration. The final choice of a second stamp printer was Cambec Press Pty. Ltd. and its plant at Scoresby, an eastern Melbourne suburb, was fitted out for stamp production. Cambec Press printed stamp packs, first day covers and other products for Australia Post, but had no experience printing stamps. The first stamp produced by the firm was the International Year of Disabled Persons commemorative (September 1981). Cambec Press went on to print stamps on a regular basis, but the intention that it played a subordinate role to Leigh Mardon was soon abandoned and the two printers shared the available stamp production work on a “50-50″ basis.

In the meantime, the Note Printing Branch ended its involvement in stamp production. The last stamp actually printed at the Note Printing Branch was the 50th anniversary of APEX commemorative (April 1981), but the last stamp to be issued was the 24c Thylacine definitive (July 1981), which was produced as an undenominated stamp by the Note Printing Branch and the value added by Leigh Mardon.

Throughout the 1980s, Leigh Mardon and Cambec Press handled all stamp production for Australia Post, with only a few exceptions. Following the introduction of stamp booklets for vending machine sale, the first booklet to be provided, “Australian Eucalypts” (November 1982) was produced by the Dutch stamp printer, Joh Enschede en Zonen, as neither Australian stamp printer had the means to machine collate the booklets. The booklets, “Alpine Wildflowers” (August 1986) and “Australian Crafts” (September 1988) were both produced by Mercury Walch Pty. Ltd, of Hobart, who hand-collated the booklets and incorporated the unusual feature of rouletting to separate the stamps in the booklet panes. Mercury Walch became the chief printer of postal stationery following the Note Printing Branch’s withdrawal from production and still occupies this niche 20 years later.

In January 1989, CPE Australia Pty Ltd (CPE means Cheque Printers Encoders) acquired ownership of Cambec Press and it commenced printing stamps under the CPE name. The new firm had ownership links to Leigh Mardon and, three months later, the CPE plant at Scoresby began to be operated as an adjunct to Leigh Mardon’s plant at Moorabbin. Also, from this point onwards, stamps printed at Scoresby were credited to Leigh Mardon as printer. At the end of 1991, the Scoresby plant was dosed down and all stamp production was carried out at Moorabbin.

Leigh Mardon’s monopoly over stamp production was not a welcome development to Australia Post. Prinset Cambec (based on the old Cambec Press) reemerged as a stamp printer. Their first stamp issue was the Sports definitives (January 1990), but for a certain period of time, Leigh Mardon continued to print the great majority of Australian stamps.

The introduction of self adhesive or “peel & stick” stamps in May 1990 caused a third stamp printer to enter the field – Permara Labels Pty. Ltd. The extraordinary growth in popularity of self adhesive stamps revolutionised stamp production. Prinset Cambec adapted its production techniques to help meet the escalating demand for self adhesive stamps, which Permara Labels alone could not produce enough stamps to meet. Initially, Leigh Mardon opted not to get involved in self adhesive stamp production (a costly mistake in the long run), but eventually, the firm embraced this production, although it only printed self adhesive issues for overseas countries and none for Australia Post.

Yet another Melbourne-based stamp printer emerged with the issue of “Vineyard Regions” (April 1992). This was Owen King Pty. Ltd., who after a few months chose to operate under the name of its parent company, McPherson’s Printing Group.

A feature of the production of the new stamp printers is that the firms’ work is confined to the printing of stamps and the finishing work (ie. the perforating, trimming and checking of sheets) is carried out by Sprintpak, a wholly-owned subsidiary company of Australia Post. Sprintpak began as a security packaging division of Mayne Nickless and it undertook the collation of stamp packs and the machine affixing and cancelling of first day covers. Early in 1987, Australia Post purchased Sprintpak from Mayne Nickless and operated it, not only to continue the above work, but also to supervise and assist the work of the stamp printers. Sprintpak acquired perforating equipment and assumed responsibility for the finishing work involved with stamps printed by the new firms. The die-cutting of self adhesive stamps and the collation into rolls and folders is also carried out by Sprintpak. Leigh Mardon, however, continued to carry out all facets of stamp production under its roof.

During the 1990s there has been more experimentation with printing processes to make Australian stamps more appealing and this has involved other printing firms. These innovations have included intaglio printing, metallic foil stamping and optical reflective devices in stamp designs.

The high-value “Gardens” definitives (April 1989) are the first, modem Australian stamps to be printed by a combination of two processes – photolithography for the main design and intaglio as a highlight. The intaglio printing involved a re-emergence of the Note Printing Branch as a stamp printer. The first, full intaglio stamps were “Aviation Feats” (October 1994) printed by Sweden Post, which operates its own printing establishment that uses intaglio to produce most Swedish stamps. The 50th anniversary of National Trusts (March 1995) was the first full intaglio issue by Note Printing Australia, the new name of the Note Printing Branch following its creation as a statutory body. Note Printing Australia has subsequently produced one or two intaglio stamp issues each year for Australia Post.

The application of metallic foil stamping and optical reflective devices has been the specialty of Avon Graphics Pty. Ltd. of Melbourne. This firm’s first stamp was the $20 Gardens definitive (August 1990) on which gold foil stamping was applied to print the denomination and “Australia”. The “Opals” stamps (April 1995) were the first to feature an optical reflective devise, which is printed on an ultra thin plastic film embossed onto the stamps.

Among the more recent changes to Australian stamp production are the end to Leigh Mardon’s role as a stamp printer, a change in Printset Cambec’s ownership and the use of overseas printers for some “Joint issues” with other countries.

In mid-1995, Leigh Mardon lost its stamp printing contract with Australia Post and the firm immediately closed down its stamp printing operation. Leigh Mardon had experienced difficulties with some of its overseas stamp printing commitments and the loss of Australia Post’s work was a final blow. From its monopoly over Australian stamp production five years earlier, Leigh Mardon’s demise as a stamp printer is a surprising story of commercial failure. Canberra Press Pty Ltd., a well-established Melbourne printing firm, subsequently printed two stamp issues, Cocos (Keeling) Islands’ Quarantine Station (June 1996) and Australia’s “Centenary of the National Council of Women” (August 1996), but there have been no further stamps produced by the new printer to date.

In mid-1995, Prinset Cambec was bought outright by Singapore National Printers Pty Ltd and the name of the firm changed to SNP Cambec. This firm is now the chief producer of Australian stamps, handling most of the self adhesive stamp printing and much of the sheet format stamps. McPherson’s Printing Group confines its production to sheet format stamps.

The release of joint stamp issues between Australia Post and overseas postal administrations has involved foreign printers in the production of Australian stamps. The joint Australia-China miniature sheet of Koala and Panda (September 1995) was printed for Australia Post by the Stamp Printing Works in Beijing. The Australia-Germany joint stamp for the death centenary of Ferdinand von Mueller (October 1996) was printed by the State Printing Works in Berlin.

Twenty years after Australian stamps were produced routinely by the Note Printing Branch, an interesting situation has evolved: most stamps are produced by two printing firms, one of which is owned by Singapore’s government, and Australia Post’s subsidiary company, Sprintpak undertakes the final production steps.

Published by kind permission of the author.

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The Australian Commonwealth Specialists’ Catalogue has been a faithful guide for philatelists for 80 years and never more so than the past 13 years under the editorship of Geoff Kellow. The ACSC comprised a single volume until 1993, when the present series of sectional volumes began appearing. With last year’s Kangaroos and Early Federal period, 1901–12, the process of publishing nine sectional volumes covering Australian Commonwealth stamps from 1901 to 2001 was completed.

The latest addition to the catalogue range is the new editions of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Pre-Decimal volumes. This is the first update of the two volumes since the original publication in 1995. Not a lot has been added to the listings, because in the editor’s words “there has been little new significant research into these issues.” Nevertheless, new work has been incorporated, including some new plate varieties and new shade listings.

The revision has been possible through the records of the Note Printing Australia, held for public access in the Reserve Bank of Australia headquarters, Sydney. Since 1995, new records have been examined that supplement information on the printing quantities of individual stamps. Geoff Kellow has pursued this research diligently for many years and this is reflected in the vast scope of information contained in the pages of the ACSC.

The George VI period is particularly important for several unique die proofs and rare plate numbers. Some new plate numbers have been added to the listing and the overall listing has been revised by differentiating between those plate numbers with or without dots and dashes. The most important new item is the unissued 2d Edward VIII stamp of 1936, which only came to the stamp world’s attention in 1996. (A unique, corner block of six stamps from an uncut sheet taken from the press and presented to the Governor of Victoria, is held in a private collection.) The George VI catalogue has been increased by 35 pages over the first edition.

The Elizabeth II period has been revised by improved illustrations of all plate varieties and the inclusion of Australian Antarctic Territory and Cocos (Keeling) Islands stamps (these being valid Australian stamps for postage). The Elizabeth II Pre-Decimal catalogue has been increased by 80 pages over the first edition.

The market for stamps of the two reigns has increased spectacularly for all rare and unusual material, over the past decade. No doubt this is in large part due to the ACSC and the comprehensive way in which it presents background information. Needless to say there has not been much movement in the price of ordinary stamps of this era – evidence of the sophistication of the market and its concentration on scarcity. For example, the plate numbers that were catalogued at around $300–$500 in the first edition are now listed at round $5,000-$7,500.

There could hardly be a more worthwhile pursuit for anyone interested in Australian Commonwealth philately than to study the 3,470 pages of the nine-volume ACSC.

Published by kind permission of the author.
First published in Philately from Australia (June 2006).

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Bibliographies are useful resources, providing the philatelic student with ideas for further research. New Zealand and Dependencies – a Philatelic Bibliography is obviously useful to students of New Zealand philately, but it would be an understatement to say the publication merely serves this purpose. The Bibliography is an extraordinary compilation of sources available to New Zealand enthusiasts.

It represents the combined work of three erudite philatelists – David Beech, Head of Philatelic Collections at the British Library; Allan Berry, who for over 20 years edited the Kiwi for the NZ Society of GB; and Robin Startup, whose prolific output includes over 2,000 articles in the Mail Coach and other journals.

New Zealand has been well-represented in philatelic literature and this is made clear enough by the listing of 700 or so monograph titles in Section 1. (Robin Startup’s works account for 64 of these titles.) Section 2 deals with “Manuscripts and grey literature”, an intriguing listing of unpublished and semi-published works. This section includes theses, minute books, display notes and collection photocopies. Section 3 covers “Background literature – national and local histories of the post” and this section draws attention to non-philatelic works that contain substantial references to postal matters. (Edith Hopper’s Hoppertunity Knocks, the autobiography of Whangaparaoa’s postmistress from 1926-46, sounds fascinating!)

Section 4 is a cross index, which most usefully draws together subject themes from the first three sections of the bibliography. For the researcher, this is particularly helpful way of following leads. Periodicals in Section 5 involves publications whose scope is substantially New Zealand and Dependencies philately. There are around 200 periodicals listed here. Section 6 is Stamp Catalogues and there is a surprisingly long list of these. Section 7 is Auction and sales catalogues, which the authors consider to be a compilation of “material of importance.” Section 8 is Exhibition Literature and it is a reminder of how active New Zealanders have been that 100 exhibitions and displays are chronicled since 1980.

Occupying 121 pages, Sections 9 and 10 deal with Official Publications, providing an exhaustive list of titles. It is extraordinary to study the detailed listings in these sections. The more significant works – annual reports, inquiries, guides and legislation – are covered in chronological listings. (The list of postal legislation from 1842 to 1998 alone provides the basis of solid research.) However, the long listings of ephemeral publications from government authorities generate wonderment that it has been possible to collect and record all these. One could hardly imagine anyone producing a counterpart listing of Australian official publications. Finally, Section 11 Commercial postal operator publications and Section 12 Compact discs and video tapes provide a reminder of how modern developments have impacted on the hobby.

It is not difficult to see why the New Zealand bibliography work could never have been titled “A Select Bibliography!”

Published by kind permission of the author
First published in Philately from Australia (June 2005)

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