The 350th anniversary of the wreck of the Dutch merchant ship Batavia will be commemorated on the pre-stamped envelope being released on 5 June 1979.
The stamp area, which carries a 20c denomination, features an artistic representation of the Batavia.
The Batavia, commanded by Francisco Pelsaert left Holland in 1628 with two other vessels, but the ships were separated by bad weather and the Batavia sailed her course alone. She struck a reef off the Houtman Abrolhos Islands (off what is now Geraldton, W.A.) in the early morning of 4 June 1629.
Most of the passengers and crew reached the islands safely and Pelsaert sailed to Java in a small boat to obtain help. During his absence a mutinous party murdered many of the survivors. On Pelsaert’s return the mutineers were tried and executed.
Details
- Date of Issue: 5 June 1979
- Withdrawn Date: 5 June 1980
- Invalidated:
- Designer: Jim Passmore & Australia Post Graphic Design Section
- Printer:
- Press:
- Process:
- Colours:
- Paper:
- Quantity: 289,100
Pre-Stamped Envelope No.011
The commemorative pre-stamped envelope is numbered 011 and measures 190 mm x 101 mm. It will be available over the counter at all Australia Post philatelic sales centres for twelve months from the issue date, provided stocks last, for $A0.25.
FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARKER OFFICES
Australian Stamp Bulletin
Australian Stamp Bulletin No.141 – June 1979
