Australia Philately: 1971 Asia Australia

New 7c, 15c and 20c stamps issued on 6th January, 1971, draw attention to the increasing links between Australia and its Asian neighbours. The stamps will remain on sale for about six months.

The designs were prepared by Mr. Douglas Annand, of Sydney, and incorporate many drawings he made during his travels in Asia. The denominations represent the surface mail rate to Asian countries.

The stamps are in a size larger than the usual large gravure size; they measure 50 mm x 30 mm, including perforations. Printing was by photogravure at the Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne, in sheets of 50 on unwatermarked paper incorporating helecon.

In each stamp design, Mr. Annand has used an Australian motif centrally, surrounded by Asian motifs.

Details

Date of Issue: 6 January 1971
Withdrawn Date:
- 6 July 1971 (post offices)
- 31 October 1971 (Philatelic Sales Centres)
Invalidated:
Designer: Douglas Annand, Sydney
Printer: Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
Process: Photogravure
Cylinders:
- Yellow – Pink – Mauve – Black (7c)
- Pink – Green – Mauve – Black (15c)
- Yellow – Green – Mauve – Black (20c)
Paper: Wiggins Teape coated unwatermarked paper incorporating Derby luminescence
Watermark: None
Perf: 13.25 x 13.5 (comb)
Sheet: Printed in two panes of 50 stamps (R10 x 5) divided by vertical gutter.
Quantity:
- 9,525,200 (7c)
- 10,133,950 (15c)
- 9,908,950 (20c)