Following the recently announced postal rate increases, Australia Post will issue three stamps on 31 March 1980 featuring Australian Birds. Their denominations and subjects are: 22c White-tailed Kingfisher; 28c Rainbow Bird and 60c King Parrot. The remaining five stamps will be issued on 1 July 1980.
The new stamps are part of the current ‘Australian Birds’ definitive seroes. The other values in the series are – 5c Hooded Dotterel, 20c Little Grebe, 25c Spur-wing Plover, 30c Pied Oystercatcher, and 55c Lotus Bird (issued in July 1978) and 1c Zebra Finch, 2c Crimson Finch, 15c Forest Kingfisher, 20c Eastern Yellow Robin, 40c Lovely Wren, and 50c Flame Robin (issued in September 1979). The 20c Little Grebe was replaced by the 20c Eastern Yellow Robin in September 1979 and will be withdrawn from philatelic sale on 17 September 1980.
Details
- Date of Issue: 31 March 1980
- Withdrawn Date:
- 15 April 1980 (FDC)
- Designer: Kay Breeden Williams
- Printer:
- Note Issue Department, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne (22c)
- Asher and Co., Division of Leigh Mardon Pty Ltd, Melbourne (28c, 60c)
- Press:
- Rembrandt Press (22c)
- Roland-Rekord Press (28c, 60c)
- Process:
- Multicolour Photogravure (22c)
- Photolithography (28c, 60c)
- Colours:
- Paper:
- KP6T unwatermarked papaer incorporating helecon (22c)
- Litho-chromo paper incorporating helecon (28c, 60c)
- Watermark: None
- Perf:
- Sheet: 100
- Quantity:
Subjects
- 22c White Tailed Kingfisher
- 28c Rainbow Bird
- 60c King Parrot
Souvenir Pack
A souvenir pack will not be issued on 31 March 1980. On 1 July 1980 a souvenir pack will be issued comprising the three denominations issued on 31 March 1980 and the five denominations issued on 1 July 1980.
First Day Covers No.139A (Official)
The one first day cover (165 mm x 92 mm) being issued for the series will be numbered 139A. This has been caused by the Australian Folklore issue being postponed to 5 May 1980. The first day cover for the Folklore series will be numbered 139. Cover 139A will be available unserviced for $A0.12 from 24 March 1980. The cover with the three stamps affixed and postmarked 31 March 1980 will cost $A1.23.
First day cover No.139A will be available at all firsrt day of issue post offices including philatelic sales centres until 15 April 1980.
FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARKER OFFICES
Australian Stamp Bulletin
Australian Stamp Bulletin No.146 – March 1980
