Australia Philately: 1970 Famous Australians

The second stamp booklet in the Famous Australians series was issued on 16th November, 1970, and will remain on sale for approximately 12 months. The stamp subjects are the Duigan brothers, pioneer aviators; explorer Edward John Eyre; poet Adam Lindsay Gordon; and Governor Lachlan Macquarie. Following the format established with the first Famous Australians booklet and the Prime Ministers booklet, each subject is shown in a separate pane containing five 6c stamps and a “little tab”. Each booklet, containing twenty 6c stamps, is priced at $1.20.

The stamps each measure 20.25 mm x 24.05 mm, including perforations, although like all booklet stamps they are partially imperforate. They were engraved and printed at the Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne on unwatermarked paper incorporating helecon. Each stamp is a bicolour, having a paler lithographed background colour and the portrait and lettering in a darker recess print.

All four portraits were specially drawn for the stamp series. Artists at the Note Printing Branch prepared the Duigan and Gordon portraits; Mr. Alfred Cook of Sydney painted the Macquaire portrait; and Mr. Tate Adams of Melbourne prepared the Eyre portrait by medium of woodcraft.

Details

Date of Issue: 16 November 1970
Withdrawn Date: 15 May 1971
Invalidated:
Designer:
- Note Printing Branch, Melbourne (The Duigan Brothers & Adam Lindsay Gordon)
- Alfred Cook, Sydney (Lachlan Macquarie)
- Tate Adams, Melbourne (E J Eyre)
Printer: Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
Process:
- Lithography (background)
- Recess (design)
Plates:
Paper: Unwatermarked paper incorporating helecon
Watermark: None
Perf: 14.75 x 14 x imperf (comb)
Quantity: 35,299,000