Australia Philately: 1967 Decimal Definitive Series (New Postal Rate)

An increase in postal rates was proposed to be introduced in mid-1967 but did not become effective until Sunday, 1 October 1967. On Friday 29 September 1967, the new 5c value stamps became available.

Because of the revision of postal rates, effective 1st October, 1967, various changes in Australian postage stamps and postal stationery became necessary.

A new 5c Queen Elizabeth II stamp, blue in colour but of the same design as the red 4c stamp, was issued in sheet and booklet form on 29th September, 1967. New postal stationery items were also placed on sale either on that date or early in October. However, a fixed date of issue was determined for the postal stationery items, which are as follows, selling prices being shown in brackets:

10c aerogramme (10c); 5c lettercard (6c); 5c lettersheet (6c); 5c wrapper (6c); 5c embossed envelope 5¾ inches x 3½ inches (6c); 5c embossed envelope 9 inches x 4 inches (6c); 25c registration envelope (26c).

Another new item is a 5c coil stamp (issued on 29th September, 1967) in the same design as the 3c and 4c coil stamps, but with a blue background. No further printing of the 3c coil stamp will nbe made and this item will be discontinued, although it will remain on sale at philatelic sales points for the time being. The 4c coil stamp will be discontinued as a stock item.

The 5c Thornbill stamp, which was stockpiled earlier this year, is being sold concurrently with the new 5c Q.E.II stamp and when existing stocks are exhausted no further Thornbill printings will be made. Similarly, there will be no further printing of the 24c Kingfisher stamp, but it is being continued on sale until exhaustion of stocks. All other values of the definitive series will be maintained and it is not proposed to introduce additional values at present.

A further aspect of the rate change was the procisional stamp booklets containing 4c stamps surcharged with the new value of 5c.