Australia Philately: 1971 R.S.P.C.A. and Animal Series

The four stamps of the R.S.P.C.A./Animals series will issued on 5th July, 1971. They were designed by Mr. Robert Ingpen, of Melbourne, who completed the artwork in February just before leaving for Mexico, on a commission for the United Nations. The stamps are being printed in photogravure, in sheets of 100, by the Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne. Stamp size in each case is 25mm x 37.5mm.

There will be four values: 6c, 12c, 18c and 24c.

The 6c stamp features a horse, dog and cat, and marks the centenary of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A commemorative, it will be sold at post offices for about two weeks, and at philatelic sales points for up to six months.

The remaining three stamps, the Animal Series, are short term definitives and will remain on post office and philatelic sale for about six months. The 12c stamp features Animal Sciences and shows a scientist treating a lamb; the 18c stamp centres around Fauna Conservation with a Red kangaroo as its subject; and the 24c stamp highlights Animal Aid to man by depicting a guide dog leading a blind person.

Details

Date of Issue: 5 July 1971
Withdrawn Date:
Invalidated:
Designer: Robert Ingpen, Melbourne
Printer: Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
Process: Photogravure
Cylinders: Printing order
- Orange – Maroon – Brown – Black (6c)
- Yellow – Green – Burnt Sienna – Black (12c)
- Burnt Sienna – Brown – Green – Black (18c)
- Yellow – Brown – Blue – Black (24c)
Paper: Wiggins Teape unwatermarked coated paper incorporating helecon
Watermark: None
Perf: 13.5 x 13.75 (comb)
Sheet: Printed in two panes of 50 stamps (R10 x 5) divided by horizontal gutter.
Quantity:
- 6c – 20,104,000
- 12c – 19,718,900
- 18c – 18,098,900
- 24c – 7,978,900