Australia Philately: 1975 Papua New Guinea Independence

Two stamps of 18c and 25c denominations were issued by the Australian Postal Commission on 16th September, 1975, to mark the independence of Papua New Guinea.

The 18c value was designed by Mr. Douglas Annand of Sydney and combines Australian and Papua New Guinean elements in the design; the top section of the design shows a haus tambaran or spirit house, while the bottom section shows the Sydney Opera House.

The 25c value designed by Mr. George Hamori of Sydney is a symbolic design and shows a bird in flight, representing an expression of freedom. Mr. Hamori also designed the first day cover associated with the issue.

The stamps were printed by multicolour photogravure in sheets of 100 on the Chambon machine at the Note Issue Department of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne, on KP5D Shoalhaven unwatermarked coated stamp paper containing helecon. Each stamp measures 37.5 mm x 25 mm. Five cylinders were used for printing the 18c value and four cylinders for printing the 25c value. Colours, in printing order are: 18c – orange-yellow, turquoise-green, bright blue, lake-brown and black; 25c – greenish yellow, new blue, emerald and gold.

The stamps are available for up to twelve months sale from the date of issue, providing stocks last, from Australia Postal Commission philatelic sales centres.

Details

Date of Issue: 15 September 1975
Withdrawn Date:
Invalidated:
Designer:
- Douglas Annand, Sydney (18c)
- George Hamori, Sydney (25c)
Printer: Note Issue Department, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
Process: Multicolour photogravure
Cylinders: Printing order
- Orange-Yellow – Turquoise-Green – Bright Blue – Lake-Brown – Black (18c)
- Greenish Yellow – New Blue – Emerald – Gold (25c)
Paper: KP5D Shoalhaven unwatermarked coated stamp paper containing helecon
Watermark: None
Perf: Comb
- 13.5 x 13.25 (18c)
- 13.25 x 13.5 (25c)
Sheet:
Quantity:
- 17,331,000 (18c)
- 2,250,000 (25c)