Australia Philately: 1977 50th Anniversary Opening of Parliament House Canberra

An 18c stamp was issued on 13th April 1977, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of Parliament House, Canberra. The stamps was issued for approximately two weeks sale at post offices and will remain on sale at Australia Post philatelic sales centres for up to twelve months from the issue date, providing stocks last. The stamp design reproduces a contemporary photograph of Parliament House.

Parliament House, Canberra, was completed in 1927 and opened by the Duke of York (later to become King George VI) on 9th May, 1927; the Australian Post Office issued a 1½d. stamp on that date to commemorate the opening. 

Details
  • Date of Issue: 13 April 1977
  • Withdrawn Date:
  • Invalidated: 
  • Designer: Reserve Bank of Australia
  • Printer: Note Issue Department, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
  • Process:  Photogravure
  • Cylinders: Bluish-Grey – Blue – Carmine-Vermillion – Lemon – Black (printing order)
  • Paper: KP6T unwatermarked paper incorporating Helecon
  • Watermark: None
  • Perf: 14.75 x 14 (comb)
  • Sheet: Printed in two panes of 50 stamps (R10 x 5) divided by horizontal gutter.
  • Quantity: 20,944,000
First Day Covers No.100 (Official)

Two first day covers, designed by David Lanyon of Melbourne, were available for the issue for approximately two weeks after the issue date.

PHILATELIC SALES CENTRE/MELBOURNE 3000

Philatelic Bulletin

Australia Post Philatelic Bulletin No.132 (June 1977)