The “Year of the Scout” is being celebrated around the world from 22 February 1982 to 14 July 1983. The founder of Scouting , Lord Baden-Powell, was born one hundred and twenty-five years ago, on 22 February 1857, and 14 July 1983 is the final day of the 15th World Jamboree in Canada, concluding the 75th Anniversary of Scouting celebrations.
In Australia, the most important Scouting event within that period is the Jamboree being held at Collingwood Park, Ipswich, Queensland from 29 December 1982 to 7 January 1983. This Jamboreewill be attended by Scouts from all over Australia and from at least twenty overseas countries.
Australia Post is producing a pre-stamped envelope to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Scouting 1982-1983. The envelope os being issued on 29 December 1982 to coincide with the opening of the Ipswich Jamboree.
Scouting evolved from a military training scheme initiated by Baden-Powell early in his career. A book, Aids to Scouting, written by Baden-Powell in 1899 and intended as a military textbook, gained popularity in some English schools as an aid to training in observation and deduction, and in 1906 he was prompted to begin re-writing it for young readers. Soon after, in 1907, he conducted a highly successful experimental camp for boys at Brownsea Island. However, it was the publication in 1908 of the re-written book with the new title Scouting for Boys, that inspired the spontaneous formation of Scout troops around the world, including Australia’s first Scout patrols.
The pre-stamped envelope commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Scouting portrays Lord Baden-Powell in the stamp area. To the left is an early Australian Boy Scout’s membership certificate, from around 1918.
Details
- Date of Issue: 29 December 1982
- Withdrawn Date: 29 July 1983
- Invalidated:
- Designer: Brian Clinton, Melbourne
- Printer: Mercury-Walch, Division of Davies Brothers Limited, Hobart, Tasmania
- Press: Six colour Roland Ultra
- Process: Multi-colour photolithography with luminescense impregnated varnish
- Colours:
- Paper: 105 gsm Glacier White Offset
- Quantity:
Pre-Stamped Envelope No.059
The envelope, measuring 190 mm x 103 mm and numbered 059, carries a 27c denomination. It will sell for $A0.34 at all Australia Post philatelic sales centres until 29 July 1983, provided stocks last.
First day of issue postmarked envelopes will be available at first day of issue post offices, including philatelic sales centres, until 11 January 1983, provided stocks last.
FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARKER OFFICES
Australian Stamp Bulletin
Australian Stamp Bulletin No.164 – January-February 1983
