Australia Philately: 1974 Animals

Four examples of Australia’s distinctive fauna are depicted on a new series of long-term definitive stamps issued by the Australian Post Office on 13th February, 1974. The values and subjects are: 20c Wombat, 25c Spiny Anteater, 30c Brushtail Possum and 75c Feather-tailed Glider.

All four stamps were printed in multicolour photogravure by the Note Printing Branch of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne, on unwatermarked paper incorporating luminescence.

The Wombat and Brushtail Possum stamps were printed on the Rembrandt machine, and the other two on the Chambon machine. Sizes, including perfs., are: Wombat and Brushtail Possum 24.15 mm x 37.75 mm; Spiny Anteater and Feather-tailed Glider 25 mm x 37.5 mm. In each case, sheet content (as issued) is 100. All four stamps were designed by Mr. Richard Bates of Sydney who also designed the official first day cover associated with the issue. Mr. Bates drew the animals from live specimens at Mr. Eric Worrell’s Australian Reptile Park at Gosford, New South Wales. Mr. Worrell also assisted the artist with advice.

Details

Date of Issue: 13 February 1974
Withdrawn Date: Philatelic Sales Centres
- 14 March 1980 (75c)
Invalidated:
Designer: Richard Bates
Printer: Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
Press:
- Rembrandt (20c, 30c)
- Chambon (25c, 75c)
Process: Multicolour photogravure
Cylinders:
- Buff – Green – Black (20c)
- Yellow – Brown – Sepia (25c)
- Mustard – Brown – Grey – Red (30c)
- Green – Pink – Brown – Black (75c)
Paper: KP5D unwatermarked paper incorporating helecon
Watermark: None
Perf: comb
- 14.25 x 14.74 (20c, 30c)
- 13.5 x 13.25 (25c, 75c)
Sheet: Printed in two panes of 50 stamps (R10 x 5) divided by horizontal gutter.
Quantity:
- 14,909,800 (25c)
- 38,264,000 (30c)
- 9,857,000 (75c)