Australia Philately: 1975 Australian Environment Disasters

A series of three 10c commemorative stamps featuring environment dangers was issued on 29th January, 1975, for sale at post offices for about two weeks. The subjects are road safety, pollution and bushfires.

The stamps and the associated first day cover were designed by Mr. Gordon Andrews, of Sydney. The stamps were photogravure-printed by the Note Printing Branch of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne, on Shoalhaven KPT6 unwatermarked paper incorporating helecon. Four cylinders were used for printing each of the three stamps. Colours, in printing order, are: 10c bushfires – lemon, orange-red, brown lake, black; 10c pollution – dull orange, lemon, light green, black; 10c road safety – olive-grey, lemon, reddish brown, black. The raod safety stamp is in vertical format and measures 24.15 mm x 37.75 mm, including perforations; the other two stamps are in the same dimensions, in horizontal fromat. Sheet content, as issued, is 100.

A souvenir pack contain the three stamps (price 30c) is available from philatelic sales centres. The stamps and pack will remain on philatelic sale for up to twelve months from the issue date, provided stocks last.

Announcing the issue of the stamps, the Postmaster-General, Senator Reg. Bishop, said that one of the most important world-wide trends in recent years has been the rapid spread of public awareness concerning threats to our natural environment. The stamps feature three important aspects of these dangers.

Details

Date of Issue: 25 January 1975
Withdrawn Date:
Invalidated:
Designer: Gordon Andrews, Sydney
Printer: Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
Process: Multicolour photogravure
Cylinders:
- Olive-Grey – Lemon – Reddish Brown – Black (Road Safety)
- Dull Orange – Lemon – Light Green – Black (Pollution)
- Lemon – Orange-Red – Brown Lake – Black (Bushfires)
Paper: Shoalhaven KPT6 unwatermarked paper incorporating helecon
Watermark: None
Perf: Comb
- 14 x14.5 (Road Safety)
- 14.5 x 14 (Pollution, Bushfires)
Sheet:
- Printed in two panes of 50 (R5 x 10) divided by vertical gutter. (Road Safety)
- Printed in two panes of 50 (R10 x 5) divided by horizontal gutter. (Pollution, Bushfires)
Quantity:
- 12,049,000 (Road Safety)
- 12,049,000 (Bushfires)