Australia Philately: 1975 Australian Scientific Developments

A set of four stamps in a definitive series titled Scientific Development will be issued on 14th May, 1975. This series highlights fields of scientific achievements which have a special relevance to Australia. In some instances pioneering work was contributed by Australian scientists.

The denominations and subjects of the new series will be 11c Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, 24c Radio Astronomy, 33c Immunology and 48c Oceanography. The stamps were designed by the Melbourne firm of Weatherhead and Stitt and show a combination of graphic sumbolism and captions briefly outlining the particular development. The denominations represent the weight steps for non-standard size mail articles. The values of 33c and 48c have not previously been allotted to Australian postage stamps.

These stamps were printed in multicolour photogravure on the Chambon press at the Note Printing Branch of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne. Stamp dimensions are 37.5 mm x 25 mm and each value will be issued in sheets of 100 stamps printed on unwatermarked KP5D paper containing helecon.

Details

Date of Issue: 14 May 1975
Withdrawn Date: 12 November 1976
Invalidated:
Designer: Alexander Stitt (Weatherhead & Stitt), Melbourne
Printer: Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
Press: Chambon
Process: Multicolour photogravure
Cylinders: (printing order)
- Greenish Yellow – Orange Yellow – Bright Reddish Violet – Orange Red – Black (11c)
- Chrome Yellow – Bright Reddish Violet – Pale Blue – Rosine – Black (24c)
- Olive Yellow – Mauve – Rosine – Chestnut – Black (33c)
- Greenish Yellow – Greenish Blue – Brown Ochre – Bright Lilac – Black (48c)
Paper: Shoalhaven KP5D unwatermarked coated stamp paper containing helecon
Watermark: None
Perf: 13.25 x 13.75 (comb)
Sheet: Printed in two panes of 50 stamps (R10 x 5) divided by vertical gutter.
Quantity:
- 14,887,500 (11c)
- 5,927,500 (24c)
- 5,107,500 (33c)
- 5,220,000 (48c)

Subjects

11c Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
24c Radio Astronomy
33c Immunology
48c Oceanography

Souvenir Stamp Pack

A $1.16 souvenir stamp pack containing the four stamps will also be available from the stamp issue date, 14th May 1975.

First Day Cover No.75 (Official)

A first day cover has been designed for this issue by Weatherhead & Stitt. Unserviced covers will be available (at 10c each) from all philatelic sales centres and first day of issue postmarker offices from 7th May, 1975. Fully serviced covers bearing the four Scientific Development stamps and costing $1.26 each will be sold from these points from the date of issue until 20th May, 1975, providing stocks last.

FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARKER OFFICES